A Breed Apart: Basenji
The Basenji is an interesting dog breed, probably best known as the 'bark-less' dog of Central Africa. But there are a lot of other things that make this one of the most unique dog breeds.
These dogs have been used as hunting companions by the tribes of Central Africa for centuries. In fact, there is a documented history of this breed that goes back over 5, 000 years, and includes depictions of the Basenji in ancient Egyptian tombs.
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 they behave like cats in other ways too. They are very good climbers for instance, quite adept a scaling trees, and even chain link fences.
These dogs can be quite strong-willed, and even dominant if they are allowed to get away with it. Training, socialization and consistent pack leadership are therefore a must. Common problem behaviors with the Basenji are chewing, and aggression towards small animals.
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.
These dogs can live quite comfortably in an apartment, but will need to get outdoors daily for 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.
One big benefit of owning a Basenji is that you'll have virtually no grooming to do, as they shed very little and also groom themselves.
If you’re stuck for puppy names, for your Basenji, I’d recommend that you check out Puppy Names HQ, an online database that has thousands of excellent dog names including a huge list of male dog names.
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