Basenji

Today we’ll discuss the dog of the wild or the dog that have good hunting skill. It is Basenji. They are one of the old-established dog breeds. They are smart but sensitive too. If you love your family then this will be the best option for you, because this breed of dog is protective of its family. In this article, we will tell you about the history of this breed, its food, and its behavior.

Knowing Them…

• Locals valued these dogs for their intellect, fearlessness, speed, and silence, which Europeans recognized as a different breed and named basenji.
• They trot with an elegant, self-assured gait akin to a trotting horse and gallop in a double suspension while straightening out their distinctive curled tail for better balance when galloping at their highest pace.

Second Name

• In the Congo, It is known as the “dog of the wild”.
• The Azande of southern Sudan refers to the dogs as anger.

Let’s Know The History Of Basenji

• It is an old-established dog breed.
• Some of the first domesticated dogs looked a lot like this creature.
• Ancient Egyptian artifacts, as well as Babylonian and Mesopotamian artwork, has its similarity.
• For millennia, the ancestors of the modern basenji lived as semi-feral dogs in distant parts of Africa.
• It did not arrive in the United States until the early 1900s, with breeding programs slowly taking off.
• The breed was initially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1944. And it’s still not all that common in North America.
• It is a legendary hunter that came from Africa and was greatly prized in Egypt. They were cherished companions and presents to the Egyptian pharaohs because they were bred to catch reed rats.

Characteristic

When a Basenji is young or overly aroused, its forehead wrinkles even more. The eyes of a Basenji are typically almond-shaped. Athletic and surprisingly powerful for their size, basenjis are canines. To know more read below:

• Scientific Name: Canis lupus familiaris
• Origin: Central Africa
• Coat: short and fine,
• Coat Color: Chestnut red, pure black, tricolor or brindle
• Weight:  22-24  pounds
• Height: 16-17 inches
• Lifespan: 12- 16 years
• Personality: Curious, intelligent, playful, energetic, quiet, alert
• Intelligence: Highly intelligent
• Hypoallergenic: Yes
• Temperament: Stubborn
• Prey drive: It will chase and seize on moving targets like cats and kids.

Read Also: Affenpinscher- Dog breed, food, and care they need

How They Behave?

Sensitivity Level

• Although they are smart they are sensitive too. They won’t survive in a harsh environment.
• They are a true family dog who prefers to be with their owners at all times. It has separation anxiety and will not accept being left alone in the house or yard for long periods.

Kid-friendly

• Although they are not known for their love for children, their high energy level makes them suitable partners for older children.
• It’s ideal if they’ve been raised with children since puppyhood if they’ll be around them.

Other pet friendly

• They are not good with pets but if socialized as puppies, they could be good with other dogs.
• Yet, many of them are aggressive against other dogs of the same gender.

Aggressive

• It is an aloof, devoted dog that can be fiercely protective of its family.
• They get along well with other dogs, but they can be aggressive at times.

Care They Need

Like every pet they also need care but it requires minimal effort. Being very active dogs they need a special diet and daily physical activity. Also, they need to be groomed. So, here are some tips which will help you in taking care of your pet.

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Food & Diet

• Your pet should be fed raw, natural food (and any other dog breed for that matter).
• They are living creatures having wolf-like digestive processes.
• Over time, processed kibble feeds do more harm than good to them. Raw food appeals to them more than cooked stuff.

Exercise

• At least once a day, go for a 2-mile walk, and then take short walks around the block.
• After they’ve finished running around the house like crazy, they prefer to cuddle up on a lap, which we nickname the “Basenji 500.”
• These dogs require a fenced yard to play in because they require the ability to run around, but their predatory instincts are too intense for them to be let off the leash just anyplace.

Training

• Harsh training does not work well with this breed.
• They need a motivating and fulfilling environment that employs praise and encouragement.
• Positive reinforcement training is covered in a variety of books and websites.
• Remember one thing, it is very challenging to train them.
• Watch your pet as you would a small kid. Close doors, clean up your mess, and section off rooms as necessary. This will help her to be secure and keep her away from items she shouldn’t consume.

Grooming

• They are one-of-a-kind dogs who groom themselves to be clean and tidy, thus they require less bathing than other short-haired dogs.
• Bathe them between four to six months to maintain their coat looking good and to remove dead hair.
• It requires little maintenance and is renowned for having no “doggie odor.” At least once a week, brush her coat as necessary.

Read Also: American Water Spaniel- Description, History and Care

Health Problems

As per studies says, this breed of dog is healthy, yet they suffer from certain health problems which is a matter of great concern for their owner. Some of them are-

• Canine Hip Dysplasia
• Corneal Dystrophy
• Patellar Luxation
• Thyroid
• Eye Problems
• Kidney Diseases

Getting pet health insurance is a crucial next step in providing for your pet. It will undoubtedly require medical exams and operations throughout her life, and pet health insurance will help you pay for those expenses.

Emergencies:

• Immediately seek medical attention if you observe any of these symptoms:
• Head shaking or scratching, sore ears, or ear discharge
• A difficult time urinating or colored urine.
• Any anomaly with the eyes, including cloudiness, redness, itching, or other symptoms.
• Generally unwillingness to move or play.
• Regions on the face or paws that are hairless, dry, and occasionally irritating.
• Any excessive involuntary tremors, shaking, or trembling that is not normal.
• Hair loss, dull coat, sluggishness, and weight gain.
• Sludge stool, weight loss, and a dry, flaky coat.
• Fragility and pale gums. 

List of Mix-breed Dogs

• Eskenji
• Basenji Pit
• Baseagle
• Carengi
• Chisenji
• Italian Greyenji
• Labrasenji

Hairstyle

Having short and fine coats they do not need any hairstyle.

Speed

Like the other vermin-hunting breeds, they can run up to 25 mph.

Rank

It is a rare breed, ranking 84th out of 155 breeds and varieties recognized by the AKC, so if you decide this is the dog for you, prepare to spend time on a breeder’s waiting list.

To Buy/Adopt Basenji

You might be able to find them through a Dog Rescue organization. It can be purchased from a show breeder who breeds Basenjis to a specific standard of appearance for dog shows. You can also get them from somebody who “only breeds pets” or has “only had one litter.”  Buying a puppy from a breeder will cost between $1,200 and $1,800.

Babies

They have 4-6 puppies. They have only one reproduction cycle in one year.

Price

Expect to pay between $1,200 and $1,800 for a puppy from a breeder. Look for responsible breeders instead of buying from a puppy factory or a pet store.

Have a LOOK at Overview!

It is a dog that looks like a hound. That he’s intelligent and self-sufficient, as well as affectionate and attentive. He’s a sighthound, which means that anything that moves gets his attention, and he’ll pursue it down – cats, squirrels, rabbits. He’s not the type of dog that obey commands right away.

Read Als0: Australian cattle dog-food, history and behavior

Basenji Pros and Cons

Pros

• They are noted for their great sense of smell and excellent vision.
• It is an aloof, devoted dog that is extremely protective of its family.

Cons

• They are prone to ailments like eye infections and Fanconi, a fatal kidney disease that solely affects them.
• They are intelligent yet difficult to teach.

Fun Facts

• They are excellent hunters. Intelligence, courage, and flexibility were all prioritized in the development of the breed.
• Cave paintings dating from 6,000 B.C. in Libya portray hunters with curled-tail dogs, which is one of the Basenji’s distinguishing characteristics. They have been represented in Egyptian artifacts as well. According to historical evidence, they were brought to Egypt as gifts for the ancient Egyptians from Central Africa.
• They groom themselves in the same way that cats do, thus they don’t have a dog-like odor.
• Because the larynx of the Basenji differs from that of most other dogs, it is unable to emit a bark.

Reference Link

• https://g.co/kgs/kaN7v7

Basenji-FAQ’s