| The Basenji is an ancient African pack hunting dog. | | | | toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. |
| She is fairly small in stature and cat like. She will | | | | Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and |
| tolerate older children if properly socialized at an | | | | tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and |
| early age. Remember to never leave any young | | | | periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can |
| child unsupervised with a puppy or dog for any | | | | lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other |
| length of time. She keeps herself so clean that | | | | serious disease. *Life Span. The Basenji can live |
| she barely sheds. She is basically a quiet dog, | | | | between 10 and 12 years with proper nutrition, |
| rarely barking, although she can make a racket if | | | | medical care and excellent living conditions. |
| she wants to. The Basenji is probably unsuited for | | | | *History. The Basenji has an amazing, ancient |
| apartment life because she prefers to live in a | | | | history. Likenesses of them are carved on |
| pack. She also loves to chew, everything. If you | | | | Egyptian pharaohs tombs. The breed disappeared |
| try to fence her in, she will probably climb the | | | | and were re-discovered in the Congo in 1895. The |
| fence to escape, as she is a climber and an | | | | African people, Mangbetu and Azande used them |
| escape artist. She needs plenty of exercise. | | | | singly and in packs to help chase game into nets. |
| *Approximate Adult Size. The approximate adult | | | | They were imported to England and America in |
| size (two years old or older) of the male Basenji | | | | the 1930 time frame. The AKC, American Kennel |
| is approximately 17 inches to the withers (highest | | | | Association accepted them as a breed in 1943. |
| point of the shoulder) and about 24 pounds. The | | | | *Registries: Basenji Club of America CKC |
| female should run about 17 inches to the withers | | | | Continental Kennel Club FCI Federation |
| and about 22 pounds. *Special Health | | | | Cynologique Internationale AKC American Kennel |
| Considerations. All dog breeds have certain | | | | Club UKC United Kennel Club NKC National Kennel |
| inherited health problems associated with that | | | | Club APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc. NZKC New |
| specific breed. The Basenji has the following | | | | Zealand Kennel Club CKC Continental Kennel Club |
| potential problems. Umbilical and Inguinal Hernias, | | | | Category: Hound, Sight hound, Hunting dog. |
| PPM or Persistent Pupillary Membrane (related to | | | | Terms To Describe The Breed: Alert, |
| the eye and generally does not cause | | | | affectionate, intelligent, independent, swift, elegant, |
| symptoms), hypothyroidism (sluggish thyroid gland | | | | graceful, *SPECIAL GOOD POINTS Rarely barks. |
| which can result in weight gain), certain eye | | | | She keeps herself very clean. Highly intelligent. |
| anomalies, canine hip dysplasia (genetic based | | | | They form a strong bond with their human family. |
| looseness in the hip joint), Hemolytic Anemia | | | | Sheds very little. Almost no dog odor. *SPECIAL |
| (serious to deadly blood problem), small intestine | | | | BAD POINTS Does not like water or getting wet. |
| problems and PRA or Progressive Retinal Atrophy | | | | May test her limits just for fun. Can become very |
| (inherited disease of the retina that can cause | | | | destructive if left alone too long. Territorial, can be |
| vision loss and blindness). *Grooming. The Basenji | | | | hostile to other dog and animals. They are fence |
| has a fine short coat with very pliant skin. She will | | | | climbers. Will chew most everything. Rarely barks |
| clean herself like a cat and sheds very little so | | | | but can make plenty of noise. Not a scary looking |
| almost no coat brushing is necessary. Her teeth | | | | watch dog. |
| should be brushed at least twice a week with | | | | |