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 doesnt 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 didnt 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 havent 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 dont 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 dont 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 dont 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 dont 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.