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Basenji Dog Breed Introduction
Basenji is a hunting dog breed originally from Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC) in Central Africa. They are nicknamed barkless dogs for producing an unusual sound between a yodel and a chortle due to the unusual shape of larynx. Basenjis are self-cleaning animals just like cats. They also dislike wet weather. Often, they will refuse to go outside in any sort of damp conditions.
A Basenji has a strong prey drive and have been described as escape artists. They cannot be trusted off-leash unless in a well-secured yard. Over the years, Basenjis survived as independent thinkers which makes training difficult since they see no need to obey humans. A Female Basenji experiences a heat cycle once a year as compared to other domesticated dogs that go on heat season twice a year.
Basenji Origin | History
Originally from DRC, in Africa, Basenjis were first described by the Europeans in 1895 in Congo. These dogs were prized by the locals for their silence, speed, courage, and intelligence. They were used to carry goods, flush game into nets, and warn of the impending dangerous animals on the trail. Several attempts were made to introduce Basenjis in England in 1895 by importing a breeding pair. Unfortunately, they died soon thereafter.
Three decades later, another pair was brought in England in 1937. Exhibited as natural curiosities, Basenjis caused such a sensation with the dog fanciers of British public that the police were called for crowd control. The tragedy struck again claiming the life of a Basenji dam together with a litter of puppies leaving behind a Basenji sire, Bois.
A Boston breeder who had recently obtained a female named Congo acquired Bois. This led to the first litter of Basenji bred in America. More dogs wee added to the gene pool until the breed was established in the USA. AKC officially recognized Basenjis in 1944. Basenji are also recognized by the United Kennel Club.
Basenji Lifespan
A Basenji has a lifespan of 13 to 14 years according to AKC. The median lifespan of Basenjis as per the survey carried out by the UK Kennel Club in 2004 is 13.6 years. The oldest dog in the survey had a lifespan of 17.5 years. Although, some of the dogs have a life expectancy of up to 16 years.
Basenji Grooming
A Basenji is a self-grooming animal that has no doggy odor and requires minimal grooming needs. It has a short coat that should be brushed weekly using a hound glove, grooming mitt, or rubber grooming mitt to remove loose hair, dirt, and distribute evenly the oils present on the skin. If you choose to use a shedding blade, be careful not scrape the skin of the dog. During the heavy shedding season, groom the coat outside.
Basenjis require occasional bathing once every 6 to 8 weeks unless it rolls in to something stinky. Before bathing the dog, always brush the coat to remove dirt and dead hair. Use a hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner. Remember to thoroughly rinse of the shampoo and conditioner residue to avoid skin irritation. Use a clean damp washcloth to clean the eyes instead of soapy water that irritates the eyes.
Clip the nails at least twice a month using nail clippers. Overly growly nails can be caught in decking resulting in considerable pain and bleeding. Use a tasty canine toothpaste and finger toothbrush to remove excess tartar buildup and promote oral health. Remember to clean the ears once a month using cotton balls soaked in an ear cleanser solution.
Basenji Shedding
Basenji have a short and fine coat that sheds at low levels all-year round. Although, some Basenjis tend to shed a lot. For the low shedding Basenjis, the hair is more noticeable during seasonal change in Spring and Fall.
Basenji Hypoallergenic
A Basenji is a fastidious animal that has a short and fine coat that sheds at low levels throughout the year. It also has a low tendency for drooling. Dog’s dander, urine, hair, saliva, and mucus have a protein allergen that causes allergic reaction in people who suffer from dog allergies.
According to AKC, there are no 100% hypoallergenic dogs or hybrids. Although, their are many dogs that are less allergic for people with dog allergies. A nearly hypoallergenic breed has a non-shedding coat that produces less dander. Basenji have a shedding coat although it sheds little hair all-year round. The short and fine hair is likely to easily weave in the fabrics and carpets.
The allergic protein in the saliva is likely to stick on the coat when the dog is cleaning itself. A person who suffers from dog allergies and wants to adopt a Basenji is encouraged to spend time with the dog in question before adoption to determine whether they are allergic to the particular dog or not. Although, there are tips of reducing the allergic reactions from a Basenji by adhering to the following:
- Bathing the dog frequently.
- Keep the dog from the rooms especially your bedroom.
- Wiping the coat daily using a damp washcloth.
- Getting rid of carpets or if keeping them(shampoo and vacuum them regularly).
- Using a HEPA(high-efficiency particulate air) to reduce allergens.
- Switching to leather or vinyl from fabric.
Therefore, whether a Basenji is a Hypoallergenic dog or not is a topic for debate.
Basenji Training | Training Guide
A Basenji is an independent thinker that is not eager to please the owner. This may make training difficult. However, use of positive reinforcement methods such as use of treats, toys, verbal praise, and petting creates an encouraging atmosphere for the dog to learn. Socialization and puppy training classes is a must do for Basenjis due to their penchant for mischief. Socialization helps to raise a well-mannered, friendly, and well-adjusted dog.
This training starts from the age of 3 weeks while the pup is still with the breeder until the age of 16 weeks. To socialize your dog, expose it to different people, animals, places, situations, experiences, sights, smell, and sounds like lawn mowers, washing machines, sirens, whistles, and vacuum cleaners. Puppy classes also serve as a form of socialization. These classes also helps the pet parents to identify and correct bad habits such as growling when someone approaches the food bowl while the dog is eating.
Like other breeds, Basenjis should not be corrected using harsh methods like yelling, punching, kicking, shoving or beating the dog. Remember to keep the training sessions short since this breed easily looses interest. The training sessions should be between 5 to 10 minutes spread out throughout the day. Remember to teach basic command words like sit, come, down, leave it, No, and Leave it one at a time. Proceed to the next command word once the dog understands the previous taught command word. It is essential to use clicker training as a form of positive reward method especially when training command words.
Clicker training incorporates a distinctive noise to signify that the dog has completed the command. For effective housebreaking, crate training, potty training, and creating a feeding schedule is recommended. A Crate is a device that helps the owner to easily monitor a Basenji for signs that it wants to eliminate such as whining, circling, squatting, or trying to lift a leg against the furniture. It also teaches a dog to stay alone for a while. Remember to make a crate appealing by lining it with a comfortable blanket and positioning treats and toys in the crate.
Patience, consistency, and being firm are key to successfully potty train a Basenji. The general rule of the thumb when potty training is to remember that the bladder and bowel muscles strengthens as the pup matures. A 12-week old pup will be able to hold for three hours before eliminating while an 8-week-old pup is able to hold for a period of 2 hours before eliminating. Therefore, take a Basenji pup to the elimination spot after every 2 to 3 hours until the dog attains the age of 8 months, immediately it wakes up, after meals and drinks, before bedtime, after naps, and following an exciting activity like car ride or play time.
Basenji Temperament | Traits
- Curious.
- Alert.
- Energetic.
- Fastidious.
- Reserved with strangers.
- Stubborn.
- Independent.
- Courageous.
- Affectionate.
- Active.
Basenji Exercise Needs | Exercise Requirements
This is an active, curious, and energetic breed. Basenjis need a lot of regular exercise to ensure they are physically and mentally stimulated. This will keep them from becoming bored and engaging in destructive behavior like chewing at furniture or shoes. Long play sessions when securely on lead or in a well-fenced yard is required. If not in a secured yard, a Basenji should never exercise off leash since they have a high prey drive and may not be able to resist the urge to run off on a chase. Basenjis also enjoy and excel in canine sports such as agility, tracking, coursing, and obedience agility.
Basenji Barking | Yodeling | Basenji Sound
A Basenji is a Barkless dog that doesn’t bark. Although, this breed makes its feelings known with an unusual yodel-like sound. Basenji’s yodeling is attributed to the abnormally shaped larynx. Even if a Basenji doesn’t bark, it is a vocal breed that howls, yodels, screams, and whines as a way of communicating.
Basenji Height
Full-grown male Basenjis have a height of 17 inches ( approx. 43 cm) while their female counterparts have a height of 16 inches ( approx. 41 cm).
Basenji Weight
A female Basenji has a weight of 22 pounds ( approx. 10.0 kg ) while its male counterpart has a weight of 24 pounds ( approx. 11 kg).
Basenji Size
Basenji are small-sized hunting dogs. However, male Basenji are slightly bigger as compared to their female counterparts in terms of weight and height. Male Basenjis have a weight of 24 pounds ( approx. 11 kg) and a height of 17 inches ( approx. 43 cm) while the female Basenjis have a weight of 22 pounds ( approx. 10.0 kg ) and a height of 16 inches ( approx. 41 cm).
Basenji Aggression
A Basenji is not considered an aggressive breed. Although, they make excellent watchdogs since they defend their owners and property if they feel challenged. Their size precludes them from being actual guard dogs. Basenji don’t do well in homes that have small pets to their instinct prey drive. However, they may behave well with the cats that were raised along with them. This breed is not recommended for homes with birds, ferrets, rats, hamsters, gerbils, mice, and guinea pigs.
Basenji Biting
A Basenji Puppy may be prone to biting and nipping when playing, exploring its surrounding, or even when teething due to discomfort. To ease the teething discomfort, the dog should have chewable toys and bones. Puppy biting may seem adorable but not for long after the dog matures and has serious biting issues. Pet parents are encouraged to curb the behavior before it develops into a habit through redirection and bite inhibition training.
Basenji Health Issues
Generally, Basenjis are healthy dogs. However, they are affected by Fanconi Syndrome. This is a hereditary disorder in which the renal tubes fail to reabsorb nutrients and electrolytes. Signs of Fanconi syndrome include excessive urination, excessive drinking, and presence of glucose in the urine. This may lead to the misdiagnosis of diabetes. This disease usually presents between the age of 4 to 8 years but sometimes as early as 3 years or as late as 10 years.
This syndrome is treatable and organ damage is reduced if the treatment begins early. Basenji pet parents are urged to test the urine of their dogs at least once a month beginning at the age of 3 years. Other health issues that affect Basenjis include genetic hemolytic anemia, hip dysplasia, Malabsorption ( an autoimmune intestinal disease that leads to chronic diarrhea, anorexia, and even death.), progressive retinal atrophy, persistent pupillary membrane, and coloboma.
Basenji Breeding
Basenji dogs are breed after the dam and sire are screened for some genetic underlying health issues including Fanconi syndrome, hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia, malabsorption, and progressive retinal atrophy. A Basenji dam is mated when experiencing the heat cycle. The heat season lasts for a period of 2 to 3 weeks. This process recurs every once a year especially during Spring. It is possible for intact Basenji dam to get pregnant in its senior years since dogs don’t experience menopause.
Some of the signs that a pooch exhibits while on a heat season include swollen vulva, tail flagging, bloody discharge, mood swings, increased urination, and changes in eating habits. If pet parents are not interested in breeding, they are advised to spay their dogs after they experience the first heat cycle.
A dam should be bred after it attains the age of 2 years old so that it may physically and emotionally develop to take care of a litter. An aggressive dam should not be bred since the puppies will likely be aggressive or fearful. Remember to check the pedigree of the dam and sire to ensure they are not related.
Basenji Speed
An adult healthy Basenji is capable of running for a speed of 30 or 35 miles per hour ( approx. 48 to 56 km/h ).
Basenji Harness | Collar
Basenjis have been described as energetic and curious dogs that have a high prey drive. They are also escape artists that flee if they are determined to be elsewhere. Therefore, while walking on leash, a Basenji is likely to pull if it spots small games like rats and birds. Pulling puts pressure on the neck which may cause choking or tracheal collapse. A Harness is better since it distributes pressure evenly across the back and shoulders. Although, some argue that a harness encourages a dog to pull rather than learn to walk on a loose leash.
Basenji Dog Food
The amount of food that Basenjis feed on depends on their age, activity level, metabolism, and body size. At the age of 8 to 12 weeks, Basenji puppies should feed 3 or 4 times a day. At the age of 4 to 6 months, a puppy should feed three times a day. From the age of 6 months, a dog feeds a total of 2 meals a day. Always feed the dog on its food bowl and not on a plate to reduce the begging habit.
Depending on the time and budget of a Basenji parent, he or she may decide whether to feed dry kibble food, wet food, raw food, or homemade food. Regardless, they should ensure that the food meets all the nutritional requirements of a the pooch based on age and activity level.
The best way to know whether you are overfeeding or underfeeding your Basenji is to take it to the vet to be informed about their weight and health. However, you can also tell by checking the physique of your dog. If you can see your Basenji’s ribs, chances are they are being underfed. If a dog parent cannot feel the ribs of the pet under the coat, then chances are that it is being overfeed.
When you get a Basenji from a responsible breeder, chances are that you will want to switch to another quality of food than the one it was previous feeding on. Gradually do this by mixing small portions of new food about 1/4 with 3/4 old food for the first week. During the second week, feed your dog with the same amount of the new food and old food.
On the third week feed your pet with 1/4 of old food and 3/4 of the new food. During the fourth week, totally switch to new food. For dog owner who wants to feed commercial dry or wet food, they should purchase food that are specifically designed for puppies, adults, and senior dogs. As rule of thumb, dog commercial food or any other food should not contain fillers. The food should also have protein listed as the first ingredient. This also applies to the treats.
Apart from Basenjis, other breeds of dogs include:
Pug.
Basenji Neck Size
Full-grown Basenjis have a neck size of 10 to 14 inches ( approx. 25 to 35 cm).
Basenji Colors | Colors Tan | Coat Colors
The coat colors of Basenji are Chest-nut red, tricolor(chest nut red and pure black), pure black, brindle((black stripes on a background of chestnut red). Regardless of the coat color, all Basenjis have a white tail tip, chest, and feet. Although white collar, blaze, and legs are optional. Many people who are not familiar with deep chestnut red Basenjis they may describe them as dark tan, orange, or beige.
Basenji Allergies
A Basenji may be predisposed to various forms of allergies including:
Skin Allergies – Food, environmental, and contact allergies predispose Basenjis to skin allergies. Environmental allergies lead to atopic dermatitis while food allergies cause hives, hot spots, dermatitis, pruritus, etc. which affect the skin.
Food allergies – Although true food allergies are rare, they may also affect Basenjis. A true food allergy results in an immune response that is accompanied with a wide range of symptoms including skin issues and gastrointestinal stress. Skin issues symptoms include facial swelling, hot spots, hives, crusting lesions, pruritus, and dermatitis while gastrointestinal stress includes acute diarrhea and vomiting. In order to diagnose food allergy, Basenji parents are recommended to work along with the vet to manage the symptoms and find the offending ingredient through the elimination method.
Contact allergies – This inflammation affects the Basenjis once the skin comes in contact with the allergen. Some of the contact allergens that affect Basenjis include plastics, bed linens, grooming products, carpet cleaning detergents, lawn chemicals, medication, and latex. Commonly affected body parts include the paws, feet, and around the muzzle.
Environmental allergies – Basenjis have a short and fine coat that is predisposed to various environmental allergens including fleas, mites, ragweed, pollen, grass, trees, dust and dust mites, house molds, and even mosquitoes. Flea’s saliva causes flea allergy dermatitis that causes itchiness and excessive scratching until the skin around the bite area is raw. Commonly affected parts are underneath the tail and back legs. Common signs of environmental allergies include nasal discharge, congestion, and itchiness on various body parts such as underarms, muzzle, groin, ears, feet, and around the eyes.
Basenji Ears
A Basenji has small, upright, and slightly hooded ears. They are set well forward on top of the head.
Basenji Tail
Naturally, Basenjis have a curled tail over the either side of the back. The tail is straightened out for greater balance while running at their top speed.
Basenji Teeth
At birth, Basenji puppies are born with no teeth. The deciduous teeth starts growing in at the age of 2 or 3 weeks until the dog has a total of 28 milk teeth. At the age of 12 weeks, the milk teeth starts falling out as they are replaced with permanent teeth. By the time the pup is 6 months old, it has a total of 42 permanent teeth. From the age of 6 months, the teeth should be brushed at least twice a week if not daily to remove excess tartar, promote good oral breathe, and prevent periodontal diseases.
Why Don’t Basenjis Bark
Basenjis have an unusual larynx hence producing yodel-like sound instead of barking.
Are Basenji Hypoallergenic
This is a Yes and/ or No answer. This is because, some claim that Basenjis are hypoallergenic dogs since they shed minimally all year round and are likely to produce less dander. They are also fastidious like cats. However, AKC acknowledges that there is no 100% hypoallergenic dog breed, although the dogs that are considered nearly hypoallergenic have a non-shedding coat and are likely to produce less dander. Basenji have a shedding coat that sheds at low to moderate levels depending on the climate of the place that the dog resides.
Dog’s dander, saliva, urine, hair, and mucus contain a protein allergen that triggers inflammation in people who suffer from dog allergies. Basenji use their tongues to groom themselves. Therefore, the protein allergen present in the saliva will stick on the coat. Dog experts encourage dog fanciers who have dog allergies to visit a particular dog before adopting to determine whether they are allergic to the pooch or not.
Are Basenji Smart
Yes, they are smart and independent dogs with a stubborn streak which makes training a bit difficult.
Basenji Quick Facts
- They are barkless dogs that produce a yodel-like sound since they possess an abnormal larynx.
- Basenji should only be off lead in a secured yard since they have a high prey drive. They have also been described as escape artists.
- They are clean dogs that lack a distinctive odor.
