Many people joke that a barkless dog would be a perfect animal. If you have ever chided a dog from barking at strangers, cars, or even its own shadow, you might agree. What you may not know is that the basenji is a dog that cannot bark. In addition to its barkless state, it has a unique personality that makes it a challenging breed to train. Despite the basenji’s oddities, many people are devoted to this breed.
Basenjis are often described as looking like small deer. They have a very elegant way of standing and moving. Basenjis have large pointed ears, almond shaped eyes, and a curly tail. They also have wrinkles on the forehead that gives them an earnest expression. Basenjis are small dogs, most weigh less than twenty five pounds. They are normally no more than seventeen inches at the shoulder. Pureblood basenjis are recognized in a variety of colors, including brindle, red, black, and tricolor.
Basenjis are one of the oldest dog breads known to man. There are paintings of basenjis with the pharaohs of Ancient Egypt. People in the Congo used these dogs in packs for hunting. Several basenjis would chase animals towards nets where they would then be captured. Although many Europeans were fascinated with these dogs, most basenjis that were brought to Europe died shortly after arrival. It has only been within the last seventy-five years that the basenji has been easily bread outside its place of origin.
Just because a basenji is barkless does not mean that it is mute. Although a basenji is quiet most times, it is capable of making a distinct yodeling noise. Some people call this noise a baroo. A basenji will often yodel when it is agitated or happy to see you, although these circumstances are normally rare. Basenjis seem to have a remarkable capability of agitating other dogs with its yodel, which may make your basenji less popular within the neighborhood. A basenji can also mimic sounds. If it is in close contact with other dogs it might approximate a bark.
Oddly enough, basenjis share many traits with cats. They are fiercely independent and do not like to be restrained. Basenjis dislike water greatly, they will go to great lengths to avoid getting wet. They also are incredibly clean animals and will groom themselves. Basenjis are expert climbers, and have no difficulty scaling chain link fences.
Because they are difficult to train, some people believe that basenjis are stupid. This assessment cannot be further from the truth. Basenjis are highly intelligent and learn quickly, but they often assess the benefit of obeying orders. Basenjis are known for being mischievous and are quite stubborn in obtaining something that they want.
Socially, basenjis are very protective of their territory. They are incredibly quick, and can outrun most other dogs. Basenjis can also be very hostile with dogs that they feel are encroaching upon their area. They are fearless and even outside a pack will circle something they feel threatened by. These traits combined with a certain disregard for training means that a basenji should never be allowed to run in an unrestricted area.
A basenji may be indifferent to most strangers, but most basenjis form strong bonds with their owners and family unit. They are intensely loyal and fearless to defend the humans they care about. Basenjis often enjoy sleeping with their owners and will come to humans to ask for attention. Though barkless, basenjis are perfectly capable of expressing their love.
