I asked AI about health issues

Can you explain the health issues that Basset Hounds are genetically health tested for?

Breed clubs and organizations work to identify the most prevalent genetic health issues and establish health testing protocols for breeders

For the Basset Hound, this ensures that breeding stock is screened for serious inherited disorders before producing a litter. A prospective puppy buyer should always ask a breeder for proof of these tests for both parents of a litter. 

Genetic diseases with available DNA tests

Thrombopathia (BHT)

Basset Hound Thrombopathia is a genetically inherited bleeding disorder specific to the breed. 

• What it is: A genetic mutation impairs platelet function, preventing proper blood clotting. This can cause excessive and prolonged bleeding from minor injuries, surgery, or during estrus in females.

• How it's tested: A simple blood sample can be submitted to a laboratory, like the one at Auburn University, to identify if a dog is clear, a carrier, or affected by the disease. 

Lafora disease

This is an inherited, late-onset neurological disorder that affects Basset Hounds. 

• What it is: The disease is caused by a mutation that leads to the buildup of abnormal glycogen ("Lafora bodies") in the body's cells. Symptoms, which typically appear between 5 and 7 years of age, include jerking motions, seizures, vision problems, and dementia.

• How it's tested: A genetic test for the mutation can be done using a cheek swab and is available from various veterinary genetics laboratories. 

Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG)

A form of glaucoma that is hereditary in Basset Hounds. 

• What it is: Caused by a specific gene mutation, POAG results in elevated pressure within the eye. The disease progresses slowly, causing gradual vision loss and can eventually lead to blindness.

• How it's tested: A genetic test for the causative mutation can determine a dog's carrier status and assess the risk of passing it on. 

X-linked Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (XSCID)

XSCID is a serious, inherited immune system disorder found in Basset Hounds. 

• What it is: A severe dysfunction of the immune system that makes affected dogs highly susceptible to infections and other illnesses.

• How it's tested: As a specific inherited disease for the breed, a genetic test is available to identify clear dogs, carriers, and those affected by the mutation. 

Eye examination

A veterinary ophthalmologist performs a physical eye exam on breeding dogs. 

• What it screens for: The evaluation looks for any abnormalities or potential issues affecting the eyes, including glaucoma, ectropion, entropion, and "cherry eye". While there is a genetic test for POAG, a physical exam is still crucial for assessing the overall eye health. 

Important considerations for buyers

• Ask for proof: A reputable breeder should willingly provide documentation of all health testing for both the sire and dam of a litter. These results are often publicly available through the OFA database.

• Understand the results: "Clear" status means the dog does not have the gene mutation for that particular disease. "Carrier" status means the dog carries one copy of the mutation and can pass it to offspring, so careful breeding decisions are essential.

• Testing limitations: Keep in mind that not every Basset Hound health problem has a genetic test available. However, utilizing available tests and physical screenings significantly increases the likelihood of producing healthier puppies.

I always appreciate a visual

Basset Hound Standards- BHCA

https://basset-bhca.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/ILLUSTRATED-STANDARD.pdf

I am a rule follower and they ask that no copies are made of this publication so please go to the site. Wonderful info on Basset Hounds!

Basset Hound Standards- AKC

All from AKC: https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/BassetHound.pdf

Just trying to make it easy for you to review.

General Appearance: The Basset Hound possesses in marked degree those characteristics which equip it admirably to follow a trail over and through difficult terrain. It is a short-legged dog, heavier in bone, size considered, than any other breed of dog, and while its movement is deliberate, it is in no sense clumsy. In temperament it is mild, never sharp or timid. It is capable of great endurance in the field and is extreme in its devotion.

Head: The head is large and well proportioned. Its length from occiput to muzzle is greater than the width at the brow. In overall appearance the head is of medium width. The skull is well domed, showing a pronounced occipital protuberance. A broad flat skull is a fault. The length from nose to stop is approximately the length from stop to occiput. The sides are flat and free from cheek bumps. Viewed in profile the top lines of the muzzle and skull are straight and lie in parallel planes, with a moderately defined stop. The skin over the whole of the head is loose, falling in distinct wrinkles over the brow when the head is lowered. A dry head and tight skin are faults. The muzzle is deep, heavy, and free from snipiness. The nose is darkly pigmented, preferably black, with large wide-open nostrils. A deep liver-colored nose conforming to the coloring of the head is permissible but not desirable. The teeth are large, sound, and regular, meeting in either a scissors or an even bite. A bite either overshot or undershot is a serious fault. The lips are darkly pigmented and are pendulous, falling squarely in front and, toward the back, in loose hanging flews. The dewlap is very pronounced. The neck is powerful, of good length, and well arched. The eyes are soft, sad, and slightly sunken, showing a prominent haw, and in color are brown, dark brown preferred. A somewhat lighter-colored eye conforming to the general coloring of the dog is acceptable but not desirable. Very light or protruding eyes are faults. The ears are extremely long, low set, and when drawn forward, fold well over the end of the nose. They are velvety in texture, hanging in loose folds with the ends curling slightly inward. They are set far back on the head at the base of the skull and, in repose, appear to be set on the neck. A high set or flat ear is a serious fault.

Forequarters: The chest is deep and full with prominent sternum showing clearly in front of the legs. The shoulders and elbows are set close against the sides of the chest. The distance from the deepest point of the chest to the ground, while it must be adequate to allow free movement when working in the field, is not to be more than one-third the total height at the withers of an adult Basset. The shoulders are well laid back and powerful. Steepness in shoulder, fiddle fronts, and elbows that are out, are serious faults. The forelegs are short, powerful, heavy in bone, with wrinkled skin. Knuckling over of the front legs is a disqualification. The paw is massive, very heavy with tough heavy pads, well rounded and with both feet inclined equally a trifle outward, balancing the width of the shoulders. Feet down at the pastern are a serious fault. The toes are neither pinched together nor splayed, with the weight of the forepart of the body borne evenly on each. The dewclaws may be removed.

Body: The rib structure is long, smooth, and extends well back. The ribs are well sprung, allowing adequate room for heart and lungs. Flatsidedness and flanged ribs are faults. The topline is straight, level, and free from any tendency to sag or roach, which are faults.

Hindquarters: The hindquarters are very full and well rounded, and are approximately equal to the shoulders in width. They must not appear slack or light in relation to the overall depth of the body. The dog stands firmly on its hind legs showing a well-let-down stifle with no tendency toward a crouching stance. Viewed from behind, the hind legs are parallel, with the hocks turning neither in nor out. Cowhocks or bowed legs are serious faults. The hind feet point straight ahead. Steep, poorly angulated hindquarters are a serious fault. The dewclaws, if any, may be removed.

Tail: The tail is not to be docked, and is set in continuation of the spine with but slight curvature, and carried gaily in hound fashion. The hair on the underside of the tail is coarse. Size: The height should not exceed 14 inches. Height over 15 inches at the highest point of the shoulder blade is a disqualification.

Gait: The Basset Hound moves in a smooth, powerful, and effortless manner. Being a scenting dog with short legs, it holds its nose low to the ground. Its gait is absolutely true with perfect coordination between the front and hind legs, and it moves in a straight line with hind feet following in line with the front feet, the hocks well bent with no stiffness of action. The front legs do not paddle, weave, or overlap, and the elbows must lie close to the body. Going away, the hind legs are parallel.

Coat: The coat is hard, smooth, and short, with sufficient density to be of use in all weather. The skin is loose and elastic. A distinctly long coat is a disqualification.

Color: Any recognized hound color is acceptable and the distribution of color and markings is of no importance. Disqualifications: Height of more than 15 inches at the highest point of the shoulder blade. Knuckled over front legs. Distinctly long coat.

Health Testing

Make sure your breeder is testing! We health test every dog we would like to use in our breeding program. That doesn’t mean breeding only 100% clear on all genetic issues, but it does mean responsible breeding so that NO puppy will be affected by the genetic health issues we can prevent.

The end goal is that ALL of our puppies will be free from the health issues we can test for. We will also never breed a dog tested as affected. Fortunately we have never had one, but wanted to share that anyway.

We test for the following diseases, which are the common Basset Hound panel. We used Paw Print Genetics which is now called Orivet.

Understanding Results

In dog health testing, "clear," "carrier," and "affected" refer to a dog's genetic status for a specific inherited condition. A clear dog has two copies of the normal gene and won't develop the condition or pass it on. A carrier has one copy of the normal gene and one copy of the affected gene, meaning they won't show symptoms but can pass the affected gene to their offspring. An affected dog has two copies of the affected gene and will likely develop the condition. 

Elaboration:

• Clear:

  A dog with a "clear" result has two copies of the normal gene variant, meaning they are not at risk of developing the condition and will not pass on the affected gene to their offspring.  Good deal!

• Carrier:

  A dog with a "carrier" result has one copy of the normal gene and one copy of the affected gene. Carriers do not show symptoms of the condition, but they can pass the affected gene to their offspring. If a carrier is bred to another carrier, there is a 25% chance their puppies will be affected, a 50% chance they will be carriers, and a 25% chance they will be clear. WE DO NOT breed a carrier to a carrier. We require our males to be clear on everything.

• Affected:

  An "affected" dog has two copies of the affected gene variant. These dogs are likely to develop the condition and will pass on the affected gene to all of their offspring if bred with a carrier or affected dog.  Affected dogs should never be bred- ever. Who would do that?

I tried to find this graphic with a Basset Hound but had no luck.