Basenji Dogs

Basenji Dogs are commonly believed to have originated in Zaire. However, ancient drawings of resembling canines have also been discovered in Egypt. The Basenji breed found its way in Europe in 1934, and in the 1940s, it arrived in America, where it was officially recognized in 1944.

The Basenji Dog is a very hardy and athletic dog. Despite their small size, they are very active and require a lot of exercise every day. These dogs usually come in black-and-tan, black-and-brindle, and red, with white on the chest, legs and tip of the tail. Some dogs have a white blaze on the muzzle. The ears are erectile and pointed, facing forward. The eyes are almond-shaped and small. The forehead is wrinkled, which adds an expression of concern to the dog. The legs are straight and muscular, and the tail is curled over the back and slightly sideways.

There are a few special things about Basenji dogs: they do not bark, and females come into heat once a year, while other domestic dogs have two estruses every year. Instead of barking, Basenji Dogs usually yodel, growl and howl. These dogs are very protective around their loved ones and are always eager to defend their territory against intruders. All purebred Basenjis show a certain degree of distrust toward strangers. They seem to be able to see people through, and they tend to be friendlier to those who have or have had a dog at least once in life.

The Basenji Dog is a watchful and intelligent companion. He appreciates daily interaction, games and physical activity. They have a way of luring their loved ones into a play. Lack of activity on the owner’s side is likely to result in separation anxiety, which can make a dog extremely noisy and destructive. These dogs are good with considerate and well-behaved children, but are not recommended for families with toddlers, because they hate teasing. Basenjis are usually tolerant of same-breed dogs, but can be very short with other dogs. They should not be left around non-canine pets unattended. 

Because of their small size, Basenjis do okay indoors, and a small yard will suffice. They do not like rainy weather and should not be taken outside on wet days. These dogs can be susceptible to a number of genetic diseases, such as kidney problems, intestinal disorders, progressive retinal atrophy and other eye diseases. Basenji dogs have a life span of about 12 years.