Basenji: temperament, size, care and health

About the Basenji

The Basenji is a small, light-boned hound with a wrinkled brow, erect ears and a tightly curled tail that sits over the back. Adults stand about sixteen to seventeen inches tall and have an elegant, athletic build. The short coat is red, black, tricolor or brindle, always with white on the feet, chest and tail tip.

The breed is best known for what it lacks. Instead of barking, a Basenji produces a chortling, yodel-like sound known as a baroo, and it can also scream or growl when it is upset. The structure of the larynx is said to explain the difference. Owners find the breed fastidious, cleaning itself like a cat, and very curious. It is a dog that thinks for itself and expects reasons.

Temperament and family life

A Basenji is affectionate with its family but not clingy, and it tends to be aloof with strangers. It is playful and clownish at home, and it climbs, leaps and investigates everything. It can be a skilled escape artist, opening latches and scaling fences, and it needs a securely enclosed yard with a cover or a high top.

Basenjis can live with children who are respectful, but they are not as tolerant as many family breeds and do not enjoy rough handling. Many will bully or fight with other dogs of the same sex. The prey drive is strong, so cats and small pets outside the family are a risk, and cats that run are likely to be chased. Basenjis are best raised in a home where someone is around during the day.

Exercise and training

The Basenji needs vigorous daily exercise, such as brisk walks, runs in a secure area and play. It is quick and agile and does well in lure coursing, agility and similar activities. It should not be allowed off leash in an unfenced place, because it will chase and ignore a call. A bored Basenji turns destructive and can chew through a lot of furniture.

Training requires humor and persistence. The breed is clever, but it does not feel obliged to obey and quickly learns when a cue is optional. Food rewards help, along with short, varied sessions and plenty of praise. House training can go smoothly because the dog dislikes mess, though it may dislike wet weather. Crate training is a useful safety tool for a dog that gets into trouble when unsupervised.

Grooming and shedding

The coat is among the least demanding of any breed. A weekly rub with a soft brush or hound glove takes care of loose hair, and baths are seldom needed because the dog keeps itself clean and has little odor. Shedding is light.

Nails, ears and teeth need regular attention as with other breeds. The thin coat gives little protection against cold and rain, so the Basenji often wants a sweater or a warm spot indoors, and it may refuse to go out in wet weather.

Health

The breed has several inherited conditions that responsible breeders look for. Fanconi syndrome is a kidney disorder that appears in adulthood, and a DNA test is available. Others include progressive retinal atrophy, hemolytic anemia from pyruvate kinase deficiency, hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism and a chronic bowel disease. Breeders commonly test for Fanconi syndrome and eye disease and may check thyroid and hips. Females come into heat once a year rather than twice. What is written here about the Basenji is general, and only a veterinarian can advise on an individual dog.

History

The Basenji is generally traced to central Africa, where small hunting dogs were used to drive game into nets and as village companions. Early attempts to bring the dogs to England failed when the imports died of disease, but later imports in the 1930s succeeded and the breed spread to America. It was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1943.

Is the Basenji right for you?

A Basenji suits an experienced owner who enjoys a bright, independent dog and can give it exercise, a secure yard and company. It is a poor choice for a household with unsupervised young children, small pets or an owner who wants an obedient dog.

If the ancient look appeals, compare the Pharaoh Hound or the Ibizan Hound, both larger and more social. For a quieter sighthound, consider the Whippet.