The Joys and Challenges of Owning Basenji Dogs

When we first brought home our new puppy from the local animal shelter, we knew we'd made the right choice. Besides being cute, calm and cuddly, she was also stunning with her silky golden coat and delicate features. However, we weren't quite sure just what mixture of breeds she was. The animal shelter said it looked like one of her parents was a terrier, but were clueless as to the breed of her other parent.

Golden in color, she looked as if she were either part yellow lab or golden retriever. Yet her tiny features proved she couldn't be a Yellow Lab or Golden Retriever, but had a parentage a smaller breed.

Then as we waited for a first bark, we started to worry, as our puppy was silent, with the exception a single "arf" only a few times a week. What's wrong with our puppy? Why doesn't she bark?

A simple Google search revealed we were probably the proud owners of a Basenji mixture. Known as the barkless dog, Basenjis are delightful little hounds with high intelligence and plenty of energy. It's not that they're totally mute. However, instead of barking, they make more of yodeling sound.

One of the World's Oldest Breeds

Because drawings resembling the Basenji dogs are depicted on the tombs of ancient Egyptian Pharaohs, they're believed to be one of the oldest dog breeds in the world. Dating back into Biblical times, there's a good chance a Basenji was onboard Noah's Ark, as well as noted in other Biblical passages mentioning dogs.

Physical Traits

Basenjis resemble a miniature deer, with delicate small features. Full-blooded Basenjis have a long curled-up tail and almond shaped eyes, as well as being white-breasted with white feet.

Advantages of Basenjis

Basenjis have many positive traits. Besides being compact, they're also....

Affectionate and playful

Low-maintenance coat in beautiful colors

Minimum shedding

Easily housebroken

Intelligent

Clean

Quiet

Challenges for Basenji Owners

Although most Basenji owners contend there's no other dog breed, they do admit there are some challenges to owning a Basenji.

On-going chewing - All puppies go through a teething period, but Basenjis don't outgrow it. In other words, it's like having a toddler for life in your home. However, by keeping chewable valuables out of sight, while providing safe chewing toys you can reduce the destruction. Also, make sure your Basenji gets plenty of physical and mental exercise as this cuts back on boredom and chewing time. There are commercial products sold in pet stores that you can spray on furniture and other items that will discourage your Basenji from chewing. On the other hand, to save money you can make your own concoction with equal amounts of alcohol and apple cider vinegar. Just pour your solution in a spray bottle and spray on your furniture.

Escape artists - Basenji owners are better off with a fenced-in yard as these little canines are bundles of energy. However, lest you think your chain-length fence will keep them in the yard, think again. Basenjis are somewhat like cats as they're good climbers and can quickly climb over a chain-length fence. However, wooden fences (at least five-foot tall with the horizontal slots facing on your neighbor's side) work better. Although loyal dogs, the hunting instinct in them can quickly take over if they see a squirrel, so you need to keep them on a leash if they're not in an enclosed area.

They can't bark - This can present problems when you need to know when to take them outside for a potty break.

Teach Your Bajensi to Communicate

Some Basenji owners don't give up because their dogs can't bark (although their dogs can make noises, as well as occasional single barks). Instead, they use their ingenuity to devise other communication techniques. For exampe you can....

Use wind chimes - By hanging wind chimes on your backdoor and teaching your dog to brush by them when she needs to go outside, your dog can communicate with you.

Hang bellson the backdoor - Bells also work. Just be sure that any materials you use are made of substances that your dog can't chew.

While a Basenji is ideal for some owners, it doesn't work out for everyone. If you don't have an enclosed yard or lack the time to supervise and train them, perhaps you should choose another breed.

Instead of investing big bucks with a breeder, look for a Bajensi mix that needs at home by going to petfinder.com. Our little dog is a mixed breed, possessing the best traits of both Bajensi, as well as terrier. What 's more, you'll be rescuing a dog that needs a home.