Genetic testing is important for many reasons but the main reason we do it is to avoid our puppies having diseases that could have easily been prevented had their parents been health genetic tested. I have heard so many horror stories of families losing their family members early (2 to 4 years of age!) because their dogs had a genetic disorder/disease that could not be treated or cured, but could have been easily avoided had parents been health tested. There are over 250 diseases that my dogs are tested for such as blood disorders, diseases, and genetic disorders. Not only do we test through embark we test through 3 different labs to ensure we are producing healthy puppies free of primary open angle glaucoma, lafora, x sex link, thrombopathia, and mucopolysaccharidosis. Genetic testing in dogs enables diagnosis of a disease before the development of it's symptoms. Our goal is to selectively breed genetic health tested dogs to eliminate these diseases and provide families with healthier puppies/dogs! Yes it is costly to genetic test... but it costs less than treating or maintaining a dog with a genetic or congenital disease in the long run. Every one of my bassets, male or female, is genetic tested against all these diseases! Because of this testing I offer a lifetime guarantee against all genetic diseases. ​

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Due to our interest in blue basset hounds, we decided early on to learn more about the genetics behind the color. We have genetic tested all of our basset hounds but most importantly our blue bassets. Blue bassets are not unhealthy. They do not pose higher risk to skin issues genetically. All of our blue basset hounds are healthy with beautiful coats. Any skin condition that goes untreated can lead to alopecia and any dog of any color can get skin conditions due to poor diet, vitamin deficiencies, and bacterial infections including yeast. It is not automatically found in blue bassets hounds contrary to common belief. 

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We, as breeders, understand genetics and are willing to help others! Many breeders are not as willing to help other breeders as they are considered their competition. This is not what we think, and we are willing to help others learn. If you want to learn about genetics, have an embark panel on your dog and don't understand what it melians, I would be happy to help! Education is crucial to raising puppies. If you don't have your dog genetically tested and you are breeding it, you are part of the problem. Breeders should be willing to learn, not only buy from reputable breeders. There is a whole genetic side to breeding. I was once told by a breeder that a basset hound's color cannot be predicted as they change so much from birth to 5 years. I tried to educate her but she was unwilling to listen or learn. Genetic testing is crucial to better the breed. If you are just buying a pet, buying from reputable breeders that are genetically testing their dogs, you will pay a little more for your puppy, but in the long run you will save money in medical costs in the long run. Plus we are so confident in the health of our puppies that we offer an extended health guarantee of up to 4 years, if you keep the puppy on the recommended food and vitamins!