What is a Basenji?

A couple of years ago, the Basenji was a relatively unknown breed of dog in the UK. Only the people 'in the know' had heard about these lovely little hunting dogs that originated in Egypt many moons ago. That is until a very special dog called Cid won Crufts in 2001. These gorgeous small dogs that don't bark have a lot going for them. Not only are they great characters, they don't bark and they do not shed their coats either – making them the perfect breed of dog to own if you live in town or suffer from any allergies!

Jethard Cidevant made the headlines by winning the very prestigious title in the hound category at Crufts, and suddenly the entire world knew about this lovely breed of dog. Cid was the first ever Basenji to win at what is one of the most important dog shows in the entire world. Today, Basenjis are a recognised breed by virtually all kennel clubs the world over.

Handsome Smooth Haired Dogs

Basenji are very attractive smooth haired dogs, they are pretty muscular too. The breed is on the small side, but they are very athletic creatures that need a lot of exercise. Basenjis are also very cute looking with wrinkles around their foreheads and short muzzles – this gives them an intelligent look. With this said, the are very clever little characters and being hunting dogs are extremely good at what they know best – which in a home environment is playing with a capital 'P'.

Lovely Silent Personalities

The breed doesn't bark, however when they want to make themselves heard they yodel and depending on their moods this can be from loud to quite subdued. They have great personalities being affectionate and extremely alert, they adore playing which they do very cat-like. Because the breed is so intelligent, Basenjis are incredibly easy to train because they love to please. They very often form a strong bond with their owner – some of them turn into one person dogs but are so affectionate they do make great family pets. However, with this said, Basenjis can be a little bit reserved with people they don't know.

Basenjis need to be given regular exercise but they also need mental stimulation. They are great with children who know how to handle dogs that love to play hard, kids need to be able to cope with this type of play and show their pet who is the boss.

When it comes to wet weather, Basenjis are not very fond of getting their feet or coats wet – which could have something to do with where they originate from. Today, Basenjis are found in the Congo and other African countries where dry climates tend to be a lot drier with not much rainfall at all.

Basenjis Love Lots of Toys

Because they are so clever and love to play, it's always a good idea to give this delightful breed of African dog loads of toys to play with. The toys need to be ones they can happily chew on because Basenjis love chewing things. They are never happier than when they are munching away of some sort of safe toy and not your furniture!

The other thing the breed is very good at is climbing – Basenjis are very adept at climbing up fences and then escaping which could be a problem. You need to be quite firm with this breed of dog because they are very good at charming their way into getting what they want. Owners who are kind but firm with their pets usually get on a lot better with Basenjis because if you let your pet get their own way, they can turn into very demanding four legged friends to have in the home and this can lead to all sorts of problems.

Basenjis Hate Being Left Alone

Basenjis don't like being left on their own for great lengths of time. This is mainly because they are such alert and active creatures, after all in the wild these are hunting dogs. They need to have mental stimulation as well as good daily exercise to avoid them becoming bored. Like most dogs if they get bored they can get into all sorts of mischief which often leads to other behavioural problems. If you don't have enough time to give your pet, then a Basenji is definitely not the right breed of dog for you.

However, if you keep them busy and train them by playing lots of games with them and then rewarding your pet when they are good, you could not possibly choose a nicer breed of dog to join your family's household.

Small But Very Active

Basenjis are pretty small in size in the dog world, males are usually around 17 inches tall whereas females are slightly smaller, around 16 inches in height. With this said, they are a very muscular breed of dog and therefore need regular daily exercise. You need to play with a Basenji as often as you can and take them for long walks which they thoroughly enjoy. They are not known for being very good with other dogs, so the more socialising you do with your pet the better.

Do Basenjis Suffer From Any Health Problems

The only real health problem that's commonly found in the breed is Fanconi's syndrome which is a kidney disease. As soon as any symptoms are noticed, then treatment should be started as soon as possible. If treated in time a Basenji can go on to live for anything from 10 to 12 years.

Lovely Clean Creatures The Egyptians Adored

Basenjis are such comical characters and they like to keep themselves extremely clean – just like cats. They don't suffer from that sometimes horrible 'doggy' smell and don't require much grooming. They make the perfect choice for people who suffer from allergies and the best part is they don't lose their coats – if they do it is so little you would hardly notice!

The very first traces of the Basenji date back to the Ancient Egyptians. When excavating tombs in Egypt, archaeologists found wall drawings of the breed that dated back five thousand years or so. It was in 1937, that the first Basenji arrived on English shores. From then on British dog breeders refined the Basenji and began exporting them all over the world. Today, the breed is recognised by the majority of kennel clubs.

Where Can You Find a Basenji?

There are quite a few reputable breeders dotted around the country and don't get confused because sometimes Basenjis are known as Congo Dogs or Congo Terriers. You might however, like to consider adopting a Basenji that needs a new home. If this is the case, there are plenty of rescue centres around the country to contact and who would be able to give you all the advice you need about these lovely silent African hunters that just love to fool around.

You can also keep an eye on our Basenji dogs for sale pageat Pets4Homes, as we occassionally have breeders with dogs available.