Basenji Dog Breed: Characteristic, Health & Fun Facts!

The Basenji is a breed native to Africa. These breeds are known for their great temperament. Scent and sight are known as the strengths of this breed. They were initially known for hunting and picking out and flushing small creatures like rodents.

They were known to help eliminate rodents from growing populations in villages. These dogs are great companions, and this is one of their plus points as well when owners are looking for a hospitable breed to adopt and house. Even novice pet parents can live with these breeds since they are easy to home and train. 

About The Breed

The Basenji is a high-energy dog that is a great companion for first-time owners and pet parents who love to stay agile while desiring a protective and loyal dog. An important aspect of these dogs is that they are quick learners and highly intelligent.

Coat care, grooming, and taking care of these dogs are very easy; thus, they are easy to train and keep busy. They are loyal, and they often want to please their owners and families to keep them happy. 

Basenji Dog Breed History

The Basenji is a breed from the African region. They are probably one of the oldest breeds when it comes to domesticated dogs. Since they are the oldest, they are not barkers. The wild wolf is considered the cousin of this breed.

The Westerners were the first ones to discover this breed. They were found in Congo, West Africa, in the 19th century by people in the West. Initially, Basenjis did what they are known for.

Their hunting skill and efficiency in terms of hunting and gathering. The Basenji was recognized by the American Kennel Club in the year 1943. 

Basenji Dog Breed Job Card/Overview

Breed Name	Basenji
Other Name	African Bush dog
Dog Breed Type	Hound dogs
Origin	Africa
Parent Breeds	Basenji
Height	16-17 inches
Weight	22-24 pounds
Life Expectancy	10-12 years
Coat Type	Short, fine, rich coat
Common Colors	Red, Black, Tricolor, Brindle
Grooming Needs	Regular Grooming Needs
Hypoallergenic	Yes
Temperament	Energetic, Curious, Active
Apartment Living	Not ideal for Apartment living
Pet-Friendly	Yes
Health Concerns	Fanconi Syndrome, Immunoproliferative Systemic Intestinal Disease, Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency, Hypothyroidism, Persistent Pupillary Syndrome, Coloboma, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Umbilical Hernia, Hip Dysplasia
Overall Health	Good
Intelligence Level	Intelligent
Trainability	Easily trainable
Energy Level	High energy
Activity	At least an hour per day
Litter Size	3-5 puppies

Characteristics

Adaptability 

Basenjis are moderately adaptable. They handle different climates well due to their easy-to-maintain coats. Their compact size makes them suitable for various living spaces.

While they can adapt to urban or rural settings, their independent nature may need patient training for new environments.

Friendliness

Basenjis are friendly and affectionate with their families. They may be a bit reserved around strangers but warm up with time. Early socialization helps them get along well with people and other pets.

Personality

The Basenji is energetic and loving. They are very intelligent and independent as well. Like before, their sight sense and hearing sense is very good. Any small motion related to small animals can be sighted by this breed.

Sometimes this dog is very self-dependent, and they are also very confident in their abilities and who they are. This can cause them to be stubborn at times. Thus creating a bond and pursuing them with trust and early socialization helps them keep this in check.

When they’re young, sometimes the families and pet owners may look at putting them in puppy training classes. Basenjis are very interested in the things that stimulate them and get completely immersed in their interests. 

Temperament

Basenjis are known for their independent and clever personalities. While they can be reserved with strangers, they’re affectionate with their family. Their curiosity and alertness make them great watchdogs.

Training may take patience due to their independent nature, but they form strong bonds with their owners. Providing mental stimulation and understanding their unique traits make them wonderful and lively companions.

Friendly with kids

Basenjis are generally friendly with kids, making them good family pets. Their playful nature can create strong bonds, but it’s important to teach children how to interact safely and supervise their time together.

Amicable to other pets

Basenjis can get along well with other pets, especially if introduced early. Socialization is key to ensuring a harmonious relationship. Monitoring initial interactions helps prevent any potential conflicts in a multi-pet household.

Barking tendencies

Basenjis are not big barkers. They have a unique yodel-like sound, which can be an advantage in noise-sensitive environments. While they communicate differently, providing alternative means of training is important to address any behavior concerns.

Possibilities of Staying Alone

Basenjis can handle some alone time due to their independent nature, but prolonged solitude may affect them negatively. Gradual acclimation to being alone, mental stimulation with toys, and a secure space can help ease any anxiety during your absence. Regular exercise before leaving is also beneficial.

Pros and Cons of the Basenji Dog Breed

Male vs Female Attitude

Both genders of the Basenji are not different from each other in terms of attitude. They only differ in size, the male dog being slightly larger than the female dog; however, attitude-wise, both temperaments of this breed are extremely convenient to live with. They are loyal and loving in terms of attitude and enjoy having fun. 

Appearance

The Basenji is a small to medium-sized dog with a sleek and elegant look. It has a wrinkled forehead, pointed ears, and a curly tail. The short coat comes in different colors like red, black, and tricolor.

Basenjis have a graceful stance and a keen, intelligent expression. Their compact build and alert posture contribute to their overall charming appearance.

Coat Color And Grooming

The Basenji’s coat is characteristic and definitive to its breed. So much so that their natural coats have received the nomenclature of ‘Basenji.’ Their coats are usually dense and double-layered.

They are known to be woolly and thick at times as well. They enjoy having a lot of meat in their diet and components. This keeps them energized and well-fed. 

Their coats are usually of the color Solid black, gray, brown, fawn, pale fawn, red fawn, and white. Their coat can be matted at times, and there could be shedding because of which the dogs lose hair in clumps. To avoid this, grooming is essential.

Brushing their shaggy coat at least once a month regularly is important to keep their hair from falling out in clumps or so and keep them well maintained. 

Regular bathing is important, and nail maintenance is an important step in grooming. Nail maintenance avoids any unnecessary wear and tear, and bathing and brushing these dogs’ coats and teeth keep them clean and odorless. 

Shedding

This breed is non-allergenic and non-shedding. Since they have hair and not fur, they don’t shed very regularly. Their hair needs to be regularly combed and thoroughly brushed.

Thus trimming and regular brushing keep them from shedding too much. Since they don’t shed a lot, they are great for families that may be allergic. 

Size

The Basenji is not a very large dog. The males are 17 inches tall at the shoulder, and they are 24 pounds heavy. The females are a little smaller. They are 16 inches tall and 22 pounds heavy. Because of their small size, they are often preferred as pets. 

Health

Generally, the Basenji is a very healthy dog. A good breeder with clearances related to the dog’s health implies that they are tested and cleared for certain health conditions. However, there are some predisposed conditions that the Basenji may be sensitive to. Look for early signs of these diseases.

Fanconi Syndrome, Immunoproliferative Systemic Intestinal Disease, Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency, Hypothyroidism, Persistent Pupillary Syndrome, Coloboma, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Umbilical Hernia, Hip Dysplasia

Make regular visits to your veterinarian to make sure you get early-onset signs of these diseases so you can safeguard your dog from them. Health is the top priority when it comes to your pet. 

Maintenance and Care

The Basenji is a hunting dog, and these dogs need exercise and agile activities characteristically. The best way to care about these dogs in terms of exhausting their energy is by allowing them to grow up with kids. Children wear these dogs out and keep them on their feet. 

Food and Nutrition

The Basenji is a medium-sized dog that requires about 3/4th to one cup of high-quality food every day. It is suggested that these meals be divided into two meals every day.

The Basenji is light and able-bodied. This can cause them to retain weight at times. Thus, regular diet schedules must be maintained so that do not cause these dogs to retain a lot of weight, leading to obesity. 

Exercise and Activity Level

Basenjis are not very highly energetic, but they need regular exercise to stay both mentally and physically stimulated on the regular. About 45 minutes to an hour of exercise is required for these dogs.

They come from an ancestry of hunting; thus, they enjoy running around in open spaces and staying agile and energetic. You can also keep them on a leash and help them exercise regularly by taking them on long walks. Regular exercise helps them stay fit.  

Trainability

Basenjis are clever but independent, making training a bit challenging. Early socialization and positive reinforcement work best. Keep sessions short, fun, and rewarding to maintain their interest. Consistency and patience pay off in building a well-behaved Basenji.

Conclusion

The Basenji is a nonbarker. This is probably one of the most distinctive features of the breed. They aren’t silent but do not have the distinctive bark of other dogs. They yodel instead. 

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