Dog Breeds: Basenji
The Basenji is a unique dog, probably best known for the fact that it doesn't bark. But that's not all that these natives of Central Africa are famous for.
This is an ancient breed, that has been used by the tribes of Central Africa as a tracker and retriever for thousands of years. There is a recorded history going back to at least, 3000 BC, and you'll even find hieroglyphics in Egyptian tombs that feature the Basenji.
However, in the West, these dogs remained unknown until some were brought to England in 1937. The Congo Dog, as it was then called, was first introduced to America in 1944, and was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1944. Later the name was changed to Basenji, which apparently means 'bush thing'.
The Basenji is a medium sized dog that stands between 15 and 18 inches at the shoulder. It has erect ears, a pointed muzzle, and a distinctive 'furrowed' brow. The tail is tightly curled, and carried over the back. The coat is short in length and can be a number of colors. These include red, chestnut, copper, black or brindle. All color variants feature white markings on the chest, feet and tail.
But what really sets the Basenji apart from other breeds is its temperament. For starters, the are compulsive groomers and have been described as being more like cats than dogs in the way they clean themselves.
And the comparison with cats doesn’t end there. These dogs are skilled climbers and can easily scale trees. Even a chain link fence is no barrier to a Basenji.
Another character trait is their stubbornness, which means that obedience training, socialization and strong pack leadership is a must with this breed. You need to show your Basenji who is in charge or he will take it upon himself to be the pack leader. This should however be done in a positive, non-aggressive way.
But don't let that put you off adopting a Basenji, because they can be wonderful pets. They are affectionate, energetic and intelligent dogs with a genuine eagerness to please. They bond closely with their human family, and do very well with older children, although they are less suitable for very young kids.
You do need to remember however that these were originally hunting dogs, so they need quite a lot of exercise and mental stimulation. Your Basenji will need a long walk every day and will also enjoy games to keep him mentally active. When to dog is home alone you may want to get him some chew toys, to keep him away from chewing your stuff.
Due to its small size, the Basenji can adapt to living in an apartment, as long as it gets daily exercise.
Basenjis are generally healthy, but not immune to the conditions that typically afflict purebred dogs. Particular concerns with this breed are liver disorders, intestinal problems and eye diseases, like progressive retinal atrophy.
Grooming a Basenji is very easy. These dogs hardly shed at all, and given the fact that they groom themselves, the owner needs to do very little.
If you’re searching for dog names, for your Basenji, I recommend puppy-names-hq.com. This site has 1000’s of excellent dog names, including a huge list of boy dog names choose from.
