Basenji Dogs & Puppies for Sale

The Basenji is a hunting dog originally from Congo, Central Africa. Here their job was to herd small game into hunters’ nets and control the rodent population in the villages. They came to England in ​​the 1930s, making excellent police dogs for crowd control. Today, they are an uncommon sight, and according to the American Kennel Club, they rank 87 out of 193 breeds in popularity.

Despite being rare, Basenjis can make wonderful family pets as they are owner-orientated, intelligent, and adaptable. They have the nickname “the barkless dog”, as they do not have the traditional bark but rather a “baroo” sound.

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Meet the Basenji

The Basenji is a small hound dog, typically weighing between 22 to 24 pounds and standing 16 to 17 inches tall. Thanks to their alert, pointed ears and bushy, curled tails, they are easy to recognise. They are also famous for their wrinkled foreheads giving them human-like facial expressions and endearing almond-shaped eyes that look directly into your soul.

Despite their lean and compact appearance, these canines have muscular, athletic bodies and long legs, allowing them to keep going all day. They also have square-shaped bodies, meaning their length is proportionate to their height. In addition, they move gracefully and confidently and often straighten out their usually curled tail when running fast to gain better balance.

Basenjis have short coats with fine hair, which may be one of the four standard breed colours. These are chestnut red, black, tricolour (black, tan, and white), or brindle (black stripes on a chestnut base). However, a distinct feature of this breed is that regardless of their colour, all Basenjis will have white chests, feet, and tail tips.

Basenjis are very low shedders, and their short coats require minimal maintenance. Moreover, they have the cat-like nature of grooming themselves, which means they don’t have that typical “dog smell”.

Basenjis typically live between 12 to 16 years, and as one of the oldest dog breeds, they are generally healthy. However, like with many other pedigrees, you should watch out for hypothyroidism, inflammatory bowel disease, and hip dysplasia.

The temperament of a Basenji

Basenji dogs are alert, energetic, and intelligent canines bred to endure long hunts in the African wilderness. Because of this, they require a lot of daily exercise and long walks, preferably with challenges like hills and sprinting. Moreover, as they do not need to hunt as family pets, they need plenty of mental stimulation instead. So, a regular and consistent training program is highly recommended for this breed.

Basenjis have a playful and curious nature, so they are much more likely to be running around the garden than napping on the couch. Unfortunately, they can also be very mischievous and tend to chew on things, especially as puppies. In fact, most Basenji owners quickly learn what they need to keep out of their reach when they bring their new pup home!

Interestingly, Basenjis don’t bark, but this does not mean they are silent. Instead, these hounds make a yodelling type noise that can be either cute or annoying. They will use their voices to alert you of any intruders (or visitors) and will become noisy if you leave them alone for too long.

Basenjis have an excellent sense of smell, so they tend to wander off. Therefore, you will need an enclosed garden to stop these dogs from getting lost and hunting the neighbourhood cats and small wild animals. They are intelligent but strong-willed, so you’ll need plenty of patience when training them. Even so, with a good trainer, they will excel in all canine sports, such as tracking and agility.

10 reasons to add a Basenji to your family

  1. Basenjis don't bark - Basenjis stand out from other canines as you won’t hear them barking. Instead, they make (usually quieter) yodelling noises.
  2. They are self-groomers - Many dogs couldn’t care less about keeping themselves clean. However, Basenjis are more like cats in the grooming department, resulting in a smell-free furry friend.
  3. They will keep you fit - Whether it’s walking around the neighbourhoods, hiking in the woods, or endless games of tug and war, you’ll undoubtedly stay active with a Basenji.
  4. They make human-like expressions - Their warm eyes, alert ears, and wrinkled foreheads result in a whole range of facial expressions you’ll recognise.
  5. They attach to their owners - These canines show extreme loyalty and affection to their humans and like to be close to them at all times.
  6. They are protective - A Basenji will never let harm come to their humans, so for that reason, they make excellent watchdogs.
  7. They can climb - Another cat-like trait these pups have is their love for climbing. While it’s impressive to watch, you’ll need to ensure your garden fences are high enough!
  8. Their tails are adorable - Basenjis keep their tails tightly curled and are pretty bushy compared to their short hair elsewhere.
  9. They are a hardy breed - Basenjis have been around for centuries where they spent long days hunting in the African heat. Thus, their muscular bodies can pretty much handle anything.
  10. Living with a Basenji is a rewarding experience - While they are not the easiest dog to deal with, if you’re up for the challenge, you’ll enjoy a fulfilling companionship with your Basenji.

Best homes for a Basenji

Basenjis are ideal for active families looking for a companion for their daily walks or runs. These canines love the outdoors, so they are great to take on hiking adventures, too. They may not be the best choice for new dog owners, though, as they need consistent training and leadership and a lot of patience. Even so, there are many excellent dog trainers out there who can help you out if you’re committed to raising a Basenji.

Naturally, Basenjis will enjoy a home with a fenced garden. Still, because of their size and need to be close to their humans, they adapt very well to living in flats. But, of course, if you do not have an enclosed outdoor space for them, you’ll need to increase their daily exercise regime.

Basenjis do not display a specific fondness for children. However, if raised around them from a young age, they can make good companions. What’s more, because of their high prey drive, they should not be in a home with cats or other small animals. For this reason, they are best as solo pets.

Frequently Asked Questions About Basenji Puppies

Why should I choose a Basenji from The Pedigree Paws rather than elsewhere?
The Pedigree Paws partners with only the most respected and trusted Basenji breeders in the industry. We cautiously select who we work with to ensure all our puppies are raised in the most ethical conditions where they receive top care. Therefore, we do not associate with puppy mills or commercial facilities and never will. We stand for ethical puppy breeding, and these associations often operate extremely immorally. As a result, you can have complete trust that choosing a Basenji puppy through us will not support any unethical breeding at all.
Is a Basenji the right puppy for me?
Basenjis are highly energetic and super playful, so they require hours of daily exercise throughout their lives. Therefore, these pups need an active owner who will take them on long walks, challenging their endurance. They are also not the most trainable dogs as they can be pretty strong-willed. For this reason, they are best suited to someone with experience who knows how to combine patience with firm leadership. What's more, a Basenji can become loud and destructive if left alone for too long. Thus, if everyone in the home works long hours, a Basenji is not the right pup for your family.
Is The Pedigree Paws trustworthy?
In an ideal world, every dog breeder would be trustworthy and buying a pedigree dog would always be a pleasant experience. But, unfortunately, today's reality doesn't yet live up to our hopes, and it's not uncommon for people to have negative experiences when looking for a puppy. That's why we want all our customers to know that we are firmly against unethical breeding. We don't just talk the talk, though, as our operations back up our morals. This includes a comprehensive application process and strict requirements that every breeder must pass to list their animals on our platform.
Are Basenji puppies from The Pedigree Paws healthy?
As one of the oldest breeds, the Basenji is undoubtedly a hardy canine. Even so, like all pedigrees, they are prone to some common conditions like hypothyroidism and hip dysplasia. Therefore, we do everything in our power to ensure our Basenji puppies will live a long and healthy life. One of the first requirements our breeders must meet is DNA testing their breeding dogs to prove they have no genetic diseases. We will also prepare your new pup for the healthiest start by ensuring they have a complete health checkup with a vet. This also includes deworming, vaccinating, and microchipping.
When can I receive my Basenji puppy?
Your new puppy will stay with its mother in the breeder's home for the first two to three months of its life, enabling it to grow and develop naturally. This period is essential as removing the young pup earlier could result in health problems or development issues. Therefore, you can expect to receive your Baseni when they are between eight and 12 weeks old. However, the exact date will depend on the individual puppy and the breeder, and they will confirm this with you.
Can I see the parents of my Basenji puppy?
We understand that you may have concerns when getting a new pedigree puppy, whether it's around their health or temperament. Because of this, you can meet your new pup and its parents both live and virtually before making the commitment. We can help you set up a meeting or a video call with the breeder to observe the health of both puppy and parent and check they have an even temperament.
Will I receive the pedigree documents of my Basenji?
Whenever you buy a puppy from a respectable breeder, you should receive proof of its registration. Some rogue dog breeders won't provide this, but at The Pedigree Paws, all our breeders do. Our transparency gives our customers assurance that their new puppy is purebred, with the documents to prove so. So, the breeder will register your Basenji under one of the leading pedigree organisations like FCI or The Kennel Club, which are internationally recognised.
Do your Basenji puppies come from good breeders?
Our extensive application procedure allows us to select the very best Basenji breeders in the industry, eliminating any chance of unethical breeding. Plus, in addition to our in-house assessments, our breeders meet the requirements of the top international pedigree associations, too. As a result, using our platform to shop for your Basenji pup is always a 100% trustworthy and ethical choice.
Are these Basenji puppies raised in a family home or breeding facility?
As Basenjis have only become house pets in recent years, early socialisation is vital. However, we can confidently say that all our Basenji puppies are familiar and friendly with humans as our breeders raise them in the family home. In this environment, they get acquainted with people straight away and learn how to behave around them. And, of course, they also receive vital care from their mother in this environment. Most pups in puppy mills receive no socialisation, resulting in Basenjis that can be very challenging to train. Furthermore, the conditions are unacceptable as puppies stay in cages without their mothers, which is no way to raise any baby animals. This environment compromises their immune system, creates stress and much more, so we will never work with these facilities.
How can I help my Basenji puppy settle into its new home?
Bringing a new puppy home is the beginning of an exciting new journey for you both. Even so, it's still a massive change for your pup, so naturally, they might feel anxious or overwhelmed when they first arrive. However, you can help them settle quickly by creating a calm environment. First, ensure everything is ready before your pup arrives, including putting a comfy bed in a peaceful environment away from noise and activity. Then, when your Basenji comes, resist the temptation to take them off their leash and shower them with affection. Instead, confidently show them around with their leash on so they stay calm and understand you are the leader. If they seem anxious and don't want to interact, lead them to their bed where they can decompress.
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