Basenji – 10 Unbelievable Facts About the Barkless Dog

Well, there are several dog breeds that are popular for their silence because they don’t bark that much such as a Whippet, a Chinese Shar-Pei, or a Bernese Mountain Dog. But, did you know there is an amazing dog breed that doesn’t bark at all? Yes, the African dog Basenji is the one that cannot bark like other dogs.

Also named the African Bush Dog and African Barkless Dog, Basenji originated in Central Africa, specifically in Congo. It is a hunting dog and placed on the list of sighthound dogs by most of the Kennel Clubs. Currently, it is among the most popular African dog breeds.

Read: Top 100 Rottweiler Names

Let’s explore some mindblowing facts about Basenjis, but first, a short intro.

Quick Facts about Basenjis:

Weight: 21 to 24 lbs.
Height: 16-17 inches
Lifespan: 10-14 years
Classification: Hounds & Sighthounds
Origin: The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central Africa
Other popular names: Congo Dog, Ango Angari, Dog of the Bush, African Barkless Dog
Coat: Short

Why Basenji doesn’t bark?

Instead of barking, Basenjis produces an amazing yodel sound as well as a growl and screaming sound. It is because the Basenji’s larynx or voice box is shaped unusually and is totally different from the other dog breeds.

Video credit: This video is the property of its respective owner Kenny Ray

More Facts about Basenji you didn’t know:

Ancient Dog Breed:

Basenji dogs are said to be among the oldest dog breeds in the world and date back to 6,000 B.C. They are found in many ancient paintings and historians suggest that they were transported from Central Africa to Egypt as gifts for the Egyptian Rulers known as Pharaohs.

Declining Popularity:

Sadly, their popularity is declining in the United States as they were ranked #71 in 1999 and decreased to the 93rd position in 2011. But in recent years, they regained some popularity and stood at #87 in 2021.

Self-grooming Habits:

One of their best habits is self-grooming habit. They groom themselves and shed very less. Because of their self-grooming habit, you won’t feel any typical doggie smell in Basenjis.

Some other Unusual Habits:

They get attached to one or at most two persons in a family. Unlike other dogs, they don’t feel comfortable with non-canine pets. If you have birds, rats, ferrets, or other small pets, we’d recommend you not get a Basenji.

They can Stand:

Yes, they can stand on their hind legs and they often do so when sensing anything curious. Another breed that can stand on its hind legs is Boxer.

The Second Least Intelligent Dog Breed:

Shocked? Yes, this lightning-fast dog is ranked as the second least intelligent dog breed by Stanley Coren in his book The Intelligence of Dogs. The first one on the list is an Afghan Hound.

Graceful and Elegant Dog:

Regardless of all the conspiracy theories about Basenjis, they are graceful and sober. They are highly balanced while running at whatever speed they can get. When it comes to choosing the best athletic dog, Basenji can easily be chosen.

The Best Escapers:

Install a wood fence, a chain-link fence, or whatever hurdle you may think of. They’ll easily escape from all of them like a champion. The best solution to stop them from escaping is an invisible or hidden fence.

Hard to Train:

They like independence and like to do whatever they want. They can hardly be trained and they obey you when they want to. So, they are not piece of cake for novice owners and only an experienced owner should get a Basenji.

Final Verdict:

So, these were some cool facts about Basenjis that you may not know. If you are looking to get a dog for the first time, do not consider getting Basenji as it would be hard to train them.

Secondly, they can’t become good family dogs because of their stubborn behavior. Alternatively, you can get a Labrador Retriever, Frenchie, Golden Retriever, or Doodle dog which are among the best hypoallergenic dog breeds.

Recommended read – 11 Ways to add more joy in your Dog’s Life

Image credit: fugzu