How Many Puppies Do Basenjis Have? Calculator for Predicting Basenji Litter Size

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Average Litter Size of Basenji

Researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science did a study where they counted the numbers of puppies in 22 different Basenji birth litters.

From this study, the researchers found that the average number of puppies that Basenjis can have is 4 puppies. Also, the Basenji can have as few as 1 puppies per litter and as many as 8 puppies per litter.

See how the litter size of the Basenji compares to that of other dog breeds below:

The average litter size of the Basenji (in green) compared to the litter sizes of other dog breeds (in red)
Dog Breed Average Litter Size
Leonberger Average Litter Size 8.4
Scottish Deerhound Average Litter Size 8.0
Afghan Hound Average Litter Size 8.0
Irish Red and White Setter Average Litter Size 8.0
Great Pyrenees Average Litter Size 7.3
Bullmastiff Average Litter Size 6.9
Newfoundland Average Litter Size 6.5
Samoyed Average Litter Size 6.2
German Spaniel Average Litter Size 6.0
Scottish Terrier Average Litter Size 5.7
Dachshund Average Litter Size 5.4
Tibetan Terrier Average Litter Size 5.2
Vizsla Average Litter Size 5.0
Basenji Average Litter Size 4.8
Icelandic Sheepdog Average Litter Size 4.5
Kerry Blue Terrier Average Litter Size 4.0
Papillon Average Litter Size 3.3
Norwegian Lundehund Average Litter Size 3.2
Russian Toy Average Litter Size 2.7
Norwich Terrier Average Litter Size 2.6

Read this article to learn about how many puppies dogs have.

Calculator to Predict How Many Puppies Basenji Will Have

Basenji Litter Size Predictor

Your Basenji`s Current Age:




Method of Pregnancy

Number of Puppies to Expect:

According to the result of the research carried out by researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, the number of puppies a Basenji will have depends on the following main factors:

  • The size of the breed (most important factor): Giant dog breeds tend to have a bigger litter size, while smaller breeds give birth to a smaller number of puppies
  • The method of mating: Natural mating results in a larger litter size than artificial insemination.
  • The age of the female dog: Check out the chart below to see how many puppies a female Basenji is likely to have at different ages.

According to research, the following factors do not affect litter size:

  • The time of the year of the litter was born (season of birth): Although, from the study, litters born in the Spring seem to be larger than litters from other seasons, however, the difference was not of significance.
  • The number of times a female dog has given birth in the past (known as parity): The age of the female dog is more important to the extent that it makes parity insignificant.

Based on the important factors that affect litter size, the researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science developed formulas for predicting the litter size of dogs.

We have developed the Basenji litter size calculator above based on their formulas. Use the calculator to predict how many puppies a Basenji will have based on the age, and method of pregnancy for a Basenji

The calculator tells you how many puppies your Basenji will have if your Basenji gets pregnant today. The calculator assumes that the length of pregnancy will be two months.

Note that we are NOT in any way encouraging you to breed your Basenji. Dog breeding requires expertise. If you want to be breeding dogs, get the necessary training. Also, work closely with a veterinarian when breeding a dog.

The table below shows the average litter size to expect from a Basenji at different ages. This table applies to a Basenji that conceives through natural mating.

Age (Years) Average Litter Size Litter Size Range
2 4 puppies 3 to 6 puppies
3 4 puppies 3 to 6 puppies
4 4 puppies 3 to 6 puppies
5 4 puppies 2 to 6 puppies
6 4 puppies 2 to 6 puppies
7 4 puppies 1 to 7 puppies
8 4 puppies 1 to 7 puppies
9 3 puppies 0 to 7 puppies

How Big Will a Basenji Puppy Get?

A Basenji puppy will grow up to weigh around 22 to 24 pounds. Furthermore, a Basenji puppy will grow up to be 16 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder.

Learn more about Basenji weight and how big Basenjis grow here

Basenji Growth Chart

How Much is a Basenji Puppy

How Much Basenjis Cost

The average price of a Basenji puppy is $1560. The price of a Basenji puppy ranges from $1450 to $1450.

Since the Basenji has an average litter size of 4, therefore a Basenji litter birth is worth $6240.

To learn more about the price of Basenji puppy, check our review on how much Basenji puppy cost, and Basenji buying advice.

How Much Basenjis Cost

How Long is a Basenji Pregnant?

Basenjis are pregnant for 63 days on average (2 months) after conception. However, this is an average value. The length of pregnancy in Basenjis can range from 58-68 days.

However, note that it is difficult to know the exact day that your Basenji conceives because conception may not happen at the same time that mating happens.

Sperm can live inside a female Basenji for several days after mating before conception occurs.

How to Ensure a Successful Pregnancy in Basenji

To ensure that your Basenji successfully gets pregnant and deliver its puppies, here at the things you can do:

  • Feed your Basenji well: A good diet will ensure that your Basenji has the nutrients and the energy it needs to get pregnant and maintain the pregnancy.
  • Make sure your Basenji is in good health: Ensure you take your Basenji to the Vet care regularly for checkups, make sure your Basenji gets regular exercise. Also, make sure that your is not overweight or underweight.
  • To learn how to check if your Basenji is overweight or underweight, check out this resource.

Conclusion on Basenji Litter Size

Basenjis can have 4 puppies per litter birth on average. The number of puppies that a Basenji will have depends on factors such as the age of the Basenji and the method of pregnancy (natural or artificial insemination).

Breeding Basenjis the right way requires expertise and should be done after sufficient training.

Also, you should work closely with a veterinarian when breeding a Basenji. There are a lot of nuances involved in breeding a dog, which we do not have the time or the space to discuss here.

However, working with a veterinarian will ensure that your Basenji gets the right treatment necessary to make healthy puppies.

The litter size research study that we used for this article was conducted on Basenjis in Norway. However, the authors of the research believe that the results can be generalized to other countries that have similar dog management systems as Norway.