Why are b's said to be hypoallergenic?

[Kipawa]

Love the comment re: cannot try out future spouses like that

[ehl]

I remember reading about why different races are prone to obesity from the history of the race dealing with nomadic starvation (certain Indian tribes, Eskimos etc) The body over multi-generations learns that it is expected to live through hard times of low caloric intake. Now society can supply them with high calories on a permanent basis and they have horrible cases of obesity.

This is why I mention the dogs in some southern United States being in an environment closer to their natural one in Africa. It might be one reason we experience different shedding/dander/even skin problems than others in colder ones like Canada. I know that Huskies, Samoyeds, and other thick furred northern pups suffer horribly down here and often have skin conditions develop from it. Certainly, we can understand it could work the other way, too. I have spent many summers with over 30 days in a row over 100 degrees. Nights cool down to the mid 90s by midnight. And dry… Very much like African plains! Could be very good for Basenji skin and fur?

No matter- we must acknowledge dog breeds are physically different. THAT is a visible (therefore scientific) fact we have to all agree on so why would someone deny there could be other differences WE are not able to easily measure outside of doing a controlled study of many dog breeds? If the vocals can be different, the breeding habits can be different, why not fur and skin?

Lastly, dictionary .com defines it this way:
hypoallergenic hy?po?al?ler?gen?ic (hī'pō-āl'ər-jěn'ĭk)
adj.
Having a decreased tendency to provoke an allergic reaction.

My pup fits in there, therefore is "hypoallergenic."

[Maya]

This is interesting..

I have a friend who has very severe allergies and cant even be near my pugs or labs (or any other dogs and cats!) without coming out in a rash! She is however, able to stroke and hold Maya and even let her sleep on her lap without having any reaction to her at all, so they must be somewhat hypoallergenic.

[Mandy]

@Kipawa:

Love the comment re: cannot try out future spouses like that

I think you could! They might just look at you oddly.

[Patty]

It's very interesting to hear that your Basenjis do not shed. I wouild be interested to hear from others in warm parts about this.
Often Basenjis adapted to the colder climes of the UK when they first were here. I have seen some Basenjis with very thick coats - more like huskies!

We don't have central heating and I do notice that other Basenjis who do, have better coats than mine. Also we live in quite a cold spot and mine mostly moult heavily also at a different time of the year to most of the other dogs in the show ring. There are a couple of us who experience this - it can be a disadvantage but conversely we have good coats when others are still moulting.

[tanza]

My Basenjis shed and we are in No. California, weather if typcially mild in the winter, warm to hot in the summer, but no humidity. And we never get snow, only a couple of times are we below freezing… Mine will blow coat once a year, however I find with ones that are spayed/neutered sometimes twice a year... Bitches alway after a season or whelping

[nobarkus]

I live 45 minutes from Tanza and mine have always shed as well. The amount of fur depends on the particular dog's fur thickness and length.

[ehl]

HERE is our most "scientific" answer: "Hair growth is cyclical: there is a growing period, a period of transition, and a resting period. The length of each period of each hair depends on the age of the dog, the location on its body, the dog's breed and gender, and environmental and pathological factors. In other words, the cycle is determined by light, temperature, genetics, nutrition, hormones, and overall health." author-Bill VanWyck

You may read more here:
http://www.basenjirescue.org/Chey_Miller/Shedding/Do_basenjis_shed.htm

[Craigh]

@ehl:

I agree with the smart person that gave instructions how to "try it before you buy it" with the breed. Ingenious to rub the t-shirt and sleep with it! Too bad you cannot try out future spouses like that!

As far as basenjis shedding/not shedding… we live in a (usually) very warm area of Texas very similar to Africa plains- my other two dogs never showed any shedding. NEVER! I had them for over 4 years with never needing to clean a single hair on a t-shirt or from my couch. Do they shed when they are in an area of the country dissimilar from their origins? Who knows...

I live in Texas and my year old Tri sheds like crazy. More than my two red & whites did combined. Other than that she is in perfect health and has a beautiful sleek coat.

[eoy]

I have problems with all other dogs but Basenjis. At first I got a little alergic at nights (because she claimed my bed) but after a while your body gets used to it and you don't have any issues anymore.