Basenji: Your Complete Guide

The basenji is a small hunting dog known for their feline-like temperament, intelligence, and lovable independent streak. While the basenji may not be the most popular breed out there, that doesn’t mean they won’t make a wonderful addition to your family. They’re sure to liven up your home with their affectionate nature and hilarious ‘yodeling!’

If you’re considering adopting this pup, it’s important you familiarize yourself with their traits and care needs to make sure they’re truly the right fit for your home. We’ll cover all this and more below to help.

Quick Look at the Basenji

Below is a quick glance at this special breed in terms of their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament and grooming needs.

What Is the History of Basenjis?

The basenji is native to central Africa and is widely considered to be one of the oldest hound dogs in the world. Their roots can be traced back to around 3000 BC.

Basenjis were initially developed to be hunting dogs. Many of the qualities seen in the breed today, including their alert nature, keen sense of smell, and excellent eyesight, are a testament to these roots.

Basenjis are famous for being barkless dogs. However, this doesn’t mean they’re entirely silent — instead of barks, basenjis express themselves through other sounds, including a unique “yodeling” noise.

Basenjis were officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1944. While they have been around for thousands of years, today they’re relatively rare pups. They currently rank 81 on the AKC’s most popular breed list (2023).

What Do Basenjis Look Like?

The basenji is a small hound dog with a muscular, agile stature. Their most defining characteristics are their erect, pointed ears, tightly-curled tail, and alert, expressive almond eyes.

Basenjis also have short, single coats that accentuate their muscles. Their fur can come in a whole different range of colors, though some of the most common coat colors include white, black, red, tan, sable, mahogany, brindle, and cream. Some basenjis also have white markings across their bodies, particularly on their chests and legs.

What Size Is a Basenji?

The basenji isn’t a toy breed, but they are on the small side and fit snugly into this category. Most basenjis stand 16 to 17 inches tall at the withers and weigh between 22 and 24 pounds.

Males usually stand slightly taller than females, though a basenji’s size is affected by other factors too, including lineage, diet, and health.

What Is a Basenji’s Coat Type and Length?

A basenji has a short, straight coat that consists of fine hairs. The overall appearance is smooth and glossy, and it doesn’t retain dirt and odors like many other coats do — one of the reasons why this pup is often nicknamed the “feline” of the canine realm.

What Is a Basenji’s Temperament?

Speaking of felines… the basenji is also known to resemble a feline in personality too! They have a reserved, independent, and inquisitive nature. They also like to groom themselves and keep their coat clean.

While the basenji is aloof around strangers, they’re affectionate with their owner and can adapt to most households, as long as their exercise and mental stimulation needs are met.

Are Basenjis Good With Kids?

Basenjis get along well with older kids who can respect their space. While they aren’t as playful as the likes of Labs and golden retrievers, they still make good playmates, and they particularly appreciate interactive games where they can make full use of their endless energy.

However, you may want to consider another breed if you have toddlers in the home. Basenjis aren’t typically tolerant of loud noises, constant attention, and rough touching, all things young kids are notorious for.

Are Basenjis Good With Other Animals?

The basenji can get along well with other dogs who are similar in size, provided they’ve been socialized around them from a young age or are introduced gradually in a positive manner.

However, the basenji may not be the best fit for households with small pets. This is because they naturally have a high prey drive, and due to their independent streak, it’s difficult to manage this drive at all times. They also tend to chase wild animals and should be kept on a tight leash in open areas.

Are Basenjis Aggressive?

Basenjis are rarely aggressive and aren’t more prone to snapping or growling than other breeds. However, they can be slow to warm up to strangers and may come across as cautious when meeting new people. They’re also independent-minded, meaning they’ll likely need some extra training and socialization to keep destructive behaviors in check.

Any dog, regardless of breed, can become aggressive without proper training and socialization. Always take the time to research your dog’s needs and start their training from an early age. If you need any help with training, get in touch with a reputable, reward-based trainer in your area.

There’s also a wealth of training resources online. Dog Academy offers plenty of in-depth training courses, and there are even courses dedicated to tackling specific issues, such as reactivity.

Do Basenjis Bark?

Basenjis are famous for being “barkless” dogs. Their voice boxes are shaped in a way that does not allow for typical barking noises. However, their voice boxes do allow them to make a whole range of other sounds, including yodeling, howls, and screeches.

In general, though, basenjis are quiet dogs. They typically only make noise when they’re alerting their owners or excited.

Are Basenjis Affectionate?

The basenji is aloof around strangers. However, that doesn’t mean they won’t show affection to those they form a strong bond with. They’ll happily snuggle on your lap or receive your pats, particularly after a long exercise session.

Just be mindful that basenjis do appreciate their own time too, and may not always be receptive to cuddles when you want them.

Are Basenjis Intelligent?

Basenjis are extremely intelligent dogs, and this is evident by their alert natures, keen expressions, and quick wits. They’re also incredibly inquisitive and like to explore their surroundings.

However, their curious nature does sometimes get the better of them — they’re notorious escape artists, so you’ll want to keep a close eye on them at all times when you’re out and about.

Are Basenjis Energetic?

Basenjis may be small, but this doesn’t mean they aren’t active dogs. They’re incredibly energetic and need at least an hour of vigorous exercise every day to feel content. They love activities that engage their natural prey drive, such as lure coursing and frisbee.

Basenjis also need plenty of mental stimulation, at least half an hour daily. This can be in the form of games, puzzle toys, training, or scent work.

Are Basenjis Easy to Train?

Basenjis can learn complex commands and are perfect candidates for agility training due to their agile physiques. However, they aren’t the easiest to train. They’re stubborn and independent-minded, meaning they have a habit of putting their own thoughts and wants first.

To keep their stubbornness in check, you’ll need to train them regularly and be consistent and firm. Make sure to use positive reinforcement measures too. If you’re struggling to maintain their attention during training, consider adding a clicker tool and breaking training down into smaller sessions throughout the day.

Are Basenjis Good Watchdogs?

Basenjis are vigilant dogs and will usually alert you of strangers approaching. With that said, be mindful that their small size isn’t likely to deter threats. They also aren’t likely to resort to snarling or snapping like traditional guard dogs.

Are Basenjis Good Service Dogs?

Basenjis can potentially make good service dogs because of their intelligence and perceptive natures. However, they typically aren’t the best fit for this line of work due to their stubbornness. They’re less likely to perform trained tasks reliably and consistently than eager-to-please dogs (like poodles).

Basenjis also aren’t overly affectionate and may not provide enough emotional support for an individual struggling with a disability. Plus, they tend to be cautious around strangers. This can cause them to feel uncomfortable in busy public settings, where service dogs often have to frequent.

How to Care for a Basenji?

Basenjis are relatively difficult to care for because of their stubborn natures, strong prey drives, and high exercise needs. However, with the right love and care, they make excellent companions.

Basenjis require early socialization from a young age to help them become confident and well-adjusted in adulthood. Get them accustomed to different environments, people, and sounds (you can find a useful puppy socialization checklist here).

Since basenjis have strong prey drives, it’s important that you also socialize them around other animals to help keep this drive at a healthy level.

Basenjis particularly benefit from a spacious yard where they can play freely. However, make sure this yard is secure and has a sturdy, tall fence. Basenjis are proud explorers, and will try and escape if an opportunity presents itself, such as a low fence or hole.

You should also take measures to escape-proof the inside of your home. Keep doors locked and ensure ground-floor windows aren’t ever opened wide enough for them to slip through.

On top of this, basenjis should be groomed frequently, fed a nutritious diet, and exercised daily. We’ll delve a little further into their grooming needs below.

Do You Need to Groom a Basenji?

Basenjis’ coats are incredibly easy to maintain, and most only need a good brush once every week or so. These feline-like pups tend to self-clean themselves and their fur is short, smooth, and doesn’t trap dirt.

Basenjis shouldn’t be washed regularly, as this can strip their natural oils and irritate their skin. Only wash them once every month or whenever they’re noticeably dirty. Use dog-appropriate shampoo and keep the experience positive by incorporating treats and praise.

You should also make it a habit to brush their teeth daily. This can help ward off dental disease, among other problems, and allow them to maintain healthy gums even into senior life.

Do Basenjis Shed?

Basenjis are generally low-shedding dogs, meaning you won’t have to pull out the vacuum every day. They do experience periods of moderate shedding during seasonal changes, but this shedding amount is still manageable and a good brush will help get rid of excess hairs.

What Health Problems Do Basenjis Have?

Basenjis are typically healthy pups, but they are prone to a few health complications. If you’re considering adopting this breed, you should familiarize yourself with these health issues and how to manage them.

The most common health complications include progressive retinal atrophy, hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, Fanconi syndrome, and hypothyroidism.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

An inherited disease that eventually (and unfortunately) leads to blindness in dogs. Symptoms of PRA include dilated pupils, poor spatial awareness, and reluctance to go outside at night.

No treatment is possible, although the condition isn’t painful. Most basenjis also adapt well to the blindness since it’s a gradual deterioration instead of a sudden change.

Hip Dysplasia

When the hip joint doesn’t develop properly, leading to joint issues, stiffness, and pain. The two most common symptoms of hip dysplasia are an abnormal gait and exercise intolerance.

The treatment for hip dysplasia depends on its severity. Mild cases of hip dysplasia can typically be managed with pain relief medication and lifestyle changes, such as weight management and exercise adjustments. More severe cases usually require surgical intervention.

Patellar Luxation

Patellar luxation occurs when a dog’s knee dislocates and pops out of its normal groove. Symptoms of patellar luxation include lameness, a bunny-hopping gait, stiffness, a hunched lower back, and difficulty rising.

Patellar luxation treatment often involves pain relief medication, joint supplements, physical therapy, exercise restriction, and surgery in some cases.

Fanconi Syndrome

An inherited disorder that affects the kidneys and stops them from functioning properly. Basenjis are heavily affected by Fanconi syndrome, although the exact reason why hasn’t yet been found. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, approximately 10 to 30% of basenjis in North America suffer from this condition.

Symptoms of Fanconi syndrome include excessive thirst, increased urination, lethargy, appetite loss, and weight loss despite no dietary changes.

There is currently no cure for Fanconi syndrome, but it can be managed with dietary supplements and close monitoring of health. Clean, fresh water should also always be provided.

Hypothyroidism

When the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones, leading to symptoms such as lethargy, weight gain, and a thinning or dull coat. While there is no cure, hypothyroidism is fortunately easily treatable with thyroid replacement hormone medication. This is prescribed for life.

How Long Do Basenjis Live?

Most basenjis live for 13 to 14 years on average. You can improve your pup’s chances of living a long life with regular exercise, vet checkups, and a healthy diet. You should also take your basenji to the vet immediately if you notice any abnormal behavioral changes.

What Should a Basenji Eat?

Basenjis usually eat around ¾ to 1.5 cups of kibble per day. You should make sure their dog food is specifically formulated for their size. Basenjis are active dogs, so they’ll also benefit from protein-rich foods that give them plenty of energy.

If your pup has food sensitivities, make sure to consult a veterinarian before making dietary changes.

Is a Basenji the Right Dog for Me?

The basenji is an independent and loyal dog who has plenty of endearing traits. However, they can be difficult to care for and aren’t the best fit for every family.

The basenji may be the right dog for you if:

• You want a clean dog who sheds minimally
• You hate grooming; basenjis have easy-to-maintain coats
• You’re after a relatively quiet companion
• You’re seeking an active yet compactly built dog

You may want to consider another breed if:

• You’re a first-time owner
• You have small pets or toddlers in your home
• You lead a laid back, easygoing lifestyle
• You don’t want to deal with a strong-willed, independent dog