Ear infections are one of the most common health problems in all basset-type breeds, including the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen (GBGV), Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen (PBGV), Basset Hound, and Basset Fauve de Bretagne. The reason is simple: they have long, heavy, pendulous ears that hang down and cover the ear canal. This creates a warm, dark, moist environment where bacteria and yeast love to grow, and very little air circulates to dry the ears out. Among all the possible germs that cause ear infections in these breeds, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the real troublemaker. It is a tough, resistant bacterium that often shows up once an ear has already been infected a few times or has been treated incorrectly. Pseudomonas loves wet ears and is very common in GBGVs and other drop-eared hounds.

Why Pseudomonas is such a problem in basset breeds:

It forms a slimy layer (biofilm) inside the ear canal that protects it from many normal ear drops.

It quickly becomes resistant to many common antibiotics.

Infected ears usually smell very bad (often described as rotten or sweet-sickly), produce lots of brown-green-yellow gunk, and are extremely painful – the dog shakes its head, scratches, and cries when the ear is touched.

The ear canal can swell shut and even rupture if it gets bad enough.

How owners and vets handle it in GBGVs and other bassets:

Prevention is best Clean and thoroughly dry the ears once a week (or after every swim or bath).

Use a good veterinary ear cleaner that dries the canal (many contain alcohol or drying agents).

Pluck excessive hair from inside the ear canal if the groomer or vet recommends it – hair traps moisture.

Early treatment

If the ear is only a little red and waxy, a normal cleaning + mild cleaner with antibiotic/anti-yeast/steroid drops usually fixes it fast.

When Pseudomonas is involved:

The vet has to take a swab, look under the microscope, and often send a sample for culture because Pseudomonas needs special, strong antibiotics.

Sometimes injectable antibiotics are used if the infection is very severe

Drops have to be used for 2–4 weeks (not just 7–10 days like normal infections).

Because the ears are so floppy, many GBGV owners learn to clean deeply and put medication in twice a day for weeks at a time. Some dogs end up with recurring Pseudomonas every few months and need long-term weekly cleaning or special medicated flushes for the rest of their lives.

In short: long basset ears + moisture = perfect home for Pseudomonas. The key is keeping the ears clean and very dry, catching infections early, and never stopping treatment too soon when Pseudomonas is the culprit. Most GBGV owners say that once you get on top of the ears, the dog is fine – but if you ignore them, the infections come back again and again and can be very hard (and expensive) to cure.

Some Dachshunds come in “dilute” colors like blue (diluted black), isabella/fawn (diluted chocolate), or lilac (diluted blue + chocolate). These colors are caused by a gene called the dilution gene (d/d). When a dog has two copies of this gene (double dilute or “d/d”), it lightens the coat and nose color, but it also often causes skin and hair problems. This condition is called Color Dilution Alopecia (CDA) or Color Mutant Alopecia.

Common problems in dilute Dachshunds:

• Hair thins or falls out, especially on the back, ears, tail, and sides (looks “moth-eaten”)

• Dry, flaky, scaly skin (like bad dandruff)

• Repeated skin infections or acne because hair follicles get clogged or damaged

• Itchy skin and sometimes blackheads

• The problems usually start between 6 months and 3 years of age and get worse over time

Not every dilute dog gets bad CDA – some only have mild thinning – but many blue and especially isabella/lilac Dachshunds end up with big bald patches.

Seasonal Flank Alopecia (Seasonal Baldness on the Sides)

This is a different problem that can happen in Dachshunds (dilute or not).
Every winter (or sometimes spring), the dog loses hair on both sides of the body in perfect oval or round patches. The skin in those spots turns dark (hyperpigmentation). The hair usually grows back in summer.
It’s not dangerous, just looks strange. It is more common in some bloodlines and can happen alongside CDA.

Chocolate Dachshunds and Coats

Whilst being a recognised, and normally healthy, colour, Chocolate (brown) Dachshunds often have softer, thinner, or slightly woolly coats even without the dilute gene. When you combine chocolate with another chocolate, or with the dilute gene (making isabella/lilac), the coat quality is usually the worst. These dogs almost always develop moderate to severe Color Dilution Alopecia and very sparse hair.

Why You Should NEVER Breed Double Dapple, Double Dilute, or Unrecognized/Exotic Colors

1. Double Dapple (two copies of the merle gene)
   Very high risk of deaf and/or blind puppies (missing eyes or tiny eyes). Many are born completely white with serious health problems.

2. Double Dilute (d/d)
   High chance of lifelong skin disease, infections, itching, and baldness. The dog suffers and needs extra vet care and special shampoos for life.

3. Unrecognized or “exotic” colors (like extreme dilutes, “lavender,” “champagne,” or dogs bred only for weird colors)
   These dogs usually come from breeders who care more about rare looks than health. They often have very poor coats, skin issues, and sometimes other hidden problems.

Responsible breeders avoid breeding dogs that will predictably produce puppies with these preventable health problems. A healthy Dachshund with a shiny, full coat is much more important than a rare color that comes with suffering.

The Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen is a French scent hound with a rough, wiry coat that should be harsh and thick, with a softer undercoat. While the breed is generally healthy, hair loss (alopecia) is one of the most common problems owners notice.

Main Causes of Hair Loss in GBGVs

Seasonal Shedding (Very Common)

GBGVs blow their undercoat twice a year (spring and autumn). During these periods they can lose a surprising amount of hair, especially the soft undercoat. It looks dramatic but is completely normal. Regular brushing helps a lot.

Allergies

Many GBGVs suffer from environmental allergies (pollen, grass, dust mites) or food allergies. This causes itchy skin and hair loss, often on the back, belly, tail base, and paws. You may see red skin, scabs, or the dog constantly licking/chewing itself.

Hypothyroidism

Quite common in the breed. The thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormone, which slows the metabolism and causes symmetrical hair loss, especially on the sides of the body (the “trunk”), tail (“rat tail”), and back of the thighs. The skin often becomes thick and dark. The dog may also gain weight and be lethargic.

Mites (Demodex or Sarcoptes)

Puppies or dogs with weak immune systems can get demodectic mange (not contagious). Sarcoptic mange is very itchy and contagious. Both cause patchy hair loss.

Bacterial or Yeast Skin Infections

Often secondary to allergies or hypothyroidism. The skin smells bad, gets greasy or crusty, and hair falls out in circular patches.

What It Usually Looks Like

Normal seasonal shedding: lots of loose hair when you brush, no bald patches.

Allergies: itchy, red skin, hair loss in areas the dog can reach to scratch or lick.

Hypothyroidism or colour dilution alopecia: symmetrical or colour-linked baldness, little or no itching.

Mites/infections: patchy, sometimes circular bald spots, very itchy or smelly.

What to do if your GBGV is losing more hair than usual or has bald patches:

Take photos and note if the dog is itchy, tired, or gaining weight.

Visit the vet. Simple blood tests can check for thyroid problems. Skin scrapes rule out mites. Sometimes allergy testing or a food trial is needed.

Many cases (especially thyroid and allergies) are very manageable with medication, special food, or medicated shampoos.

Hair loss in GBGVs is common but almost always treatable or manageable once you know the cause. Early vet help prevents bigger skin problems later.

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