How long do Basenji dogs live?

Basenjis are an ancient breed of dog native to Central Africa and are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and unique bark-less bark. These dogs have been around for centuries and are prized for their companionable personality and athleticism. As a potential pet owner, one of the most important questions to ask is: How long do Basenji dogs live?
The answer to this question depends on a few factors, including the individual dog’s diet, exercise regimen, and overall health. Generally speaking, Basenji dogs have a life expectancy of 12 to 16 years. In order to maximize a Basenji’s lifespan and ensure optimal health, pet owners should provide adequate nutrition, exercise, and veterinary care. This blog post will explore these topics in more depth and provide tips on how to care for a Basenji to ensure a long and healthy life.

Hernia

A hole or defect in the body wall near the umbilicus, or bellybutton, is known as an umbilical hernia. Typically, it appears as a soft bulge in the middle of the belly brought on by abdominal fat, with the intestines occasionally protruding through the hole. Your African Barkless Dog is more likely than average to develop the most prevalent type of canine hernia, which is typically inherited. Gent massage can usually easily push the abdominal bulge back into place, but occasionally the intestines can get caught in the hernia and necessitate immediate veterinary care. At your child’s initial examination, we will check for this congenital defect and, if necessary, discuss treatment options.

Basenjis are susceptible to hypothyroidism, a common condition in which the body doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone. Dry skin and coat, hair loss, a predisposition to other skin conditions, weight gain, fearfulness, aggression, and other behavioral changes are examples of symptoms. Each year, a blood test will be performed to check for this disease. The most common form of treatment is oral hormone replacement therapy.

The pancreas regulates blood sugar and aids in food digestion, which are its two primary functions. The exocrine portion of the pancreas makes digestive enzymes. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, a condition that causes too few digestive enzymes, is more common in basenjis. Due to his inability to absorb dietary fats, this results in inadequate digestion and absorption of nutrients, which causes weight loss, foul-smelling, greasy diarrhea, and a dry and flaky coat. Lifelong dietary supplementation of digestive enzymes is an effective therapy.

The health of your dog’s eyes has a significant impact on his quality of life compared to other factors. We will assess his eyes at every examination to look for any signs of concern as Basenjis unfortunately can inherit or develop a number of different eye conditions, some of which may result in blindness if not treated immediately, and most of which can be extremely painful.

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is an inherited disease in which the eyes are genetically programmed to go blind. Unfortunately, Basenjis are a bit more likely than other dogs to have this condition. PRA is not painful, but also not curable. In dogs with this gene, early symptoms such as night blindness or dilated pupils generally begin around three to five years of age. A genetic test is available for this condition.

Corneal dystrophy is an inherited condition in Basenjis that causes small, white crystal deposits to form in one of the layers of the cornea, the clear outer layer at the front of the eye. There is no known effective medical treatment to remove the deposits. Usually the disease progresses slowly, doesnt hurt, and causes only minor vision obstruction, but partial or complete blindness is possible. In severe cases, surgery may be considered for deposit removal, but unfortunately, the crystals may return.

Sometimes small strands of tissue meant to disappear soon after birth remain attached to the iris. This condition is called persistent pupillary membrane, and your Basenji is more likely to have this condition than other dogs. Fortunately, these tissue bits usually dont hurt or impede vision, but can occasionally cause secondary problems.

Cataracts are a common cause of blindness in older Basenjis. We’ll watch for the lenses of his eyes to become more opaque—meaning they look cloudy instead of clear—when we examine him. Many dogs adjust well to losing their vision and get along just fine. Surgery to remove cataracts and restore sight may also be an option.

A relatively rare blood disorder called Pelger-Huet anomaly can occur in your Basenji. If he is a carrier of the disease, his infection-fighting white blood cells will look abnormal under the microscope, but will operate normally. Puppies that inherit a copy of this abnormal gene from both parents, however, usually die before or shortly after birth. For this reason, it is important to diagnose breeding dogs who are carriers of this defect so they don’t pass it along to their offspring.

A genetic condition called pyruvate kinase deficiency results in the abnormal development of red blood cells. Basenjis with the condition will have pale gums, an inability to exercise, and enlarged liver and spleen. Sadly, there is no cure, and most affected dogs pass away by the age of four. For pet owners interested in breeding or for identifying the disease in young puppies, there is a DNA test available.

Mange

All dogs have a tiny mite called Demodex that lives in their hair follicles. The immune system of a dog typically controls mite populations, but some breeds, like your Basenji, may experience an overabundance of these mites. Pet owners may notice a few dry, irritated, hairless lesions in mild cases. These frequently show up on the feet or face, and they might or might not itch. Secondary skin infections may also occur. In order to prevent the disease from getting out of control, prompt veterinary care is crucial. While some animals seem to outgrow the issue, others need ongoing care.

The immune system disorder known as Inflammatory Bowel Disease, or IBD, is common in Basenjis and causes the intestinal lining to become overrun with immune system cells known as lymphocytes and plasmacytes. His capacity to effectively absorb nutrients is hampered by the thickening of the stomach and/or intestinal lining. Chronic vomiting and diarrhea are frequent, or symptoms might suddenly get worse before getting better again for a while. Stress, diet change, or intestinal parasites can make IBD worse. Diagnostic tests, which may involve an intestinal biopsy, will be required if your friend’s diarrhoea or other digestive issues cannot be attributed to simpler causes. To maintain control of IBD, lifelong medications and special diets are typically necessary.

Dogs can experience three different types of seizures: reactive, secondary, and primary. The brain’s response to a metabolic issue like low blood sugar, organ failure, or a toxin results in reflexive seizures. A brain tumor, stroke, or trauma can cause secondary seizures. Primary or idiopathic epilepsy is the term used when no other cause can be identified for the condition. Basenjis are frequently affected by this condition, which is frequently inherited. If your friend is susceptible to epilepsy, seizures typically start between the ages of six months and three. An initial diagnostic workup may help find the cause. Typically, lifelong medication is required to help control seizures, and periodic blood tests are necessary to monitor side effects and efficacy. Avoid letting your dog hurt himself if he is having a seizure, but don’t try to control his mouth or tongue. Take note of the duration of the seizure and call us at (760) 456-9556 or an emergency hospital because it won’t help him and he might bite you unintentionally.

Personality:

The basenji can be a reserved dog; he is devoted to his family but reserved around strangers. They used to hunt in packs and, if socialized early on, are typically good with other dogs. However, some can be argumentative with other basenjis.

Though they are often intelligent dogs, basenjis are difficult to train. In order to bring out their best qualities, they require thoughtful, patient handling. Although they do not bark, as previously stated, the yodeling is still quite loud. They may be chewers and diggers if left to their own devices.

Basenji breeders and owners frequently describe them as “catlike” because of how much they lick themselves clean and how quiet they are. Additionally, they appear to enjoy ascending to lofty positions, perhaps from where they can view their kingdoms.

FAQ

What health problems do Basenjis have?

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), Fanconi syndrome, and Basenji enteropathy are some of the major diseases that affect the breed, while umbilical hernia, persistent pupillary membranes (PPM), Pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency, and hypothyroidism are some of the minor ailments.

How long will my Basenji live?

The Basenji breed has an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years and is generally healthy.

Are Basenjis smart?

The Basenji breed of dog is incredibly intelligent, but it also has a free-spirited personality. In other words, if they decide they don’t want to be particularly obedient, they might be challenging to train. The Basenji can also be manipulative at times.

Are Basenji dogs healthy?

Basenji dogs typically have good health, and responsible breeders check for conditions like hypothyroidism, IPSID, an inflammatory bowel disease, and canine hip dysplasia.