The ears of the Basset are not conductive to good air circulation, which makes them prone to painful and severe ear infections. Keeping the ears clean as part of a regular grooming session can go a long way toward eliminating health problems that originate in the ear canal.

You should clean the inside of your Basset’s ears once a week with a mild astringent or foaming ear cleanser (available from most pet supply stores or your veterinarian). Many good “recipes” also are available for making homemade ear washes, but always check with your veterinarian before using them on your pet. Some dogs have more sensitive ears than others, so it’s a good idea to use any product with caution, even after getting a green light from your vet.

To use these cleaning solutions, apply liberally to the inside of the ear and massage gently, making sure the solution goes deep into the dog’s ear. Then use a tissue, cotton ball, or baby wipe to clean away the residue. Don’t use a swab—leave the deep cleaning of the ear with a swab to a professional, because you can injure the ear canal with deep probing. Be careful—as soon as you take your hand from his ear, the dog will likely shake his head, which can splash you with the dirty solution.

Don’t forget to wipe the outside of the ear flaps as well as the inside and the outer canal, since the ears will be dragged through dirt, puddles, food, and other nasties. You should start cleaning a puppy’s ears as soon as you bring him home, so that he’ll get used to the treatment and learn to enjoy it. Ear cleaning is also good time to look for ear mites, fleas, and ticks. Ticks seem especially attracted to the folds of a Basset’s ears, and smaller ones can hide quite easily, so be certain that you look carefully inside all the nooks and crannies.

Eye Care

You should always check your dog’s eyes as part of your grooming routine. With their droopy eyes and prominent haws (the third eyelid or membrane in the inside corner of the eye), the Basset’s eyes are prone to irritation. Unless an infection is present, you will not need to clean his eyes regularly. When you give your dog his bath, you can put mineral oil in his eyes. This will protect the eyes from any debris, loose hair, or shampoo that might get into them. While mineral oil can’t be considered a cure for dry eye, it does lubricate the eye.