Basenji

Basenji is a breed of dogs famous for its people-oriented temperament and ever-burning energy. Always eager to please their owners, Basenjis are great home companions. They are good with their loved ones but tend to be aloof with strangers. Basenjis are good with children, providing they have been taught how to properly handle the dog.

The Basenji Dog is also referred to as Congo Dog, and depictions of similar dogs have been found on ancient Egyptian tombstones. The breed arrived in Europe in 1934, and was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1945. Today, Basenjis are popular in Africa as forest guides, and they are renowned for their ability to warn people about approaching wild animals.

Basenjis are good for apartment life, and they do not require a large yard. However, they are very demanding in terms of interaction and games. They hate loneliness and may develop separation anxiety if the owner fails to keep his or her dog’s body and mind busy. Basenjis love to spend most of their time with their owners, and enjoy company of other Basenjis. However, they often exhibit dominance toward same-sex species, and do not get along with dogs of other breeds.

The Basenji is a compact yet sturdy and athletic dog, standing 15-17 inches tall at the withers. Males are a little larger than females. Basenjis have a smooth and shiny coat, which is very easy to groom. These dogs shed very little, and they can keep their own coat clean, just like cats. Therefore, they do not have the doggy odor and do not pose any trouble to allergic people. Their coat comes in copper red, black-and-tan and black-and-brindle. The underparts and the legs are usually white, and some dogs have a white facial blaze. The wrinkled forehead gives the dog a concerned expression. The ears are erect and pointed, and the eyes are small and almond-shaped.

The Basenji is a generally healthy dog, but some lines show proneness to kidney problems, intestinal disorders and eye problems. Hip dysplasia is not common in this breed. Basenjis can also be susceptible to infections and parasites, and the best way to deal with them is to have your dog de-wormed and inoculated. A purebred Basenji that enjoys healthy nutrition and care throughout lifetime, can live up to 12-14 years.