Do Basenji Dogs Bark? Know It All

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All dogs are associated with barking, right? How about the basenji breed? Do basenji dogs bark? Are there other breeds of dogs that don’t bark? Many have been wondering if all dogs really bark.

Other than just being pets, dogs are also used to ensure tight security around your household. Anytime there are intruders, your dog will always bark and this keeps the bad guys away.

What does this mean for dogs that can’t bark? How exactly do they communicate with each other and how do they share their emotions. A study conducted by scientists identified that a dog’s bark encodes very important information. We all knew that, right?

Dogs will bark for a number of reasons, ranging from excitement, fear, anxiety, territorial barking, or when they are in pain.

In this article, we will be covering the basenji breed and whether they actually bark or not. Let’s get straight into it.

Do Basenji Dogs Bark?

Basenji dogs are known as bark-less dogs. They don’t necessarily bark but are not completely mute. They communicate with a yodel-like sound known as the baroo. This unusual barking is attributed to how their throats are structured. Their vocal box is narrower and evener based on a number of autopsies conducted on basenji’s corpses; hence the yodeling-like sound that they produce.

The basenji dogs are known to have originated from the Democratic Republic of Congo. They are one of the most ancient dog breeds and are thought to be one of the oldest domesticated dog breeds.

They were initially bred purely for hunting purposes due to their keen eyesight, excellent sense of smell, and their “barkless nature”. This meant they were less likely to alert the prey during hunting season, and therefore meant more successful hunting seasons for hunters.

They were however completely transformed into ordinary family pet dogs when they arrived in England in the mid-1900s. This is also the time they acquired the name “Basenji dog”. Initially, they were known as the Congo Terrier.

So, are basenji good pets? Basenji dog breeds make excellent apartment pets. Their silent nature makes them ideal for apartments and less struggle/fights with your neighbors. They also make very nice family dogs. They live to about 13 years or so and are super protective of their families. They are also considered to be very clean with an easy-to-clean coat meaning you’ll only need to spend just a few minutes when it comes to grooming them.

Do Basenji Dogs Bark
Do Basenji Dogs Bark?

Why is the Bark of Basenji Dogs Unusual?

The basenji dog is known to be a very vocal dog breed. As much as they don’t bark, their yodeling can be quite loud. Their yodeling has had many wondering and curious to know how exactly this would happen.

As already mentioned, the main reason why this is the case is mostly due to how its throat is structured. They have similar vocal box anatomy to all other dog breeds but theirs are built slightly different from all the other breeds.

They have a narrower vocal box making it hard for them to bark like normal dogs. Due to their narrower vocal box, their laryngeal ventricles tend to be shallower. Laryngeal ventricles are the organ responsible for sound production in any living organism. Due to their shallower laryngeal ventricles than other canines, as they try to bark the vibration of their vocal box is hindered hence the yodeling-like sound.

Basenji yodel has sometimes been confused with human screaming. There have been cases where police have had to be called for a distressed human shouting only for everyone to be surprised this was coming from a basenji dog.

It’s therefore important to know some of the key reasons why Basenjis will “bark” – yodel. These will include:

  • Being Territorial: This action will be triggered when someone or another dog comes in near your basenji dog. The yodeling will become louder as the danger approaches closer to your dog.
  • When they are Lonely or Bored: When they are feeling lonely and bored, they tend to “bark” as a way of seeking attention.
  • When Playing: Dogs communicate through “barking” or for the case of basenjis yodelling. When playing and want to communicate to you they’ll yodel when both happy or when expressing displeasure.
  • When Seeking Attention: When they are seeking attention they will be seen yodelling. This could range from seeking attention to go out to play, going out for a walk or when they want sometime to eat.
  • From Seperation Anxiety: Basenjis with extreme separation anxiety will typically bark at an excessive rate.

Are Basenjis quiet?

Basenji dogs are known to be one of the quietest dogs. They don’t necessarily bark but rather communicate in an unusual manner in the form of a yodel-like sound known as baroo.

As much as they are quiet dogs, they are not completely mute. They will of course yodel once in a while but this only happens in the rarest of circumstances. They also will still whine about things, cry moan and make a variety of other noises but they tend to be super quiet.

Basenji dogs are loved by many pet lovers, they are not only quiet dogs but also shed less and always keep themselves tidy most of the time.

Other than basenji below are some other dog breeds that have been known to be quiet. They include:

  • Golden Retriever
  • Great Dane
  • Shiba Inu
  • French Bulldog
  • Coton de Tulear…, just to mention a few.

What Other Ways Do Basenjis Communicate?

Dogs just like us humans, communicate in many ways. They have verbal cues, barking, and other sounds but they also communicate more using their facial expressions.

Basenjis are very particular when it comes to their non-verbal expressions. They are very accurate with their facial expressions, ear position, eye movement, and head and body positions.

Basenjis can be quite funny and entertaining especially from their facial expressions. As a result of this, they can easily make you laugh from their non-verbal mode of communication.

Conclusion

Basenji dogs do not bark but are not completely mute as they tend to communicate in a different manner. They communicate through a yodeling sound that is mostly attributed to how their throats are structured. They have a much narrower vocal box that leads to the yodeling sound.

Basenjis are actually really great pet dogs and can be great as a family pet. All that is required is to ensure they are socially introduced to all the family members early enough. They are one of the quietest dogs and therefore are great for pet owners that live in apartments.

Do you own a Basenji dog? How do you find them as pets? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.