Owning Basenji Dogs

 

The Basenji, A barkless Dog

I had always been a dog owner, but now that I was out on my own, I wanted to choose a certain breed that appealed to me. I went to several bookstores to look up dog breeds when I suddenly saw a beautiful dog that looked a lot like a fox on one of the book covers. It had pricked ears and an athletic build, and had basically, the look that I love in a dog, it was called a Basenji.
As I read the Basenji book, I became intrigued. These dogs are hunters, originally from Africa, are odorless and do not bark.
After years of having a dog that would not shut up, this was very appealing.





The last couple of dogs I had owned were wonderful animals, but they barked when I came home, barked when I played with them and barked when I left the house. I was just barked out
The reason that Basenjis do not bark is because they have only been domestic animals for approximately 100 years. They do not have the instinct to bark as domestic dogs do, and their infrequent sounds are more along the lines of what a wild dog does. They have a happy sound, often described as a yodel, however, they are very quiet by nature and if you enjoy their occasional yodeling, it must be encouraged. Basenjis are often referred to as the barkless dog.



The Basenji is kind of a cross between a dog and a cat. They clean themselves as cats do,and overall they are well groomed and mature by nature.
They are highly intelligent and one must be careful when doing things in their presence, because they will learn from watching you. My dog, Chica, learned how to climb a tree by watching the neighbors children. She was an incredibly smart dog that learned how to surf, and ride a skateboard. I have owned many smart animals before, but my female Basenji was intensely bright, and playful in a mischievous way, constantly playing little tricks on her brother, Buster. If you own just one Basenji, he will be a very devoted companion, if you own two, they will most likely be very competitive with each other. These dogs are dominant and intense.

There have been many times that my two Basejis see another dog walking from their yard and when they run to the fence to jump around excitedly back and fourth, after the dog they are watching disappears from sight my two dogs start fighting with each other from their excess adrenalin.

Basenjis are not for everyone, but I will never be without one ever again, as I have found my match as far as dogs go.

Chica climbing a tree

Basenjis and Other Animals

I have found that Basenjis can get along well with cats. If they don't know the cat and are seeing it for the first time, there may be a chase, but once settled in the same household they tend to settle down and become friendly, even play mates. They are the same way with horses. If they are seeing it for the first time, they may run up to the horse, but common sense usually keeps them from getting up too close.
The biggest problem basenjis can have is often with each other as they are dominant animals and will vie for your attention. I have seen some of the best successes with basenjis being paired with a dog of a different breed and a cat, however, I have had two basenjis and enjoy having two, its just that I must admit they can pick on each other from time to time.

Buster & Chica relaxing in  mountain cabin