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Basenji: Personality, Exercise, Health
About Basenji
Country of Origin, History of Basenjis
The Basenji is one of the most ancient dog breeds. Originating on the continent of Africa, it has been venerated by humans for thousands of years. Basenjis can be seen on steles in the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs.
Basenji Tools
Breed Selector Tool - is the Basenji the right breed for you?
Is the Basenji the right breed for you and your family?
Find out by using our Free Dog Breed Selector Tool
Check Your Basenji's Learning Style
Are you aware dogs also have a learning style that can greatly affect their ability to housetrain as well as be trained correctly. Evaluate your Basenji's learning style and personality using our free Learning Style tool so that you are better able to provide him with the proper Basenji training methods.
Is your Basenji dominating over you?
Does your Basenji bark unnecessarily? Does your Basenji come to you when you call? Download a FREE Report on Dog Dominance for you and your Basenji and learn how to control your dog.
Do you make these mistakes with your Basenji?
Are you inadvertently snow-balling bad behavior in your Basenji? Evaluate your Dog Training Style from our Free Tool and learn how best to deal with your dog.
Basenji Calorie Calculator
Do you know how many calories your Basenji needs every day and how many cups of food you should be giving it every day? Click here to use our Basenji Calorie Calculator.
Description of the Dog
Basenji are small, square, unusual, elegant, athletic dogs, with a smooth silky, lustrous, coat of copper, red, black and tan, black and brindle, usually with white feet and white on the chest and tip of the tail.
Individuals may also sport a white facial blaze, white legs and/or a white collar. The back is level; the legs are long, and the forehead is furrowed with wrinkles, giving it a worried look. The ears are straight and open in the front and its tail is set high and curls up over and slightly to either side of the back. Its eyes are small and almond shaped. Its thighs are muscular, and it has a flat skull.
Height
Dogs 16-17 inches (41-43 cm.)
Bitches 15-16 inches (38-41 cm.)
Weight
Dogs 22-26 pounds (10-12 kg.)
Bitches 20-25 pounds (9-11 kg.)
Free Basenji Training Secrets
Free Course on Basenji Training & Obedience
Stop All Bad Behavior, Excessive Barking and Biting
Basenji Personality Traits
Temperament of the Breed
The Basenji is alert, proud, independent, affectionate, demanding, energetic, playful, intelligent, charming, eager to please and curious. They can be reserved with strangers but can also form strong bonds with people. It should not be trusted with non-canine pets. They are usually patient, but do best with older considerate children.
The Basenji dislikes wet weather. They like to chew, so giving them lots of toys of their own would be a good idea. The breed likes to climb and can easily get over chain wire fences. It does not bark and makes a low, liquid ululation instead. It can be described as speedy, frisky, tireless at play and teasing the owner into play.
Living Conditions
The Basenji will do okay in an apartment if it gets enough exercise. It is very active indoors and a small yard will do. The Basenji is happiest when it is kept with two or three other Basenji.
Basenji Activity Level
Exercise Need
The Basenji needs vigorous daily exercise. They have a tendency to become fat and lazy unless the owner is consistent about it. This breed needs a long daily walk.
Basenjis are highly intelligent and learn quickly, but they also have a cat-like independence and "self-motivation" which can make them somewhat casual about obedience. They respond well to training but their strong desire to play can lead to behavior problems if left alone.
Grooming
The Basenji washes itself with its paws, sheds little to no hair and has no doggie smell, so very little grooming (minimal brushing and bathing) is needed. This is a good dog for people with allergies.
Free Basenji Training Secrets
Free Course on Basenji Training & Obedience
Stop All Bad Behavior, Excessive Barking and Biting
Health and Care
While the SWD seems to be a very healthy breed there are some issues that the SWD have, just like all other breeds. There are cases of Hip Dysplasia in the breed, so choose your breeder carefully.
All breeding dogs should have their hips tested, either by OFA or PennHIP. There have been a few cases of PRA reported in Europe so it is advised that all breeders should test their breeding stock for PRA and other such genetic eye diseases with a yearly CERF exam. A responsible breeder will be able to produce the results in writing.
Like other Water Dogs and related breeds, they grow hair in their ear canals and can be prone to ear infections. The ears must be kept dry and clean. . Because these dogs are (as a general rule) so active and energetic as puppies, they may seriously injure themselves from too much running and jumping when their skeletal structure is still developing.
National Breed Clubs
Breed Club:
www.basenjiclub.com
Rescue Link:
www.basenjiclub.com/?q=node/3
Group: Hound Group
AKC Popularity Ranking: 87
Also known as: African Bush Dog, African Barkless Dog, Ango Angari, Avuvi, Congo Dog, Zande Dog, The Jumping Up And Down Dog.
Train Your Basenji To Listen To You
Get Instant Access to Your Training Now - For Free
Sign up for our Free Basenji Mini Course to have a housebroken, obedient dog that happily comes to you every time you call.
You'll learn new commands to obedience-train your dog as well as how to housebreak your dog in 6 days or less.
You'll also learn how to eliminate bad habits like barking, nipping or biting, jumping, or pulling on the leash.Here's just s small fraction of what else you'll learn in the course:
How to lead and think like a pack dog - the new psychology.
3 dangerous mistakes that most Basenji owners make when they are trying to potty train their dogs.
The 2 main reasons why your dog barks excessively and how to control its excessive barking.
How to obedience train your Basenji to permanently end behavioral problems like Jumping, Aggression, Pulling on Leash.
A surprisingly easy way to teach your dog cool new tricks.
How to improve your dog's lifespan and keep it from getting overly heavy with a healthy and nutritious diet.
Getting Pro help fast - how to get access to our expert trainers when you need them most.
One hidden psychological trigger that all Basenjis have... that practically allows you to "analyze" and "control" your dog's every action.
Priority access to the free online seminars conducted by our training experts.
Whereas other dog training related web sites and books offer generic information for dogs in general, ours is the ONLY web site that offers Basenji information specifically, from a renowned panel of experts - because as you probably know, Basenjis have their own special training requirements that other dogs don't have.
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