BASENJI

Temperament:  Affectionate, Energetic, Smart, Quiet.
Height: Male: 17 inches; Female: 16 inches
Weight: Male: 21-24 lbs; Female: 21-22 lbs.
Life Expectancy: 12-14 years.
Dog Breed Group: Hound Dogs.

ABOUT THE BASENJI

Out of Africa, the Basenji dog breed was originally found in the Congo. These dogs use both scent and sight to hunt and were originally used to flush small game into hunters’ nets and to control village rodent populations. These days, they also make for great, loving, furry family members.

Well known as the “barkless” dog from Africa, the Basenji attracts admirers with his short coat, small, muscular body, alert demeanor, erect ears, and tail curled tightly over one hip. A wrinkled brow gives him a quizzical and sometimes mischievous expression.

Clever and endearing, these dogs are good companions for the person or family who can stay a step ahead of them. They can adapt to apartment living, and even novice pet parents will find these pups to be great first-timer dogs. Just make sure you can provide enough exercise to meet their high energy levels. You’ll need to commit to plenty of walks and playtime.

PERSONALITY

The basenji can be an aloof dog; very affectionate with his family, but not outgoing to strangers. They originally hunted in packs and are usually good with other dogs if socialized while young. However, some can be argumentative with other basenjis.

Basenjis tend to be clever dogs, but not easy to train. They need creative, patient handling to bring out their best qualities. As mentioned, they do not bark, but the yodeling certainly makes quite a bit of noise. If left to their own devices they can be chewers and diggers.

FEEDING

Recommended daily amount: 3/4 to 1 cup of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
NOTE: How much your adult dog eats depends on his size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. 
With his lightly built body, often likened to that of a deer, the Basenji is ill suited to carry excess weight. In other words, don’t let him get fat. Keep your Basenji’s physique sleek by measuring his food and feeding him twice a day rather than leaving food out all the time.

HEALTH

Basenjis are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they’re prone to certain health conditions. Not all Basenjis will get any or all of these diseases, but it’s important to be aware of them if you’re considering this breed.

If you’re buying a puppy, find a good breeder who will show you health clearances for both your puppy’s parents. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition. In Basenjis, you should expect to see health clearances from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) for hip dysplasia (with a score of fair or better), elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and von Willebrand’s disease; from Auburn University for thrombopathia; and from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) certifying that eyes are normal. 

CARE

The Basenji is a hunting dog and needs daily exercise. Some Basenjis do fine with a daily walk, while others require more enthusiastic forms of exercise. Basenjis raised with children often will spend their time wearing each other out.

If you can provide him with a couple of 30-minute walks or play sessions every day, he’s well suited to apartment or condo life. Always keep your Basenji on leash unless you’re in a securely fenced area, and don’t count on any type of fence to keep him confined.

Another feline characteristic of the Basenji is his dislike of rain. Expect him to be grumpy if you walk him when it’s wet out. The only time he might enjoy getting wet is on a really hot day.

GROOMING

He shouldn’t need a bath more than every few months. Basenjis shed — all dogs do — but the hair is so short and fine that it is not as noticeable as some other dogs’ shedding fur is.
Brush your Basenji’s teeth at least two or three times a week to remove tartar buildup and the bacteria that lurk inside it.
Trim nails regularly if your dog doesn’t wear them down naturally.
Begin accustoming your Basenji to being brushed and examined when he’s a puppy. Handle his paws frequently dogs are touchy about their feet and look inside his mouth and ears.

Source: dogtime, hillspet, vetstreet.