Fun Basenji Dog Facts For Kids

The Basenji dogs were originally found in the old forest regions of the Congo Basin in Africa. Named after the tribes who had them, - the Basenjis were specifically found in Congo and Zaire. They are also called ‘dog of the bush’ or ‘dog of the savages’ in local languages as they helped humans in hunting and preying in the dense forests. Basenjis are also unique as they are ‘barkless dogs’ and do not bark like other dogs. They use other forms of vocal communication. The dog breed was taken from Africa and then slowly spread throughout the world as reliable and affectionate pets. Since Basenjis are extremely smart due to their lineage of hunting and chasing, they also excel at various types of sports if trained well. They are very good at lure coursing and look very nice in a ring. Basenjis can get quite attached to their families and are loving, alert, and active dogs. While they are not bred for the purpose of being guard dogs, they can still execute that duty very well.If you liked this article with the best Basenji dog facts, also check out the articles with amazing facts about pocket Pitbulls and Alaskan huskies.

What do they prey on? Rabbits, pheasants, ducks

What do they eat? Carnivore

Average litter size? 4-6

How much do they weigh? 22 lb - 24 lb (10 kg - 11 kg)

How long are they? 23 in - 25 in (58 cm - 64 cm)

How tall are they? 16 in - 17 in (40 cm - 43 cm)

What do they look like? Tan, white, black, chestnut red

Skin Type Fur

What were their main threats? Bacteria And Viral Infections

What is their conservation status? Not listed

Where you’ll find them? Plains And Forests

Locations Europe, North America, Central Africa

Kingdom Animalia

Genus Canis

Class Mammal

Family Canidae

Basenji Dog Interesting FactsWhat type of animal is a Basenji Dog?A Basenji is a type or breed of a dog.What class of animal does a Basenji Dog belong to?A Basenji Dog belongs to the mammal class of animals.How many Basenji Dogs are there in the world?There is insufficient data about the number of Basenji dogs in the world. This is because they are mostly bred and sold as domesticated pets so it is harder to keep track. However, they do not run the risk of extinction or endangerment in the near future.Where does a Basenji Dog live?The Basenji dog originated on the continent of Africa, especially in Central Africa in the Congo Basin. Over time, it was slowly bred in other parts of the world as well and now can live in any continent provided it has a suitable environment. It is a popular pet dog breed in the United States of America where it has been recognized by the American Kennel Club as well as in European countries. This dog breed is also recognized by the United Kennel Club.What is a Basenji Dog’s habitat?In the Congo Basin, the Basenji dog was mostly found in the dense forest region. However, Basenjis can now also live in domesticated spaces such as people’s homes in a normally temperate climate.Who do Basenji Dogs live with?Basenji dogs are human-friendly dogs and live with humans. The domesticated pet Basenji dogs live comfortably with their human owners. They can be quite affectionate and loving with human beings who they trust. It is even better if the Basenji dog lives with a person or family since they were a puppy, in which case it becomes easier to familiarize them and put them at ease with human contact. They are also usually comfortable living with other dogs in the same house. However, they may become aggressive towards animals smaller than it due to its hunting, predatory genes and history. Basenjis are the most comfortable and happiest when they live with two or three of their own breed. They live in harmony and do not fight with each other.How long does a Basenji Dog live?The typical lifespan of a Basenji Dog is between 12 - 16 years.How do they reproduce?Basenji dogs reproduce with the female dog giving birth to the offspring like mammals do. However, the Basenji dogs can reproduce only once a year. Basenjis become mature enough to reproduce when they are 8 - 12 months old and their gestation period lasts from 57 to 70 days.What is their conservation status?There is not enough data about the total number of Basenji dogs in the world so their conservation status cannot be determined yet. However, they are not at risk of extinction or vulnerability anytime soon.Basenji Dog Fun FactsWhat do Basenji Dogs look like?Basenji dogs are small hound-type dogs with tightly curled tail with a tail tip. Their legs are longer than their bodies and they have long, pointy and erect ears. They have a short coat and are short-haired dogs that come in various colors such as - brindle, tan, brown, chestnut red, black or white. They have almond-shaped eyes which are mostly brown in color. They also have wrinkled foreheads and white feet. They are quite athletic and graceful and have a powerful gait like that of a horse.How cute are they?Basenji dogs are very cute! They are not huge like some other dog breeds like Great Danes or Rottweilers but are the perfect size to cuddle with. They come in various colors and have soulful eyes as well! Their long, pointy ears also enhance their cuteness. A baby Basenji dog is one of the cutest puppies in the world. Their almond-shaped eyes remind people what actual ‘puppy dog eyes’ mean. This is why Basenjis are also popular in different breeding clubs.How do they communicate?Basenji dogs can communicate through a variety of modes of expression. They do not bark but vocalize certain distinct sounds when it is an urgent situation. However, they mostly bark very little and express themselves primarily through their body language. Twitching their ears, sitting on their hind legs, sniffing, or breaking into all fours are their usual modes of demanding attention or food. Basenji dogs often stand on their hind legs as well when they are curious about something and are trying to figure out what is happening.How big is a Basenji Dog?A Basenji dog is normally as tall as 16 in - 17 in (40 cm - 43 cm). Their average size is 23 in - 25 in (58 cm - 64 cm). If looked at closely, the female Basenji dogs are a bit smaller in size. The average height of a female Basenji dog is 16 in (40 cm) but the average length of a male Basenji dog is 17 in (43 cm). An elephant is almost ten times the height of a Basenji dog!How fast can a Basenji Dog run?Basenji dogs are a part of the Hound group within the species as their legs are longer in comparison to the rest of their body. The Basenji is a good running companion and can run quite fast due to its history. Originally, this breed was used to help people during hunting and Basenji dogs used to chase small game such as pheasants, geese, ducks, and rabbits. Therefore, it had to run quite fast to help in the hunt. Basenjis are usually a bundle of energy and can keep going for a long time. If they are not given enough freedom to run around, they can start destroying things or chewing them around the house in order to burn their energy!How much does a Basenji Dog weigh?A Basenji dog weighs between 22 lb - 24 lb (10 kg - 11 kg). However, their weight further differs when the weight of the male and female Basenji dog is looked at. A male Basenji dog usually weighs 24 lb (11 kg) while a female Basenji dog weighs between 22 lb (10kg).What are their male and female names of the species?The male type of a Basenji dog is usually just called a dog but he might be called stud when used for breeding or sire to his puppies. The female type of a Basenji dog is called a bitch.What would you call a baby Basenji Dog?A baby Basenji dog would be called a puppy or pup just like other baby dogs.What do they eat?Basenji dog breeds usually are carnivorous or omnivorous. Their diet consists of meat but they can also have small amounts of puree of vegetables. They require high quantities of meat as it is the main source of their protein. In addition to that, they also require adequate amounts of vitamins, minerals, fats and carbohydrates in their diet to make it balanced. Pet owners should also take care not to overfeed the basenji dog breed otherwise it can be harmful to its health.Are they slobbery?Basenji dogs actually have a low drooling tendency. This means they do not drool as much as other dog breeds normally do. So if you want to avoid slobber spots on your clothes every time you play with your dog, a Basenji dog will be perfect for it.Would they make a good pet?Basenji dogs are quite friendly towards humans and other dogs. They are normally low-shedding and hypoallergenic so they are easy to maintain as well. Basenji dogs also love to cuddle with their human owners and are full of energy. Therefore, they would make a great pet as they are also easy to train.Did you know…The Basenjis are often called ‘barkless dogs’ because it is one of the rare dog breeds who do not bark with a woof sound. Rather, they make a yodel sound because of their larynx which is of a different, peculiar shape. It has also been suggested that the Basenjis over the years due to evolution have adapted to not barking much as they were primarily hunting dogs. Barking too much unnecessarily could have alerted the enemy about their camp, so the dogs are usually silent except when they need to communicate.It is suggested that the Basenji dog breed was originally used in Africa as a hunting dog breed. With its tightly curled tail, the Congo dog was an intelligent hunting dog. The Basenjis as hunting dogs used to help the pygmies in hunting for lions! Even now, Basenjis often participate in dog sports because of how agile and smart the Congo dog is.The 1954 novel titled ‘Good Bye, My Lady’ by James Stewart featured a protagonist and his dog who was Basenji. This novel was later adapted into a very well-known movie in 1956 with actors like Walter Brennan and Sidney Poitier. This helped in increasing the reputation of Basenjis in the United States of America and as a result, their popularity grew. Therefore, many households across the country started to adopt more and more Basenjis.The Basenjis were recognized as a sighthound dog and are therefore allowed to participate in lure coursing. Lure coursing is a particular dog sport where dogs have to chase a lure which is operated by remote. The AKC or American Kennel Club does not let every dog participate in the sport but has tests to determine which breed can do it or not.The Basenji hunting dogs also have a peculiar cat-like characteristic. These dogs love to maintain hygiene and stay clean. They lick their short fur coat meticulously to stay clean. However, they still loved to be brushed and petted by their owners as it means added love, attention and affection which greatly pleases them.Dog-like creatures which resemble and look quite a lot like Basenjis can be found on the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs! The dogs are placed near the feet of their masters in the tombs - immortalized because of their loyalty and devotion. Basenjis are descendants of an ancient hunting breed dog who were highly valued in Egypt for their ability to hunt and prey on rodents and thus, battle infestation. Therefore, the pharaohs of Egypt were often gifted Basenjis as a token of appreciation.Characteristics and health issuesBasenjis have a number of health problems and issues specific to it apart from those diseases which affect dog breeds. Basenjis are prone to health issues like the Fanconi Syndrome. The Fanconi Syndrome is an inherited disease that affects the health of the dog’s kidney. It is normally diagnosed through symptoms that start appearing after Basenjis have turned four.Basenjis can also get Genetic Hemolytic Anemia which is a blood disorder. Malabsorption is an autoimmune disease that can affect dogs and can lead to an untimely death if it is not treated properly. Hip dysplasia is a disorder that can be quite painful for Basenjis and even cause a lack of mobility. This disorder causes lameness and painful joint arthritis in the dog. Basenjis are also affected by Progressive Retinal Atrophy which can cause total blindness. This happens as the retina of the eye slowly degenerates. Basenjis can also get an intestinal disease that negatively affects their health.Getting your own Basenji DogA Basenji puppy costs between $1,200 and $1,800 to buy. These dogs are quite family-friendly but it ultimately depends upon their training. Even though getting a Basenji dog and maintaining them might be easy, they have to be trained with a firm hand as they can be quite willful and stubborn or even manipulative. They also have endless energy levels to keep playing and they do not tire easily but they are easy to train. In order to keep your Basenji dog happy, you have to ensure that you also start loving exercising, walking, running, or training with your Basenji dog because it will keep you on your toes. However, Basenji dogs also make wonderful pets and are good family dogs. They might sometimes become hostile to smaller animals as they are quite prey-driven but are mostly safe to keep in a house.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other mammals including Patterdale terriers and cheagles.You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our basenji dog coloring pages.

What type of animal is a Basenji Dog?

A Basenji is a type or breed of a dog.

Fun Basenji Dog Facts For Kids

What do they prey on? Rabbits, pheasants, ducks

What do they eat? Carnivore

Average litter size? 4-6

How much do they weigh? 22 lb - 24 lb (10 kg - 11 kg)

How long are they? 23 in - 25 in (58 cm - 64 cm)

How tall are they? 16 in - 17 in (40 cm - 43 cm)

What do they look like? Tan, white, black, chestnut red

Skin Type Fur

What were their main threats? Bacteria And Viral Infections

What is their conservation status? Not listed

Where you’ll find them? Plains And Forests

Locations Europe, North America, Central Africa

Kingdom Animalia

Genus Canis

Class Mammal

Family Canidae

Fun Basenji Dog Facts For Kids

What do they prey on? Rabbits, pheasants, ducks

What do they eat? Carnivore

Average litter size? 4-6

How much do they weigh? 22 lb - 24 lb (10 kg - 11 kg)

How long are they? 23 in - 25 in (58 cm - 64 cm)

How tall are they? 16 in - 17 in (40 cm - 43 cm)

What do they look like? Tan, white, black, chestnut red

Skin Type Fur

What were their main threats? Bacteria And Viral Infections

What is their conservation status? Not listed

Where you’ll find them? Plains And Forests

Locations Europe, North America, Central Africa

Kingdom Animalia

Genus Canis

Class Mammal

Family Canidae

Fun Basenji Dog Facts For Kids

What do they prey on? Rabbits, pheasants, ducks

What do they eat? Carnivore

Average litter size? 4-6

How much do they weigh? 22 lb - 24 lb (10 kg - 11 kg)

How long are they? 23 in - 25 in (58 cm - 64 cm)

How tall are they? 16 in - 17 in (40 cm - 43 cm)

What do they look like? Tan, white, black, chestnut red

Skin Type Fur

What were their main threats? Bacteria And Viral Infections

What is their conservation status? Not listed

Where you’ll find them? Plains And Forests

Locations Europe, North America, Central Africa

Kingdom Animalia

Genus Canis

Class Mammal

Family Canidae