Is A Basenji Right For Your Family?

If you want a dog that doesn't bark and grooms itselfthe house. He is also very agile and can leap over
and you have plenty of time to romp in the park, thenthings and even has been known to climb a fence or
the Basenji might be the perfect dog for you!two to get to the other side.
This small sized dog is full of energy and a great petWhile the Basenji can be a good apartment dog, he
for those with allergies. Having short hair that rarelydoes need lots of exercise both indoors and out. He
sheds, this dog also has the distinction of cleaning itselfcan be very active in the house but if you are willing to
much like a cat does and has no doggie odor that youplay then so is he! He must have daily walks and
associate with most canines. The Basenji also doesplenty of time playing in the park. You might consider
not bark - instead he yodels or chortles or howlsgetting a couple of Basenjis as they do like to hang
depending on what he is trying to say.around with their own breed and can help each other
This compact and athletic dog is thought to hail fromwork off energy. Be sure that you do spend lots of
ancient Egypt where drawings of these dogs weretime exercising your Basenji or you may run into
seen in tombs. He is short haired with long legs andbehavioral problems and end up with a fat lazy dog!
straight open ears. He has almond shaped eyes setIf you are worried about excessive barking, then the
into a flat skull and, perhaps his most interesting featureBasenji might be a great dog for you as he simply
is the wrinkling of his forehead which makes him lookdoes not bark. They do, however, make other vocal
like he is worrying about something! The tail is held highsounds that have been likened to yodeling so they do
and curls down over one side of his back. Basenjisexpress themselves vocally. Since the Basenji grooms
come in many colors - brindle, red, copper and blackitself, you won't have to spend time brushing and
and tan and most often are seen with white on thebathing, but the time you save there will probably be
chest, face blaze, legs and tip of the tail. They weigh inspend in exercising your pet.
at under 26 pounds and should stand under 17 inchesThe breed is relatively healthy but can be prone to
with females being a bit smaller.kidney problems as well as intestinal trouble and eye
The basenji is full of energy and extremely intelligent.problems. It is important that you have regular
He is easy to train as he is eager to please his master.checkups with your vet to keep your Basenji in
This dog will bond with his family and is a curious andperfect health and be on the lookout for any problems,
affectionate pet but he may be wary of strangers andespecially with the kidneys as these will need to be
doesn't typically get along to good with other pets,treated immediately. With proper care your Basenji
particularly small animals like ferrets and rabbits. Thiscould live up to 12 years and that's a lot of trips to the
breed needs lots of exercise and toys - he loves topark!
chew so be sure there is plenty of chew toys around