The Basenji Dog Breed

The Basenji is a medium sized dog with plenty of affection and working abilities. The Basenji was developed in Africa as a working dog. They are good hunters and sight dogs. This dog breed is considered to be in the hound breed group. Typically their height is 22 to 24 inches, and they weigh 16 to 17 pounds. They have a small, agile body with pointed ears, a medium length snout, and a curly tail. The Basenji is usually red, black and tan, or brindle. Most often you will find they have white feet, tail tip, and collar. The Basenji coat is very short and fine. This means that they are typically very light shedders, and it helps keep them clean from that dog odor some dogs get.

Grooming of the Basenji is usually very easy since they have such a short coat that doesn?t shed often. They even tend to groom themselves, so all you have to worry about is giving them a brushing once a week to remove any dead or loose hair they didn?t catch. You will also want to do dental checks, feet checks, and clip their nails on a regular basis.

The Basenji character or temperament is usually very affectionate, alert, and can be aloof to strangers. Since they are hunters they can be suspicious of other individuals they haven?t met before. This can usually be trained out of them with socialization training. Other things you should know about a Basenji include their intelligence is rather high and they can be a bit independent. You will find that along with socialization training they can become very good with children, especially those that are kind and play with them. They sometimes don?t make great pets for new dog owners. You will find that they can become destructive as well if they are left for long periods of time. This is just a sign that they need a dog owner who is more willing to play and spend time with them.

For training and exercise you should know that the Basenji is a very active dog. They need to have a yard to run around in and don?t like to be confined. As long as you provide the proper training they will make one of the best pets you could have. It is best to socialize them early to get rid of some unlikable behaviors such as fighting with other dogs or becoming too independent. You will also find that obedience training is required. Typically their high intelligence will make training a bit easier than other breeds, but remember a fair and consistent hand is always best. You should also keep the training very active to make sure they don?t become bored. When you exercise your dog you can run, jog, or just walk as long as you have toys and at least an hour a day. They love to be active and can be tireless in the pursuit of fun. It is best to have a fenced in yard for them to spend time in while you are at work.

When you consider the care of the Basenji you will also want to provide the proper nutrition. They need to have protein and enzymes in their diet to make sure they stay healthy and fit. They don?t have an particular diseases that they are prone to, so they should live for at least twelve years with the proper care. As long as you provide what they need they will be lovable dogs and great pets for the entire family.

Barely known dog breeds

Have you ever seen a beagle? Sure you have. What about a basset hound? Of course! How about a Polish Owczarek Nizinny? Didn’t think so. Its one of many unfamiliar breeds of dogs roaming the Earth and though it has a funny name (to Americans anyway), it is a beautiful creature. There are a great many dog breeds out there that, unless you’re a dog expert, you may never have heard of. Here are a few.

Affenpinscher:

The smallest dog in the family that includes pinschers and schnauzers, the Affenpinscher is a toy dog with a good demeanor. These little guys are very intelligent and trainable and make wonderful family pets. They have a dark, wiry coat and are naturally affectionate towards humans.

Anatolian Shepherd:

The Anatolian Shepherd has a large frame and is considered to be quite courageous. These are strong and loyal dogs that see a good deal of use in the United States as military and hunting dogs.

Basenji:

The Basenji is a medium sized muscular dog that is also known as the African Barkless Dog. They never bark, but not because they are mute; apparently they just don’t want to. Basenjis were originally bred in Africa as hunting dogs. They do not naturally make good pets, but overcome their aversion to humans if they are handled consistently from an early age.

Bouvier des Flandres:

These small but sturdy dogs have the appearance of a sort of terrier. They usually have a dark rough coat and a generally calm manner. They were originally bred as herders in France and today are used in both police work and as guide dogs or assistance animals for the blind.

Central Asian Ovtcharka:

The Central Asian Ovtcharka is a large and muscular dog. It is known as loyal and fearless and has protective instincts that make it an excellent herder and watchdog. Typically they have their ears and tail docked at an early age.

Polish Owczarek Nizinny:

This guy is a medium sized shaggy dog with a long coat that covers its eyes. Loyal and devoted dogs, they make great pets as long as they won’t be left alone for long periods of time since they are known to cause trouble when unsupervised for too long.

A Basenji?!? What is that??

The following paragraphs summarize the work of Basenji dog breed experts who are completely familiar with all the aspects of Basenji dog breed. Heed their advice to avoid any Basenji dog breed surprises.

The dog Basenji goes by many names, some of which include Belgian Congo Dog, Bongo Terrier, Congo Bush Dog, Zande Dog, and Congo Terrier. What makes this breed particularly special is that he is the only breed who has no bark. But other than the absence of bark, this breed will whine and growl like other dogs, and can express his feelings with a unique yodel or chortle sound. The Basenji does have a vocal cord. However, it is believed that the past thousands of years in training to hunt game silently may explain his characteristic quietness. Nevertheless, this breed is recognized for its gentle nature and love of children. He is very inquisitive, mischievous, does not have any doggie smell, and adaptable to most climates. He can be wary around strangers and does not like the rain. He has a number of appealing features, including his curling tail, high set and lying over to one side of the back, his wrinkled forehead that gives him a worried-like look, and his habit of washing with his paw similar to a cat.

Size: The ideal height for the male Basenji is 17in at the shoulder while the ideal height for the female Basenji is 16in. The ideal weight is 24lb for the male and 21lb for the female.

History and origin: This type of breed has been depicted in many carvings in the tombs of the Pharaohs. It is said that these dogs were brought as valuable presents by travelers from the lower reaches of the Nile. The breed almost disappeared from public sight during the ancient Egyptian times until the middle of 19th century, when the Basenji was again discovered by explorers in the Congo and Southern Sudan.

If you find yourself confused by what you’ve read to this point, don’t despair. Everything should be crystal clear by the time you finish.

Feeding: Recommended feeding for Basenji is about 11/2-2 cans of quality dog food (13.3oz size) with equivalent amount of biscuit or 3 cupfuls of dry food. This breed will also enjoy an occasional serving of green vegetables. In addition, the Basenji is a grass eater and should have plenty of access to fresh grass.

Exercise: This breed is a terrific hunter and has a tendency to put on extra weight unless he gets plenty of exercise. He is tireless, fleet-footed, and loves to take regular walks and runs. He is an indoor dog that should not be put in an outside kennel. He would love to just relax next to you and lie down in a corner. He is a great apartment dog as long as he is given enough exercise.

Grooming: A hound glove is recommended to keep his coat in great condition.

There’s no doubt that the topic of Basenji dog breed can be fascinating. If you still have unanswered questions about Basenji dog breed, you may find what you’re looking for in the next article.