How long does a Basenji live?

The listed lifespan for a Basenji is 13–14 years.

How tall is a Basenji?

The listed height for a Basenji is 17 in (male), 16 in (female).

Is a Basenji good with children?

The AKC good-with-children score for a Basenji is 3 out of 5.

When is a Basenji full grown?

The growth size band for a Basenji is 8–12 months.

Hound Group

Basenji

Basenji is a small dog in the Hound Group. Adult weight is 24 lb (male), 22 lb (female), height is 17 in (male), 16 in (female), and the listed lifespan is 13–14 years. AKC describes the temperament as Independent, Smart, Poised.

Last reviewed November 1, 2026.

Basenji dog — Photo: Ngangaesther · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Lifespan13–14 years

Weight24 lb (male), 22 lb (female)

SizeSmall GroupHound Group

Height

17 in (male), 16 in (female)

Energy

4 / 5

Shedding

2 / 5

Grooming

1 / 5

Trainability

2 / 5

Good with kids

3 / 5

The breed record

Across 45 single-size small breeds, a lifespan midpoint of 13.5 years is about the same as the 13.6-year average. A midpoint adult weight of 23 lb is about 7 lb heavier than the 16 lb average for those small breeds.

The listed origin is Central Africa. The coat is described as smooth, short. The AKC energy score is 4 out of 5, 0.3 points above the group average of 3.7 for the Hound Group. Shedding scores 2 out of 5, so loose hair is limited. Grooming scores 1 out of 5, so home brushing covers most weeks. Trainability scores 2 out of 5, so short sessions tend to work better than long drills. Good with children scores 3 out of 5. Good with other dogs scores 3 out of 5. AKC ranked this breed number 92 in 2025.

Adult size is usually reached in 8–12 months (size-band statement (Salt et al. 2017): very small dogs reach maturity at 8-12 months). AKC parent-club recommended health screenings: Hip Evaluation, Ophthalmologist Evaluation, Thyroid Evaluation, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (Basenji) (PRA) - DNA Test, and Fanconi's Syndrome, Paradoxic glucosuria - DNA Test. These are screening tests, not a list of diseases the breed is guaranteed to develop.

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