Skip to content

Is she Basenji?

Show Off Your Dog
  • She is most certainly a basenji, unlikely to be mixed with anything. Looks to be no older than 4.5 months and no younger than 3.5 months in the pictures. I don't know much about basenjis either, but I have seen quite a few pictures and I'm watching my puppy grow right now.
    The basenji coloring patterns don't seem to stay with mixed breeds from the ones I've seen.

  • I too just rescued a Chihuahua mix and I'm thinking she's mixed with Basenji? She's about a year old but only 4 lbs. She's very high energy, and athletic, doesn't bark (except when someone's at the door), has a great nose for sniffing out dead stuff on our walks (we live in a wooded area), she's got the wrinkled brow, almond eyes, and she's just as sweet as can be. What do you think? I have a picture on my profile page but not sure how to load it on here?

  • Not mixed? looks like a Basenji/Chihuahua from the second pic

  • @Tieghan:

    Not mixed? looks like a Basenji/Chihuahua from the second pic

    Yeah that's what I originally thought too but I couldn't find any Basenchi mixes online that retained the basenji coat patterns. I figured chi coat color was genetically dominating the basenji one, and perhaps it was just that basenji puppies look different from adults. Only things I can point out that look unusual are shorter thicker legs and high shoulder hunch when eating which sound like puppy traits. Maybe it's just a genetic deformity, lol. Not always do puppies turn out perfect. :) She is cute, though!

  • The face profile certainly doesn't look like purebred Basenji. I assume that is where you are seeing Chihuahua. Me too! A side view of her standing would be helpful.

  • head is all wrong for a purebred, but suspect a mix of something. Does she bark?

  • @jcadduono:

    She is most certainly a basenji,….
    The basenji coloring patterns don't seem to stay with mixed breeds from the ones I've seen.

    Have to disagree, many mixes same coloring. Nor does this puppy look to be a purebred. Mixed with what is almost impossible to say.

  • @jcadduono:

    Yeah that's what I originally thought too but I couldn't find any Basenchi mixes online that retained the basenji coat patterns.

    My experience is precisely opposite… many if not most do have the right color. A very funny group of mix are the Camp Basenji rescued "lowriders"... mixes with basenji and some dwarf legged breed, not only same colors but most yodel and should more like basenjis than mine! If you go to BRAT, click on the mixes .. click each state, most look very basenji color.

    https://youtu.be/YBQUFd9wew8

    http://www.basenjiforums.com/showthread.php?15754-My-life-as-Calvin&p=169186#post169186

  • [My experience is precisely opposite… many if not most do have the right color. A very funny group of mix are the Camp Basenji rescued "lowriders"... mixes with basenji and some dwarf legged breed, not only same colors but most yodel and should more like basenjis than mine! If you go to BRAT, click on the mixes .. click each state, most look very basenji color.

    https://youtu.be/YBQUFd9wew8

    http://www.basenjiforums.com/showthread.php?15754-My-life-as-Calvin&p=169186#post169186

    My "job" with BRAT is to search the internet rescue sites daily looking for Basenjis and high mixes who may need help. One of the determining factors I always use is to see if the dog has hints of the Irish pattern (white on the feet, belly, chest, and tail tip). I don't think there's a Basenji mix without it. On the other hand, it seems many dogs with Irish white and large, prick ears are designated as "Basenji" by the shelters. Most aren't, but there are certainly some, and they always have a "look". I think that the dog that this thread was originally about is definitely part Basenji.
    -Joanne

  • @giza1:

    My "job" with BRAT is to search the internet rescue sites daily looking for Basenjis and high mixes who may need help. One of the determining factors I always use is to see if the dog has hints of the Irish pattern (white on the feet, belly, chest, and tail tip). I don't think there's a Basenji mix without it. On the other hand, it seems many dogs with Irish white and large, prick ears are designated as "Basenji" by the shelters. Most aren't, but there are certainly some, and they always have a "look". I think that the dog that this thread was originally about is definitely part Basenji.
    -Joanne

    Check out Okapi on the Colorado Basenji Rescue website. I've always thought the Irish marking gene was pretty strong, but Okapi sure looks mostly basenji. ;-) I also think the OP's dog is quite possibly a b-mix. either way, very cute

  • [Check out Okapi on the Colorado Basenji Rescue website. I've always thought the Irish marking gene was pretty strong, but Okapi sure looks mostly basenji. ;-) I also think the OP's dog is quite possibly a b-mix. either way, very cute]

    Oh, I know, he doesn't have a lot of white, but he does have a little white in the appropriate places. That's all that matters to be considered Irish pattern, white on the face and collar is always optional. They seem to like 'em flashy (lots of white) for the show ring, but I prefer less white, especially on the face; but I do like lots of white on a tri.
    -Joanne

  • i'm not sure, the write up says she doesn't have white feet or white on the tail. I actually prefer less white too. :-)

  • You had me confused and then I realized you meant the write up on the other rescue (Okapi)…
    I like less white also. So I had to go look... wow, coloring reminds me of minpins. :) Cute dog though.

Suggested Topics

  • Boarding basenji

    Show Off Your Dog
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    2k Views
    PawlaP
    Where did Nala come from? Can she stay there while you're out of town? I did not have a good experience with Rover.com. Don't do it. Can you find and make friends with another basenji owner in your area where you can take turns pet sitting? Maybe you can find local basenji owners on Meetup or Facebook? My heart would break to leave her at a boarding facility or a vet although she'd probably be fine. I like the idea of a pet sitter staying at your home ONLY IF you can really train the pet sitter on several visits before leaving in August (not far away!!!)
  • Do I have a Basenji???

    Show Off Your Dog
    17
    0 Votes
    17 Posts
    9k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    ditto to eeeefarm... you belong... basenji, basenji mix, pseudo basenji.. it's all good!
  • 0 Votes
    1 Posts
    1k Views
    No one has replied
  • Is my dog a Basenji?

    Show Off Your Dog
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    3k Views
    YodelMaY
    What a pretty girl! Her head/ears/face & wrinkles are Basenji-looking while her coloring & build suggest some Malanois blood–that would account for her size & aloofness, too. Our local SPCA does genetic testing as a fund-raising thing, if you're really curious you could try something like that...
  • Not a basenji, but…

    Show Off Your Dog
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    3k Views
    B
    After striking out with my first 2 B's I figured I'd give my other love a try! She is wonderful so far, potty training is kicking our butt..as with any puppy. We have only had her a week yesterday so I'm sure this is gonna be fun! She is giving us (my gf and I, our 3 cats and Sid) a run for our money! Sid is very jealous though, which is what we wanted. We need him to desire attention instead of just laying around all day long. Wish us luckkkk with the ol' man.
  • Basenji art!

    Show Off Your Dog
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    1k Views
    S
    Nice work..be sure to share other art works with us.