Basenji

The Basenji does well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially made or home-prepared with your veterinarian's supervision and approval. Match the food to your dog's life stage, whether puppy, adult, or senior, and keep clean, fresh water available at all times. Most Basenjis eat once or twice a day.

Some dogs gain weight easily, so watch calorie intake and body weight. Because a Basenji weighs only around 22 to 24 pounds, extra calories add up quickly. Treats help with training, but too many can lead to obesity, so stay mindful of how many you hand out and learn which human foods are safe for dogs.

The right amount to feed depends on your dog's weight, health, lifestyle, and other factors. Talk with your veterinarian about portions, and check the guidance on your dog food bag. Given the breed's curiosity and intelligence, a puzzle feeder can keep a Basenji busy at mealtime.

Because Basenjis are prone to hip dysplasia, you can start a joint supplement at 1 to 2 years old. A high-quality joint supplement with glucosamine and chondroitin supports the joints, and your veterinarian can recommend an option that suits your dog.

Basenjis are fastidious, and their short, smooth coat is easy to care for. A quick weekly once-over with a soft-bristle brush, a rubber grooming mitt, or a hound glove is usually enough. Brushing spreads the skin's natural oils through the coat to keep it looking tidy, and your Basenji will likely take charge of much of its own cleaning too.

Basenjis do not have a doggy smell and rarely need a bath unless they get into something messy or your veterinarian recommends it. Trim the nails regularly, since overly long nails cause pain and trouble walking and running. Brushing the teeth also belongs in every dog's routine.

Clean the ears every two to four weeks, and check them weekly for discharge, redness, or an abnormal smell, any of which can signal an ear infection worth a veterinarian's attention. Watch the skin for redness, sores, hair loss, or a greasy coat, and watch the eyes for cloudiness, squinting, or yellow or green discharge. See your veterinarian promptly if any of these show up.

Basenjis are energetic, inquisitive, and very active. Basenjis need regular exercise because boredom can lead to destructive behavior. Long play sessions in a well-fenced yard or securely on lead are a must, and daily attention keeps this smart, busy breed content.

A Basenji should never run loose. The instinct to hunt is strong, and the dog may not resist the urge to chase, so always keep it in a secure area or on a leash outdoors. A structured outlet for those instincts and pent-up energy helps a great deal.

Many Basenjis enjoy and excel at canine sports such as lure coursing, tracking, obedience, and agility. These activities burn energy and give the breed's sharp mind a real job to do, which is exactly what a Basenji wants.

Early socialization and puppy classes are recommended for every breed, but with the Basenji's energy, intelligence, and taste for mischief, they are a necessity. The catlike reputation suggests a tough trainee, and Basenjis are indeed known as hard to train thanks to their independent, sometimes stubborn nature.

Even so, a Basenji learns readily in an encouraging, reward-based atmosphere. They lose interest quickly and bore easily, so keep sessions to no more than five or ten minutes and make them fun. A variety of strong-smelling treats helps hold a Basenji's attention, since these hounds follow their keen nose and can wander off after a scent.

Though they are loving with family, Basenjis can be aloof and wary of strangers, and unpredictable young children may make them anxious. Early socialization helps them grow more adaptable and comfortable around new people. They can also jump quite high, so a secure yard needs a 6-foot fence.