Basenji Mixes: Which One Is Right for You?

Basenji mixes are truly canines unlike any other, specifically because of the characteristics from a Basenji.

Called a “cult breed” by some, many canine biologists believe the Basenji may be one of the most ancient dog breeds in the world.

In this article, learn more about some of the most popular Basenji mixes.

The Basenji

Over centuries, the African Basenji has turned up in some very intriguing places, including in ancient Egyptian and Babylonian artwork.

Sometimes likened to a miniature racehorse with their distinctive running gait, the Basenji has another unusual skill—vertical jumping.

This helps explain why one native African name for the Basenji literally translates to “jumping-up-and-down-dog.”

Size, Height and Weight

The Basenji weighs 22 to 24 pounds fully grown and stands 16 to 17 inches tall.

This dog is lithe, lean and very graceful in appearance.

Personality and Temperament

The Basenji, aka Africa’s “barkless dog,” is a smart, active, energetic hound-type dog.

These dogs can be challenging to train.

As an ancient primitive breed bred to track and hunt, they are aloof and independent by nature.

And they cannot ever be trusted off-lead in an open area.

Fun Fact

This dog may not bark, but Basenjis are talented yodellers.

(This short video shows a Basenji mix dog yodeling, chortling and barking.)

Coat Care and Shedding

This dog is described as “cat-like” in their fastidious self-cleaning habits.

One of many qualities Basenji owners particularly love is that these dogs don’t have a “dog odor.”

While Basenjis have a general reputation as minimally shedding dogs, those familiar with the breed say otherwise.

A Basenji can “blow coat” with the best of them.

Health and Longevity

The Canine Health Information Center recommends Basenji breeding dogs be pre-tested for:

• hip dysplasia
• Fanconi syndrome (kidney disease)
• autoimmune thyroiditis
• eye issues
• Basenji night blindness.

Breeders report additional health concerns, including disorders of the small intestine and pancreas, and haemolytic anaemia.

Basenji Mixes

Hybrid breeding programs have long been a part of the process to develop new purebred dog breeds.

But today, hybrid breeding programs also have a vital secondary purpose.

They can improve and strengthen the health of future generations of dogs.

Basenji Mixes Dogs List

Use this list to find your favorite Basenji mixes.

• Akita Basenji Mix (Akita Basenji)
• American Eskimo Basenji Mix (Eskenji)
• American Pit Bull Terrier Basenji Mix (Pitsenji)
• Australian Cattle Dog Basenji Mix (Basenji Heeler)
• Beagle Basenji Mix (Baseagle)
• Border Collie Basenji Mix (Border Basenji)
• Boxer Basenji Mix (Boxerji)
• Chihuahua Basenji Mix (Basenji Chi)
• Cocker Spaniel Basenji Mix (Cocker Spanenji)
• Corgi Basenji Mix (Corsengi)
• German Shepherd Basenji Mix (German Shepenji)
• Great Dane Basenji Mix (Great Dasenji)
• Greyhound (Greysenji)
• Italian Greyhound Basenji Mix (Italian Greysenji)
• Labrador Retriever Basenji Mix (Labrasenji)
• Poodle Basenji Mix (Basenjipoo)
• Saluki Basenji Mix (Saluki Basenji)
• Shiba Inu Basenji Mix (Shibenji)
• Whippet Basenji Mix (Whippenji)

Basenji Akita Mix

The Akita Basenji is likely to be a sizable pooch with an adult weight range of 22 to 130 pounds.

This dog’s life expectancy is 10 to 14 years.

A Basenji Akita pairs the hound-like Basenji with the spitz-type Akita, giving you a dog who is strong, brave, independent and active.

With this dog, you have an interesting temperament mix.

A Basenji Akita mix can be a powerful, independent, loyal and people-centric pup with moderately reliable guard dog instincts.

This dog sheds seasonally.

Basenji American Eskimo Mix

The Eskie is bred in three sizes today, which means your Eskenji’s adult weight may range from 6 to 35 pounds. This dog lives 13 to 15 years.

The Eskenji brings together a spitz-type working dog breed with a hound, ensuring an active, energetic pup with a strong hunting drive.

Expect seasonal and some year-round shedding with this dog.

Basenji American Pit Bull Terrier Mix

The Pitsenji is one-part terrier, one-part hound and all parts unique.

This dog’s adult weight range is 22 to 65 pounds. Their life expectancy is eight to 15 years.

If the Pit Bull parent’s genes dominate, this makes a good watchdog.

Because this dog is physically very strong, early training and socialization is key to everyone’s safety.

Expect year-round and seasonal shedding with the Pitsenji.

Basenji Australian Cattle Dog Mix

The Basenji Heeler weighs 22 to 50 pounds and lives 12 to 16 years.

This dog inherits strong instincts to herd and hunt from each canine parent.

A Basenji Australian Cattle Dog mix may not be the right companion canine if you have young children

First-time dog owners may also want to try a less complex crossbreed.

The Australian Cattle Dog gets its nickname of “heeler” from its heel-nipping herding style.

Expect shedding year-round and seasonally with the Basenji Heeler.

Basenji Beagle Mix

The Baseagle brings together two hound-type parent dogs, the Beagle and the Basenji.

This dog is all nose, eyes, ears and hunting instincts—never let this pup off-leash.

Your Baseagle grows up to weigh between 20 and 30 pounds with a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years.

Beagles are famously friendly with everyone.

Basenjis are aloof toward strangers, so you can see a mix of these traits in your Baseagle.

Expect some shedding year-round and seasonally with this pup.

Basenji Border Collie Mix

Your Border Basenji weighs 22 to 55 pounds and lives 12 to 15 years.

This pup inherits a highly active personality with strong instincts to herd, chase and hunt from each parent dog.

Your Border Basenji sheds seasonally and year-round.

Basenji Boxer Mix

The Boxerji brings together the Basenji’s hunting prowess with the Boxer’s guarding abilities.

This mixed dog could have the makings of a strong and reliable guard dog.

Expect a dog weighing between 22 and 80 pounds with a life span of 10 to 14 years.

A Basenji Boxer mix is influenced to some degree by the Boxer parent’s brachycephalic (flat-faced) muzzle shape, which can cause lifelong health issues.

Basenji Chihuahua Mix

Your Basenji Chi is a petite pup with a weight range of 3 to 24 pounds and a life expectancy of 13 to 16 years.

This dog is small in size but all “big dog” personality inside.

If the Chihuahua influence predominates, you may also find your dog grows up to be a good family watch dog.

A Basenji Chihuahua mix may have some ongoing health issues due to the Chihuahua parent dog’s flat-faced (brachycephalic) face shape.

Basenji Cocker Spaniel Mix

The Cocker Spanenji can weigh anywhere from 20 to 30 pounds with a life span of 10 to 14 years.

This dog inherits sporting and hunting instincts from both parent dogs.

Their sensitive nature only responds well to the most positive training methods.

A Basenji Cocker Spaniel mix sheds consistently due to the Cocker Spaniel influence.

Basenji Corgi Mix

The Corsengi is a cross between a Basenji and either a Pembroke Welsh Corgi or a Cardigan Welsh Corgi.

This puts your Corsengi’s adult weight range between 22 and 38 pounds.

A Basenji Corgi mix’s life span is typically 12 to 15 years.

This dog inherits different traits from each parent dog.

From the Basenji comes a poised, independent, athletic dog.

Corgis have an affectionate, people-centric, playful pup with strong herding and watch dog instincts.

The Corsengi inherits the shortened legs characteristic of the Corgi parent breed.

Basenji German Shepherd Mix

The German Shepenji weighs 22 to 90 pounds and lives seven to 14 years.

This dog inherits an independent spirit and an aloof manner with strangers from both parents.

With early and ongoing training and socialization, this is one of the few Basenji mixes who may turn into a reliable watchdog.

A Basenji German Shepherd Mix sheds year-round as well as seasonally.

Basenji Great Dane Mix

The Great Dasenji mixes a petite pup with a true giant canine.

To get a sense of the size difference, watch this adorable video.

Adult weight range is 22 to 175 pounds. This dog’s life expectancy ranges from seven to 14 years.

The Great Dane is known to be good with young children, while the Basenji is not recommended for families with young children.

Basenji Greyhound Mix

Your Greysenji weighs 22 to 70 pounds and lives 10 to 14 years.

This dog is a hound through-and-through and a speedy one at that.

Expect some light shedding year-round and seasonally.

Basenji Italian Greyhound Mix

The Italian Greysenji has an adult weight range of 7 to 24 pounds and a life expectancy of 13 to 15 years.

This dog inherits the classic hound temperament from both parents, along with a lightning-fast gait.

A Basenji Italian Greyhound mix may be a bit clingier than your typical Basenji mixes, owing to the Italian Greyhound influence.

Basenji Jack Russell Terrier Mix

The Jack Basenji weighs 14 to 24 pounds with a life span of 13 to 16 years.

This dog is part Terrier and part Hound.

She may do best when kept as an “only dog” due to the Jack Russell’s known aggressive tendencies toward other dogs.

Expect some year-round and seasonal shedding.

Basenji Labrador Retriever Mix

The Labrasenji weighs 22 to 80 pounds and lives 10 to 14 years.

This is definitely not one of the Basenji mixes for you if you are looking for a reliable watchdog.

However, for families with older children who enjoy an active lifestyle, the Labrasenji can be a good choice for a family pet.

A Basenji Labrador Retriever mix sheds year-round and seasonally.

Basenji Poodle Mix

Your Basenjipoo pairs the ancient, noble Basenji hound with the athletic and aristocratic Poodle.

Poodles today are bred in three sizes, which means your adult Basenjipoo may weigh anywhere from 4 to 70 pounds.

This dog’s life span ranges from 10 to 18 years.

The Poodle’s coat is non-shedding but high maintenance, while the Basenji’s coat is the opposite.

Basenji Saluki Mix

The Saluki Basenji weighs 22 to 65 pounds with an average life span of 10 to 17 years.

This dog is singularly attractive—lithe and lean, graceful and a natural athlete.

Both parent dogs are ancient hound breeds developed to hunt and race.

A Basenji Saluki mix needs special training and handling from puppyhood to socialize well and adapt to modern life as a companion canine.

Basenji Shiba Inu Mix

The Shibenji brings together two ancient canine hunting breeds—Africa’s Basenji and Japan’s Shiba Inu.

This dog’s adult weight range is 17 to 24 pounds. Their life span is typically 13 to 16 years.

A Basenji Shiba Inu mix has a unique look with the Shiba’s fox-like appearance and the Basenji’s jackal-like looks.

Neither breed is particularly easy to train. This is probably not the best choice of companion canine for first-time dog owners.

Both dogs also have a characteristic “cat-like” personality and are fastidious self-groomers.

Basenji Whippet Mix

The Whippenji weighs 22 to 40 pounds and lives 12 to 15 years.

More importantly, this Basenji mix is fast—a world-class racing dog who inherits the hound temperament from both parents.

A Basenji Whippet mix sheds somewhat, but coat care is a breeze.

Interestingly, your Whippenji probably won’t bark much.

Basenjis don’t bark at all and Whippets are known to bark rarely.

Are Basenji Mixes Right for Me?

Remember, the Basenji is a very active, independent breed with special needs as a companion canine.

Is this the right Basenji mix for you? It really depends on what you’re looking for.

Hopefully, the descriptions above may help.

We hope you enjoyed learning more about these Basenji mixes.

Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.

References and Further Reading:

“Basenji Health,” Sinbaje Basenjis

Beuchat, C., 2014, “The Myth of Hybrid Vigor in Dogs….Is a Myth,” The Institute of Canine Biology

“Do Basenjis Shed?,” Basenji Rescue and Transport

Downing, R., “Fanconi Syndrome in Dogs,” VCA Animal Hospital

“Modern Dog Breeds Genetically Disconnected From Ancient Ancestors,” 2012, Science Daily

“So You Think You Want a Basenji?,” Mid-Atlantic Basenji Club

Wood, M., 2014, “Basenji, Dingo Genomes Shake Up Dog Evolution,” Futurity