Basenji

One of the world’s oldest dog breeds with historical links to Ancient Egpyt, Babylon and Mesopotamia. Find out everything you need to know about this mysterious and intriguing canine!

Basenji Breed Standards:
Kennel Club Member?: Yes
Basenji Lifespan: 13-14 years
Basenji Exercise: Up to 1 hour per day
Height: Male 17 inches Female 16 inches
Weight: Male 11 kilograms Female 10 kilograms
Hypoallergenic?: Yes

Characteristics

Learn about the pros and cons of the Basenji dog breed below:

Positives

• Hypoallergenic, a better breed choice for allergy sufferers
• Independent, can be left alone
• Minimal grooming needs, Basenjis clean themselves!
• Vigilant watchdog

Negatives:

• Low tolerance to the cold
• High wanderlust potential
• Not very easy to train
• Strong prey drive
• Natural fear of the dark

The Basenji dog is a small-medium sized hunting breed. Their short coat colours as stated by the Kennel Club are found in Black & White, Black, Tan & White, Red & White, and Brindle & White. The white areas are typically seen on the feet, tail tip, and chest.

Temperament

The Basenji temperament is curious, quiet, affectionate, energetic, and alert. Unlike other dog breeds the Basenji doesn’t bark but instead, produces its own unique sound due to its narrow larynx. Often described as cat-like, this breed will clean themselves and won’t omit typical body odour.

Due to their high-spirited nature and stubborn personality, Basenjis are better suited to experienced owners. They’re independent and are one of the few breeds that can be left alone for up to 12 hours! Of course, this is dependent on their training and activity needs being met.

This vigilant watchdog will alert their owners to strangers. They may be aloof and stand-offish therefore ongoing socialization is needed. Basenjis prefer to approach humans themselves as opposed to being approached. Some have even shown timidness to hands going in for a stroke!

Basenji dogs are excellent family pets and get along great with older children! Toddlers can be a little too invasive for this breed. They’re also rather mouthy growing up and have a higher tendency to nip and chew but their energy levels do make them good playmates!

Given the right socialization, this breed will be friendly towards other canines. On occasion, Basenjis can be a little hard to get along with and are likely to be dominant towards the same sex. They can live with other dogs and possibly cats provided they are raised together from puppyhood. Due to its strong prey drive, cats and smaller animals are generally viewed as prey.

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History

The Basenji dates back to 6,000 B.C and originates from Central Africa. In Ancient Egypt, similar dogs have been depicted in artefacts and on the walls of Pharaoh’s tombs. They’ve also been featured in Ancient Babylonian and Mesopotamian art.

During their early years, these semi-wild dogs would live by the tributary of the River Nile and Congo. They’d hunt prey amongst the African grasslands powered by their high speed and incredible sense of smell. To get a better view Basenjis will jump up over the grass. It’s how they earned their nickname the ‘jumping up and down dog’, or ‘M’bwa M’kube M’bwawamwitu’ in Afrikaans.

For thousands of years, Basenjis lived with little human intervention. The dog that arrived on British shores in 1895, is the same the Pharaohs would’ve laid eyes on. That same year the breed was shown at Crufts under the name African Bush Dogs.

Many of these early arrivals died from diseases. Lady Helen Nutting brought 6 Basenjis back to England from Sudan in 1923 but all died from distemper shots issued during quarantine. Finally, by the 1930s a successful foundation stock was established.

The Basenji Club of Great Britain is the oldest established club for the breed. It was formed on the 9th of February 1939. Due to the disruptions of World War II, an application for registration with the Kennel Club was filed in 1946. Today, Basenjis aren’t very popular in the UK.

Exercise & Grooming

Basenjis require up to one hour of exercise each day. These dogs have a high wanderlust potential and should always be kept on leads unless in an enclosed space. All spaces and gardens should be completely secure because Basenji dogs are excellent escape artists.

Due to its high prey drive, Basenjis may take off on a chase! They’ll benefit from two 30 minute walks as opposed to just one but will happily enjoy extra outdoors time! The breed can live in a flat provided their activity needs are being met but their curious nature prefers a garden.

This intelligent canine is great at dog sports! They particularly excel in obedience, tracking, agility, and lure coursing. It’s also a great form of mental stimulation, perfect for the Basenji who is bored easily! Boredom will of course lead to destructive behaviours.

Thanks to their cat-like qualities, Basenjis are rather clean and don’t require much grooming. Give the short, hypoallergenic coat a weekly brush to remove any dead fur. A soft bristle brush or rubber grooming mitt is best for their coat and will help redistribute their natural oils.

Regular bathing won’t be necessary as Basenjis don’t omit typically doggy odour. Only bathe when the dirt is noticeable. Some dogs only have a bath once or twice a year! Skin problems will arise from frequent bathing. Give the ears a clean weekly and a nail trim fortnightly. Teeth should be brushed daily.

Health

Check out the Basenji health conditions below:

• Fanconi Syndrome: This kidney disease causes glucose in the urine. The kidney tubules are unable to re-absorb electrolytes and nutrients such as potassium and glucose.
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy: A condition targeting the photoreceptor cells within the eye. It’ll cause blindness progressively affecting night vision first.
• Anaemia: The dog’s body doesn’t produce enough haemoglobin (red blood cells) resulting in fatigue, weight loss, laboured breathing, a faster heart rate, and a loss of appetite.
• Luxating Patellas: The kneecap slips out of position temporarily before returning back into place.
• Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency: Affected dogs have a mutated pyruvate kinase an enzyme that plays a vital role in cellular metabolism. This will cause the red blood cells to die resulting in severe hemolytic anemia. It was first documented in Basenjis in the 1960s.
• Urolithiasis: Bladder stones form in the urinary tract which often causes lower urinary tract disease.
• Persistant Pupillary Membrane: A puppy’s eyes develop incorrectly in the womb . Fine iris strands can be seen across the pupil.
• Hypothyroidism: A common endocrine disorder affecting a dogs metabolic state.

Basenji Training

Training needs to start as early as possible and owners will need to exercise understanding and patience. Strong-willed and stubborn, the Basenji can be difficult to train. For this reason, they’re better suited to experienced owners.

Sessions should be around ten minutes long. This intelligent pooch learns quickly. It’s all about finding the right time! Crates are recommended for toilet training. As typically clean dogs with feline qualities, the breed isn’t prone to soiling its personal space!

Reward-based training is the best method for this sensitive breed. They won’t take well to harsh ownership. Always praise good behaviour and when using food, keep portions minute! Basenjis need an encouraging atmosphere as they may display nervousness which may hinder training.

Clicker training is a good method for Basenjis. The idea is to mark good behaviours with a click and a treat. Eventually, the click will become the reward. It may be tricky but once they get the hang of it, the benefits are rewarding!

Socialization is deeply important for a Basenji puppy as timid behaviours will lead to behavioural issues. they’ll need ongoing socialization with dogs and strangers to promote friendly behaviour. A lack of this could result in aggression.

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Basenji Interesting Facts

• In 2001, Ch Jethard Cidevant a Basenji owned by Mr Paul Singleton won the Best in Show title at Crufts. Unfortunately, the breed hasn’t won this title at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
• Anubis is the Ancient Egyptian God of the afterlife and mummification. It has the head of a dog and the body of a human. Many believe the Basenji inspired the God due to the similar snout and pricked ears.
• In Africa, tribes would hang bells around the necks of the Basenji. Because they don’t vocalise much, hunters would follow the bell sounds as the Basenji tracked its prey.
• In countries like Kenya, Basenjis are used to lure lions out their caves. A number of dogs and hunters work together by surrounding the lion in a circle.
• Basenjis have a natural fear of the dark! It stems from their African history. In their native land the night is particularly dangerous and predators could be lurking anywhere! Some dogs may completely refuse a night time walk or will show great reluctance.
• This breed is an exceptional runner and can reach speeds of up to 25 mph. An important feature for this versatlie hunter.