Small, elegant sighthound from Central Africa with a tightly curled tail, wrinkled forehead, and smooth coat. Known as the 'barkless dog' for its unique yodel-like vocalizations instead of traditional barking.
Ancient breed originating in Central Africa, depicted in Egyptian and Babylonian art. Prized by Pygmy tribes and Congo region tribes as versatile hunters for their speed and silence. Brought to England in the 1930s and established in the West.
“Barkless but not mute, its own special noise a mixture of a chortle and a yodel. Remarkable for its cleanliness in every way. An intelligent, independent, but affectionate and alert breed. Can be aloof with strangers”
Quoted from FCI standard n°43. It describes the breed the registry recognises, not any individual animal.
Breed reference from The Dog API.
Drawn from sources, not opinion: FCI breed standard; Basenji Club of America — Basenji Health. An empty column means we hold nothing for that side, not that there is nothing to say.
The Basenji standard is published by the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale), the international federation of pedigree-dog clubs, and it is what show judges apply. This section sums up what it says about coat and colour and size. It does not assess any one animal: use it to know what to ask the breeder.
Base colour
Pure black and white
Preferred
Shortened from FCI standard n°43 — each label is the standard’s own wording with the verdict lifted into the tag beside it. Read the full clause at source.
The colours and patterns the standard admits, and what it prefers, discourages or disqualifies in each. An accepted colour says nothing about health.
Quoted from FCI standard n°43. It describes the breed the registry recognises, not any individual animal.
An adult's measurements, per the standard. It does not say how big this puppy will be. Quotations from the FCI are in English, as the standard publishes them; the headings are ours.
Breed-level information from The Dog API. It describes the Basenji in general; any individual animal can differ.
Known hereditary risks for the Basenji breed, and the specific documentation to request from any breeder before paying a deposit. A responsible breeder will have these readily available; deflection is a red flag.
4 conditions documentedThis is breed-level literature, not veterinary advice about an individual animal — your vet knows the animal.
Health checklist (PDF)Documented in this breed, but no source says how many of its dogs carry or have them. That is a gap in the evidence, not a sign they are rare.
An inherited eye disease causing progressive vision loss, usually starting at 5 to 8 years old or later. It accounts for only about half of progressive retinal atrophy cases in the breed, so a clear DNA result does not rule out the second, still-untested form.
What to ask for
DNA test result for PRA-BJ1 on both parents (OFA or OptiGen), plus a current annual ACVO ophthalmologist eye exam (OFA CAER) on both parents to catch the non-BJ1 form.
A severe inflammatory bowel disease causing chronic diarrhoea, vomiting and weight loss, with a guarded prognosis in bad cases. A predisposition appears to be inherited, but the mode of inheritance is not known and physical or emotional stress may act as a trigger rather than a sole cause.
What to ask for
No DNA test or breeding-stock screen exists. Ask whether IPSID or unexplained chronic diarrhoea has occurred in the line; diagnosis in a sick dog is by intestinal biopsy, not a pre-breeding test.
An inherited kidney-tubule disorder in which the kidneys leak glucose, electrolytes and nutrients into the urine instead of reabsorbing them. Untreated, it is fatal; a dog diagnosed early and managed under a monitoring and supplementation protocol can have a near-normal lifespan.
What to ask for
Direct DNA test result ('Normal', 'Carrier' or 'Affected') on both parents, via the OFA.
An inherited enzyme deficiency causing red blood cells to break down prematurely; affected puppies become severely anaemic and typically die by 2 years old. Decades of testing have made it rare in the breed, but a small number of carriers remain, which matters most for dogs with recent African-import ancestry.
What to ask for
Ask whether both parents descend from stock DNA-tested Normal for PK deficiency, or have themselves been tested; routine fresh testing is no longer universal because the mutation is now uncommon.
An inherited eye disease causing progressive vision loss, usually starting at 5 to 8 years old or later. It accounts for only about half of progressive retinal atrophy cases in the breed, so a clear DNA result does not rule out the second, still-untested form.
What to ask for
DNA test result for PRA-BJ1 on both parents (OFA or OptiGen), plus a current annual ACVO ophthalmologist eye exam (OFA CAER) on both parents to catch the non-BJ1 form.
An inherited kidney-tubule disorder in which the kidneys leak glucose, electrolytes and nutrients into the urine instead of reabsorbing them. Untreated, it is fatal; a dog diagnosed early and managed under a monitoring and supplementation protocol can have a near-normal lifespan.
What to ask for
Direct DNA test result ('Normal', 'Carrier' or 'Affected') on both parents, via the OFA.
A severe inflammatory bowel disease causing chronic diarrhoea, vomiting and weight loss, with a guarded prognosis in bad cases. A predisposition appears to be inherited, but the mode of inheritance is not known and physical or emotional stress may act as a trigger rather than a sole cause.
What to ask for
No DNA test or breeding-stock screen exists. Ask whether IPSID or unexplained chronic diarrhoea has occurred in the line; diagnosis in a sick dog is by intestinal biopsy, not a pre-breeding test.
Median survival 12.1 years
95% confidence interval 11.3–15.8 years, from 30 recorded deaths among 77 dogs
Mortality hazard 0.88 (0.61, 1.25) relative to crossbred dogs, whose median is 12.0 years.
Few deaths recorded for this breed, so the figure is imprecise.
Measured in the United Kingdom from 584,734 dogs. Median survival is not a prediction for an individual dog.
McMillan, K.M., Bielby, J., Williams, C.L., Upjohn, M.M., Casey, R.A. & Christley, R.M. (2024) Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death. Scientific Reports 14, 531.
An inherited enzyme deficiency causing red blood cells to break down prematurely; affected puppies become severely anaemic and typically die by 2 years old. Decades of testing have made it rare in the breed, but a small number of carriers remain, which matters most for dogs with recent African-import ancestry.
What to ask for
Ask whether both parents descend from stock DNA-tested Normal for PK deficiency, or have themselves been tested; routine fresh testing is no longer universal because the mutation is now uncommon.
