Basenji – The Barkless Dog Breed from Africa

The Basenji is an ancient African hunting dog breed that is small to medium in size, barkless, independent and somewhat stubborn.

Basenji dog , a hunting dog breed with the oldest origin in the world from Africa, this dog has a graceful appearance, independent personality, intelligence and it does not bark, has a fairly long life span of 12 - 16 years.

In the article below, the dog breed has shared details about the origin, appearance, personality as well as the care regimen of Basenji dogs, let's find out now!

Where did the Basenji dog originate?

The Basenji is a hunting dog that comes from Africa.

Basenji is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world, originating from Africa , more specifically Central Africa (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). This breed was originally raised by indigenous tribes in Africa for the purpose of hunting rabbits thanks to its agility and very sensitive sense of smell.

In the Central African language, the name "Basenji" means "Dog of the Natives". Basenji has a fairly long life span of 12 - 16 years.

History of the Basenji breed :

• Basenji was considered a sacred dog by the ancient Egyptians, their images appeared on the tombs of Pharaohs more than 5000 years ago.
• In 1870, Basenji was found among the Azande tribe in the Bahr-el-Ghasal region (South Sudan)
• By the 19th century, this breed was brought to Europe and then to America.
• It was not until 1930 that the Basenji began to be consistently bred and propagated in the West.

Basenji dogs have many different names such as :

• African Bush Dog
• Ango Angari
• Congo Dog
• Cho Zande

Appearance of the divine Basenji dog

Two Basenji dogs, black and white and brown.

The Basenji is a small dog breed with a graceful yet classic appearance and a sleek coat. Let's learn more about the appearance of a purebred Basenji.

• Height : Male from 41 - 43 cm, female from 38 - 41 cm.
• Weight : Male from 10 - 12 kg, female from 9 - 11 kg.
• Body : Small to medium, tall, slim, square body, deep chest, tight stomach, distinct waist, straight back, long, slender legs.
• Head : Small, wedge-shaped, flat forehead, tapering nose.
• Ears : Small, triangular, always upright and facing forward.
• Eyes : Almond shaped, dark brown, very intelligent.
• Tail : Curved, curled 1 or 2 times over the back close to the rump.
• Coat : Short, smooth, close to the skin, little shedding, not smelly.
• Coat Color : Copper, red, black, fawn, black and brindle. Often with white on the feet, chest, tail tip and some even have white on the face.

Basenji Dog Personality

The Basenji is a very clean dog.

Basenji is also known as the barkless hunting dog, and it also possesses many unique personalities, different from other dog breeds, let's find out right away.

No barking but no silence

Basenjis have special vocal cords so they almost never bark. However, instead they often make "baroo" sounds or growl, whine, etc.

Likes cleanliness and independence

A rather lovely personality of Basenji is that it loves cleanliness, it will always lick its fur like a cat and this dog has almost no bad smell, sheds little hair and does not dirty the house.

Independent but also quite stubborn

Basenji is a breed of dog that does not tend to please its owner, it likes to decide its own behavior and will not listen to commands if it does not think it is reasonable. Therefore, you need to have experience raising dogs to be able to "train" this dog.

Be wary of strangers

Basenjis are very loyal to their owners or family members but are very wary of strangers and can be aloof or reserved. For this reason, Basenjis make good watchdogs.

How to raise a Basenji dog

Basenji dogs need to be taught and trained from a young age.

Basenji is not only a smart, independent dog, but it is also very clean, so it is quite "difficult to please" if you do not have that experience. Right below, we will guide you on how to care for and raise a Basenji dog in the most detailed way so that everyone can understand.

Optimal nutrition for Basenji dogs

Basenji is a hunting dog so it needs to be provided with enough energy to maintain health and development, the best diet will need to be high in protein, moderate in fat, low in starch, high in fiber and vitamins, specifically as follows:

Basenji dog food rations according to age :

• Basenji puppies from 2 to 4 months old: Eat 4 meals/day, 200 - 300g per day, eat soft, easy-to-digest food.
• Basenji dogs from 4 - 8 months old: Eat 3 meals/day, eat 300 - 400g per day.
• Adult Basenji dogs: Eat 2 meals/day, 350 - 450g per day.
• Basenji dogs over 8 years old: Eat 2 small meals/day, reduce calorie intake by 10 - 15%.

Exercise regimen for Basenji dogs

Basenji is a hunting dog so it loves to run and has a lot of energy, you need to note the following:

• Dogs need to be walked at least 60 minutes a day.
• Can run, play ball, overcome obstacles...
• Remember to always keep your Basenji on a leash when going outside as it has a strong hunting instinct and can be attracted to and chase other small animals.

Grooming and grooming for Basenji dogs

Basenji is a dog with short, smooth, low-shedding fur that is almost odorless and even likes to clean itself by licking its fur like a cat, so you don't need to spend much time on hygiene care for this dog. However, please note the following:

• Brush 1 - 2 times/week with a soft bristle brush.
• No need to bathe often, just once every 1-2 months is enough.
• Clean ears, eyes, trim nails regularly.

Individual Training Regime for Basenji

As you know, Basenji is an intelligent dog breed but quite "dominant" because it likes to do things its own way, so you will have a "hard time" training this dog. Please note the following:

• Not suitable for forced teaching or violence, scolding.
• Should teach by positive methods, use praise, use snacks as rewards.
• Start training when Basenji is 2 - 3 months old.
• Expose Basenji to strangers and children early to help it reduce its aggressiveness towards strangers and become more friendly.

Basenji Health Care and Disease Prevention

To help Basenji stay healthy and live from 12 to 16 years, you need to pay attention to vaccination and health of this dog, specifically as follows:

• Fully vaccinated with 5 in 1, 7 in 1, rabies,...
• Deworming every 6 months.
• Regular health check-ups 1-2 times/year.

Ideal living environment for Basenji

Basenji loves to run and exercise, so it is very suitable for apartments with spacious spaces or houses with gardens and safe fences. This dog also likes quiet, does not like noise and bustle.

Common diseases in Basenji dogs

Basenjis are susceptible to Fanconi disease, eye disease, dental disease...

Right below, we have shared some common diseases in Basenji dogs, including causes, symptoms, prevention and treatment. Please join us to learn more to gain more experience in raising this dog.

Fanconi Syndrome

This is a serious genetic disease that affects the kidneys and is common in Basenjis. It prevents the kidneys from absorbing essential nutrients and instead excretes them through urine. There is no cure for this disease.

• Symptoms : Drinking a lot of water, urinating a lot, severe weight loss, fatigue, loss of bladder control.
• Prevention and treatment : Carefully check the genetic source before buying or breeding, observe the dog's hygiene habits to detect and treat promptly.

Progressive retinal degeneration

This is a genetic eye disease that is highly prevalent in the Basenji breed, which will cause the dog's vision to gradually decrease and can lead to blindness.

• Symptoms : Dogs gradually lose vision, eyes become cloudy, vision is blurry, usually appearing when Basenji is 3 - 5 years old.
• Prevention and treatment : Check the parents' genes before buying a Basenji puppy, supplement omega 3 regularly, have regular health check-ups to detect diseases early and have treatment.

Dental disease

Basenjis are highly susceptible to gingivitis and dental disease if not properly cared for.

• Symptoms : Bad breath, bleeding gums, toothache,...
• Prevention and treatment : Brush your teeth regularly or at least 2-3 times/week, have regular dental check-ups.

Hip dysplasia

This is a fairly common genetic bone and joint disease in dog breeds and of course the Basenji is no exception.

• Symptoms : Dog limps, has difficulty sitting down or standing up.
• Prevention and treatment : Moderate and proper exercise when Basenji is young, limit jumping from high places, supplement calcium, omega 3, glucosamine regularly.

Price list, experience buying Basenji dogs

If you like and want to buy a Basenji dog, please refer to the price list and some valuable experiences that we share below.

Basenji dog price list in Vietnam

Basenji prices will vary greatly depending on origin, purity, gender, age, etc. Please refer to the price list we share below to better understand the price.

Experience in buying Basenji dogs

When buying a Basenji dog, you need to keep in mind the following:

• Clearly identify your needs, buy as a pet or buy for breeding, then choose a dog with the right origin.
• Choose a reputable place to sell, prioritize reputable breeding farms and pet stores with commitment papers and transparent warranties.
• You should not buy cheap dogs from places of unknown origin because no one will guarantee the quality for you.
• When buying, you need to carefully check the appearance and observe the behavior of the dog you want to buy to see if it meets the requirements for appearance, health, and is not sick.

Beautiful Basenji dog pictures

Below are some beautiful pictures of Basenji dogs - a breed of dog with an elegant and proud appearance, please admire more.

Three Basenji puppies with three different looks.

A Basenji dog is running in a field.

The purebred Basenji has a clean, elegant appearance.

Basenji puppy with unique black and white coat.

Through the information that giongcho.org shares above, we can see that the Basenji dog is a breed of dog that not only has a good-looking, clean appearance but also has an independent and intelligent personality. Although it is a bit "difficult", if you know how to train it, this dog will be an ideal companion.

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