Basenji
Also known as Congo Dog, Congo Terrier
- Height at the withers
- 40 to 43 cm
- Weight
- 9 to 11 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12 to 14 years
- Daily activity
- 75 minutes
- Origin
- Central Africa
- FCI group
- 5 · Spitz and primitive types
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- people bothered by dog hair (no breed is guaranteed allergy-free)
- close neighbors: it barks little
Less suited to
- a first dog: it needs an experienced owner
- long absences: it struggles when left alone
- a home with cats
- off-leash walks: strong prey drive and unreliable recall
Overview
An elegant, light primitive-type dog from Central Africa, with a curled tail, a wrinkled forehead and a short, fine coat. Nicknamed the “barkless dog,” it expresses itself with yodel-like sounds rather than real barking.
History and origins
An ancient breed from Central Africa, often compared with the dogs shown in the art of ancient Egypt. The peoples of the Congo Basin, notably Pygmy peoples, used it as a versatile hunter for its speed and silence. It became established in England, then in the United States, in the 1930s.
Health
Life expectancy is 12 to 14 years, and its hardiness is average. The most common health problems in the breed:
- Fanconi syndrome (kidney disorder)
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Hemolytic anemia (pyruvate kinase deficiency)
- Hypothyroidism
- Persistent pupillary membranes
Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.
Coat and care
Short, smooth coat. Almost no shedding, minimal coat care.
All ratings
Rated from 1 to 5, comparable across breeds. Green marks a strength for most households, orange something to plan for.
Lifestyle
- Energy
- High, 4 out of 5
- Apartment
- Possible, 3 out of 5
- Home alone
- Poorly, 2 out of 5
Family and sociability
- With children
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With other dogs
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With cats
- Avoid, 1 out of 5
- With strangers
- Reserved, 2 out of 5
Training and temperament
- Ease of training
- Very hard, 1 out of 5
- For a first-time owner
- Poor fit, 2 out of 5
- Guarding instinct
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Prey drive
- Very strong, 5 out of 5
- Tendency to roam
- Very high, 5 out of 5
Care and neighbors
- Coat care
- Minimal, 1 out of 5
- Shedding
- Almost none, 1 out of 5
- Drooling
- Never, 1 out of 5
- Barking
- Very quiet, 1 out of 5
Climate and health
- Heat tolerance
- Good, 4 out of 5
- Cold tolerance
- Very low, 1 out of 5
- Hardiness
- Average, 3 out of 5
In our lists
Basenji FAQ
How big does the Basenji get?
The Basenji stands 40 to 43 cm at the withers and weighs 9 to 11 kg. It is a medium-sized dog.
Does the Basenji shed a lot?
It sheds almost nothing and its coat needs minimal care. It is one of the breeds that shed very little and are often better tolerated by people with allergies, with no guarantee: spend time with the breed before you decide.
Can the Basenji live in an apartment?
It can, as long as it gets real outings every day; a yard is still a plus.
How much exercise does the Basenji need each day?
Allow about 75 minutes of activity a day: its energy is high. Add games and training exercises to keep its mind busy too.
Is the Basenji good with children?
Fairly well, preferably with children old enough to respect its limits. Never leave a young child alone with a dog, whatever the breed.
How long does the Basenji live?
Life expectancy is 12 to 14 years, and its hardiness is average. The main health problems to watch for are Fanconi syndrome and progressive retinal atrophy.
