Basenji Chihuahua Mix Guide! (2024)

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Today we are going to talk about Basenji Chihuahua Mix Guide. Basenjis and Chihuahuas are stunning dogs but make the most unlikely mix.

These two dog breeds are vastly different but create a spunky and lively crossbreed that many may want to adopt into their family.

A Basenji Chihuahua mix is sometimes called a Chisenji, although this is not a recognized name for this dog breed. Basenji Chihuahua mixes are uncommon because each dog breed is so vastly different from the other.

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Basenji Chihuahua Mix

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A Basenji is an independent dog who doesn’t bark much and has a high level of intelligence.

This dog prefers to be left alone to prowl the premises and ensure no threats are nearby. The dog is on the small end, growing no taller than 17 inches and weighing no more than 24 pounds.

Chihuahuas, on the other hand, are loud dogs who will engage in a fight with anyone they feel poses a threat.

Chihuahuas only grow to be about eight inches tall and weigh no more than six pounds. Chihuahuas are very loving, where Basenjis don’t show affection as much.

What Is a Basenji Chihuahua Mix?

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A Basenji Chihuahua mix is a dog with a Basenji and Chihuahua parent. This dog breed is often called a Basenji Chihuahua dog and contains characteristics from both dog breeds.

Basenjis are taller than Chihuahuas by at least 10 inches and can weigh 20 pounds more, meaning a Basenji and Chihuahua mix usually averages the middle ground between the two. The dog breed is not very tall and can come in many colors.

The temperament, size, and lifespan vary with each litter of puppies because this dog breed is unpredictable and combines two vastly different dogs.

A Chihuahua Basenji mix, however, is adorable and a good addition to homes that have plenty of space and no other pets.

Basenji Chihuahua Temperament

A Basenji mix with Chihuahua has a laid-back and calm temperament. The dog retains a spunky spark from its Chihuahua parent but remains serious like its Basenji parent.

Although this dog may have bursts of wanting to have fun and play, this burst will dull out quickly, and they will resume their typical stalk around the grounds.

The dog breed focuses more on ensuring that nothing is amiss with their environment and there are no threats present. Although this is good, the dogs prefer to be alone.

A Basenji Chihuahua mix won’t engage with toys much and instead may focus on observing the world around them. However, this dog breed may surprise you with the small outbursts of playtime they get occasionally.

Basenji Chihuahua Size

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Basenji Chihuahua mixes are small and rarely get to be the size of a Basenji, although this is sometimes possible. The dog breed usually stays around 15 inches tall and weighs 15 pounds.

The dog is kind and gentle unless they feel threatened, and it will have no problem using its voice to make up for its size.

Basenji Chihuahua Lifespan

A Basenji Chihuahua mix can live up to 16 years but may also pass after they hit the 13-year mark. Because this dog breed comes from two breeds with similar lifespans, they have a close range of life.

You may get even more than 16 years with your Basenji Chihuahua mix if they are in good health and amicably follow your vet’s instructions for things like tooth cleaning, grooming, and feeding.

Basenji Chihuahua mixes may have some training issues or health conditions that impact the level of care they can receive.

However, training them to withstand teeth brushing and other healthy habits can offer significant and positive impacts on their health.

Basenji Chihuahua Health Issues

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A Basenji Chihuahua mix can have multiple health issues from either parent breed, which can lead to a challenging set of health conditions. Always see your veterinarian for a plan of action regarding your dog’s health.

Basenjis aren’t at risk for many health conditions, but a few persist in this breed. Basenjis can develop enteropathy, atrophy, and Fanconi Syndrome. Otherwise, Basenjis are a healthy dog breed.

However, Chihuahuas aren’t as healthy. Chihuahuas are susceptible to hypoglycemia, tooth and gum decay, hydrocephalus, spinal problems, obesity, and bladder problems.

Basenji Chihuahua Grooming Requirements

Your Basenji Chihuahua mix won’t need much grooming. The dog breed takes after its Basenji parent and doesn’t shed much. Although there will still be some stray hairs, the dog is hypoallergenic.

Basenji Chihuahua Training

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While Chihuahuas are generally loving and happy to train, Basenjis are more indifferent about training. The dog breed is usually challenging to train since they are initially enthusiastic but quickly lose interest in training.

The dog breed will take after its Basenji parent in the long run and be more indifferent to training than enthusiastic.

Additionally, Basenji Chihuahua mixes are not entirely eager to please because they are more focused on their independence than they are on making their owners happy.

Basenji Chihuahuas may require incentives like free time, roaming time, or other high-priority things to capture their attention for long-term training.

Basenji Chihuahua Diet

Basenji Chihuahua mixes are small dogs and don’t require much food. Because these dogs are so small, they should be given high-quality foods that skip all artificial ingredients and don’t use any byproducts or fillers.

Your Basenji Chihuahua mix will need a steady diet of kibble and wet food to keep them happy and healthy. The dog will also need a backyard with plenty of space to run around and burn all of the energy they have.

Although this dog breed doesn’t have tons of energy, they will still need to burn plenty of it, making them hungrier at dinner time. Monitor how much your Basenji Chihuahua mix is eating to ensure you aren’t overfeeding them.

Basenji Chihuahua Colors

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Basenjis are notoriously black with brown patches. However, Chihuahuas are famous for their beige and light tan colors.

Basenji Chihuahua mixes can come in either color. These two wildly different colors mean that brown Basenji Chihuahua mix dogs are common.

Brown is the most common color for this dog breed. However, a Basenji Chihuahua mix can be black, tan, or light brown. In some cases, your Basenji Chihuahua mix can look just like a Chihuahua, except with a Basenji color pattern.

Other times, your Basenji Chihuahua mix may have patches of white mingling in with their coat or includes white strips around their body.

Are Basenji Chihuahua Mixes Good For Families?

Basenji Chihuahua mixes do best in homes without small children. Although this dog is a good guard and will face any challenge to protect those it loves, it is too independent to want to engage in much playtime.

The dog breed may instead get frustrated with the noise and roughhousing of young children.

Basenji Chihuahua mixes also prefer homes without other animals.

This dog breed with tolerate homes with other dogs, but they won’t reach their full happy potential if another dog or animal in the home is rambunctious and constantly wants to play with them.

Basenji Chihuahua mixes almost always take after their Basenji parent and prefers to exercise their independence as much as possible.

Do Basenji Chihuahua Mixes Bark a Lot?

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A Basenji Chihuahua mix is best in homes without young children and people with hearing sensitivities. This dog breed takes traits from both of its parents, and they’re very vocal.

Although Basenjis don’t bark often, they do make plenty of noises. Basenjis are notorious for yodeling, whining, and fussing when they need something.

Alternatively, Chihuahuas are very loud and bark at nearly every sight and every noise. This can be frustrating for Chihuahua owners who want a peaceful night’s sleep.

Mixing the two results in Chihuahua Basenji mix dogs who love to make noise and have no problem waking up in the neighborhood when they need or want something.

The noises don’t stop at barking. Your Basenji mix with a Chihuahua parent will bark, yodel, whine and make all kinds of noises.

Conclusion For Basenji Chihuahua Mix Guide

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Basenji Chihuahua mixes are ideal for families that don’t have rambunctious children. Although this dog breed can inherit their Basenji parent’s guard dog nature, they will likely want to live life at their own pace.

The type of dog may not want to engage with young children who want to play all the time, and they may not also care much for training on how to be kind to each other.

Basenji Chihuahua mixes prefer environments where they are the only dog or an environment where the other pets in the home are calm and predictable.

The dog breed can be a little unpredictable in temperament and each Basenji Chihuahua mixed puppy is different.

These dogs understand commands but may decide not to follow them if they aren’t in the mood for training.

This independent dog may not cause much chaos, but they may yodel or bark, depending on which dog parent they take after more.

Overall, this dog breed is ideal for those who aren’t big on affection but still want a companion who will prowl the area and are happy to spend quality time together.

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For more information about the Basenji Breed, check out the video below: