Dog breed

Basenji

The Basenji is a small, slender dog from Central Africa, known for not barking: instead, it makes sounds that resemble yodeling. Under the FCI standard, the ideal male stands 43 cm at the shoulder and weighs 11 kg. It has a wrinkled forehead, a tightly curled tail and catlike grooming habits. It is an independent, clever hunter with a strong chase instinct that needs a patient, experienced owner.

FCI Group V · Spitz and primitive · standard no. 43

Weight: 9.5–11 kg
Height: 40–43 cm
Lifespan: 12–14 years
Origin: Central Africa

How much food for this breed?Compare with another breed

Photo: nieznany autor, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Temperament

The FCI standard describes the Basenji as intelligent and independent, yet affectionate and alert, and sometimes aloof with strangers. The AKC adds that it likes to make the first move when meeting new people and shouldn't be approached from behind. It has catlike traits: it grooms itself just like a cat and can spend hours watching the world from the back of the couch. It is warm with its family but not fawning. The AKC gives it only 2 for trainability, because a Basenji understands commands perfectly well but doesn't always see why it should follow them. Its prey drive is very strong: neighborhood cats, squirrels and hares trigger an instant chase, and it's best kept away from pet rodents or birds. When bored, it can be destructive and ingenious at escaping.

Energy: calmvery energetic
Affection: independentvelcro pet
With children: not idealgreat
With other pets: difficultgreat
Trainability: stubborneager to learn
For first-time owners: for experienced ownersyes
With strangers: waryoutgoing
Playfulness: dignifiedeternal puppy
Shedding: minimalheavy
Grooming: easydemanding
Being left alone: strugglescopes well
Apartment living: needs a house and yardgreat in a flat
Barking: quietvocal
With other dogs: difficultgreat
Protectiveness: lowhigh
Drooling: hardly anya lot
Cold tolerance: feels the coldexcellent
Heat tolerance: strugglescopes well

Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits

Who is the Basenji for?

The Basenji suits an experienced, active person who appreciates an independent, catlike character and has time for varied activities. It can live in an apartment if it gets enough exercise, and its quietness is a plus in an apartment building. We don't recommend it for homes with cats or rodents, for people expecting a dog as obedient as a shepherd, or for anyone who wants to let their dog run loose in the woods.

Pros

doesn't bark
very clean, with no doggy odor
easy coat care
long-lived and compact

Challenges

hard to train
very strong chase instinct
can't be trusted off leash
doesn't handle cold well

Size and looks

Size and looks: Basenji
Height at the withers	males 43 cm, females 40 cm
Weight	males 11 kg, females 9.5 kg
Lifespan	12–14 years
Coat	short
Colors	black and white, red and white, black and tan with white (tricolor), black, tan and white, brindle
Country of origin	Central Africa
Classification	Group V: Spitz and primitive types
Also known as	Congo Dog, Congo Terrier, Barkless Dog, African Barkless Dog

Care and exercise

60–90minof exercise a day

1/5grooming needs

2/5shedding

A Basenji needs about an hour of real exercise a day, ideally running in a well-fenced area, plus mental work. The AKC warns that it should never run loose in open country, because the chase instinct beats any recall. It excels at lure coursing, chasing an artificial lure, as well as tracking and agility. The yard needs a tall, secure fence, since it's an agile jumper. The short, fine coat is exceptionally easy to care for: a once-a-week going-over with a soft brush and a bath only when the dog is truly dirty. The breed has no typical doggy odor. Basenjis get cold in winter and need a coat. Keep training sessions short, fun and reward-based, because repetition bores them quickly.

How much should the Basenji eat?The calculator starts from this breed’s typical weight: calories and grams a day.

Health and breed-related conditions

The AKC gives the Basenji a lifespan of 13–14 years, and in the British McMillan et al. (2024) study the median was 12.1 years, based on a small number of dogs. The breed's signature diseases are Fanconi syndrome, which damages the kidney tubules, and progressive retinal atrophy. DNA tests exist for both, allowing breeders to avoid pairing carriers. The AKC also lists hypothyroidism, immunoproliferative small intestinal disease and hip dysplasia. When buying a puppy, ask for both parents' DNA test results.

Fanconi syndromeAn inherited disease of the kidney tubules; a DNA test identifies carriers.
progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)Inherited vision loss; a genetic test is available.
hypothyroidismThe AKC lists it among the conditions breeding dogs are screened for.
immunoproliferative small intestinal disease (IPSID)A form of chronic intestinal inflammation described in the breed.
hip dysplasiaLess common than in large breeds, but breeders still X-ray their dogs.

Health tests to ask the breeder about

Fanconi syndrome DNA test
PRA DNA test
thyroid testing
hip X-rays (HD)
eye exam (ECVO)

This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.

Breed history

The Basenji is considered one of the oldest breeds. The AKC notes that dogs of this type were brought up the Nile as gifts for the pharaohs, and similar silhouettes appear in ancient Egyptian art. When those civilizations fell, Basenjis survived as semi-feral dogs in the Nile and Congo basins, where tribes valued them as fast, versatile hunting dogs. The missionary Jerome Merolla described them in the 17th century. They reached Europe and America in the 20th century. The FCI names Central Africa as the country of origin and the United Kingdom as the patron country. The AKC recognized the breed in 1944, the FCI in 1964.

Fun facts

The FCI standard describes the Basenji's voice as a mix of chortle and yodel: it doesn't bark, but it isn't mute.
The AKC calls the Basenji the “barkless dog” and compares its grooming habits to a cat's.
When the ears are pricked, fine, dense wrinkles appear on the Basenji's forehead, as the standard requires.
The AKC credits the Basenji with an exceptional ability to spring straight up, useful for spotting game in tall grass.

Frequently asked questions

Is it true that Basenjis don't bark?

Yes, a Basenji practically never barks, but it isn't mute. It makes sounds resembling yodeling, chortling, howling or growling, and some dogs can be quite loud. For neighbors in an apartment building, it's usually less of a problem than other breeds' barking.

Do Basenjis shed?

Very little. The short, fine coat loses little hair, and the dog keeps itself clean like a cat and has no typical doggy odor. The AKC rates the breed's shedding 2 on a 1–5 scale. Still, no dog is fully hypoallergenic.

How much does a Basenji weigh?

The FCI standard gives an ideal weight of 11 kg for males and 9.5 kg for females, at 43 and 40 cm at the shoulder. The AKC gives very similar figures. It's a light, slender dog with long legs.

Do Basenjis get along with cats?

It varies. A dog raised with a cat from puppyhood often accepts it in its own home, but it usually treats strange cats on walks as prey. Because of its strong prey drive, it's best not to keep it with rodents or birds.

How long does a Basenji live?

The typical lifespan of the Basenji is 12–14 years. Genetics, weight, exercise and regular preventive vet care all make a difference.