Last Updated: Nov 22, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Are Basenjis Aggressive Towards Strangers?
- Are Basenjis Aggressive Towards their Owners?
- Are Basenjis Aggressive Towards other Dogs?
- Are Basenjis Afraid of Strangers?
- Are Basenjis Afraid of Other Dogs?
- Do Basenjis Have Non-Social Fears?
- Do Basenjis Get Along Well With Other Dogs?
- Are Basenjis Easy to Train?
- Do Basenjis Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?
- Do Basenjis Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?
- Do Basenjis have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?
- Are Basenjis Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?
- Are Basenjis Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?
- Are Basenjis Playful? What is the Energy Level of Basenjis
- Conclusion on Basenji Temperament
Introduction to the Temperament of the Basenji
The are many descriptions of the temperament of the Basenji out there. However, most of these descriptions are difficult to verify or prove. They are based on mere speculations.
In this article, we will provide a factual description of the temperament of the Basenji based on solid scientific research. This will give you a better understanding of what you can expect from the Basenji breed.
We obtained our description of the temperament of Basenji by analyzing raw scientific data from The Canine Behavioral Assessment & Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) database.
The C-BARQ dog temperament standard was developed by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania. It is considered the gold standard for measuring the behavior of dogs.
Over the years, the C-BARQ study has collected data on the temperament of thousands of dogs of different breeds including the Basenji.
The C-BARQ study obtains its data by asking dog owners to score the behavior of their dogs on different behavior patterns.
The idea behind the C-BARQ study is that if it collects thousands of scores from thousands of dog owners on different aspects of dog behavior, a clear pattern will emerge on the temperament of different dog breeds.
The C-BARQ questionnaire measures 14 behavior aspects of dogs:
- Aggression towards stranger
- Aggression towards its owner
- Aggression towards other dogs
- How well they get along with other dogs
- Fear of strangers
- Fear of new things (new objects, unfamiliar loud sounds, etc)
- Fear of other dogs
- Separation anxiety
- Clinginess
- Trainability/ Stubbornness
- Prey drive
- Excitability
- Touch sensitivity
- Energy level
In this article, we will discuss the score of the Basenji for each of these 14 characteristics. This will let you know the real temperament of the Basenji.
The summary table below shows the score of the Basenji for the different behavioral characteristics.
High percentage scores close to 100 are bad. Low percentage scores close to 0 are good.
| Behavior | Score |
|---|---|
| Owner Directed Aggression | 84.3 percent |
| Stubbornness | 82.9 percent |
| Dog Rivalry | 79.7 percent |
| Dog Directed Fear | 76.5 percent |
| Dog Directed Aggression | 66.6 percent |
| Separation Related Behavior | 63.8 percent |
| Stranger Directed Fear | 61.1 percent |
| Attachment Attention Seeking | 54.7 percent |
| Nonsocial Fear | 46.0 percent |
| Touch Sensitivity | 35.3 percent |
| Energy Level | 32.4 percent |
| Excitability | 31.3 percent |
| Stranger Directed Aggression | 29.9 percent |
| Prey Drive | 100.0 percent |
Note that with proper training, you can better your Basenji`s temperament. To learn how to properly train your Basenji, I highly recommend that you go through Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.
I learned most of the things that I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.
Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Basenji.
See also our complete ranking of dog breeds from the `best` to the `worst` based on temperament.
Are Basenjis Aggressive Towards Strangers?
Dog breeds that are aggressive to strangers show hostile responses to strangers approaching or invading the dog`s or the dog owner`s personal space, territory, or home range.
Stranger-aggressive dog breeds are quick to show aggression to unfamiliar people.
Typical signs of moderate aggression in dogs include barking, growling, and baring of teeth. More serious display of aggression generally includes snapping, lunging, biting, or attempting to bite.
Basenjis are somewhat aggressive towards strangers.
This is because the Basenji ranks average for aggression towards strangers.
The Basenji ranks number 66 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards strangers.
This information is based on what 15 Basenji owners reported on the temperament of their Basenji in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Basenji has a stranger-directed-aggression score of 29.9 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat aggressive towards strangers just like the Basenji are listed in the table below
| Stranger-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Stranger-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 63 | Alaskan Husky | 31.3 % |
| 64 | Bullmastiff | 30.7 % |
| 65 | American Pit Bull Terrier | 30.2 % |
| 66 | Basenji | 29.9 % |
| 67 | Poodle (Standard) | 29.9 % |
| 68 | Vizsla | 29.7 % |
| 69 | Gordon Setter | 28.8 % |
The dog breeds that are most aggressive towards strangers are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards strangers are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Basenjis Aggressive Towards their Owners?
Due to human effort over the course of many centuries, the dog has become a very domestic animal. Dogs have learned to live well with humans. As a result, dogs respect and love their owners. Nevertheless, some dog breeds are less respectful to their owners than some other dog breeds.
Owner-aggressive dog breeds show threatening or hostile responses to their owner or other members of the household when challenged, manhandled, stared at, stepped over, or when approached while in possession of food, objects, or toys.
A dog that is owner-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite their owners.
Basenjis are very much aggressive towards their owners.
This is because the Basenji ranks very high for aggression towards its owner.
The Basenji ranks number 2 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards their owners.
This information is based on what 15 Basenji owners reported on the temperament of their Basenji in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Basenji has an owner-directed-aggression score of 84.3 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much owner-aggressive just like the Basenji are listed in the table below
| Owner-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Owner-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pekingese | 100.0 % |
| 2 | Basenji | 84.3 % |
| 3 | Australian Silky Terrier | 66.0 % |
| 4 | Lhasa Apso | 64.0 % |
| 5 | Alaskan Husky | 60.1 % |
The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards their owners are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards their owners are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Basenjis Aggressive Towards other Dogs?
Dogs that are aggressive towards other dogs will direct aggressive threats or actions toward unknown or unfamiliar dogs.
A dog-aggressive dog will threaten or show hostile responses when approached by unfamiliar dogs
A dog that is dog-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite other dogs.
Basenjis are quite a bit aggressive towards other dogs.
This is because the Basenji ranks high for aggression towards other dogs.
The Basenji ranks number 27 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards other dogs.
This information is based on what 15 Basenji owners reported on the temperament of their Basenji in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Basenji has a dog-directed aggression score of 66.6 %.
Other dog breeds that are quite a bit dog-aggressive just like the Basenji are listed in the table below
| Dog-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Dog-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | Australian Cattle Dog | 67.1 % |
| 25 | Shiba Inu | 66.9 % |
| 26 | Belgian Malinois | 66.8 % |
| 27 | Basenji | 66.6 % |
| 28 | American Pit Bull Terrier | 66.5 % |
| 29 | German Shepherd | 66.2 % |
| 30 | Jack Russell Terrier | 65.8 % |
The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards other dogs are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Basenjis Afraid of Strangers?
Some dogs breeds tend to be fearful of strangers.
Dogs that are fearful of strangers will avoid strangers. These dogs will crouch, cringe, or tremble when approached by strangers.
Extreme fear in dogs is characterized by serious attempts to escape or hide from the feared stranger.
Basenjis are very much fearful of strangers.
This is because the Basenji ranks very high for fear of strangers.
The Basenji ranks number 12 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of strangers.
This information is based on what 15 Basenji owners reported on the temperament of their Basenji in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Basenji has a stranger-directed-fear score of 61.1 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much stranger-fearful just like the Basenji are listed in the table below
| Stranger-Directed-Fear Rank | Breed | Stranger-Directed-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Dachshund | 62.5 % |
| 10 | American Bulldog | 61.4 % |
| 11 | Parson Russell Terrier | 61.3 % |
| 12 | Basenji | 61.1 % |
| 13 | Australian Silky Terrier | 59.0 % |
| 14 | Fox Terrier (Toy) | 55.1 % |
| 15 | Chow Chow | 53.6 % |
The dog breeds that show the most fear of strangers are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of strangers are the:
Are Basenjis Afraid of Other Dogs?
Some dogs breeds tend to show fear when an unfamiliar dog approaches them.
A dog that is fearful of other dogs will try to avoid meeting other dogs.
Basenjis are very much fearful of other dogs.
This is because the Basenji ranks very high for fear of other dogs.
The Basenji ranks number 6 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of other dogs.
This information is based on what 15 Basenji owners reported on the temperament of their Basenji in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Basenji has a dog-directed-fear score of 76.5 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much other-dog-fearful just like the Basenji are listed in the table below
| Dog-Directed-Fear Rank | Breed | Dog-Directed-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Chinese Crested | 87.8 % |
| 4 | Chihuahua | 85.8 % |
| 5 | Lhasa Apso | 77.9 % |
| 6 | Basenji | 76.5 % |
| 7 | Miniature Pinscher | 71.9 % |
| 8 | Maltese | 68.6 % |
| 9 | Border Terrier | 66.9 % |
The dog breeds that are most fearful of other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of other dogs are the:
Do Basenjis Have Non-Social Fears?
Dogs that are fearful of sudden or loud noises, traffic, and unfamiliar objects and situations are said to exhibit nonsocial fear.
Basenjis are quite a bit fearful of unfamiliar sounds, situations, and objects.
This is because the Basenji ranks high for non-social fear.
The Basenji ranks number 33 out of 124 dog breeds for being fearful of unfamiliar things and situations.
This information is based on what 15 Basenji owners reported on the temperament of their Basenji in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Basenji has a nonsocial-fear score of 46.0 %.
Other dog breeds that are quite a bit nonsocial-fearful just like the Basenji are listed in the table below
| Nonsocial-Fear Rank | Breed | Nonsocial-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | Border Collie | 47.9 % |
| 31 | Old English Sheepdog | 46.4 % |
| 32 | Shih Tzu | 46.0 % |
| 33 | Basenji | 46.0 % |
| 34 | Dachshund | 45.3 % |
| 35 | Bichon Frise | 44.4 % |
| 36 | Standard Schnauzer | 42.8 % |
The dog breeds that are most fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:
Do Basenjis Get Along Well With Other Dogs?
Some dog breeds display high dog rivalry. These dog breeds will threaten or act hostile to other familiar dogs in the same household.
These dog breeds will compete with other dogs. Also, these dog breeds do not get along well with other dogs.
Basenjis are very much competitive when dealing with other dogs.
This is because the Basenji ranks very high on dog rivalry.
The Basenji ranks number 9 out of 124 dog breeds for displaying dog rivalry when dealing with familiar dogs.
This information is based on what 15 Basenji owners reported on the temperament of their Basenji in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Basenji has a dog-rivalry score of 79.7 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much competition-driven just like the Basenji are listed in the table below
| Dog-Rivalry Rank | Breed | Dog-Rivalry Score |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Lhasa Apso | 85.6 % |
| 7 | Pekingese | 85.0 % |
| 8 | Chinese Crested | 81.6 % |
| 9 | Basenji | 79.7 % |
| 10 | Alaskan Malamute | 77.4 % |
| 11 | Fox Terrier (Wire/Wire-haired) | 74.9 % |
| 12 | Australian Silky Terrier | 72.7 % |
The dog breeds that do not get along well with other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that get along well with other dogs are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how well they get along with other dog breeds.
Are Basenjis Easy to Train?
Dogs have high trainability have the willingness to listen to their owner. These dogs are not stubborn. These dogs obey simple commands, and they learn very quickly.
Highly trainable dogs excel at fetching objects. They also respond positively to correction and ignore distraction.
Basenjis are not easy to train.
This is because the Basenji ranks very low for trainability.
The Basenji ranks number 122 out of 124 dog breeds for easiness to train.
This information is based on what 15 Basenji owners reported on the trainability of their Basenji in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Basenji has a trainability score of 17.1 %.
Other dog breeds that are not easy to train just like the Basenji are listed in the table below
| Trainability Rank | Breed | Trainability Score |
|---|---|---|
| 119 | Dachshund (Miniature) | 32.8 % |
| 120 | Pekingese | 32.5 % |
| 121 | Afghan Hound | 30.7 % |
| 122 | Basenji | 17.1 % |
| 123 | Treeing Walker Coonhound | 14.9 % |
| 124 | Dingo | 0.0 % |
The dog breeds that are most easy to train are the:
The dog breeds that are difficult to train are the:
Learn more about how intelligent the Basenji is and how the intelligence of the Basenji affects its trainability in this article on how smart the Basenji is.
Do Basenjis Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?
Dog breeds that have high chase-drive will run after (chase) cats, birds, and/or other small animals, given the opportunity.
Basenjis are very much into chasing after other smaller pets like cats, squirrels, chickens, and birds.
This is because the Basenji ranks very high for small-pet-chasing.
The Basenji ranks number 1 out of 124 dog breeds for chasing after smaller pets.
This information is based on what 15 Basenji owners reported on the temperament of their Basenji in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Basenji has a chasing score of 100.0 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much into chasing after smaller pets just like the Basenji are listed in the table below
| Chasing Rank | Breed | Chasing Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Basenji | 100.0 % |
| 2 | Dingo | 97.8 % |
| 3 | Ibizan Hound | 95.8 % |
| 4 | Parson Russell Terrier | 88.7 % |
The dog breeds that like chasing after cats and other smaller pets are the:
The dog breeds that will not chase after cats and other smaller pets are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their prey drive.
Do Basenjis Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?
Some dog breeds like to stay close to their owners all the time. These dogs like attention, and they like to receive the affection of their owners.
These dogs get jealous when their owners give attention to other dogs or other people instead of them.
Dogs with these traits are described as attachment/attention-seeking.
Basenjis are somewhat attachment/attention-seeking.
This is because the Basenji ranks average for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.
The Basenji ranks number 56 out of 124 dog breeds for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.
This information is based on what 15 Basenji owners reported on the temperament of their Basenji in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Basenji has an attachment/attention-seeking score of 54.7 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat attachment/attention-seeking just like the Basenji are listed in the table below
| Attachment-Attention-Seeking Rank | Breed | Attachment-Attention-Seeking Score |
|---|---|---|
| 53 | Boxer | 55.2 % |
| 54 | Border Collie | 55.0 % |
| 55 | German Shepherd | 54.9 % |
| 56 | Basenji | 54.7 % |
| 57 | Shih Tzu | 54.5 % |
| 58 | Lhasa Apso | 54.4 % |
| 59 | Irish Setter | 53.0 % |
The dog breeds that are always seeking the attention of their owners are the:
The dog breeds that are aloof are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their clinginess.
Do Basenjis have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?
Dog breeds that have separation anxiety do not like to be left alone.
These dog breeds tend to bark and destroy things when separated from their owners.
They become restless or lose their appetite when left alone.
Basenjis are very much prone to developing separation anxiety.
This is because the Basenji ranks very high for separation anxiety relative to other dog breeds.
The Basenji ranks number 12 out of 124 dog breeds for separation anxiety.
This information is based on what 15 Basenji owners reported on the temperament of their Basenji in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Basenji has a separation anxiety score of 63.8 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much prone to develop separation anxiety just like the Basenji are listed in the table below
| Separation-Related-Behavior Rank | Breed | Separation-Related-Behavior Score |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Yorkshire Terrier | 66.4 % |
| 10 | Dachshund | 66.2 % |
| 11 | Lhasa Apso | 65.5 % |
| 12 | Basenji | 63.8 % |
| 13 | Weimaraner | 63.6 % |
| 14 | Fox Terrier (Toy) | 62.0 % |
| 15 | Beagle | 62.0 % |
The dog breeds that are most prone to develop separation anxiety are listed below. These dog breeds do not like to be left alone. These dog breeds are the:
- Treeing Walker Coonhound
- Fox Terrier (Smooth)
- Chinese Crested
- Miniature Pinscher
- Australian Silky Terrier
The dog breeds that are least prone to develop separation anxiety are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their tendency to develop separation anxiety.
Are Basenjis Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?
Dogs that are touch-sensitive are fearful of `painful` procedures such as bathing, grooming, nail clipping, and veterinary examinations.
These dogs do not like going through these `painful` procedures, and they will react to show they do not like the procedure.
Basenjis are quite a bit touch-sensitive.
This is because the Basenji ranks high for touch sensitivity.
The Basenji ranks number 42 out of 124 dog breeds for touch sensitivity.
This information is based on what 15 Basenji owners reported on the temperament of their Basenji in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Basenji has a touch-sensitivity score of 35.3 %.
Other dog breeds that are quite a bit touch-sensitive just like the Basenji are listed in the table below
| Touch-Sensitivity Rank | Breed | Touch-Sensitivity Score |
|---|---|---|
| 39 | Staffordshire Bull Terrier | 37.0 % |
| 40 | Cardigan Welsh Corgi | 37.0 % |
| 41 | Keeshond | 35.6 % |
| 42 | Basenji | 35.3 % |
| 43 | Greyhound | 34.8 % |
| 44 | Papillon | 34.7 % |
| 45 | West Highland White Terrier | 34.5 % |
The dog breeds that are most touch-sensitive are the:
The dog breeds that are least touch-sensitive are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their sensitivity to touch.
Are Basenjis Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?
Excitable dog or hyper dog breeds display strong reactions to potentially exciting or arousing events, such as:
- going for walks
- car trips
- sound of the doorbell
- arrival of visitors, and
- the owner arriving home
Highly excitable dog breeds have difficulty settling down after arousal.
Basenjis are not hyper (excitable).
This is because the Basenji ranks very low for excitability.
The Basenji ranks number 101 out of 124 dog breeds for excitability.
This information is based on what 15 Basenji owners reported on the temperament of their Basenji in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Basenji has an excitability score of 31.3 %.
Other dog breeds that are not excitable just like the Basenji are listed in the table below
| Excitability Rank | Breed | Excitability Score |
|---|---|---|
| 98 | Rottweiler | 32.1 % |
| 99 | Alaskan Husky | 32.0 % |
| 100 | Chow Chow | 31.4 % |
| 101 | Basenji | 31.3 % |
| 102 | Shiba Inu | 29.5 % |
| 103 | Bull Terrier | 29.1 % |
| 104 | Mastiff (English) | 28.9 % |
The dog breeds that are most hyper (excitable) are the:
- Australian Silky Terrier
- Fox Terrier (Smooth)
- American Eskimo Dog
- Parson Russell Terrier
- Miniature Schnauzer
The dog breeds that are least hyper (excitable) are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how hyper they are.
Are Basenjis Playful? What is the Energy Level of Basenjis
Energetic dog breeds are very playful dog breeds. These are the dog breeds that do not get tired easily.
Basenjis are not energetic.
This is because the Basenji ranks very low for energy level.
The Basenji ranks number 104 out of 124 dog breeds for energy level.
This information is based on what 15 Basenji owners reported on the temperament of their Basenji in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Basenji has an energy-level score of 32.4 %.
Other dog breeds that are not energetic just like the Basenji are listed in the table below
| Energy-Level Rank | Breed | Energy-Level Score |
|---|---|---|
| 101 | Akita | 34.1 % |
| 102 | Rhodesian Ridgeback | 33.8 % |
| 103 | Alaskan Malamute | 32.9 % |
| 104 | Basenji | 32.4 % |
| 105 | Bulldog | 32.1 % |
| 106 | Standard Schnauzer | 31.9 % |
| 107 | Dachshund (Miniature) | 30.5 % |
The dog breeds that are most playful and most energetic are the:
The dog breeds that are laziest are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the most energetic to the least energetic.
Conclusion on Basenji Temperament
The temperament of your Basenji comes from a combination of its genetics and what environment your Basenji is exposed to.
You cannot change your Basenji`s gene but you can change the things you expose your Basenji to.
Exposing your Basenji to dog training sessions early in its life can help you mold the temperament of your Basenji to what you desire.
Again, with proper training, you can better your Basenji`s temperament. To learn how to properly train a dog, I highly recommend Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.
I learned most of the things I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.
Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Basenji.
If you think the Basenji is the right dog breed for you, see our article on how much Basenjis cost and Basenji puppy buying guide.
Also, see our list of reputable Basenji breeders in the United States and the prices of their Basenji puppies.