Basenjis are site hounds used in Africa to chase game into nets.  They can run and jump like gazelles. They typically weigh around 22-25 pounds and are about a foot and a half high. Olive is a bit small compared to some of her peers, which we like.  They come in a few color combinations:  Red and White, Black and White, Tri-colored (black, red, white), and Brindle (usually brown with black "tiger"-lookin' stripes).  They have cute wrinkles on their foreheads, which makes them look like they are thinking or concerned.  And, then there is the cute curly tail, always with a white tip.

 

It's true... Basenjis don't bark like other dogs.  They can do the occasional "woooof" when warranted, but no real barking.  They are not quiet however...  Olive has all kinds of noises she makes to communicate with us.  She talks using gurgles, yodels, grunts, all different flavors of growl-like sounds.  Growling hardly ever means she's angry. She does have ways of letting us know when she's mad though.  She does have one growl that is clearly a sign that she is not happy.  And, when she is upset she screams... literally. She sounds like a grown woman being murdered.  It is not a pleasant sound. 

 

Olive lives with a beagle and she tries to imitate Quincy when he howls. It's a game we like to play... we can get Quincy baying and then Olive joins in with very funny squeals.  She can't quite get the bay down, but her effort is great.

 

Basenjis have lots of strange sounds, you can hear some a:  http://www.basenjiclub.com/sounds.htm.  It really does seem like they are talking sometimes.  And, the best part is the different facial expressions that go with the different sounds.  That's the key to knowing whether a noise is happy or not.

 

Their coats are great too.  They do not smell like dogs!  While our beagle Quincy needs a bath quite regularly, Olive hardly ever smells.  Her coat is light and silky.  It is actualy dog fur, but she doesn't have an undercoat and she hardly sheds at all.  

 

Basenjis are very cat like.  They can be aloof, but are happy to jump on your lap if it is inconvenient.  Olive is a very sweet and loving basenji, but she is also a spoiled princess.  She prefers when things are on her terms.  She keeps herself very clean and is almost obsessive about it.

 

Olive never slobbers or gives wet sloppy kisses.  She is a big snuggler - her favorite place is under the covers cuddling up with us.

 

Basenjis are also very smart and independent... meaning they can get in or out of anything. They can figure out how to use tools to accomplish their mission.  Olive knows how to push the computer chair with wheels around so she can use it to jump up on things.  They are definitely thiking dogs and can get bored easily, which means they will get into trouble just for fun.

 

Basenjis definitely need early training and consistent discipline or they will run the house and make your life miserable.   They like to be the alpha dog and even think they are smarter than their owners... so earning a basenjis respect and obedience is very important. You don't want a basenji if you aren't willing to put in the time and be a good parent.