No such thing as a Basenji


  • when i first started looking for a basenji, i'd decided on a basenji or smooth fox terrier. I still like and would consider living with the long legged terriers. Maybe an Irish ter. Of course now, without a basenji, I'd get a Cirneco dell etna, which is the closest thing to a basenji i can find. (shibas being another breed that's a lot like basenjis.) I also like the Chart Polski, but we do have a malinois, so that's the big dog in the house.

  • Houston

    I would have (and did have) a Westie.,..love their spunk. I also love Rhodesian Ridgebacks and Pharao hounds.


  • Just for fun take the "which breed" quiz:
    http://www.dogchannel.com/dog-community/dog-breed-selector.aspx

    Basenji came up on my results - yay - so did IG and ShibaInu (both of which I like the looks)


  • I would go with an Azawakh or Sloughi, although New Guinea Singing Dogs are high on my list too.

    -Nicole


  • How cute that a few of you want a swedish breed. I like it 😃

    If I couldn't have a Basenji I would get a American Staffordshire Terrier (That I plan to do sometime in my life, It just don't fit right now), Golden Retriever or Canaan Dog 🙂


  • Over the years, we've had several breeds of dogs:
    Standard Schnauzer, Doberman, Great Dane, 2 Basenjis, and right now a Brussels Griffon. Hope to add another Basenji in the near future.


  • My list of other dogs I would have…no particular order:

    ridgeback, border terrier, german pinscher (red), harrier and whippet (fawn or blue)


  • I am amazed - I took that test, and learned Basenji is right there first on the list, and Shiba Inus, and Parson Russell Terriers, and Italian Greyhounds, and all these extremely high energy dogs. So the quiz thinks I made the right choice with my B's, even if my old body thinks they are killing me!


  • Well, when I was in my early teens, I loved bull terriers. But then I saw and read about basenjis… the rest is history.


  • Well Rotties and Chows of course, then I might venture into a Pharoah hound if basenjis suddenly didn't exist. I love Cavaliers, no so much their massive heart issues. I actually was on 2 breeder's lists for Tibetan Mastiffs, but the $3000 price tag is a bit daunting!


  • I could go for an Irish wolfhound but would need a bigger house so I'd settle for another Cavalier.

  • First Basenji's

    Wow, I love the range of answers!

    Buana, looking at your list, it is surprising you ended up with such a "little" dog! 🙂

    I am also super intrigued by the Azawakh, but I have never met one. Same with Saluki and Sloughi. Met a couple Pharaoh hounds before, and definitely find them to be graceful and captivating.

    I've never heard of some of these other European breeds. So interesting… I'm amused that the official Cirneco dell etna page (US) calls them "The primitive hunter / bed warmer" right on the front page.

    I have to admit that I am now quite turned off of Huskies because of my Shiba's shedding... the last thing I want is an even BIGGER dog with MORE double-coated fur that perpetually sheds! laugh Despite it all, lots of the Nordic breeds interest me. And we looked at a Lundehund before adopting Bowpi, but someone else gave him a loving home.


  • I wouldn't have a pharoah, they bark way too much. I do like the Cirneco though. The Hamiltonstovare is a VERY rare breed in America. A friend of mine has just developed the breed standard for them and made up a UKC Champion 🙂


  • @Benkura:

    I wouldn't have a pharoah, they bark way too much.

    +1 - OMG their barking would drive me crazy (not that the basenjis haven't done that)…I love seeing pharoahs at shows but am glad when I no longer have to listen to them. WOW


  • I'd go with the German Shorthaired Pointer…..may be in the future


  • Pardon me if i seem rude, but can someone explain the difference between the foxhounds and harriers to the Hamiltonstovare? (i actually had to google it)

    As for the breeds i would have, well i don't think you could get farther from a basenji! all are large, and some are quite furred. (i've previously owned many of these breeds or have worked with them and loved them all.) I do miss having a grooming dog occasionally. There just isn't anything to brush on a B!

    Alabai, Husky, Rottweiler, GSD (save for all the health issues!) ChowChow, Caucasian Ovcharka, Am. Staff., Schnauzer (any size), Gordon Setter, Miniature or Std. Poodle.

    the Alabai and Am.Staff being preferred


  • The foxhound is one of the first fox/scent hounds. It was derived by crossing the greyhound, fox terrier and bulldog in the 1500's. The Hamilton originates from Sweden and was created by crossing the English foxhound with native breeds. The harrier is similar to the foxhound but smaller, possibly crossed with the Basset hound.

    I prefer the Hamilton as it has a cleaner look.


  • Oh dear, didn't realize Pharoah hounds were barkers. What about the Ibitzen hounds?

    I had to look up Cirneco. I had seen them just didn't remember.

    I LOVE big dogs and coats, but I hate grooming. I may get a short haired (smooth coat) Chow next due to that issue.


  • Having been born into a doggy family, I'm interested in most breeds. I have been besotted with the Basenji since I was 4 years old and so couldn't imagine a life where there were none. I've also had many other breeds at various times but I think my next favourite is a Kangal Shepherd dog (Anatolian Karabash) which has a very similar temperament to a Basenji but without the dopamine!!.


  • i would love an akita, chow, or gsd if not for the hair. and i've never met a giant schnauzer in person, but i love the idea of them. i also like the looks of a thai ridgeback, but have never met one. and i love mastiffs, but i don't love drool. i also love those big-headed goofs (american pit bull terriers), but i don't want the risk of a homeowner's insurance increase. i bet i'll end up with a poorly-bred mixed one some day, though, as they are just sooooo ridiculously cute, i know i'll sucker myself into adopting one.

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