Known as the ‘barkless’ dog from Africa, the Basenji originated from Congo and is one of the oldest breed of dogs. Dating back as far as 4000 BCE, this hunter breed was well-loved by ancient Egyptians.
Although it has a flat larynx, making it unable to bark like a typical dog, this pup is a priced hunter. Its gallop way of running makes it run faster than other dogs.
The Basenji stands about 16 to 17 inches at the shoulder and weighs 22 to 24 pounds on average.
Contents
Upfront Cash Outs for Owning a Basenji
It’s always recommended to get a pet from a respected shelter or reputable breeder. If you decide to get your Basenji from a shelter, the normal adoption fee is from $50 to $150 for an adult dog which is decided on by its size, age, and/or breed as per the Humane Society.
This fee already includes vet exams, spay/neuter, microchip with national registration, pet care counseling, and a leash. Puppies, on the other hand, have a standard fee of $330.
The Basenji price from a respectable breeder can go from around $800 to $2,000 depending on the age, size, and gender.
The AKC Marketplace is a great place to find an ethical breeder near you.
Aside from the puppy prices, you must also consider the upfront costs such as:
- Shelter
It is essential to make your pup feel right at home and one of the best ways to do that is to provide a bed or a crate for it to settle in. A normal dog bed costs about $11 while a home crate is around $14.
Another way is to make sure it eats well. A food bowl and a water container play a crucial part in that goal. It is important that you get your pup durable eating bowls, preferably made of ceramic or stainless steel to avoid food contamination and bacteria build up. That will also save you more in the future. A bowl starts at $2 while the water bowl is about $5.
- Training
A Basenji is not an easy dog to train. It is full of energy and attitude and at times can be quite stubborn. It is crucial that it is given an early training and socialization to avoid having a destructive pet in the future.
Normal training group classes can cost $350. A puppy kindergarten is a fantastic start. If you prefer a one-on-one training, mainly if you want to focus on specific problem or areas, you can go for a private trainer for about $200 for 1.5 hours initial session.
- License
As a responsible fur-parent, it’s advisable that you get your Basenji licensed. The licensing fee is around $5. Aside from the fact that most jurisdictions now require pet owners to get a license, some areas also issue a fine if they discovered an unregistered dog.
- Microchip
A Basenji is an escape artist. It should never be left unsupervised especially when out in the yard as it would find a way to break free one way or another. A microchip is most especially helpful for a dog like this. Microchipping can help find your dog if it gets lost. The normal rate for this is about $10.
What’s Included When I Buy a Basenji?
The inclusions on the price you pay for your new pet depends on the source. Typically, reputable breeders would furnish you with all the documentation related to your pup such as registration certificates, the parent’s medical records, and the pup’s medical documents. That’s aside from the microchipped Basenji.
On the other hand, shelters and rescues would most likely give you a spayed/neutered dog. This is to ensure that no abandoned pups would add to the statistics; at least from your newly-adopted dog.
Although it is not advised to purchase from a pet store, it would normally persuade you into buying a Basenji with its generous freebies that comprise of either a leash or a collar, or both and a few portions of dog food to last a few days.
Recurring Cost of Owning a Basenji
Food costs
A Basenji is recommended to have two scheduled meals a day with a total serving of about 3/4 cup. Its food intake is highly dependent on its age, size, and energy level. It is important to ensure proper diet and food consumption to maintain a healthy weight.
Additionally, a Basenji is not a fan of all dry food. Thus, you can give it a wet and dry mix of all-natural food instead.
A pound bag of dry, all-natural dog food starts from $3.50, while a 3.5-ounce wet variety is around $4. Moreover, to keep your pup fit, treats which cost about $2 to $3 per pack should be given on rare occasions only.
- Grooming and Hygiene Costs
A Basenji has cat-like hygiene as it can keep clean by licking itself. Because of that, it only requires bathing every few months. A dog shampoo costs around $2 each. It also sheds very little so weekly brushing will do. A brush starts at $3.50.
Additionally, you must get its teeth cleaned two to three times a week to prevent tartar build up. A toothbrush goes for $4 while a toothpaste is around $2.50. Nail trimming and ear cleaning must also be done once a month and a nail clipper is around $2 per piece.
Once in a while, you can also take your pup to a professional salon for grooming. It typically charges about $45 for a Basenji grooming which includes a wash, dry, brush, nail trim and file, ear cleaning, and pluck, fulminate or high coat gloss.
- Medical Costs
One disease that commonly plagues this breed is Fanconi Syndrome. When left untreated, it’s a fatal kidney problem. The Basenji Club of America stated that you, as the owner, must insist that the breeder get at least one parent tested “Probable clear” for Fanconi or you can get your new pup tested to be on the safe side.
Similarly, it’s a good idea to bring your new darling to the vet immediately upon purchase to get it checked for other diseases as well. A standard vet consultation is about $35 per visit.
- Travel and Recreation
May it be land or air travel, there will be associated expenses to bring your pet. In addition, there are a few items you need to have during travel.
A travel-approved crate is a must if you’re flying with your pup. Check out your airline to know its specific requirements. A standard travel crate goes for about $30.
Aside from the travel shelter, you must also have other essentials like travel bowls and doggie bags which start at $2.50 and a harness for about $3.50 each for the cheapest.
- Toys and Exercise
A Basenji is an exceptionally hyper pup and requires a few hours of activity per day. Find out what your dog enjoys as one may be fine with the standard 30-minute walk while another may enjoy a more intense type of activity. Similarly, if you have a yard, you can let it play there for hours with supervision.
One more thing to note is that a Basenji needs a lot of toys to stay busy with. Otherwise, it’ll start chewing up all it can find in the house. Durable toys like large ropes, big study bones or footballs that you can put food in. The JW Pet Hol-ee Football Dog Toy costs $6.32.
- Insurance
Getting an insurance is something that you must consider, given the possible medical costs you’ll face in owning a Basenji. Choosing the best provider and coverage is the key. The average premium for a pup is about $36 per month and can go for more than $110 per month, depending on the inclusions.
Basenji Buying and Caring Tips
Test the temperament of your prospect dog and see if a Basenji is the best breed for you. This unique dog exudes a cat-like independence and tends to be close to only one person.
Consequently, it also loves to chew on anything it can get its paws on, so make certain you have the patience and sense of humor for such.
A Basenji has long legs and can climb rather high. Ensure that you have dog-proofed your home in an effective manner before you bring your new pup in.
Once everything is rounded up, get ready for your endless play with this full-of-life smart pup!
