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Basenji

Price range

$1500.00 - $4000.00

Common names

The barkless dog, Congo dog, African bush dog, Ango Anzari, Zande dog

Size

Medium

Dog group

Hound Group

Coat length

Short

Energy

Extra high

Kid friendly

Medium

Life expectancy

12 to 15 years

Would you like to know what it would cost to insure an Basenji? Find out by getting a free quote, with petsy pet insurance.

As Seen in

What does an Basenji look like?

General Appearance of the Basenji

Lightly built, finely boned aristocratic-looking animal, high on leg compared with its length, always poised, alert and intelligent.

They possess a wrinkled head, with pricked ears, proudly carried on a well-arched neck. Their deep brisket runs up into a definite waist, tail tightly curled presenting a picture of a well balanced dog of gazelle-like grace.

Well known as the ''barkless'' dog from Africa, the Basenji attracts admirers with his short coat, small, muscular body, alert demeanor, erect ears, and tail curled tightly over one hip. A wrinkled brow gives him a quizzical and sometimes mischievous expression.

Available in these colours

What colours do Basenji come in?

Basenji come in a variety of colours, including Black and White, Black, Tan and White, Brindle, Red.

All about the
Basenji.

Basenjis descended from Pariah dogs to the Egyptians and then to hunting dogs for the Congo tribes. These dogs were initially employed to flush small animals into hunters' nets as well as manage village rat infestations. They frequently wore bells to warn their human companions of their presence in the jungle.

The Basenji is a small, short-haired hunting dog with a characteristic tightly coiled tail and wrinkled brow. The wrinkled head is borne proudly on a well-arched neck, and the tail is curled and raised high.

The Basenji has a smooth, short, glossy coat that comes in a variety of color combinations and known for it's distinct lack of doggy-odour. The overall demeanor is one of elegance and inquisitive attentiveness, elegant and lovely.

Basenjis are high-spirited and insatiably curious, and they are more companionable than loving with their owners. They are pleasant and even clownish, yet they are also generally distant, confident, and independent.

Basenji dogs are clever, entertaining, and make wonderful friends if you can keep up with their high activity levels. The basenji, an aloof but highly loving dog, may be fiercely protective of its family.

Known as the ''barkless dog'' due to their unsually shaped larynx, which doesn?t allow them to bark like a usual dog. That doesn?t mean they are silent though. They produce a yodel and still can growl, whimper and whine like other dog breeds.

All about the Basenji adult stats

Weight

Low 9.00 KG

High 11.00 KG

Height

Low 38.00 cm

High 41.00 cm

Weight

Low 10.00 KG

High 12.00 KG

Height

Low 41.00 cm

High 43.00 cm

Basenji.

Characteristics & Tendencies:

TENDENCY TO DIG
Snoring
Drooling
Exercise needs
Grooming needs
Barking

Care and Maintenance

Feeding

How much do
Basenji eat?
1.50 to 2.50 cups of food a day

Exercise

How much
exercise do they need?
60 to 120 Mins

Temperament

Are they kid friendly? More suited for older children

Living

Do they need a lot of space? Needs plenty of space

Frequently asked questions about the Basenji.

Basenjis are said to be a low-shedding breed. They shed more than other dogs throughout seasonal changes, such as Spring, but it's not visible due to their short coat, and they're quite easy to maintain.

So you'll want to increase your brushing routine to once a day when their shedding picks up in these seasons. Brush him at least once a week to remove dead hair and keep the skin and coat healthy.

Keeping them clean and neat does not take so much effort. Begin accustoming them to being brushed and examined when they are still puppy.

Handle their paws frequently ? dogs are touchy about their feet ? and look inside their mouth. Trim their nails once or twice a month if your dog doesn't wear them down naturally to prevent painful tears and other problems.

Their ears should be checked weekly for redness or a bad odour, which can indicate an infection. Your careful weekly exam will help you spot potential health problems early.

Basenjis have a lot of energy that requires daily mental and physical activity, which includes specific tasks to solve as much as possible as well as a long walk, twice a day is required, more is optional, accompanied by entertaining activities.

They are, however, more than delighted to be given extra if you are planning a longer stroll!

They may require more frequent vet visits as early detection is key in giving the best possible treatment of any health conditions that may arise.

Routine checkups also provide the chance to track your dog's growth and development and forms a key part of preventative care.

Basenjis are known to be very protective of their family. They require a lot of early interaction with other people in order to be good companions.

Their high activity level makes them suitable companions for older children. They make excellent household dog.

Basenjis require an encouraging and fulfilling environment that employs positive reinforcement. Harsh training does not work well with them.

There are several publications and websites dedicated to positive reinforcement training. The clicker training approach is especially beneficial for Basenjis.

Basenjis are typically good with other dogs if socialized when they are young. Some Basenjis, however, can be contentious with other Basenjis.

Proper and early socialization training is needed for them.

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Optional Extra Benefits

During the application process You will be provided with the option to include Optional Extra Benefits that cover certain conditions and Treatments which are not otherwise covered under the Policy.

 

The Optional Extra Benefits are:

Alternative Therapies, Behavioural Problems, and Dental Illness.

 

Examples of Alternative Therapies: Acupuncture, physiotherapy, hydrotherapy

Examples of Behavioural Problems: Excessive licking, fur pulling, pacing and destructive

chewing.

Examples of Dental Illnesses: Dental diseases, gingivitis, periodontal disease.