Imagine holding an adorable dog, cuddling it against your chest, letting it snuggle into your lap as you play your favorite video games…Sounds perfect, right? But then imagine the tiny fur particles littering your clothes, covering your sofa, sticking to your socks, and suddenly floating in the air as you sneeze! Yes, shedding can be a nightmare for any dog owner. Would you let it get in the way of your dreams of dog ownership? If you like dogs, you’ve probably heard of the Basenji breed. But you might be wondering if they shed a lot.
Basenjis, known as the ‘barkless dog,’ hails all the way from central Africa. Known for their intelligence, these agile dogs are often likened to cats with their remarkable knack for grooming themselves. Yes, you read that right, a dog that grooms itself! A Basenji will often spend time licking its paws and fur clean, much like our feline companions. This behavior reduces the amount of loose hair and dander around the house.
Now that we’ve established that Basenjis don’t shed much compared to other breeds, it’s essential to delve deeper. No dog breed is completely non-shedding. Even Basenjis go through a shedding cycle, albeit significantly less.
Basenjis have short and glossy coats that exceptionally reduce the amount of shedding. However, Basenjis go through a shedding cycle called “blowing coat” annually rather than continuously shedding all year. During the blowing coat, a Basenji will lose its old hair, making way for new ones to grow. This usually happens over a short period and can be heavy but is only once a year.
Despite this annual shedding, Basenjis still rank as one of the lowest shedding dog breeds. Therefore, for those who love dogs but can’t stand the thought of constantly cleaning dog hair off every surface, a Basenji might be a perfect companion.
How can you manage the Basenji’s shedding time more efficiently? Here are some handy tips!
First, brushing your Basenji dog regularly, ideally daily during the shedding season, can help control the amount of loose fur around your home before it ends up on your floor or furniture. It also helps distribute the dog’s skin oils, making their coat look healthier and shinier.
Second, since the Basenji breed originated from a tropical climate, they have lesser tolerance towards cold weather. A sudden drop in temperature may cause them to shed more. Keeping your Basenji warm, especially during the winter months, can help limit shedding.
Third, providing your Basenji with a balanced diet rich in essential fatty acids can also reduce shedding. Foods containing Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids improve the health of their coat and skin, reducing fur loss.
Lastly, keeping your Basenji hydrated is crucial. Dehydration can lead to dry skin on your dog, which will, in turn, lead to more fur shedding.
Through proper grooming, diet, and regular healthcare check-ups, you can effectively control and manage any minor shedding issue with your Basenji. These practices will not only keep your home hair-free but also keep your four-legged buddy healthy and happy.
To sum it up, while Basenjis do shed, they can’t really be compared to many dog breeds known for their severe shedding. The volume of hair they lose is significantly less, with the prime shedding season occurring only once a year. Yes, they may not be totally hypoallergenic, but they’re close! Basenjis offer an excellent mid-point for those who love dogs but not the idea of living covered in pet hair.
Therefore, if you’ve been contemplating dog ownership, and lack of love for shedding has been your biggest hindrance, consider the Basenji. It’s a win-win situation. You get to have a cuddly quadruped companion minus the hair stresses! So go on, embrace the remarkable Basenji breed and wave goodbye to your worries about shedding!
