Basenji vs Boston Terrier
Compare the Basenji to the Boston Terrier. Use the tool below to compare temperament, size, personality, maintenance requirements, and everything else between Basenjis and Boston Terriers.
Quick Summary
- Owner Experience - Both the Basenji and Boston Terrier are excellent choices for new or inexperienced owners.
- Children - Both the Basenji and Boston Terrier are great with children.
- Grooming - Both the Basenji and Boston Terrier are very low maintenance and easy to groom.
- Barking - The Boston Terrier has an above-average tendency to bark, while the Basenji has a low tendency to bark.
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| Breed Name | Basenji | Boston Terrier |
| General Details | ||
| Breed Type | Purebred | Purebred |
| Is Hypoallergenic | Yes | No |
| Lifespan | 10-12 yrs. | 13-15 yrs. |
| Height | 16-18 in. | 13-15 in. |
| Weight | 20-24 lb | 10-25 lb |
| Intelligence | Average | Average |
| History | ||
| Origin Country | Congo | United States |
| Origin Year | 2 BC | 1870 AD |
| Temperament | ||
| Overall Friendliness | ||
| Family Friendly | ||
| Kid Friendly | ||
| Pet Friendly | ||
| Stranger Friendly | ||
| Personality | ||
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| Living Environment | ||
| Apartment | Yes | Yes |
| Indoor | Yes | Yes |
| Small Yard | Yes | No |
| Medium Yard | No | No |
| Large Yard | No | No |
| Temperature Tolerance ¹ | 60°F to 85°F | 55°F to 80°F |
| Barks/Howls | ||
| Exercise Needs | ||
| Energy Level | High | High |
| Exercise Required | High | Medium |
| Top Running Speed | 26 mph | 15 mph |
| Strength | Medium | Medium |
| Grooming Needs | ||
| Coat Maintenance | Low | Low |
| Shedding | Low | Low |
| Dander | Low | Low |
| Drool Amount | Low | Low |
¹This is estimated min/max temperature range for a healthy adult dog. Dogs that live indoors, puppies, seniors, unwell dogs, and/or dogs with improperly groomed coats may overheat sooner and get cold more quickly.
| Breed Name | Basenji | Boston Terrier |
| Breed Mentality | ||
| Dominant/Alpha | No | No |
| Family/Pack | No | Yes |
| Independent | Yes | No |
| Breed Focus | ||
| Distracted Easily | Yes | No |
| Average | No | Yes |
| Focused & Patient | No | No |
| Breed Instincts | ||
| Aggression | Below Average | Average |
| Burrow/Digging | Average | Very Low |
| Chasing | Average | Below Average |
| Follow Commands | Average | Below Average |
| Fighting | Below Average | Below Average |
| Guarding | Below Average | Average |
| Herding | Below Average | Below Average |
| Hunting | High | Below Average |
| Protection | Average | Below Average |
| Remove Vermin | Average | Average |
| Sledding | Below Average | Below Average |
| Watch | Average | Average |
| Breed Name | Basenji | Boston Terrier |
| Lifespan | ||
| Lifespan | 10-12 yrs. | 13-15 yrs. |
| Common Health Issues | ||
| Allergies | No | Yes |
| Brain Tumors | No | Yes |
| Cataracts | No | Yes |
| Cherry Eye | No | Yes |
| Deafness | No | Yes |
| Heart Murmurs | No | Yes |
| Megaesophagus | No | Yes |
| Patellar Luxation | No | Yes |
| Reverse Sneezing | No | Yes |
| Breed Name | Basenji | Boston Terrier |
| Coat | ||
| Hair | Yes | No |
| Fur | No | Yes |
| Coat Type | ||
| Single Coat | Yes | Yes |
| Smooth Coat | Yes | No |
| Coat Texture | ||
| Straight | Yes | Yes |
| Coat Length(s) | ||
| Short | Yes | Yes |
| Coat Color(s) | ||
| Black & White | Yes | Yes |
| Black Brindle, & White | Yes | Yes |
| Black, Tan, & White | Yes | No |
| Blue, Cream & White | Yes | No |
| Brindle & White | Yes | Yes |
| Cream & White | Yes | No |
| Mahogany & White | Yes | No |
| Red & White | Yes | No |
| Sable & White | Yes | No |
| Seal & White | No | Yes |
| Seal Brindle & White | No | Yes |