Basenji

Name:

Basenji

Breed group:

Hound Dogs

Size:

Small breed

Height:

Males stand 17 inches and females are 16 inches at the shoulder.

Weight:

Males about 24 pounds and females are 22 pounds.

Life Span:

10 to 12 years

80 %

Adapts well to apartment living

Dog’s ability to be relatively quiet, not high energy and fairly calm indoors, and polite with the other residents.

100 %

Good for first-time owners

Dog’s ability to be fairly easygoing, resilient enough to bounce back from owner’s mistakes or inconsistencies.

80 %

Sensitivity level

Dog’s ability to handle a noisy, chaotic household, a louder or more assertive owner, and an inconsistent or variable routine.

60 %

Tolerance of being alone

Dog’s predisposition to be worry or even panic when left alone by their owner. An anxious dog can be very destructive, barking, whining, chewing, and otherwise causing mayhem.

80 %

Tolerability to cold weather

Dog’s ability to tolerate cold weather

20 %

Tolerability to hot weather

Dog’s ability to tolerate hot weather

80 %

100 %

Family affection

Dog’s ability to build close bonds with the owner or owner’s family

100 %

Kid friendliness

Dog’s ability to be gentle with children, to handle their hugs, and to have right attitude toward children’s running and screaming

100 %

Friendliness towards other dogs

Dog’s ability to have good canine social skills

80 %

Friendliness toward strangers

Dog’s ability to be stranger-friendly

100 %

60 %

Shedding potential

Intensity of dog’s shedding

20 %

Drooling potential

Dog’s predisposition to drop saliva uncontrollably from the mouth

100 %

Grooming complexity

Level of grooming complexity

100 %

60 %

General health

Dog’s predisposition to be prone to certain genetic health problems

40 %

Potential for weight gain

Dog’s predisposition for weight gaining

40 %

80 %

Training potential

Dog’s ability to respond to training

20 %

Intelligence

Dog’s ability for jobs that require decision making, intelligence, and concentration, such as herding livestock, taking care of blind person, etc.

80 %

Potential for mouthiness

Dog’s tendency to nip, chew, and play-bite during puppyhood.

100 %

Prey drive

Level of inborn desire to chase and sometimes kill other animals.

100 %

Tendency to bark or howl

Level of dog’s desire for barking or howling.

20 %

Wanderlust potential

Dog’s ability to take off after anything that catches their interest, even if it means leaving the owner behind.

100 %

60 %

Energy level

Amount of time and energy, which dog spends for jumping, playing, and investigating any new sights and smells.

100 %

Intensity

Dog’s vigorousity potential.

20 %

Exercise needs

Level of exercises needed to keep dog in-shape

100 %

Potential for playfulness

Level of dog’s demands for endless games

20 %

General info

The Basenji is a lightly-built, elegant hunting dog from Africa. It has a wrinkled head and a high, curled tail. The Basenji is commonly known as the "barkless dog" because it doesn’t bark, but when excited, it makes a noise that sounds like a yodel. The Basenji differs from other primitive dogs, in that it has a sturdy build. Its longer legs help it to run fast, performing a sort of double-suspension gallop. The Basenji also has a short black, red, brindle, or tricolor coat, which is effective in coping with the hot African climate, while its erect ears are excellent for dissipating heat and locating the game in dense bushes. The Basenji is reputed to get along well with other dogs but does not mingle with members of its own breed. As it is a feisty hound, many feel that this dog resembles the terrier in its nature and mannerisms. The Basenji has also been described as cat-like: reserved, clever, inquisitive, independent, and stubborn.

Dogtime | Dog breeds
Dogtime | Basenji
Petmd | Basenji
AKC | Basenji