I am reading that b's are reported to be hyproallergenic..
eMaxHealth.com
Hypoallergenic Dogs And Best Breeds For Allergy Sufferers
Basenji * Bedlington Terrier lamb) * Bichon Frise ***
I think some folks do have reactions to b's allergens.
I tell folks if they are worried about getting an allergy reaction from b's..they need to go visit a basenji, take a t-shirt and rub it all over the dog.
Then take it home and sleep with the shirt next to their pillow.
THAT will show them if they are going to have a reaction to the dog dander.
Anyone have any other suggestions.
They are definitly not hypoallergenic.. (or at least.. Tillo isn't ;)) I have some friends and family members who are allergic and they ALL react to Mirtillo! Some within 30 seconds.. And Tillo has a very short coat and isn't shedding..
Edit: I wonder who came up with the 'hypoallergenic' thing..
There is NO breed that is hypoallergenic. There are breeds that bother people less depending on if it's odour, hair, or dander. I just love it when people say that! (that's sarcastic of course)
That has been a plug about Basenjis for years and years. You read that everyplace… just like they claim they don't shed.... 50% of every website you get on say that... and ads from BYB's. Yes they are good for many with allergies, because of the low dander and not as much shedding as other breeds...
Just being in someones house that has a dog for 10 mines would upset my allergies, even if the dog isn't around. But my basenji mix slept in my bed with me and I had no problems with him.
I'm allergic to the dogs dander and all the smelliness they get. Since my dog licked up his dander and never smelled, he never bothered me. I never needed allergy medicine.
They aren't hypoallergenic. They're just usually very clean.
If you have allergies I think they're the best dog, but they aren't magical.
Any dog can't be hypoallergenic. Although they have clean coat they still produce allergens, because it is also on their skin. Also American Hairless terrier isn't hypoallergenic. It is worldwide widespread mistake.
By the way some months ago I was at allergology and they said me I have allergy to my basenjis. And when I said to nurse I would like to study cynology she thought I'm joking.
I hear you all but I will say my two highly pet allergic boys do perfectly with our new Basenji pup as they did with the two dogs we have for years. I guess the word hypoallergenic is incorrect as they cannot be sterile but the minimal shedding and dander (by cleanliness) certainly makes for an animal we all can live with. No sneezing, coughing, watery eyes…
And who is going to tell the President of the USA that his dog is a fraud? 
We can send President letter with it signed all Basenjis in the world.
Rita Jean
Prior to being the owner of 3 cats that are now 14 and 15 years of age (that's why I am waiting to get a 
I was allergic to cats. I wonder if over the years the constant exposure has built up my immunities to animals. Perhaps dog owners can experience the same thing, hence believing the B is 'non-allergenic'.
Prior to being the owner of 3 cats that are now 14 and 15 years of age (that's why I am waiting to get a
I think it is mostly due to the fact that Basenjis on the average do not shed that much and if they do, it is usually once a year that they blow coat. Add to that, usually the biggest problem with allergies is dander… and usually Basenjis have a low rate of dander... I think that is how that got into the hypo catagory...
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!
My two highly allergic children can go with my to anyone's home - my mother's with one cat (sneezing, watery eyes in seconds), my sister that has a cattery (kaboom! we have to leave right away!), my friend with 2 small mongrel adult dogs, anywhere. They experience bad reactions. They are fine with my sister-in-laws home that has horses, over 200 cattle, hogs, etc. but no indoor pets. They are fine with my basenji puppy now less than 4 months old. They were also fine with the two basenjis we owned for years but have not had since 2003. SO: we are not "used to the dog" being here (and we are in a new home now), they have reactions in a short period of time with other short-haired dogs, and do not have any problem with sleeping with our pup. Since he is half grown already - I do not expect any difference in the future.
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...
Love the comment re: cannot try out future spouses like that
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."
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.
Love the comment re: cannot try out future spouses like that
I think you could! They might just look at you oddly. 
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.
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
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.
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
@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.
