Are Basenjis good with kids? Are you looking forward to adding a new dog to your already existing pet collection? Or probably you are new to the dog world, and looking for the best dog breed to kickstart your journey as a pet parent.

Well, one of the best dog breeds to consider is the Basenji. These fox-like African hunting dogs embody a lot of positive personalities. They are smart, loving, loyal, intelligent and very good with kids.

Basenjis make a good family dog, and one of the things that makes them very unique in the dog world is their low tendency to bark. They make more of a yodel sound when prompted. Hence, the nickname “Barkless dog”.

In this blog post, we have revealed a brief history and a vet-approved answer to this question “Are Basenjis good with kids?”.

Without further ado, let’s begin!  

The Basenji Dog

The Basenji Dog breed is one of the dogs that originated from Africa. They are termed the “African Barkless Dog”, this is because they don’t bark rather they make a sound which can be termed as yodeling or chortling.

Originally, these dogs were bred for hunting. They are very energetic and their long ear which is always standing enables them to pick even the slightest sound of predators or prey easily. This means these dogs are always at alert and aside from being your companion, they can also offer security.

Are Basenjis good with kids?

Yes, basenji is a very good dog breed in the family. They embody a lot of personalities which makes them a perfect choice for the family. These dogs are very loyal, and I can tell that they live to always please their owners.

Basenjis are also less hypoallergenic. What causes people to be allergic to dogs is their saliva and dander. And when it comes to Basenjis, their shedding of dander is minimal and they are minimal droolers.

Aside from this, Basenjis are also fastidious groomers, and this will help keep allergens away from your house, However, it is important to know that no dog is 100% hypoallergenic, However, in the case of Basenji, they are very hypoallergenic, and they have a very low tendency to cause allergic reactions.

Now to the physical traits, they have a medium stature, and their size doesn’t pose threats to kids. They are mild temperamental and they require little or no supervision while they are with kids. However, it is important to note that even a very calm person will voice out when they are maltreated. Hence, ensure your kids are well trained on how to handle these dogs. This will help reduce the risk of aggression or hostility towards them.

Early socialization from puppyhood can also help your basenji develop good characteristics, making it an excellent playmate with kids.

How to Identify an Aggressive Basenji?

While Basenjis embody positive traits, these dogs can exhibit naughty behaviors when treated badly. Some of the pointers that shows that your Basenji is unhappy are:

• Aggression: A jealous Basenji is always aggressive. During this period, your dog will bark, grunt and perhaps nibble when around kids.
•  Separation Anxiety: When your Basenji are aggressive, they can easily withdraw from you and they will always leave the room you and your family occupy. However, you can prevent this by always treating them as part of your family and by also giving them enough attention.
• Purposely messing up your room: When a basenji is aggressive or annoyed, they will prefer pooping on the floor rather than going to the toilet or the specific area marked out for pooping.

How to Make Your Basenji Friendlier to Your Kids?

This is a very essential thing to do if you want your kid to be 100% safe when around your dog. Providing a safe environment for your Basenji and also your children should be your priority and with the following tips highlighted below, we are sure you will achieve your aim.

• Ensure you socialize them at a very tender age. i.e. During puppyhood. Take them out always, especially to a gathering where there are a lot of people and also other pets.
• Give them treats when they are relating well with your kids. This will make them relate positive behaviors towards your kids with treats, and they will always do it just to get more treats from you.
• Ensure you don’t force them to play with your kids. Respect their emotions by making them happen naturally.
• Ensure you train your Basenji not to jump on people. It can be dangerous to your children.
• Give your Basenji enough attention and ensure that all members of the family are nice to him.

How to choose a Kid Friendly Dog?

While Basenjis are good with kids, there are other kid-friendly dogs out there. These are the things you should consider when looking for a kid-friendly dog like Basenji.

• Size: The first thing you should consider before buying or adopting a dog is the size. If you need a dog that poses little or no threats to your kids, then we will advise you to go for small-sized dogs.   
• Temperament: This is another quality you should look out for; some dogs can easily get aggressive while some are mild temperaments. If you are in search of a kid-friendly dog, search for dogs that are resilient and don’t get aggressive easily. These dogs will be included as a bonus in this article.
• Energy level: This is another thing you should consider; some dogs have high energy levels, and they also require a lot of physical stimulation and exercise. We will advise you not to go for these dogs if you can’t match their energy level. Basenjis are also energetic, and they require at least 30 minutes of exercise daily.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The Top 10 Kid-Friendly Dogs?

There are so many kid-friendly dogs other than the Basenjis. However, only the top ten kid-friendly dogs will be highlighted below:

• Poodle
•  Beagle
•  Basset Hounds
• Border Collie
• Bulldog
• Golden Retriever
• Labrador Retriever
• Vizsla
• Irish Setter
• Bichon Frise

What are the worst Dogs for families with kids?

You should not consider buying these dogs if you have kids at home or around you.

The top 5 worst dogs for families with kids include:

• Shih Tzu
• Akita Inu
• Chow Chow
• Rottweiler
• Greyhound