At Pawmetto Hounds, we consider our basset hounds and their puppies to be family. We are located in Irmo, South Carolina. There is a singular breed of basset hound, but their different bloodlines can make their appearance vary greatly . We currently breed mostly imported European bloodlines. All of our breeding dogs come from quality AKC bloodlines. Most people don’t realize what all goes on behind the scenes of a quality breeding program. All of our breeding dogs have been genetically tested for the following: ▪️ Brucellosis ▪️Thrombopathia (Basset Hound Type) ▪️ Lafora Disease (DNA Test) ▪️ Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (Basset Hound)POAG) - DNA Test ▪️ Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Disease, X-Linked (Basset Hound Type) ▪️ Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa (Basset Hound Type) All of our breeding dogs have clear results. We have a veterinarian that all our dogs visit regularly for wellness exams, vaccinations, bloodwork, and more. However, we take additional steps to ensure we have a successful breeding program. We breed with the guidance of a veterinary reproductive specialist. We meet with them before each breeding for a pre-breeding health exam. They then test both the female and male for brucellosis, and our female then starts progesterone testing, which is done every day or every other day until the numbers are optimal for a successful breeding. We always take 1-3 of our males to our breeding appointments, where each male undergoes sperm evaluation to ensure successful mating. Based on the results, we decide on the best mating pair with our veterinarian’s guidance. The breeding pair is mated twice artificially by TCI, usually a day apart. We always schedule an ultrasound close to 30 days for pregnancy confirmation and to ensure everything looks good for mom and the puppies. An X-ray will be done 3-4 days before delivery to obtain an exact puppy count, and it also helps the vet decide on whether a natural or C-section delivery is needed. After the puppies arrive, we keep in heated, oxygenated incubators, providing them each with the absolute best start at life while also keeping them safe from accidentally being squashed or possible suffocation. They spend plenty of time bonding and nursing with their mom under supervision. We start Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) and Early Scent Introduction (ESI) at 3 days old. We raise our basset puppies using a combination of two different puppy curriculums, starting the socialization process at 2 weeks old to expose them to various sounds, sights, and textures. This helps our puppies conquer daily physical and mental challenges from a young age, building strength, confidence, and character that they'll carry for life. All of our puppies receive health care from a veterinarian to ensure they go home to their forever families in the best health possible. Our puppies follow the veterinarian schedule below: ▪️ 2 weeks old for 1st deworming ▪️ 4 weeks old for 2nd deworming and fecal test ▪️ 6 weeks old for 3rd deworming, fecal test, complete health exam, and 1st vaccines (DHPP) ▪️ 9 weeks old for 4th deworming, fecal test, 2nd vaccines (DHPP), microchipped, and 1st heartworm prevention ▪️ 12 weeks old for 5th deworming, fecal test, 3rd vaccines (DHPP, 1st leptospirosis) ▪️ 15-16 weeks old for 4th vaccines (DHPP, 2nd Leptospirosis, Bordetella, and Rabies), 2nd heartworm prevention, and monthly heartworm medication Lyme and Canine Influenza vaccines are also available between 12-18 weeks. Please discuss these options with your vet . We also believe quality nutrition matters we feed our personal hounds a mixture of homemade dog food and dry Purina Pro Plan (beef or salmon). We introduce Royal Canin starter mousse to our puppies during the initial weaning process , switching to Wellness canned puppy food and then adding Wellness dry puppy food at 6-7 weeks old. We continue this combination until they each go home. I firmly believe that quality nutrition is the foundation for healthy dogs and puppies for years to come, ultimately saving on overall health care costs. By breeding responsibly and following best practices, we ensure that we are raising quality, healthy puppies, making us your go-to place to find your perfect basset hound.