My Basset Pup & Questions RE: the Spine

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Hi guys, new to the forum. I'm Tap and that's (^) my one year old Basset, Ziggy. I found Ziggy in a Target parking lot June of last year. He was incredibly weak and voracious, and I didn't have the heart to leave him there. Originally the plan was to nurse him back to health and then sell him, but he's made himself a permanent resident. Here he is the night I found him:

http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff364/tapks/344e5110.jpg

http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff364/tapks/3d8b7e56.jpg

Anyways, I had a couple of questions and was hoping someone would be able to help me out. The vet believes Ziggy to be a full-bred Basset, but I've always thought him to be mixed, any well-trained eye's in here care to confirm? Secondly, I've noticed that as Ziggy's grown, he has a slight curve to his croup, and his spine protrudes slightly at the top so even though he's gained weight, several of his lumbar vertebrae are visible. I was hoping if someone could offer any advice as to whether this is indicative of future (or current) issues. Do all Basset's have similar protruding vertebrae?

I'll try an upload a few photos of Ziggy's croup later so y'all can get a visual. Thanks and Happy 4th of July!!