By: Kelly Marshall
Submitted: 2008-11-24 15:53:13 | Word Count: 504
Did you know that the Basenji is one of the oldest and most prehistoric of all breeds of dogs? Yes and this dog were discovered by Pygmy hunters in the African Congo. Earlier tribes actually used them as pack hunters which assisted in driving small game into net traps.
England began to see Basenji dogs brought to their country during the 1800s and well into the 1900s, but most of them didn’t survive because of distemper. On the other hand, sometime during the mid 1930s, several Basenji s were successfully brought to England and became the source for all future breeds that took place outside of Africa.
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It was at this time period when the word “Basenji” was made the official name of this particular dog breed. “Basenji” means “bush thing”. A huge amount of these dogs were imported to England and finally they came to the United States of America.
The Basenji began to grow in popularity at a very fast pace and became a very common household pet. Sooner or later, fanciers of this breed started entering them into dog shows, which soon influenced a book about Basenji and even a Hollywood movie which starred a dog.
The Personality of a Basenji
Basenji dogs are known to be very aggressive and often show behaviors that are similar to Terriers. These animals are extremely bright, curious, intelligent, and stubborn at many times. Several dog aficionados compare them to the attitude of a feline cat, which are reserved, yet independent.
This dog totally enjoys chasing and hunting any chance it can get. Its genetic ancestry is that discover that this breed does not bark that much at all, but when it does bark it comes out as a short yelp like sound.
Taking Care Of Your New Basenji
The Basenji is a fairly easy dog to take care of and easy to keep healthy. As I stated before, this type of dog has to a have a lot of exercise on a daily basis. This includes both mentally and physically. You can meet your dog’s needs by taking him on a brisk walk and energetic dog games, such as chasing and playing fetch.
It is strongly recommended that you keep your Basenji indoors with the family during the evening hours. During the daytime hours, on the other hand, this dog enjoys having the freedom to wander around outside. If you have the comfort of a large fenced in yard, then allow your Basenji to play outside, experts advise, just as long as there is plenty of water for him to drink and shade during hot weather.
Health Information for your Basenji
Were you aware that Basenji dogs have a lifespan of up to 15 years? Not only that, the average time is between twelve and thirteen years. One of the biggest health concerns of a Basenji is that they’re seen amongst Basenji s are Basenji enteropathy, PRA, and Fanconi syndrome. Smaller concerns with a Basenji include umbilical hernias, PK, PPM, and hypothyroidism.
