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The Basenji is a lighly-built, elegant hunting dog from Africa. It has a wrinkled head and a high, curled tail. The Basenji is commonly known as the “barkless dog” because it doesn’t bark, but when excited, it makes a noise that sounds like a yodel.

Physical Characteristics

The Basenji differs from other primitive dogs, in that it has a sturdy build. Its longer legs help it to run fast, performing a sort of double-suspension gallop. The Basenji also has a short black, red, brindle, or tricolor coat, which is effective in coping with the hot African climate, while its erect ears are excellent for dissipating heat and locating game in dense bushes.

Personality and Temperament

The Basenji is reputed to get along well with other dogs, but does not mingle with members of its own breed. As it is a feisty hound, many feel that this dog resembles the terrier in its nature and mannerisms. The Basenji has also been described as cat-like: reserved, clever, inquisitive, independent, and stubborn.

Although the dog does not bark much, it makes a howling and shrieking sound and occasionally makes a coughing sound like a fox.

Care

The Basenji requires minimal coat care: it is sufficient to brush the coat once in a while to get rid of dead hair. Being a very active breed, the Basenji should be given daily physical as well as mental exercise, for fear that it might become aggressive and/or frustrated. A long walk, free running, and energetic games in an enclosed area are also suggested. The dog functions well as an indoor dog.

Health

The Basenji, which has an average lifespan of 12 to 14 years, suffers from health problems such as canine hip dysplasia (CHD), corneal dystrophy, and patellar luxation. Some of the major diseases affecting the breed include progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), Fanconi syndrome, and Basenji enteropathy, while the minor concerns include umbilical hernia, persistent pupillary membranes (PPM), Pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency, and hypothyroidism. To identify some of these issues, a veterinarian may conduct urine, thyroid, eye, and DNA exams on the dog.

History and Background

The Basenji, or “Barkless Dog,” is an ancient breed that draws its lineage to Egypt. It later became the premier pack hunter for the native tribes and Pygmies of the African Congo region, sometimes referred to as the Congo terrier or Zande Dog.

Attempts were made in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to bring the Basenji to England, but sadly the efforts were unsuccessful. It wasn’t until 1937 that the Basenji (roughly translated to “bush thing”) was introduced to England.

The Basenji, meanwhile, became a popular breed in the United States for show dog and pet owners, further gaining acclaim when the 1954 novel Good-bye, My Lady (later made into an eponoymous film) featured a Basenji.

There were two controversial but significant events associated with the Basenji in the 1980s. Firstly, numerous dogs were imported from Africa to reduce some common hereditary health problems in the breed, producing a brindle color for the first time. Secondly, the American Sighthound Field Association recognized the Basenji as a sighthound, allowing the dog to participate in lure-coursing tests. Earlier, the hunting style and the body structure of the Basenji had been regarded as inappropriate for a sighthound. To date, this dog breed retains many of its primitive traits, such as a yearly estrus cycle and no barking.

Believe it or not, dogs get bored just as much as people do. If not more. Keeping your dogs mind sharp is key to their health. Below are five ways to challenge your dogs mind according to the Dog Whispered himself, Cesar Milan.

1. Try A New Trick

Every time you engage your dog in a training session, you are providing him with a mental challenge. Search around for new tricks to work on. If you’re ready to move past the basic commands, check out books, scan the Internet, and ask a trainer for ideas for new tricks and training ideas.

2. Play Immersive Games With Your Dog

Purchase a doggie board game or a canine puzzle to challenge your pup. Engage your dog in a game of Dog Memory or Dog Dominos. Give your dog one of the many toys that allow you to hide treats and objects inside and engage your dog to figure out how to work them out.

3. Take Your Dog Out For Errands

Even a quick run to the mailbox, a stopover at a friend’s house, or a spin through the car wash will place your dog face to face with a variety of stimulants.

4. Task Your Dog With A Job

Dogs are bred to complete tasks such as hunting and herding. When they aren’t able to fulfill these types of duties, they can get restless. Engage your dog in a game of Frisbee. Get him involved in a sport like agility or Flyball. Take him for a long walk, hike, or swim. Find jobs that fulfill your dog’s breed. If you have a retriever, for example, nothing will leave it more satisfied than a hearty game of fetch.

5. Venture Out And Socialize With Your Dog

Every time your dog meets a new person or fellow canine, they are introduced to new sights, sounds, and butts to sniff. Taking you pup to places like the dog park will provide him with ample opportunity to engage his senses.

The Airedale Terrier is the largest and toughest of the terrier family. Its coat is dense and wiry, with a softer undercoat, and comes in both tan and black and tan and grizzle. This breed was one of the first used for police duty and has also been popular among U.S. Presidents (e.g., Theodore Roosevelt, Calvin Coolidge, and Warren Harding).

Physical Characteristics

The long-legged Airedale Terrier has strong round bones that effectively combine power and agility. This enables the breed to hunt difficult game. The wiry, hard, and thick coat lies close and straight with the body, while a few hairs remain crinkled.

Personality and Temperament

This protective and lively companion is one of the most versatile terriers. The playful, adventurous, and bold Airedale is intelligent, and yet headstrong and stubborn at times. Though some dogs are dominating, most of them are responsive to the wishes of the owner and are reliable.

As long as the Airedale is provided with daily physical and mental exercise, it is a well-behaved house dog. It likes to be a leader and dislikes being challenged by other dogs. Smaller dogs and terriers, however, get along well.

Care

Being an active breed, the Airedale Terrier requires vigorous exercise on a daily basis. Long walks, energetic games, and romping and hunting in safe areas, can meet the dog’s requirements. The wiry coat has to be combed three times a week, in addition to shaping and trimming once or twice a month. Clipping is useful in layering the color and texture of the coat. The ears of puppies need to be “glued” so that they are properly shaped when they become adults. The Airedale can live comfortably outside in cool climates, but should be allowed to sleep indoors.

Health

The Airedale Terrier, which has an average lifespan of 10 to 13 years, sometimes suffers from colonic disease. Other serious health issues this breed is prone to include canine hip dysplasia (CHD), gastric torsion, and hypothyroidism. To identify some of these issues, a veterinarian may run thyroid and hip exams on the dog.

History and Background

The Airedale or “King of Terriers” is the tallest of the terriers. Thought to have originated from the Black and Tan Terrier or English Terrier, the medium-sized Airedale was bred by hunters in Yorkshire to hunt small game such as fox and water rat. The dogs were also good at retrieving and finding birds.

In the mid-19th century, some terriers near South Yorkshire’s River Aire were interbred with Otterhounds to enhance their scenting ability and hunting skills around water. This attempt resulted in bred known as the Waterside Terrier or Bingley, which was an expert in otter hunting. It was, however, only in 1878 that the breed was accepted as the Airedale Terrier.

After becoming a show dog, it was crossed with Bull and Irish Terriers, to remove the traits of the Otterhound cross that was not very popular.

By the 20th century, Champion Master Briar, the breed’s patriarch, popularized the dog and his child achieved the same outcome in the U.S. The hunting ability and the size of the Airedale helped the dog earn huge renown as a big game hunter. The dog managed to become a good family pet and a police dog for its manner and smart looks. The period after World War I saw a decline in the dog’s popularity, but today many dog fanciers are fond of the Airedale Terrier.