The Basenji
The Basenji
Origins
The Basenji breed, also referred by some as African Bush dog, African barkless dog, Avuvi, Congo dog, Egyptian or African dingo, is originated in Africa, in the center region. They were mainly used to hunt small game.
Appearance
The Basenji is a small dog breed and it has a special look, taking a similarity to cats. They have long and pointy sharp ears, a graceful but strong neck. They have almond shaped eyes. Their body weights around 10-11 kg, with a height of 37-40 cm at the withers. The body is covered with a coat that ranges from lines of white accompanied by black, red, black with tan.
Grooming
The Basenji isn’t a heavy shedder breed. They require some coat brushing once in a while to remove dead folicules of hair and maintaining his sleek and glossy coat. They don’t have an odor so you won’t have problems with that.
Health Facts
Most Basenji dogs live about 11-13 years. They could suffer from various digestive, muscular and bone problems, eye defects (progressive retinal atrophy, causing blindness), cancer and sometimes from Falconi’s syndrome, this causing kidney failure. A good advice would be to hide all household chemicals from the dog’s reach to prevent possible liver problems.
Temperament and Lifestyle
Even if the Basenji is a small dog breed, these dogs display an energetic spirit, acting both curious and alert to the environment. The Basenji are patient and playful dogs and jumping over fences is their favorite “hobby”. When they bark they release a low sound (yodel-like) similar to that of a cat. If you consider a possible dog training for this breed, you should understand that they are difficult to obedience train, especially if the bond between owner and dog isn’t strongly established. The Basenji are stubborn when coming to training and so should be the trainer. They respond well to dog treats and dog toys. The Basenji can become a great pet if you take patience in training him well.
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