Basenjis? What Are They?

Basenjis are known as the “Barkless Dog of Africa”. While basenjis do not bark, they are not mute and do make a host of other sounds. They can howl, whine, cry, growl and yelp. They also make a sound unique to basenjis that is somewhere between a yodel and a crow. Click on “Sounds of Silence?” on our main page to hear some basenji vocalizations.

“Nature’s Masterpiece” has been used to describe basenjis in that they are relatively quiet, don’t shed (or very little anyway), don’t have any dog odor even when wet, need very little grooming and are generally very healthy. They are a medium size dog about 16-17 high at the shoulder and 22-25 pounds with males being slightly bigger than females. They are playful, silly, loving, loyal, friendly (although they can be aloof with strangers), regal, proud and beautiful. Visit our “Photos” section to see some of our basenjis.

So you say that after listening to some basenji sounds (different but cute, right?), reading all our info on all the good qualities of a basenji and seeing our pictures you’re ready to email us or call us to find out how to get one these “perfect little wonders”? Before you do that, please read on.

Obedience does not come naturally to a basenji. It’s not that they are not intelligent. Quite the contrary. It’s just that basenji have to see that there’s something in it for them. Being cat-like, they will obey if they feel like it and don’t if they won’t. It’s that simple. If you’re thinking, “Oh, I could MAKE it obey all the time”. Yes, you’re probably right. If you want spend hours training and training and training and training...... But if your basenji obeyed all the time you would miss so much of the fun (and challenge) of having a basenji. So if it would drive you up a wall to have a dog look straight at you and disobey then please do yourself and a basenji a favor and look for another breed.

Some basenjis are jumpers, some are climbers, some are diggers. Some are none of the above. Some are ALL of the above. As a basenji owner, you have to be prepared for anything. Most seasoned basenji owners try to keep two doors or two gates between a basenji and freedom as they will make it through the first one at some point in time - guaranteed Yes, they are escape artists. A basenji lives it’s entire life waiting for an open door or an open gate. When the opportunity presents itself a basenji will not hesitate for a moment. It will be gone in a flash. Since they will obey commands ONLY if they feel like it, a basenji will most likely not come back to you just because you call it. They will come back if and when they feel like it. More basenjis die from being hit by cars every year than probably any other reason.

By now you may be wondering why anyone would want a basenji. Believe me, many times basenji owners wonder that too. Basenjis are definitely not for everyone! But if you can live with a disobedient Houdini, we guarantee life with a basenji is never dull.

Please feel free to contact me at the following address:
E-mail:silent1@worldnet.att.net
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