Basenji Grooming

The Basenji has a very short, single-layered coat that has fine, smooth hair--so Basenji grooming is as easy as it is for any breed known. The coats are pretty low-shedding and hypoallergenic, so they don't need frequent brushing. Basenjis are also "catlike" in that they clean themselves regularly, so baths are rarely necessary for these dogs.

See below for all necessary details on maintaining the Basenji coat.

In addition to coat care, a Basenji will need regular maintenance in other areas. Brush the dog's teeth 2-3 times per week with a regular toothbrush to reduce the buildup of plaque and tartar, and to minimize bad breath; clean the dog's ears monthly using canine ear cleaning solution; and if your Basenji's nails click on hard surfaces, they need a trim--which you can do with standard nail clippers.

Overall Basenji grooming is pretty simple--and likewise, maintaining these dogs' short-haired, fine coats doesn't take much work. The coats don't shed much, and dogs of this breed instinctively keep themselves quite clean, so brushing and bathing won't be needed very often.

Brushing a Basenji once per week is fine. To brush: first wet the coat with mist from a spray bottle, then use a bristle brush or grooming glove to go through the coat section by section, moving in the direction of hair growth.

Because they're fastidious about their own cleanliness, bathing a Basenji will only be necessary once or twice a year--unless, of course, the dog gets especially dirty or stinky and an "emergency bath" is in order. For your Basenji bath, be sure to use canine shampoo, as the kind made for humans can irritate the dog's skin. Also take the time to rinse the shampoo completely from the coat; leftover soap residue will cause further skin irritation.

And these dogs' coats are simply too short to sport any hairstyles other than their natural ones--so Basenji haircuts aren't required at all.

Though it will be easy for owners to learn to perform all aspects of Basenji grooming themselves, it's a good idea to take the dog to a professional groomer at least once. The groomer can give the dog a nice makeover, and provide tips on how to groom a Basenji at home.