GOOD POINTS.....

Basenjis are barkless
Basenjis are a good size
They are beautiful
Shedding is minimal
They are very clean dogs
No doggy smell even when wet
They only need the occasional bath
Basenjis love people
If you love going for walks so does your Basenji
If you love watching t.v in the evening so does your Basenji
Basenjis have very few health problems & can live well into their teens

Sound a bit too good to be true? Have a closer look at some of their other traits to get a more balanced view of this delightful but unusual breed.



The Basenji is a native hunting dog from Central Africa used by tribesmen as hunting companions and is known as one of the oldest dog breeds in existence today.Their history pre-dates the ancient Egyptians.The Pharaohs kept Basenjis as companions as well as for their hunting skills; evidenced by the various artforms depicting Basenji like dogs with the curly tails and upright ears from the Ancient Egyptian Period.
The Basenjis claim to fame is the remarkable fact that they are barkless. However being barkless does not mean that they are silent ! He is a natural breed not manipulated by man, therefore Basenjis are still somewhat primitive in some of their behaviours.

Their quick reactions and their intelligent problem solving skills as well as their catlike traits and high energy level will not suit everyone's lifestyle. Therefore it is recommended that you take the time to thoroughly research the breed and visit some responsible Basenji breeders/owners before deciding whether or not to share your life with one of these beautiful but unusual dogs.

Unique:

BASENJIS are quite different from other breeds & are not the right choice of dog for everyone. To their family they are lovingly devoted, but in a different way than most breeds; they can be very catlike in their affection and attention and they are not a 'doting' type of dog.
With strangers some can be aloof at first until they get to know them.
With the right owners Basenjis are rewarding & entertaining companions. They are highly intelligent & will try to outsmart you at every opportunity.

Training:

Basenjis are very good at training their owners ......
but on a more serious note; Basenjis are intelligent, alert, curious dogs with quick minds which has allowed them to survive in their native home in Africa. The Basenji still has this wild dog intelligence and can think for themselves and work things out which sometimes presents a challenge for their owners. Basenjis learn quickly to do what they are told if they think it is going to be worth it for them.
Basenjis would rather please themselves than please you!!!
Tasty food rewards work very well as a training aid so the trick is to make them think that what you want them to do is also what THEY want to do but they will want to know whats in it for them if they do choose to obey you.
Since they are very intelligent dogs they will generally learn new commands very quickly but after a few repetitions of the same activity they can get bored and begin to look elsewhere for something more interesting and entertaining to do. They will not blindly obey you repeatedly like some of the other breeds; they are far too intelligent for that! So for training to be effective for the dog you need to mix it up a bit adding new and different rewards and keep it interesting and fun.
Basenji puppies need to be properly socialised with other dogs, animals & a variety of people when still young. It is also recommended to keep their socialisation as an ongoing concern even after they have matured if possible. Have a look Here for our ideas on socialising.

ESCAPE ARTISTS

They cannot just be left in the backyard to their own devices. This will make them very bored and they will try to find a way to escape.They are not known as escape artists for nothing! If there is a weak part anywhere in your fencing or somewhere that they can tunnel out, they WILL find it. Be very careful opening doors especially the front door when Basenjis are loose in the house. They can scoot between your legs and out the door very fast ! This can be a real problem if you have young children. Try to stay one or two steps ahead of your Basenji at all times.

EXERCISE REQUIREMENTS:

A fully fenced and secure yard is ESSENTIAL for a Basenji owner. Most Basenji's chase anything that moves: mice, cats, birds, possums, chooks, bikes etc. Unfortunately quite a few Basenjis are killed by being hit by cars as they have absolutely no road sense once they are following a scent or chasing something.They are sighthounds who need their exercise so a fully fenced and secure backyard or an owner who enjoys to walk is a must.

Remember - A tired Basenji is a good Basenji.
In the afternoons, Basenjis are known for doing the "Basenji-500 "; usually round and around inside the house.
After the age of about 3 years, their activity level usually settles down quite a bit & sometimes they will act more mature by this age but many keep up their mischievious, funny ways well into old age.

 

NEED COMPANY

Basenjis do not cope with being isolated from human companionship. Plan on sharing your home with your Basenji and many of them enjoy sleeping in their owners bed (under the covers) if they are allowed to. They are wonderful hot water bottles!
They are also happier if they have the companionship of another dog of the opposite sex.

CRATES ?

Basenjis have been known to get into mischief when left to their own devices so an outdoor area with very good shelter from the rain and cold is perfect for when the family are out. For shorter periods of time such as a grocery shopping trip the crate is the perfect solution. Ask the breeder of your puppy about this. When you first take your new puppy home any crate training they may have had from their breeder will probably take a step backwards when the puppy finds himself in new surroundings but perseverence pays off in the long run. A well fenced yard with a dog door allowing limited access to a part of the home would also be a good solution. Crates are an absolute necessity for travelling with your Basenji in the car. Basenjis will jump right out of the car door once opened and since they are difficult to catch when free he will most likely be hit by another car. Its also much safer for the occupants of the car to have the Basenji safely contained in the crate instead of causing a distraction and becoming a possible missile in the event of an accident.

CURIOUS

Basenjis are known for being very curious canines. This quality can sometimes land them in trouble. They like to know whats happening around the home and what you are doing. They can be busy little dogs wanting to check out anything new before returning to their snoozing.
Basenjis love entertaining themselves with anything and everything. Be on the lookout for attempts at escaping, getting into the rubbish, chewing holes in dirty clothes, stealing & scavenging food. Chewing on your precious items and getting up to general mischief making. Basenjis do help to train the children in the family who quickly learn to pick up their belongings once a Basenji puppy joins the family.

SLEEPING

When Basenjis are sleeping make sure that you wake them with your voice by calling their name first before touching them. Some, but not all Basenji's will wake up in defence mode if they are disturbed suddenly while in a deep sleep. This is an instinct left over from protecting themselves in the jungle.Back in the jungle it could have been a predator about to attack them so they were always on the alert for danger.

OFF LEAD

Basenjis are also extremely alert and active dogs that require regular exercise, and they can easily become destructive without an acceptable outlet for their energy. Basenjis can never be completely trustworthy off-lead.If something interesting catches their eye and they decide to give chase they become completely deaf to all instructions from you.The only thing they will see or hear is the "prey" in front of them. This means they WILL NOT stop chasing and come to you if you call them. "Prey drive" is a natural canine attribute and is highly developed in the Basenji who has been used exclusively for their hunting ability in Africa. This trait is what has equipped them for survival in their native home.

MALE OR FEMALE?

Both make good companions. It really comes down to personal preference. Both sexes are just as affectionate with their families. Unneutered males are more dominant than a neutered male and at season time will become very difficult to live with. His mind will be on one thing only and he will become agitated and will cry and whine constantly. Even if there are no females around, male Basenjis still come into season in Autumn just as wild dogs do in preparation for the breeding season. For this reason pet male Basenjis need to be neutered.
Females are less likely to engage in dominance struggles with you, although she may use more subtle means to try and get what she wants. Females are usually the hunters of the pack and can be more alert than the males to their surroundings.
Generally Basenjis of the same sex do not get along very well unless they have grown up together. Regardless of the sex you choose, Basenji puppies need to learn that any humans are above them in the pack order at an early age. It is very easy to teach them this when they are still small puppies. If you want more than one Basenji get one of each sex. Please spey and neuter your pets.

PUPPIES

Basenji puppies are born in winter. May, June or July in Australia and the Southern Hemisphere. Females come into season only once a year in Autumn. If you are serious about getting a puppy you need to contact reputable breeders (we will gladly refer you) as soon as possible as many have bookings in advance of the litters even being born.If you dont want to wait for a puppy but are serious about getting a Basenji contact one of the Breed clubs to see if there are any older Basenjis available for adoption. Go HERE for my Basenji Rescue page.

 

BREEDERS OR PETSHOPS?

Never buy a puppy from a pet shop! A first time Basenji owner needs support and information supplied by a responsible and knowledgeable breeder. This is not possible from a pet shop and you wont have any information about the parents of the puppy with regards to health backgrounds and temperament.

STRONG WILLED

Basenjis in general can be a strong willed independant breed and therefore need a confident owner who can remain in control. They are very different to other breeds in many ways. They are still somewhat primitive in some of their behaviours but if they are well trained and disciplined firmly and consistently in the correct manner these traits only add to their charm. A Basenji in the wrong hands can lead to problems but in the right hands they are a delightful dog.

CATLIKE

Basenjis are very cat like in their affection and mannerisms.They use their paws to play with in a similar fashion to cats. They have a catlike independant streak and they also keep themselves very clean by preening themselves in a catlike manner. Another plus is that they do not have a doggy smell.

ALOOF

Basenjis are very affectionate to their families and friends but can be aloof with strangers. This is a normal breed characteristic.

Many people first become interested in the Basenji after seeing the old black and white movie set in the swamps of Mississippi, "Goodbye My Lady" with Oscar DeWilde, Walter Brennan,Sidney Poitier & a little Basenji named "Lady". If you can manage to get a hold of the movie, we highly recommend it; but be warned its a good idea to have a tissue box standing by!!

© H. Veless - Afrikenji Basenjis