Known as the " barkless " weenie , the Basenji is far from silent ( just search " yodeling Basenji " on YouTube ) . They ’re an thinking , clever small breed from Africa with a firm prey drive and a bottomless beginning of DOE . Though humble in height , the Basenji is strong and determined . The Basenji is happiest when tag a perfume , which put her at high risk of infection of rove off . or else of letting this whelp roam detached , channel her vigor into canine fun , such as tracking , agility , or lure coursing .
Basenjis can be incredibly potent - willed and impish , requiring a great flock of patience and humor from their pet parent . This rare breed is n’t for the novice dog owner , but if you ’re up to the challenge , learn on to watch more about the Basenji .
Appearance
The Basenji is aprimitive hunting dogbreed in a lean — yet inviolable — and thick size . basenji have alert , pointed ears , sweet almond - shaped dark hazel or dark chocolate-brown centre , and a bushy tail that tightly curl up against her back . wrinkle on their frontal bone give these pups an adorable expression of concern .
Their myopic coatis mulct in texture and comes in four main colorways recognized by the American Kennel Club : chestnut red , black , tricolour ( bootleg , tan , and ashen ) , or brindle ( black stripes on a chestnut tree base ) . irrespective of colouration , all basenji have a distinctly delineated white chest , feet , and tag tip .
basenji are low - sheddingand ask very little care . In fact , basenji are very guy - like , expend much of their downtime grooming themselves . Due to this exacting grooming , they typically do n’t have that " dog " smell and wo n’t involve frequent baths ( lucky for you — it ’s common for basenji to detest being wet ) . It ’s still recommended tobrush your Basenji weeklyandgive her the occasional bathwhen she ’s exceptionally cheating . The Basenji Club of America publishedthis helpful guideoutlining best practices for dress a Basenji .
Photographs by Maria itina / Getty
Temperament
Bred to be alert for recollective hunts through the African wild , Basenjis are an extremely industrious andintelligent breedthat requires plenty ofdaily strenuous exerciseand mental stimulation . basenji are main thinkers known for their froward , apt , mischievous personalities .
" basenji are smart , they’re active , and you demand to understand how they learn , " says Brian Kilcommons , beginner ofGreat Dogs Resort , a dress shop training readiness in Connecticut . " Out of all the dog , they ’re the most cat - like . And there ’s a saying : With andiron , you give statement ; with cats , you make suggestions . Well , that ’s not far off from the Basenji . "
Instead of a traditional yelp or yelping , the Basenji makes a sort of warble randomness . ( lovely or irritating ? We ’ll let you be the evaluator . ) Though it may not guard off intruders — they’re much too small to be intimidate — your Basenji will in all likelihood fathom the warning signal when they see anything they think is suspicious , whether that be the delivery person or a passing squirrel .
Basenjis are very playful , and despite being sovereign , they choose you to be within sight at all prison term . If not properly exercised or if leave alone for too long , Basenjistend to become noisyand show unsuitable behaviors . It takes a sense of liquid body substance to live with a Basenji — owners are know to facetiously brag about all the items their Basenjis have destroyed . The plus side is these pups will draw you to keep a home free of welter .
As with any breed , it ’s important to properlysocialize your Basenji as a pup . A well - adjusted Basenjican be skillful with cat , other dog , and older kid . It ’s important toteach children how to by rights interact with dogsandalwayssupervise them when playing with any creature .
Living Needs
Do n’t slip a Basenji ’s independence for a desire to be alone . These hunt dogs prefer to keep their owners in sight , and though they may not snuggle up on your lap covering , they ’ll let you know when they want some attention . This in high spirits - zip breed needs plenty of exercise and is best suited to a house with awell - fenced thou — and owners should always keep an middle on them when outdoors . " They ’re escape artist . No fencing is too high that they ca n’t climb , " Kilcommons says .
With their small size of it and clean coats , a well - work out Basenji can be agood fit for flat life history — just do n’t leave behind her alone for too long , as this stock is cognize to become noisy .
" ' Oh , they ’re barkless ! ' Well yeah , that ’s true , but they yodel and they scream , " Kilcommons say . Having another pet in the theatre will help fulfil this mob dog ’s need for company .
Basenjis have an acuate sense of smell and a strong prey drive . If not properly batten , there ’s no interrogative about it : they will give chase .
" If there ’s a squirrel around and your Basenji is off - threesome , you’re able to find out his tail go over the skyline , " Kilcommons says . " Have there ever been off - leash Basenjis ? Yeah , but they ’re the exception , not the norm . It ’s manageable , but it takes a passel of oeuvre . "
Instead ofheading to the dog park , channel a Basenji ’s energy and fair game drive into dogtooth sport , such as tracking , agility , and lure coursing . Getting involve in these sports is a great way to physically and mentally work out a Basenji , and build a alliance to kick .
imantsu / Getty
You ’re trusted to have plenty of entertainment with a Basenji in the home . These flyspeck pups have big personalities ! Basenjis are well fit for an proprietor looking to pass timber time with their dog and who has quick entree to the open , or with someone concerned in pay back take in dog sports .
It ’s important to consider your lifestyle before intrust to any dog . Talk to a Basenji breeder or rescue group about expectation to see if a Basenji is a good fit for you .
Care
Basenjis are exacting when it comes to self - care and , much like big cat , will pass hours groom themselves , making them a very low - sustenance stock . This stand for fewer tub and minimum brush — just once a hebdomad should keep your Basenji ’s skin sizable and coat looking sharp .
even brush is a serious meter to look into for things like coat sheen ( dull hair can mean a want ofnutrients in her diet ) , nail length , and ear and dental wellness . Nails should be trimmedif you could hear them tap against the base . Basenjis’ear canal should be pale pinkwith very little — and fairly odorless — wax . Be trusted to look for any signs of movement ( mites ! ) and extraneous object in the canal . A Basenji’steeth should be sweep often . A thorough home health checklist is important , but commemorate , this does n’t replacea visit to the vet . Always reach out to your veterinarian with any concerns .
Basenjis are smart dogs , but that does n’t intend training is simple . This clever breed postulate patience , creativity , andloads of electropositive reinforcementwhen it comes to training .
onewithahalf / Adobe Stock
" They ’re very sensitive , " Kilcommons pronounce . " If you ’re just going to correct them for what you do n’t wish , you ’re in all likelihood move to have a trouble — they do n’t tolerate a sonorous paw . "
Kilcommons recommend giving Basenjis plenty oftreats during trainingand making the experience as play as potential .
Health
The Basenji is considered anoverall good for you breedwith a lifespan of 13–14 old age . Like all breeds , the Basenji is prostrate to certain diseases . The Basenji Club of America , the official breed club , involve register stock breeder to test forhip dysplasia , autoimmune thyroiditis , Fanconi syndrome , reformist retinal atrophy ( PRA ) , and complete an one-year thoroughgoing eye test ( owners should go on this until geezerhood 6 , then every two years thereafter ) .
Additional Basenji health issue to be aware of — and talk to your breeder or rescue conference about — are :
Of course , not all Basenjis will encounter serious wellness issues , but it ’s authoritative to be mindful of these common concern when look at this strain . It ’s also crucial to purchase all dogs from reputable breeders who will introduce you to the dog ’s parents and sib . If adopting , ask the rescue for any available wellness history .
Universal History Archive / Getty
History
Basenjis are a primitive hunting breed from central Africa , where they were prized for their unsounded nature , volatile velocity , stabbing eyesight , and unmatched sense of look . It ’s conceive these wiener were brought up the Nile as submit to the Pharaoh of ancient Egypt and are portray in Babylonian and Mesopotamian art , grant to the BCA , though there ’s public debate on whether the depictions are in reality of Basenjis as we get it on them today or of an hereditary strain . Also known as the Congo Terrier ( or Congo Dog ) , Basenjis were used by tribesmen to force small quarry from the bush and to alarm hunters of great , dangerous predators .
The first attempt to export the Basenji breed to England in the late 1800s end in cataclysm , with the breeding couple give-up the ghost shortly after arriver . A second attempt in the 1920s ended in a similar catastrophe , accord to the BCA . A dog named Bois ( who became the first Basenji registered by the AKC in 1944 ) was brought to America and successfully bred with a female import from the Congo .
More Basenjis were imported from Africa in the 1980s , which also introduce the brindle coloring . Though still considered rare , the breed became more popular after a Basenji starred in the 1954 picture " Good - bye , My Lady . "
Basenjis are still used as hunting dogs in the Congo today . In the U.S. , they ’re typically keep as family pets and are often seen competing in lure coursing or as show dogs .
Fun Facts
Basenji History . Basenji Club of America .
Dogs in Ancient Egypt . World History Encyclopedia .
