We believe that genetic health is every bit as important in breeding dogs as are Best in Show wins. SunDiata has a consistent record of responsible and careful breeding for genetic health. We have tested our dogs for health defects since the early 1970s. As new tests have become available, and as new diseases have become prevalent, we have added these tests to our testing regimen. The diseases and the tests we complete are Hip Dysplasia , Autoimmune thyroiditis, Eye Clearance, Fanconi Syndrome, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), see below for further explanations of the diseases. At present, these 5 diseases/tests are required to gain certification as a CHIC dog, see explanation at the bottom of this page.
HIP DYSPLASIA
Forty years ago, hip dysplasia was rare in Basenjis, but nowadays it is not so uncommon. Hip dysplasia is an inherited condition in which the hip bones do not sit firmly in the hip sockets. Although only in the most severe cases will HD affect a Basenji’s ability to walk, run, and jump, responsible breeders test their dogs for HD before breeding them. The test is an x-ray of the hip joint, taken any time after the dog is 2 years old. Females should not be tested while in season, or just prior to coming into season. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) maintains a public database at www.offa.org where you can check the status of any dog that has been tested. The grades are “Excellent,” “Good,” “Fair,” “Mild Dysplasia,” and “Severe Dysplasia.”
THYROID DISEASE
Some Basenjis have under-active thyroids, which can lead to a number of symptoms, including poor coat, lethargy, and generally not feeling well. The autoimmune form of hypothyroidism is inherited, and Basenjis who might be bred (and others, if they are from a line that has had problems) can and should be tested at between 1 and 2 years of age. They should be re-tested later in life as well. The OFA maintains a public database at www.offa.org where you can check the status of any dog that has been tested. No SunDiata Basenji has been tested positive for the inherited form of hypothyroidism.
EYE DISEASES / EYE CLEARANCE
Since the early 1970s, SunDiata Basenjis has had many of our dogs’ eyes tested by a board certified canine ophthalmologist. The test seeks to identify any abnormalities, the most common being the Persistent Pupillary Membrane (PPM). The pupillary membrane covers the eye of the puppy while in the womb and dissipates before the eyes open at 2 weeks. Very commonly in Basenjis, the membrane does not completely dissipate. Minor PPMs are not serious, do not affect vision, and often vanish as the puppy matures.
Other anomalies the ophthalmologist looks for are cataracts, opacities, and colobomas.
FANCONI SYNDROME
Fanconi Syndrome is an inherited disease which, untreated, results in kidney failure and death. The onset of the disease is usually after 3 years of age. Thirty years ago, Fanconi Syndrome was an uncommon problem in Basenjis, but unfortunately several popular studs spread the disease throughout the breed, so that at its peak over 50% of all Basenjis either carried or were affected with Fanconi Syndrome. A protocol was worked to keep many Fanconi-affected Basenjis alive for years, although it was not always successful. Click HERE for Dr Gonto’s Fanconi protocol.
No SunDiata Basenji ever come down with Fanconi Syndrome. During the summer of 2007, a preliminary linked marker test was made available to Basenji breeders. SunDiata Basenjis were among the first to be tested, and all 21 dogs tested were “Probably Clear.” The term “Probably” indicates that the test was a linked marker test. In the fall of 2011, the gene which causes Fanconi Syndrome was identified, and a test for the gene was offered to breeders. The tests have proved that the SunDiata line was completely clear of Fanconi. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) maintains a public database at www.offa.org where you can check the status of any dog that has been tested.
PROGRESSIVE RETINAL ATROPHY (PRA)
More recently, a genetic test was developed for Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), which turned out to be very common in the breed. In this disease, the retina atrophies, usually later in life, and in the worst cases, leads to blindness in old age. Although the genetic test found a number of SunDiata dogs with the PRA gene, some affected, it has now been all but eliminated from our breeding stock, and we can guarantee that no SunDiata puppies will be affected with the disease. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) maintains a public database at www.offa.org where you can check the status of any dog that has been tested and the results sent in.
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Click HERE for the complete scientific article on the research, explanation, and conclusions regarding PRA
CANINE HEALTH INFORMATION CENTER (CHIC)
The Canine Health Information Center, also known as CHIC, is a centralized canine health database jointly sponsored by the AKC/Canine Health Foundation (AKC/CHF) and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). The mission statement of CHIC is to provide a source of health information for owners, breeders, and scientists, that will assist in breeding healthy dogs. The CHIC program provides accurate information about the results of a breeder’s health testing. In order for a Basenji to have a CHIC number, they must have had tests for the 5 diseases listed below, and the results of these tests are available on the CHIC database publicly available at http://www.caninehealthinfo.org and on the public database at the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals at www.offa.org. A number of SunDiata Basenjis have CHIC numbers, and almost all breeding stock have had the 5 required tests.
If you have questions about health status of any SunDiata Basenji, please contact us.
