Basenji
Temperament:
The Basenji is a unique dog breed from Central Africa. The dogs are also known as "Congo Terriers". The Basenji is a dog breed recognized by the FCI. It belongs to group 5 (dogs of the original type). It is a very rare breed with many special features. The proud animals have many positive characteristics and are excellent hunters.
Characteristics
The Basenji is one of the medium-sized breeds. Adult dogs usually reach a shoulder height of around 40 to 45 cm. The weight of these handsome dogs is in line with this. On average, they weigh around 9 to 12 kg. As with most dog breeds, the females are generally more petite than their male counterparts.
The life expectancy of the Basenji is around 15 years. This is a very high life expectancy, which can even be exceeded if the animals are in good physical condition.
Visually, the dogs strongly resemble foxes. The classification in the group "Spitz and dogs of the original type" is therefore understandable. Overall, the Basenji has a rather square build. Nevertheless, it appears very slender and light. The dogs are tall and have relatively long legs.
The dogs look proud and elegant. Their gait is upright and exudes a great deal of self-confidence. A striking visual feature of the breed are the large pricked ears. They make the dogs' heads look particularly cute.
Then there are the large, expressive eyes. They also contribute to a beautiful and harmonious overall appearance. The curled tail of the dogs is also striking. It is always carried either on the left or right, never in the middle.
The coat of the Basenji is smooth, short and close-fitting. When well groomed, the fine hair shines. Various shades of color are possible. The color combinations red and white, black and white and tricolor are particularly common. The latter describes a mixture of white, black and red color elements. The paws, the tip of the tail and the chest are usually white. Animals with red and white fur are particularly reminiscent of a fox.
As you can see from their attitude, Basenjis are very self-confident animals. With their charisma, they command the respect of their fellow dogs. They are not barkers and bark very little. If the Basenji does make a sound, it sounds different to most dogs. Various, mostly monosyllabic sounds are emitted by the dogs. This really is a special feature.
The pretty dogs also have a sharp mind. They are considered to be very intelligent and independent. The Basenji learns very quickly and well. The four-legged friends are balanced and tolerant animals. They are not easily upset and are patient.
The Basenji is very temperamental. The dogs have a mind of their own and try to get their own way. This behavior can be interpreted as stubbornness. These lively dogs have a strong personality. As an owner, you should be aware of this and accept it.
Another special feature of this breed is its cleanliness. In general, dogs are not particularly clean animals. This characteristic is usually attributed to cats. The Basenji, on the other hand, always looks after its own coat and the traces it leaves behind. They clean themselves thoroughly and frequently.
The Basenji also has a pronounced hunting instinct. It is alert and always keeps an eye on its surroundings. For this reason, the breed was often used as a hunter in the past.
The animals are very active and need lots of exercise. They want to be kept busy and enjoy spending active time with their owners. Extensive walks and plenty of exercise are essential when getting a dog like this.
The Basenji is an affectionate and loyal dog towards its owner. It builds up a close emotional bond with its owner. This bond is very important for the animals. Once the basis of trust has been established, the dogs are lovable companions.
These cute four-legged friends also get on well with children. They are therefore ideal as family and companion dogs. The Basenji is usually somewhat suspicious and reserved towards strangers. However, they are not aggressive.
Coat care:
Shedding:
Energy level:
Trainability:
Children suitable:
The right food
In principle, the diet of this breed is uncomplicated. The animals are generally not prone to allergies or obesity. Regular, nutritious meals contribute to a healthy dog's life.
The daily amount of food should be adapted to the weight, activity and age of the animal.
The Basenji is considered a vital and robust dog breed. Unfortunately, inbreeding occurs time and again, resulting in unpleasant genetic effects. Eye diseases such as "progressive retinal atrophy" are widespread. Unfortunately, metabolic diseases are also becoming increasingly common. However, reputable breeders actively counteract these diseases.
Inbreeding is consistently avoided in order to breed healthy and happy puppies. When buying a Basenji, it is therefore essential to pay attention to the origin.
Health & Care
The Basenji is a very low-maintenance dog. It grooms its coat largely by itself. A light brushing from time to time is therefore completely sufficient for coat care. It is also worth noting that the dogs shed very little hair. In addition, the coat of the Basenji smells rather neutral. Even when it gets wet, it hardly smells at all.
Training these animals is not easy. The Basenji is considered to be really stubborn. It has a mind of its own. It is therefore difficult for him to subordinate himself. It also does not want to please its owner at any price. They have their own ideas and usually only do things that make sense to them.
Just fetching, for example, is not his thing. With loving consistency and a solid foundation of trust, dogs can still be trained well. Some dog experience is definitely helpful.
In order for the Basenji to accept guidance from its human in the best possible way, it is necessary to convince the dog of this. Strictness and commands alone will not get you far with this dog. Instead, you should respect his idiosyncrasies and communicate this to him. Complete subordination should not be demanded either. This would break the dog's character.
The personality of the Basenji is unique and should be appreciated and loved by its owner. Training is best started at an early puppy age. This makes training much easier for both sides.
Suitable accessories
The Basenji makes no special demands on its living space. It can be kept in a large house as well as in an apartment. It feels just as comfortable in the countryside as it does in a small town. However, it is essential that the Basenji is kept sufficiently occupied. Daily, extended walks are an absolute must.
The Basenji needs to be challenged and be able to let off steam. He prefers to run around freely. Trips to the woods or parks are particularly suitable for this. However, the dog's hunting instinct should not be underestimated. If the animals are well trained, they can run off the lead without any problems. Otherwise, however, there is a risk that the dogs will pick up the scent of another animal and follow it on their own.
It is therefore important that the dogs are not underchallenged. This can quickly lead to boredom. The Basenjis then like to take this out on the home furnishings. Much to the annoyance of their owners. Such situations should be avoided in the interests of both parties.
The animals should have their own retreat in the house. Here they can relax and unwind after a busy day. As a rule, there is no need to buy a large selection of dog toys. Most Basenjis are not interested in this anyway. Nevertheless, as the owner you can of course try out one or two toys with your pet. Perhaps you will arouse his interest and he will get involved in the game.
Origin & History
The Basenji is a very old breed of dog. Its origins lie in the forests of the Congo region in Central Africa. The dogs were used there early on as hunters and guards. The breed enjoyed great popularity among the population, so that they were also kept as companion dogs.
The breed gained a particularly high reputation in Great Britain and Belgium. Even today, the breed standard is still determined by the British. In 1964, the Basenji was recognized by the FCI as an independent breed. The first registered breeding club was founded in Germany in 1977. To this day, the interesting and unique Basenji is still relatively unknown in Germany.
It is not one of the well-known standard breeds and has not yet been able to build up a large fan base in Germany. However, this could change in the future.
