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Health Testing Guide
Which tests are mandatory, how to spot responsible breeders — and what it costs when things go wrong.
For the Basset Hound we have compiled 4 mandatory and 11 recommended health tests, drawn from breed-club regulations, the University of PEI (CIDD), and OMIA — weighted by severity and heritability.
What this grade means
The Basset Hound receives a D grade because its extreme anatomy leads to significant health challenges. Chronic issues such as ectropion (drooping eyelids) and hip dysplasia (HD) are exacerbated by the breed's typical build, necessitating very strict breeding selection. Furthermore, genetically linked Lafora epilepsy poses a serious neurological risk, which can, however, be managed through targeted DNA testing.
Every breed is susceptible to certain inherited conditions. Just like humans, dogs inherit predispositions from their parents. Responsible breeders screen their breeding dogs for these conditions and make informed mating decisions to reduce the risk passed on to puppies.
No — but it's the strongest tool we have. Diet, exercise, environment, and genetics all contribute to whether a dog develops a condition. When breeders use the right tests to identify risk in potential parents, the likelihood of many conditions appearing in the puppies drops significantly.
There's no one-size-fits-all here. For the Basset Hound we track 4 mandatory tests plus 11 additional recommended ones. The specific tests and passing thresholds are detailed further below.
Keep in mind
Reliable screening tests still don't exist for many hereditary conditions, and tests for complex polygenic conditions are not always predictive of severity in the puppies. Even so, they're a powerful tool used by every responsible breeder.
There are two main types of health tests:
Screen the dog's DNA for known disease-causing mutations. Can be performed from puppyhood and give a binary result (clear / carrier / affected).
Clinical and imaging exams like X-ray, ultrasound, or ophthalmoscopy. They show how a predisposition actually manifests — usually only conclusive after 12–18 months.
We group breeding programs into three levels based on testing depth. Ask your breeder directly which level they meet.
A breeder at the Great level performs all mandatory tests plus 11 additional clinically recommended screenings that reduce risk in this breed.
In addition to mandatory tests:
Ectropion / Entropion
Augen
These are structural eyelid abnormalities affecting a dog's eyes. In cases of entropion, the eyelid rolls inward, causing the eyelashes or fur to rub painfully against the surface of the eyeball. In ectropion, the eyelid sags or rolls outward, leaving the sensitive inner lining of the eye exposed and unprotected.
Passing: CLEAR
Third eyelid (nictitating membrane) abnormalities - "cherry eye"
Augen und Sehvermögen
A prolapse of the nictitating membrane gland, commonly called 'cherry eye,' occurs when the tear gland of the third eyelid slips out of its normal position. This gland is responsible for producing a significant portion of the eye's protective tear film. When the connective tissue holding it in place weakens, the gland protrudes, appearing as a red, fleshy mass in the inner corner of the eye.
Physisch · Passing: CLEAR
Cervical vertebral compressive myelopathy(CVCM)
Bewegungsapparat
Cervical vertebral compressive myelopathy, commonly known as Wobbler syndrome, is a condition affecting the spine where the spinal cord in the neck becomes pinched. This compression is caused by malformed neck vertebrae or slipping discs between the bones. Over time, the constant pressure damages the nerve pathways that carry signals from the brain to the limbs.
Roentgen · Passing: Normal
Elbow Dysplasia(ED)
Bewegungsapparat
Elbow dysplasia is a developmental disorder of the musculoskeletal system where the three bones forming the elbow joint do not fit together properly. This misalignment causes abnormal friction and wear on the joint cartilage, eventually leading to painful, chronic joint inflammation and arthritis. It is a complex genetic condition influenced by multiple genes.
Roentgen · Passing: 0
Patellar Luxation(PL)
Bewegungsapparat
Patellar luxation, also known as a luxating patella, is a physical condition affecting the knee joint where the kneecap slips out of its normal groove. This misalignment interferes with the mechanical movement of the hind leg and can cause the joint to lock. Over time, this abnormal friction can lead to painful joint wear and tear, known as osteoarthritis.
Physisch · Passing: 0
Color Dilution Alopecia (CDA)(CDA)
Haut und Fell
Color Dilution Alopecia is a genetic skin disorder that affects dogs with diluted coat colors, such as blue, fawn, or lilac. It is caused by an abnormal distribution of pigment within the hair shafts, which makes the hair brittle and prone to breaking. This structural weakness leads to progressive hair loss and leaves the skin more vulnerable to irritation.
Haut · Passing: CARRIER
Seborrhea
Haut und Fell
Primary seborrhea is an inherited skin disorder where the body's natural process of shedding and replacing skin cells happens much too quickly. This rapid cell turnover disrupts the skin's protective barrier and causes an overproduction of sebum, which is the natural oil produced by the skin's glands. As a result, the skin becomes either excessively greasy or very dry and flaky.
Haut · Passing: CARRIER
Platelet dysfunction (thrombocytopathia, Basset hound thrombopathia)(BHT)
Herz und Kreislauf
This is an inherited blood clotting disorder caused by a genetic mutation in the RASGRP2 gene, which affects how platelets (the blood cells responsible for stopping bleeding) function. Even though the dog has a normal number of platelets, these cells cannot clump together properly to form clots. This impairs the circulatory system's ability to heal wounds and control bleeding.
DNA · Passing: Clear or Carrier (Carrier only bred to Clear)
Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)(SCID)
Immunsystem
Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is an inherited genetic defect of the immune system, specifically linked to the X chromosome. It prevents the dog's body from producing functional white blood cells, known as T and B lymphocytes, which are essential for fighting off infections. Without these defense cells, affected puppies are completely vulnerable to even common environmental bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
DNA · Passing: Clear (or Carrier females bred only to Clear males)
Intervertebral disc disease(IVDD)
Nervensystem
Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) is a degenerative condition affecting the spine, where the cushioning discs between the vertebrae harden and rupture. When these discs herniate, meaning they bulge or burst, they press against the spinal cord and surrounding nerves. This compression disrupts the nervous system, causing pain and potentially blocking signals between the brain and the limbs.
Passing: Normal
Panosteitis(Pano)
Zähne und Knochen
Panosteitis is a temporary, painful inflammation affecting the outer surface and inner marrow cavity of the long bones in a dog's legs. This skeletal condition involves an abnormal buildup of bone tissue inside the marrow cavity during periods of rapid growth. It is a benign, or non-cancerous, condition that does not cause permanent damage once it resolves.
Roentgen · Passing: Normal
These levels are a comparison framework, not an official certification. They help compare breeding programs at a glance.
A complete checklist with every mandatory and recommended test plus identity and rearing questions — take it with you.
Open the full checklistFor breeders
Machine-readable mating rules, minimum ages, scoring schemes, and what's required for HonestDog verification — as a printable guide.
Example rule — Hip dysplasia
Both parents must be C or better (C only bred to A or B) or better.
We compile mandatory tests from official breed regulations and veterinary databases — and check every uploaded certificate for authenticity.
L1 = mandatory under breed-club regulations. L2 = recommended or clinically indicated. L3 = lower prevalence. Every assignment carries a source and confidence rating.
VDH breeding regulations, CIDD (University of PEI), OMIA (University of Sydney), curated veterinary input.
Uploaded certificates are AI-extracted and reviewed by our team for authenticity, date, and result.
4 tests are currently mandatory under the relevant breed-club regulations. The most common are Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG), Hip dysplasia (HD), Lafora disease (Lafora). Every test must be completed before mating, and the result must fall within the threshold defined by the regulation.
See breeders who have already uploaded their mandatory tests for verification.
View verified breeders