Basset Fauve de Bretagne are small French scent hounds: friendly and amenable but very nose‑driven, independent, and easily distracted by smells. Common triggers include small animals (rabbits/squirrels), high‑traffic entrances, and other pets, which can prompt pulling and baying. In the lobby, keep securely leashed, seat away from small pets, and expect vocalizing when excited; many settle faster with brief sniff time and high‑value treats. Ask owners about handling preferences and any areas to avoid (e.g., ears) since drop‑eared hounds may dislike ear handling.
Front desk script: Thanks for letting us know your dog is a Basset Fauve de Bretagne. They’re very scent‑focused and may get vocal around other pets, so please keep them leashed—we’ll seat you in a quieter spot and have treats ready. Do they prefer time to sniff first, and are there handling sensitivities (like ears or paws) we should note? If you report collapse, trouble breathing, or signs of heat stress before arrival, tell me immediately so we can alert the doctor or direct you to emergency care.
Generally a healthy hound, the Basset Fauve de Bretagne has a documented inherited risk for primary open‑angle glaucoma (POAG) from an ADAMTS17 mutation (often called POAG‑4). This form typically appears in mid‑adulthood and can lead to eye discomfort and vision loss; red or blue‑tinged/cloudy or enlarged eyes, squinting, or sudden vision change should be treated as an emergency and seen immediately. Like other drop‑eared hounds, their ear shape can predispose them to otitis (ear infections); head‑shaking, ear odor, or discharge warrant a same‑day appointment.
Front desk script: I want to flag two breed‑linked risks we watch for in Fauves. They have a known inherited risk for a specific glaucoma; if you ever see a red, cloudy, suddenly enlarged, or painful eye—or a sudden change in vision—please come in immediately as this is an emergency. Their drop ears can trap moisture, so if there’s head‑shaking, odor, or discharge, we’ll book a same‑day ear check. We can also add routine eye and ear check reminders to your file.
Small, cheerful French scent hound that thrives on daily vigorous walks and sniff-based activities; keep on leash or in a secure yard due to strong prey drive. Harsh, low-maintenance coat needs weekly brushing (occasional hand-stripping) and routine nail and ear checks. Generally robust, but the breed carries a known inherited risk for primary open-angle glaucoma—if you see a suddenly red, cloudy, or painful eye, squinting, or vision changes, this is an emergency and needs immediate care. Typically friendly with families and other dogs; train with positive, consistent cues (they can be independent and vocal).
Front desk script: They’re friendly, busy scent hounds—plan on a good daily walk and weekly brushing; we’ll also show you quick ear-checks. We recommend regular wellness and eye exams, as this breed can inherit a form of glaucoma. If you ever notice a suddenly red, painful, or cloudy eye or vision changes, that’s an emergency—call us right away or go to the nearest ER. Would you like me to book your next visit and note the breed-specific eye and ear checks?
Front-desk teams most often hear from Basset Fauve de Bretagne owners about: smelly, itchy, or discharge-filled ears with head-shaking (drop ears and field sniffing can trap moisture/debris); itchy skin or hot spots; red, cloudy, squinting eyes (the breed club flags a risk for primary open‑angle glaucoma); sudden back/neck pain, reluctance to jump, or a wobbly gait (short‑legged, long‑backed body type increases IVDD risk); overgrown or torn nails; anal‑gland scooting/odor; gastro‑upset after scavenging; and routine preventive care. Escalate immediately if an eye is painful, bulging, suddenly cloudy, or vision seems lost, or if back pain is paired with hind‑limb weakness/wobbliness, collapse, or trouble urinating/defecating.
Front desk script: Thanks for calling about your Basset Fauve—let me ask a few quick triage questions about when this started, appetite/energy, recent outdoor exposure, and any red flags (painful or bulging eye, sudden cloudiness/vision change; severe back pain, wobbliness, or trouble urinating). If any red flags are present, please come in now or go to the nearest emergency hospital. If not, we’ll book a same‑day visit; please avoid cleaning the ears or applying over‑the‑counter products until the veterinarian examines your dog.
Basset Fauve de Bretagne coats are harsh and wiry and are best maintained with weekly combing/brushing and periodic professional hand‑stripping (about 1–2 times per year) rather than close clipping, which can alter texture; moderate shedding is expected. Their dropped, pendulous ears can trap heat and moisture, so build in regular ear checks at wellness visits and advise owners to monitor for odor, redness, head‑shaking, or pain—book a same‑day exam if noted; if there is sudden head tilt, loss of balance, or severe ear swelling, direct to emergency care immediately.
Front desk script: This breed has a harsh, wiry coat—plan weekly brushing and we can refer you to a groomer experienced in hand‑stripping every 6–12 months. Because their ears hang down, we recommend regular ear checks and to contact us the same day if there’s odor, redness, head‑shaking, or obvious discomfort. If you see a sudden head tilt or balance problems, please go to emergency care right away. Would you like us to schedule a wellness ear check or share groomer referrals?
Basset Fauve de Bretagne (drop‑eared scent hound): on intake, anticipate ear-related calls (head‑shaking, odor, discharge), as pendulous ears and allergies increase otitis risk; route these to a same‑week “sick/ear problem” appointment, allow time for ear diagnostics, and ask about duration, discharge, pain, prior meds, recent swimming/cleaning, and any head tilt/balance change (upgrade urgency if noted). This breed also has a documented inherited risk for primary open‑angle glaucoma (ADAMTS17), so any report of a red/very painful or cloudy/blue eye, an eye that looks enlarged/firm, marked squinting, or sudden vision change should be scheduled immediately the same day; if we cannot see them within a few hours, direct to the nearest emergency hospital. For non‑urgent skin/itch concerns without eye/ear red flags, book the next available non‑urgent exam and note that rechecks or referral (e.g., ophthalmology for eye concerns) may be needed.
Front desk script: Thanks for calling about your Basset Fauve de Bretagne—let me ask a few quick questions so we can schedule you correctly. Are either of the eyes red, cloudy/blue, very painful or squinting, does the eye look larger, or has there been any sudden vision change? If yes to any of those, this is an emergency; we will see you immediately today or direct you to the nearest ER if we cannot accommodate within a few hours. If it’s mainly ear itch/odor/discharge without severe pain or balance problems, I’ll book a same‑week sick visit—please bring any prior ear medications and avoid cleaning the ears on the day of the exam.
Basset Fauve de Bretagne lifecycle cues for scheduling: Puppies need a series of vaccine/parasite visits from 6–16 weeks, microchip/ID setup, and early socialization and ear-handling—pre-book the full puppy series and a spay/neuter consult per doctor guidance. Adults typically come annually for wellness; note activity (hunting/tracking) to align boosters and parasite prevention, monitor weight/body condition, and add routine ear and dental check-ins. From about 7–8+ years, shift to twice-yearly senior visits with screening labs and mobility, hearing, and vision check-ins; document any breeder-provided POAG-4 DNA status in the chart. Escalate same-day if owners report sudden eye redness/cloudiness, squinting, rapid vision change, severe head tilt/balance issues, or painful, foul-smelling ears—advise immediate evaluation.
Front desk script: For Fauve puppies, we’ll schedule the full vaccine/parasite series through 16 weeks and your next growth/ear check; the doctor will also discuss spay/neuter timing. For healthy adults, we recommend yearly wellness with parasite and ear checks (more often if your dog hunts or hikes) and can reserve a dental slot. For seniors around 7–8+ years, we book twice-yearly exams with screening labs. If you notice sudden eye redness/cloudiness, squinting, rapid vision change, a severe head tilt, or painful, foul-smelling ears, please call us immediately for same-day care.
Scent-driven and energetic, Basset Fauve de Bretagne often arrive curious and nose-first—ask owners to keep a secure leash/harness on and allow staff to manage doors. Verify collar ID/microchip and note outdoor/field time. Because of their dropped ears, proactively ask about head shaking, scratching, odor, or discharge and note for the medical team. Breed organizations highlight glaucoma risk; coach owners that a red, painful or cloudy eye or sudden squinting is an emergency and to contact the clinic immediately. Invite owners to bring a few small treats for cooperative handling and arrive a few minutes early for a calm weigh-in.
Front desk script: “Thanks for keeping your Fauve on a secure leash—these hounds love to follow scents, and we’ll help with doors. Any recent ear issues like head shaking, scratching, odor, or discharge we should flag for the doctor?” “If you ever see a red, painful or cloudy eye, or sudden squinting, that’s an emergency—please call us right away or proceed to the nearest ER.”
For Basset Fauve de Bretagne, prioritize eyes and ears in scheduling: the breed has a documented ADAMTS17‑related primary open‑angle glaucoma (POAG‑4) risk—offer annual eye screening (CAER with a veterinary ophthalmologist or DVM‑led eye/IOP checks as directed) and ensure any DNA/eye results are on file; instruct owners to seek emergency care now for sudden eye pain, redness/cloudiness, an enlarged pupil, or vision changes. Their drop ears predispose to otitis—build routine ear checks into wellness/groom visits and book prompt rechecks for head‑shaking, odor, or discharge; escalate same day if head tilt, balance issues, or severe ear pain are reported. During annual visits, confirm weight control and document any breed‑club screening history (hips, patellas, cardiac, eyes) to time follow‑ups or referrals per the veterinarian.
Front desk script: For Fauves, we recommend keeping an annual eye exam on the calendar due to a known breed risk for glaucoma. If you ever notice a suddenly red or painful eye or vision changes, please come in immediately—this is an emergency. Because their ears are floppy, we also book regular ear checks; call us sooner if you see head‑shaking, odor, or discharge, and the same day if there’s a head tilt or trouble walking straight. I can schedule those preventive appointments for you now.
Lively, friendly, amenable scent hound that’s determined once on a scent; expect enthusiasm, pulling, and occasional baying when excited. Front-desk handling: calm, positive, treat-based approach; keep securely leashed and use closed-door/double‑door transitions; allow brief sniffing to settle. What matters most: drop ears predispose to ear issues—ask about head shaking, ear odor, or discharge; this breed has a documented ADAMTS17‑associated primary open‑angle glaucoma risk—if owners report sudden red/painful eyes, cloudiness, or vision change, alert the veterinarian immediately and fast‑track as an emergency; vestibular signs (head tilt, nystagmus) after ear problems also warrant urgent assessment. ([royalkennelclub.com](https://www.royalkennelclub.com/breed-standards/hound/basset-fauve-de-bretagne/?utm_source=openai))
Front desk script: He’s a Basset Fauve de Bretagne—typically friendly but very scent‑driven, so we’ll use treats and a calm voice and keep him securely leashed. Have you noticed any ear scratching, odor, or head‑shaking? If you’ve seen sudden eye redness, squinting, cloudiness, or vision changes, please tell me now so the doctor can see him right away. If he gets vocal or pulls toward smells, that’s normal for this breed.
Small, wire‑coated scent hound with strong tracking and chase drive; use secure, fitted equipment at intake (slip lead or martingale) and double‑door protocols to prevent bolting. Expect sociable, pack‑friendly behavior with dogs, but supervise around small pets due to prey interest and plan for enrichment and daily exercise; fenced yards and leashed walks are recommended. Dropped ears increase risk for ear problems—coach adopters to perform routine visual ear checks after outdoor time and to call if they note persistent scratching, odor, dark discharge, or pain. Escalate immediately if head tilt, loss of balance, severe lethargy, or vomiting appear, as these can signal inner‑ear complications and require urgent veterinary assessment.
Front desk script: This breed is a scent hound and may follow odors or try to bolt—please keep them on a secure leash/harness and use our double‑door exits. They do best with leashed walks and a secure yard; they may bay when excited. Their drop ears can trap moisture; if you notice persistent ear scratching, strong odor, dark discharge, or ear pain, contact us the same day—if there’s head tilt or loss of balance, seek urgent veterinary care now. We’re happy to share enrichment ideas to channel their nose productively.
Lively, friendly, and people‑oriented scent hound that can be single‑minded on odors; at check‑in expect nose‑down pulling to explore, possible cheerful baying when excited, and a social but determined demeanor. Use a secure leash and keep distance from small pets/prey‑like animals; seat in a lower‑traffic area to reduce arousal. Allow brief sniff time, then redirect with treats and calm voice; avoid dragging or tight face‑to‑face greetings. For handoffs, let the dog approach staff, use slow movements and rewards, and watch for stress signals (pacing, trembling, lip‑licking, yawning, wide eyes, stiffening, growling). If distress escalates to continuous, uninterruptible baying, frantic escape attempts, or defensive aggression, alert medical staff immediately so the team can implement low‑stress handling.
Front desk script: This breed is a friendly scent hound and may get very focused on smells, so we’ll keep a secure leash and seat you a bit apart so your dog can sniff and settle. We’ll use treats and a calm handoff to the care team—please let us know if you see nonstop baying, shaking, or attempts to bolt. If your dog seems highly stressed, we’ll notify a technician right away to assist.
For Basset Fauve de Bretagne patients, escalate to emergency care immediately if any of the following are reported: difficulty breathing or noisy/labored respirations; gums that are blue/gray or very pale; collapse or extreme weakness; repeated unproductive retching with a tight/distended abdomen; first-time seizure, any seizure lasting over 3–5 minutes, or multiple seizures in 24 hours; sudden severe back/neck pain, wobbliness, hindlimb dragging, or inability to walk; straining to urinate or no urine produced; sudden red/painful eye, bulging eye, or sudden vision loss; known/suspected toxin exposure; major trauma or uncontrolled bleeding; signs of heatstroke (excessive panting, drooling, confusion, collapse). Use explicit language: “This is an emergency—come to the nearest ER now; do not wait.”
Front desk script: Based on what you’ve described, this needs emergency care now. Please bring your dog to our ER or the nearest emergency hospital immediately—I’ll alert the clinical team and help with directions. If a toxin may be involved, bring the packaging and you can also call ASPCA Poison Control at 888-426-4435 while en route. Drive safely and limit movement if your dog is struggling to walk.