Looking at buying a basset hound for a family pet. Would a basset hound beeasliy trained as a tracker for downed deer?

Most are. This is a pretty individualized skill, but most bassetts and blood hounds pick it up.

Skeeter make sure the dog comes from hunting stock if you want it to also track. There is a big difference in the breed between what the show people raise and what people raise to hunt with. They can ave a very good nose for tracking. But do not be suprise at how hard they pull for their size, they are very strong.

skeeter, I'd suggest you look into becoming a member over at the United Blood Trackers @ http://www.unitedbloodtrackers.org/index.php

JUST MAKE SURE ITS LEAGL IN IN YER STATE OR HUNTING AREA. IF YA LOOK AT THAT DOG LINK ABOVE THIS ONE THEY HAVE THE REGULATIONS STATE BY STATE