Basenji
Puppy
Fully Grown
The name Basenji means “small wild thing from the bush” which refers back to the origins of this breed in central Africa, where they tended to live more alongside than actually with people.
Basenjis are best raised as free spirited, independent dogs. They thrive in a pack living arrangement and do not like to be home alone. It is important not to try to humanise this breed in any way.
Basenjis require long daily walks. Their senses are sharp and their hearing and eyesight compares to that of an eagle. Busy city life can be too stressful for this domesticated but yet wild at heart breed. Their hunting instinct is intense and everything that moves is seen as a potential dinner opportunity. Taking your Basenji off the lead requires a lot of training and control over the dog.
Basenjis are called “barkless dogs” as, due to their flat larynx, they cannot bark. But don’t get over excited, Basenjis simply yodel instead!
Your Basenji will pick up on your mood swings like no other breed, and will tend to mirror your emotional state. Living with a Basenji can best be summarised as living with a wild dog that wants to be part of your pack but is still learning how to fit into civilisation.
| Weight: | 10-12 kg |
| Health risk: | Medium |
| Life expectancy: | 12-16 years |
| Coat: | Short |
| Grooming intensity: | Low |
| Monthly cost (food): | low |
| Trainability: | High |
| Activity level: | High |
There are many sources to get your Basenji from. Considering the number of homeless dogs without a future, we strongly encourage you to consider rescuing a dog. Your local shelter or rescue organisation can be a helpful place to start, or try contacting your local or national breed club or a reputable breeder and asking if they have pets available for rehoming. Many rescue organisations have active Facebook pages, which can also be a good place to enquire.
Here are some links that could be useful for finding a Basenji to adopt:
To help your rescued Basenji to settle into your home, our Rescue Dog Guide gives you tips and advice on bringing your rescue dog home.
If you decide you’d prefer to get your Basenji from a breeder, the following guides will help you to find a responsible breeder:
The following organisations will be able to help you find breeders in your state in Australia. They will also be able to connect you with your local breed clubs, which are always a great source of information in regards to finding good breeders and rescue organisations.
