breeds Of Dogs Jack Russell
Focus on the Basenji
The Basenji is a rare dog indeed. These natives of Africa are famous for the fact that they don’t bark. But that’s not all that is unique about these dogs.
These dogs have been used as hunting companions by the tribes of Central Africa for centuries. In fact, there is a documented history of this breed that goes back over 5, 000 years, and includes depictions of the Basenji in ancient Egyptian tombs.
However, in the West, these dogs remained unknown until some were brought to England in 1937. The Congo Dog, as it was then called, was first introduced to America in 1944, and was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1944. Later the name was changed to Basenji, which apparently means 'bush thing'.
Standing 15 to 18 inches at the withers, the Basenji is medium sized, with a pointed muzzle, erect ears, and a trademark furrowed brow. The other distinguishing feature is the tail, tightly curled and carried over the back. The coat is short in length and can be a number of colors. These include red, chestnut, copper, black or brindle. All color variants feature white markings on the chest, feet and tail.
But what really sets the Basenji apart from other breeds is its temperament. For starters, the are compulsive groomers and have been described as being more like cats than dogs in the way they clean themselves.
And they behave like cats in other ways too. They are very good climbers for instance, quite adept a scaling trees, and even chain link fences.
Another character trait is their stubbornness, which means that obedience training, socialization and strong pack leadership is a must with this breed. You need to show your Basenji who is in charge or he will take it upon himself to be the pack leader. This should however be done in a positive, non-aggressive way.
If any of this has put you off owning a Basenji, it shouldn’t. They are wonderfully energetic and intelligent dogs with a great desire to please. They are affectionate towards their immediate family and can do well with kids, although are not really suited to very small children.
You do need to remember however that these were originally hunting dogs, so they need quite a lot of exercise and mental stimulation. Your Basenji will need a long walk every day and will also enjoy games to keep him mentally active. When to dog is home alone you may want to get him some chew toys, to keep him away from chewing your stuff.
These dogs can live quite comfortably in an apartment, but will need to get outdoors daily for exercise.
The Basenji is a healthy breed, with few serious congenital diseases. They are, however, prone to kidney problems, intestinal disorders, and diseases of the eye, like progressive retinal atrophy.
grooming a Basenji is very easy. These dogs hardly shed at all, and given the fact that they groom themselves, the owner needs to do very little.
If you’re searching for puppy names, for your Basenji, I recommend puppy-names-hq.com. This site has 1000’s of excellent dog names, including a huge list of cool dog names choose from.
Jack Russell terrier dog breed video
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