The Basenji is an ancient dog breed from Central Africa, known for being a village dog. Basenjis are one of the oldest breeds, appearing in African cave paintings and ancient Egyptian tombs. They are skilled hunting dogs, and their name translates to "bush thing," "wild dog," or "the dog of the villagers." Also called the "barkless dog," Basenjis produce yodeling sounds. These dogs are sleek, intelligent, and poised, with erect ears, a wrinkled forehead, long legs, and a curled tail. Their coats are reddish-brown, black, black-and-tan, or brindle, with white feet, chest, and tail tip. Basenjis are odorless, clean dogs that groom themselves like cats, needing minimal care. Lively and independent, Basenjis tend to ignore commands and enjoy climbing. They are quiet indoors but can become destructive if bored. They need daily exercise and do well in lure coursing and barn hunts.

Where did the Basenji breed come from?

The Basenji is an ancient hound breed from Central Africa, where they lived as village dogs. Depictions of the breed have been found in African cave paintings and ancient Egyptian tombs. By the 19th century, they were hunting dogs that drove quarry into nets. The name Basenji likely comes from the Lingala phrase mbwa na basenji , meaning "dogs of the bushland people." They were not successfully bred in the United States until the 1940s. Basenjis are known as barkless dogs, though they can yodel. They are lively, independent, and intelligent dogs.

What does a Basenji look like?

The Basenji is a sleek, intelligent hound from Central Africa with a squarely proportioned body and long legs. Its height at the withers is 16–17 inches (41–43 cm), and it weighs 22–24 pounds (10–11 kg). Key features include a finely wrinkled forehead, erect ears, an alert expression, and a tightly curled tail. The short, silky coat comes in reddish-brown, black, black-and-tan, or brindle, with white feet, chest, and tail tip. The Basenji's graceful trot is often compared to a racehorse's smooth strides. It is also known as the "barkless dog" because it produces a yodeling sound rather than a bark.

Why are Basenjis called "barkless dogs"?

Basenjis are called "barkless dogs" because they don't bark like other dogs; however, they aren't completely silent. Basenjis produce a variety of sounds, including something that resembles a yodel. Basenjis are an ancient breed of hound that originated in Central Africa. They are skilled hunting dogs, known for their intelligence, sleek appearance, wrinkled forehead, erect ears, and curled tail. They are also independent and energetic dogs that can be difficult to train and, if not properly exercised, may become destructive.

What kind of personality do Basenjis have?

Basenjis are more feral than most domestic dogs. They are lively, intelligent, and independent, often ignoring commands and enjoying climbing. Basenjis are quiet indoors and generally do not cuddle; some consider them great watchdogs. Basenjis can become destructive if not sufficiently exercised and are difficult to train because of their independent nature. They have a poised and alert expression with a finely wrinkled forehead, erect ears, and a tightly curled tail. They are also known as the barkless dog but produce a variety of other sounds.

What are some special care needs for Basenjis as pets?

Basenjis are naturally clean dogs that groom themselves like cats, so they need minimal bathing and upkeep. Weekly brushing will remove dead hairs, and monthly washes will keep them clean. Regular checks and maintenance of their nails, ears, eyes, and teeth are important, as with all dogs. Starting at age three, owners should test their Basenji's urine monthly for glucose to detect early signs of Fanconi syndrome, a kidney disorder common to the breed. The test is inexpensive and can be bought at any pharmacy. If caught early, it can be treated, but it can be fatal if ignored. Basenjis are active dogs that need about an hour of exercise daily. Because they often ignore commands, they should only be let off-leash in fenced areas.

Basenji

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Close-up of a Basenji dog with a reddish-brown coat, white markings on the face and neck, and upright ears, looking to the right.

A Basenji dog with a reddish-brown and white coat trots on grass, its tail curled tightly over its back.

Quick Facts

Also called:: Congo Bush dog or Belgian Congo dog

Related Topics:: hound

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Basenji

breed of dog

Also known as: Belgian Congo dog, Congo Bush dog

Written by

Caroline Coile

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

History

Top Questions

What is a Basenji?
The Basenji is an ancient dog breed from Central Africa, known for being a village dog. Basenjis are one of the oldest breeds, appearing in African cave paintings and ancient Egyptian tombs.

They are skilled hunting dogs, and their name translates to "bush thing," "wild dog," or "the dog of the villagers." Also called the "barkless dog," Basenjis produce yodeling sounds.

These dogs are sleek, intelligent, and poised, with erect ears, a wrinkled forehead, long legs, and a curled tail. Their coats are reddish-brown, black, black-and-tan, or brindle, with white feet, chest, and tail tip. Basenjis are odorless, clean dogs that groom themselves like cats, needing minimal care.

Lively and independent, Basenjis tend to ignore commands and enjoy climbing. They are quiet indoors but can become destructive if bored. They need daily exercise and do well in lure coursing and barn hunts.
1 Britannica Source
1. Basenji
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Where did the Basenji breed come from?
The Basenji is an ancient hound breed from Central Africa, where they lived as village dogs. Depictions of the breed have been found in African cave paintings and ancient Egyptian tombs. By the 19th century, they were hunting dogs that drove quarry into nets. The name Basenji likely comes from the Lingala phrase mbwa na basenji, meaning "dogs of the bushland people." They were not successfully bred in the United States until the 1940s. Basenjis are known as barkless dogs, though they can yodel. They are lively, independent, and intelligent dogs.
2 Britannica Sources
1. 17 Words for Dog Breeds | Basenji
2. Basenji
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What does a Basenji look like?
The Basenji is a sleek, intelligent hound from Central Africa with a squarely proportioned body and long legs. Its height at the withers is 16–17 inches (41–43 cm), and it weighs 22–24 pounds (10–11 kg).

Key features include a finely wrinkled forehead, erect ears, an alert expression, and a tightly curled tail. The short, silky coat comes in reddish-brown, black, black-and-tan, or brindle, with white feet, chest, and tail tip. The Basenji's graceful trot is often compared to a racehorse's smooth strides. It is also known as the "barkless dog" because it produces a yodeling sound rather than a bark.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Did you know?
2. Basenji
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Why are Basenjis called "barkless dogs"?
Basenjis are called "barkless dogs" because they don't bark like other dogs; however, they aren't completely silent. Basenjis produce a variety of sounds, including something that resembles a yodel.

Basenjis are an ancient breed of hound that originated in Central Africa. They are skilled hunting dogs, known for their intelligence, sleek appearance, wrinkled forehead, erect ears, and curled tail. They are also independent and energetic dogs that can be difficult to train and, if not properly exercised, may become destructive.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Did you know?
2. Basenji: Temperament
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What kind of personality do Basenjis have?
Basenjis are more feral than most domestic dogs. They are lively, intelligent, and independent, often ignoring commands and enjoying climbing. Basenjis are quiet indoors and generally do not cuddle; some consider them great watchdogs. Basenjis can become destructive if not sufficiently exercised and are difficult to train because of their independent nature.

They have a poised and alert expression with a finely wrinkled forehead, erect ears, and a tightly curled tail. They are also known as the barkless dog but produce a variety of other sounds.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Did you know?
2. Basenji: Temperament
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What are some special care needs for Basenjis as pets?
Basenjis are naturally clean dogs that groom themselves like cats, so they need minimal bathing and upkeep. Weekly brushing will remove dead hairs, and monthly washes will keep them clean. Regular checks and maintenance of their nails, ears, eyes, and teeth are important, as with all dogs.

Starting at age three, owners should test their Basenji's urine monthly for glucose to detect early signs of Fanconi syndrome, a kidney disorder common to the breed. The test is inexpensive and can be bought at any pharmacy. If caught early, it can be treated, but it can be fatal if ignored.

Basenjis are active dogs that need about an hour of exercise daily. Because they often ignore commands, they should only be let off-leash in fenced areas.
1 Britannica Source
1. Basenji: Care and upkeep
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Basenji, ancient breed of hound native to Central Africa, where it has historically lived as a village dog (one that roams free and belongs to no one). Several of these native Basenjis were integrated into the domestic gene pool in the 1980s and ‘90s to help breed out a history of inherited health problems, including the kidney disorder Fanconi syndrome. The Basenji is one of the oldest breeds in the world, with depictions of the animal found in African cave paintings from the Stone Age and on tombs in ancient Egypt, where it was perhaps bred as a house dog. By the 19th century, however, Basenjis were revered as skilled hunting dogs used by villagers to drive quarry into large nets. They were not successfully bred in the United States as a pet and show breed until the 1940s. Its name has been variously translated as “bush thing,” “wild dog,” “the dog of the villagers,” and “the jumping-up-and-down dog,” the last translation a reference to the dog’s extraordinary jumping ability. It is also known as the barkless dog, but it does produce a variety of other sounds (including something like a yodel).

Breed data

Other names: Congo Bush, Belgian Congo, Congo Terrier
Area of origin: The deeply forested areas of ancient Central Africa
Breed group: Hound
Height at withers: 16–17 inches (41–43 cm)
Weight: 22–24 pounds (10–11 kg)
Lifespan: 13–14 years
Did you know? A Basenji appeared in the film The African Queen (1951), starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn, and starred in the popular boy-and-his-dog novel Good-bye, My Lady (1954) by James Street and in the film version of the book in 1956.

A sleek and intelligent animal with much poise, it is characterized by an alert expression, a finely wrinkled forehead, erect ears, a squarely proportioned body with long legs, and a tightly curled tail; its graceful trot has been compared to the smooth strides of a racehorse. Its short silky coat is reddish brown, black, black-and-tan, or brindle; the feet, chest, and tail tip are white. It is one of the few breeds with only one yearly reproductive cycle (most dogs cycle twice per year).

Care and upkeep

The Basenji is an odorless, naturally clean dog that is adept at catlike self-grooming, meaning the animal requires minimal upkeep. Owners should brush the coat weekly to remove dead hairs and wash it every month to keep it clean and fresh. As with all dogs, the nails, ears, eyes, and teeth should be regularly checked and maintained. Because of the breed’s history of kidney disease, owners are also encouraged to test their pet’s urine for glucose every month, starting at age three, to look for early signs of Fanconi syndrome; caught early, the disease can be treated, but, if ignored, it can be fatal. Urine glucose strips are inexpensive and readily available at pharmacies. Basenjis require no other special care.

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Animal Group Names

They are active dogs that need about an hour of daily exercise. Basenjis often ignore calls to return, so they cannot be let off-leash unless in a fenced area. Some can be quarrelsome with other animals and may behave poorly in dog parks. Favorite activities are running, chasing, and exploring. They do well in the organized sports of lure coursing and barn hunt.

Temperament

Basenjis are more feral than most domestic dogs. They are lively and independent, apt to ignore commands, and like to climb onto high places. They are quiet indoors and generally do not like to cuddle next to people; some consider them great watchdogs. If not sufficiently exercised, they can become bored and then destructive. Because of their independent nature, they can be difficult to train.

These are well established and widely accepted generalizations about the breed. Individual dogs may differ in behavior and temperament.

Caroline Coile

Basenji

Care and upkeep

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Temperament