Skip to content

Does my Stella have some Basenji in her?

Show Off Your Dog
  • I adopted my pretty girl in February of this year. The rescue had her listed as a Corgi/Lab mix, but after doing some research I think she has characteristics leaning more towards Basenji/Dachshund. What do you guys think?

    0_1466624708770_IMG_0945.JPG
    0_1466624751562_IMG_0241.JPG

  • She's beautiful! Unfortunately, it's really hard to tell what's in a mixed-breed dog based solely on appearance and even behavior. What exactly is leading you to suspect basenji? I can see she has some of the physical traits, but so do lots of other landrace dogs, like Canaan dogs and Carolina dogs. Not saying basenji isn't in there, mind you.

    That said, if you want something a bit more definitive, you can try one of the Wisdom Panel DNA analysis kits. Some are sold in pet stores, while others are available online or through your vet. I think the simplest version gives you the likely ancestry of your dog based on her DNA, while the more expensive versions also test for various hereditary illnesses.

  • said in Does my Stella have some Basenji in her?:

    Corgi/Lab mix

    I think more Corgi/Shepard mix

  • How does she vocalize? Normal barking, or something more "Basenji like"? Other habits could also be indicators of Basenji blood. Simplest solution is the DNA test. Might prove interesting!

  • She has the wrinkled brow, upright erect ears, white markings on feet, chest, and tip of curled tail. Her preferred way of communicating is a song-like low howl, although she can bark. She hates getting wet and her prey drive is HIIIGH. She is very reserved and cautious, although that might be due to her stray status before I adopted her. Others have commented that she looks like she has some Corgi or Shiba Inu in her, and while I do see it, I see more of the Basenji temperament in her.

    I've asked her vet about the DNA testing, but I've been told that it is very unreliable, so I thought I'd ask other Basenji owners what they thought!

  • From appearances it's hard to tell. I would have guessed Corgi before Basenji based on that, but the mannerisms often tell more than the physical appearance. I don't know how reliable DNA testing is at this point, but it might provide some interesting insight. I'd be inclined to try it if it's not too expensive.

  • @xjole There are many, many dogs/breeds that have those characteristics.... she is very cute, but I don't see Basenji

  • @xjole said in Does my Stella have some Basenji in her?:

    She has the wrinkled brow, upright erect ears, white markings on feet, chest, and tip of curled tail. Her preferred way of communicating is a song-like low howl, although she can bark. She hates getting wet and her prey drive is HIIIGH. She is very reserved and cautious, although that might be due to her stray status before I adopted her. Others have commented that she looks like she has some Corgi or Shiba Inu in her, and while I do see it, I see more of the Basenji temperament in her.

    I've asked her vet about the DNA testing, but I've been told that it is very unreliable, so I thought I'd ask other Basenji owners what they thought!

    The Wisdom Panel DNA tests have been getting better every year, so it's not as much of a gamble as it used to be. That said, the test does best with a purebred, then with a two-breed dog (like a "labradoodle" or whatever), and worst with a total mutt. If your girl is indeed a mix of two purebred dogs, it might be worth a shot. Check your pet store or Amazon for the test; the one that vets give is the most expensive anyway and is only worth it if you want to know about hereditary health issues, too.

Suggested Topics

  • 1 Votes
    11 Posts
    4k Views
    T
    Hi everyone, Thanks for all of your replies! Rex just had his first vet visit (first with me at least), and he was given a clean bill of health. The vet that I saw also agrees with a lot of you that he looks like a Min Pin more than a Basenji, but he is likely still mixed with something because he's a bit too big to be a pure Min Pin. I've looked at a few DNA Dog Breed tests online, and they seem to range in price and in quality. It seems like some of the cheaper (~$50) tests are fake, but they go all the way up to almost $250 for the higher quality ones. Do any of you have experience with these DNA tests / have a brand you found reputable? I'll be sure to post the results of any of the tests with this forum! Thanks again, and Rex is doing really great in his new home!! [image: 1559586518913-img_3707-resized.jpg] [image: 1559586546977-img_3720-resized.jpg] [image: 1559586568474-img_3708-resized.jpg]
  • Benji the Basenji

    Show Off Your Dog
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    5k Views
    K
    Great guy! Have fun with each other.
  • Is she Basenji?

    Show Off Your Dog
    14
    0 Votes
    14 Posts
    9k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    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.
  • 0 Votes
    7 Posts
    3k Views
    MothM
    Congratulations :) What lovely dogs!
  • My Basenji Mutt

    Show Off Your Dog
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    4k Views
    S
    I might be inclined to believe foxhound if he didn't weigh less than 40 lbs. That And neither a lab or a foxhound have a tail that goes straight up and curls over the back. Whippet is a possibility, but again that doesn't explain the tail curling over the back. Granted his tail is longer and not as bushy as a pure Basenj, but then he isn't pure Basenji. Pugs have a wrinkled forehead and a curled tail, but he has the longer neck and a gait more like a sight hound, and his coat is shorter but not the double coat of a lab, so I am kind of ruling out pug. He may be a big pile of mixes from parents who were mixed. I don't really care what breed he is, he is a great dog. I think I am right on basenji, but if not, it's no big deal. And no he hasn't chewed my underwear. He did chew on the couch cushion where I usually sit.
  • My basenjis!

    Show Off Your Dog
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    3k Views
    J
    Great looking basenjis you have there! Thanks for sharing the pictures.