General Description
The Basenji is a small, athletic dog that is unique and elegant in appearance. They have a distinctive gait that is horse-like in quality. They have long limbs, muscular thighs, and a level topline. The breed’s flat head features a forehead that is wrinkled and furrowed, and their almond-shaped eyes are small in size. The Basenji has a high-set tail that curls up over the back and slightly to one side. Their coat exists in a number of colors including copper, red, black-and-tan, and black-and-brindle. White feet and white markings on the chest may or may not be present.
The Basenji is the only dog that cannot bark at all! Poor dog!
They are in the hound family and like to hunt. If you want to you can train them to hunt with you. If you get an older dog, he may like to 'hunt' smaller animals, so be aware of this in case you or your neighbors have small dogs or cats or rabbits.
Character
The Basenji is energetic, alert, and continuously aware of his surroundings. They are affectionate and curious, and they love to play. If treated appropriately and touched regularly from an early age, the Basenji makes a very good pet. They are highly intelligent and respond well to obedience training. They can be leery of strangers and somewhat aloof, but they have a consistent need to please and they form strong bonds with their owners and family. Generally, the Basenji does best with older children. They are full of energy and love to climb, and they are very good at getting their own way. Somewhat demanding and manipulative, the Basenji will charm their owner into submission. The Basenji cleans itself like a cat and makes a low ululation rather than a bark. They are fast, frisky, spunky, and like to tease their owners into playing with them. The Basenji only has behavioral difficulties if their owners are incompatible with them.
Size
15 – 17 inches
Weight
20 – 26 pounds
General Health
The Basenji is prone to acquiring Fanconi’s syndrome, a type of kidney disorder. If signs of Fanconi’s syndrome are perceived in a Basenji, it’s imperative they be treated immediately. The Basenji is also susceptible to progressive retinal atrophy, other eye problems, and intestinal problems. The Basenji typically lives for 10 to 12 years and averages 4 to 6 puppies per litter.
History
Similar dogs to the Basenji have been found in Egyptian tombs and wall drawing of five thousand years ago. Alternatively called the Congo Dog, the Basenji was brought to Europe in 1934. The breed was refined by English breeders and exported all over the world. The Basenji is utilized as a forest guide in Africa, and it is also used to warn against the approach of dangerous animals.
The Basenji is an African Wolf dog.
Maintenance
The Basenji requires very little maintenance or grooming. This breed will clean itself and their coat doesn’t have any odor. The Basenji is considered to be an excellent dog for people with allergies. They shed little to no hair.
Ideal Environment
Because of the breed’s propensity to become overweight and lazy, the Basenji needs rigorous daily exercise. The Basenji can live happily in a small household or apartment, as long as they are sufficiently and consistently exercised. They are very active indoors, and do best with at least a small yard. The
Basenji is happiest with other dogs of its kind.
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i adopted a dog from the pound and i have been told that she is a basenji but i dont think she is full blooded. she doesnt bark except for one time and it was a short shrill bark. her face and ears are exactly like the basenji pics but her tail is not curled. she is 4 1/2 months old. she has a worried wrinkled face and shredds paper toliet paper, but is a real sweet and loving dog. and sometimes i think she is a cat. i am having some difficulty in housebraking her, i am gonna crate her and hope that works, but too make a long story short, do all basenjis have curled tails, are they curled at birth or when they grow? thanks. lisa
Wait until she is a year old. Then the tail will be curled. ALL Basenjis must have a curled tail or otherwise they are disqualified from the show ring.
My basenji pup's tail did not curl until he was approximately 6 months old.
I have a 2 year old basenji.....I find it hard to get him to play with me and toys .....can you give me any advice?
They like to chase things. I used a rag when mine was young and graduated to those toys that are shaped liked snakes and have a rattle in them. You hold it up in the air and twirl around with it or run from one end of a room back and forth. You must let them catch it every now and then or they lose interest.
My Basenji is now 8 1/2, alot of them never reallly like toys. If you dont mind the occasional stuffing being torn out they do tend to like stuffed animals. If your close with your Basenji, get down on the floor russle his head up a bit and then wrestle. Mine still loves it when people get on the floor with him and rough around a bit. i think only 1 of my old basenji's ever liked to play with anything but stuffed animals. Mcdonalds kids toy stuffed animals were a fav.
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