We believe that genetic health is every bit as important in breeding dogs as are Best in Show wins. SunDiata has a 40 year 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. At present, we test primarily for the 4 diseases required to gain certification as a CHIC dog (see below.) These diseases and the required tests are:

Hip Dysplasia

• OFA evaluation

• OFA evaluation from an approved laboratory

• CERF evaluation each year until 6, thereafter every 2 years

• DNA Test from the University of Missouri Molecular Genetics Lab

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 4 diseases listed below, and the results of these tests are available on the CHIC database publically 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 breeding stock have had the 4 required tests.

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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.”  No SunDiata Basenji has less than an “Excellent” or “Good” rating. 

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 DISEASE

Since the early 1970s, every litter of SunDiata Basenjis has had their eyes tested by a board certified canine ophthalmologist before they go to their new homes.  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. 
Later in life, Basenjis used in breeding, or any Basenji who appears to be experiencing loss of vision, should be retested for Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA).  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. Because we test puppies at 8 weeks, we do not usually register the results until we retest in later years. If you have questions about the eye health status of any SunDiata Basenji, contact us.

FANCONI SYNDROME

Fanconi Syndrome is an inherited disease which, untreated, results in kidney failure and death. The onset of the disease is any time 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 now over 50% of all Basenjis either carry or are affected with Fanconi Syndrome.  There is a protocol that has worked to keep many Fanconi- affected Basenjis alive for years, although it is not always successful. 

No SunDiata Basenji has ever come down with Fanconi Syndrome. During the summer of 2007, although the Fanconi gene had not been discovered, 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 direct test for the gene was offered to breeders. Three more SunDiata dogs were tested, and all were definitively "Clear." Two previously tested dogs were then retested with the new test and were also "Clear." We will continue to test and retest our breeding stock, but at this point, it looks fairly certain that the SunDiata line is, and has always been, completely clear of Fanconi. Some of our pedigrees have 3 or more generations tested "clear" or "probably clear." At this date, June 2013, 31 SunDiata Basenjis have been tested, and all are either "Clear" or "Probably Clear" of Fanconi Syndrome. 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. All SunDiata Basenjis are guaranteed to be Fanconi-free.