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Basenji
Description:
The Basenji, also called the Congo Dog, is a very unusual member of the hound dog breeds. This small elegant and athletic dog trots like a horse and keeps itself clean by fastidious licking like a cat. Basenjis don’t bark but make other unusual sounds like a yodel, howl or chortle – depending on its mood. Basenjis are small dogs about the size of a fox terrier with a smooth shiny coat which is normally all black, all red, all copper or black and tan. The coat normally has white markings on its feet, chest and tip of the tail. Its tail curls up over and to one side of its back. This breed stands about 16 to 17 inches tall at shoulder height and weighs from 20 to 24 pounds.
Basenjis are members of the American Kennel Club (AKC) Hound Dog Group.
Basenji Pictures:
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History:
These Congo dogs are one of the oldest dog breeds in history and are shown with Pharaohs more than 4,000 years ago in their Egyptian tombs. This breed was developed as a pack dog to hunt and drive small game in Africa. Basenjis can still be found in Zaire and the Sudan. They were imported to England in the 1930’s where the breed was further refined and shipped all over the world. Basenjis ranked 78th out of 154 dog breeds in 2004 AKC registrations.
Temperament:
Basenjis are high spirited, affectionate, demanding and very curious. These Congo dogs love to play and be with their families. This breed is almost cat-like in its cleanliness, lack of bark, grace of movement and inexhaustible curiosity. This dog must be crate trained when it is a puppy because it is too active and inquisitive to be left alone in your house or yard. Basenjis should have upbeat and reward-based early obedience training which should be re-enforced later in life. This breed needs lots of walks and playtime to prevent it from getting into trouble. Basenjis love to rub, chew, and climb and require activity, training and supervision. These dogs are good with older, considerate children and make good watch dogs because of their wariness of strangers and territorial instincts. These dogs are very intelligent and it takes an experienced owner to manage this breed.
Exercise:
Basenjis need lots of walks and play time. They should be crate-trained as the dogs are too inquisitive and nosy to be left alone in an apartment or house.
Grooming:
This breed is fastidiously clean and has no doggie odour. Basenjis need very little grooming and are suitable for people with allergies.
Health Issues:
Life expectancy for this breed is approximately 10 to 12 years and it is prone to kidney problems. Basenjis are also somewhat susceptible to intestinal and eye diseases. Information on genetic diseases in dogs can be found in our article Hereditary Diseases in Dogs.
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