Collection: Personalised Basenji Gifts

Nicknamed the ‘barkless dog,’ the Basenji is a speedy sighthound with a distinctive, yodel-like voice. They are curious and will sniff and tug at your furniture, but they won’t bark your house down!

If you tend to be more of a cat than a dog person, then the Basenji might be the perfect pooch for you. They’re known to have catlike features: they are independent, make bonds with only a few humans, don’t make much noise, and clean their own coat.

Basenjis are native to Africa and were around as early as 4000 BC. The Ancient Egyptians were very fond of the breed, historical artefacts suggest that they were commonly gifted to ruling Phaorahs! If you ever get the chance to visit the Pyramids, keep an eye out for Basenji illustrations and actual, mummified Basenjis in the tombs.

Westerners weren’t aware of their existence until the 1800s. The sighthounds were found in the DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo), where they are prized for their hunting ability and silence. Nomadics call them the ‘dogs of the savages.’

You can count on this breed to always be full of energy and curiosity. Basenjis are intelligent, but their independent mindset means they don’t like getting told what to do. Stanley Coren rates them as the 2nd most difficult breed to train! If left alone for too long, then your pooch will become destructive: expect them to hack away at your sofa or make an attempted escape. A strong-willed owner is the best suitor for this dog.