Hounds

Basenji – Hound

Basenji – Hound

Basenji – Hound

Basenji Puppy

Image: Verbitskaya Juliya/Shutterstock.com

Name Basenji - Hound
Size Medium
Grooming Easy
Training Easy
Exercise Daily / 30 minutes of Exercise
Origins Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Basenji – Central African Hunting Dog of Choice

Basenji Puppy

Image: Jolanta Beinarovica/Shutterstock.com

Easily recognisable by his pointed ears, curled tail, and the wrinkles on their adorable foreheads.

Quick Overview

Name:                                                                  Basenji

Size:                                                                       Up to 17 inches tall

Weight:                                                                Up to 11 kg male or 9.5 kg female

Grooming:                                                          Infrequent

Training:                                                               An independent dog/difficulty level medium/hard

Exercise:                                                              Medium/high level of energy (up to 4 hours a day)

Temperament:                                                 Guarded towards outsiders, will protect the pack at all costs

Origins:                                                                 Central Africa

Lifespan:                                                              Up to 14 years

Breed Type:                                                        HOUND Dog (Crying All The Time hunting dog)

History of the Basenji Hound (that Doesn’t Really Cry Much At All)

The AKC perhaps describe this breed best when they call if ‘catlike’. This is a high energy, bullet of a dog that is difficult to train for those that aren’t used to bigger breeds. Although classed in the small-medium weight section, the Basenji has the energy of a Labrador or Beagle. They are hunting dogs that make brilliant agility course dogs if you have the time to train them.

As to their history, the Basenji dog breed is one of the oldest known to man. They are so old, in fact, that they were given as gifts to the Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt. They were originally a semi-wild species and we can imagine it would be quite a feat to capture and train one. Their origins are the headwaters of the Nile and the Congo. A 17th-century missionary recorded that even though they lived on the outskirts of settlements, they did ‘little to no’ damage to the inhabitants. There you have it. Wild dogs are nothing to be scared of.

The Congo Basin is registered as this breed’s hometown. They were first recorded there in 1895 by we Europeans, who subsequently tried to bring some home with us. These attempts resulted in dying dogs right up until the 1930s. Once they became established in Britain they went on to be known to kennel clubs around the world. The AKC registered the breed in 1943, but it is now also known in Australia and in Canada as one of the hardiest to come from Africa yet.

The Basenji is an Interesting Breed

We know you love this section the best… where we pick out the funniest/most interesting/curious facts about the breed and summarise the Five Minutes Spare favourites…Let’s dig into the best things to tell your friends at parties when you show off your new Basenji.

Fun Basenji Facts Include:

  • They have a nickname that has been earned through years of silence. They are known as the African Barkless Dog in some corners of the world. This isn’t strictly true. They just have a strangely shaped larynx that emits a sort of quieter version of a howl instead of a bark.
  • The Basenji is also known for their ability to leap high into the air. They have tremendously powerful back leg muscles that propel them upwards in a vertical jump.
  • They are considered one of the oldest known breeds. Palaeontologists believe the earliest dogs would have looked a lot like the Basenji.
  • The longevity of this breed of dog can be put down to their relation to the Pariah breeds. These are dog breeds which have many genetic markers in common with the wild dogs of Asia. They would live outside of camps, feral to a degree, and occasionally the trained dogs like the Basenji would share a mixed litter with them. These hardy genes are what has made the species so durable.

The Basenji is the Methuselah of dog breeds. Ancient, wise, hardy, and not going anywhere soon.

How to Train a Basenji?

You will definitely need to take your Basenji to dog training classes because they are a stubborn beast. They are highly independent, which is brilliant if you can train them in a way that they find fun. They are reportedly not very intelligent, but they can catch their own dinner if you let them, and we think that’s sufficiently clever for most people, let alone a dog.

Persistence is how you train a Basenji. Don’t give up on them and they will love you relentlessly.

How Often Does a Basenji Need Groomed?

If you want a dog to work the farm with you, go out hunting or fishing, that never needs any grooming? You have found your perfect match. It goes without saying that this hound needs their nails clipped if they still have that excess dewclaw. If not, then plenty of exercise should wear down their claws naturally. Also, don’t forget to brush their little teefs.

What About Exercise?

Give your Basenji as much exercise as possible but remember that they once had to hunt for their own food. This means the prey drive is incredibly strong so you shouldn’t really let him/her run free.

Common Basenji Health Conditions

Alas, it is believed that all of the Basenji in the western world are derived from a few sets of original pairings. If you have a Basenji in Africa, you are privy to those mixed genes and are much more likely to have a healthy, hearty dog. If you buy one in Europe there is only so much those semi-wild genes can do to stave off the inbreeding. Hypothyroidism, Dermatitis, UTIs, and occasionally infertility is all known among this breed. The biggest problem known to them, however, is Fanconi Syndrome. This disorder stops the kidney’s from taking vitamins and minerals out of their food.

Where To Buy A New Puppy?

Buying a new puppy is a special time for both you and your family – including the puppy! Be sure to give a dog the best start in life by buying from a registered breeder. Avoid puppy farms at all costs and check with local shelters for your chosen breed before you commit to a breeder’s dog. No puppy will ever love you like a rescued puppy will!

Not Convinced This Is Your Perfect Breed?

If you have enjoyed reading about this hound but don’t think it is quite the breed type you are looking for, then we have plenty more over at our HQ. Read up on the African Azawakh for a more graceful pup, or find out all about the Australian Silky Terrier for a healthy small breed with a gorgeous coat.

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