Basenji Chihuahua Mix- Chisenji- Breed information

The popular Basenji-Chihuahua mix, also called a “Chisenji,” is a fun dog. When a purebred Chihuahua and a purebred Basenji are bred together, they make this Chihuahua Basenji hybrid. The resulting puppy is usually about half the size of a full-blooded Basenji but has all of its attitudes.

Chisenjies are usually very active and aware, which makes them a great pet for someone who wants a fun friend. Be careful though, they are very protective and seem to have a lot of energy, so make sure you are ready to train and exercise them a lot!

Chisenji History

The Chihuahua

The Chihuahua is probably one of the most popular small dog breeds in the world right now. Experts don’t know for sure where these small dogs came from, but they think they may be related to a small dog that lived in Mexico and was called a Techichi.

Artifacts of this breed were found buried with people as early as 100 BC. This shows that people and dogs have had some kind of relationship since ancient times.

The Basenji

The Basenji dog breed can be tracked all the way back to ancient Egypt, where they were first seen in pictures of hunting scenes. Over hundreds of years, these dogs have learned to live in the harsh African heat and have been taught to hunt and keep watch.

They are small and quick, and their short coats help them deal with the hot weather. They came from Central Africa and moved south to Zimbabwe and Zambia, where they were picked up by traders who liked how loyal and obedient they were.

The Chisenji

Since the 1990s, Basenji-Chihuahua mixes have been around. It’s not known for sure where it came from in the United States, but it’s thought that someone wanted a puppy with traits from both breeds: the quietness and loyalty of a Basenji and the sassiness and protectiveness of a Chihuahua.

The AKC doesn’t accept the Basenji-Chihuahua mix.

Chisenji Appearance

Most of the Chihuahua Basenji mix’s physical traits come from the Chihuahua parent. This is because the Chihuahua is one of the smallest dog breeds. The Basenji gene makes this little ball of energy look a lot like a Chihuahua, but with longer legs, a sharper nose and tail, and shorter fur. Most of the time, these pups stay small and weigh between 5 and 15 pounds.

Chihuahua Basenji mixes are definitely small dogs, as they only get to be 12 to 15 inches tall at the hip.

Chisenji Temperament

A bright and active dog that like spending time with its family, the Chihuahua Basenji Mix is also noted for having a tendency to be a bit clinging. Even though they can be a bit of a handful, these independent dogs make great family pets for people who want loyal friends.

You’ll have to keep an eye on them when they’re around small children or other dogs because Chihuahua-Basenji types have been known to act aggressively and even bite.

Chisenji Health

Usually, Chihuahua-Basenji mixes live between 13 and 16 years.

Chisenjis may get some of their looks and behaviors from their parents, but they also get the same health problems.

We suggest that you talk to your dog’s breeder or vet about the health problems that your pet friends may be more likely to get.

Your dog’s owner will know about any health issues your puppy, whether it’s a mixed breed or not, might be prone to based on how healthy his or her parents are.

However, if none of these work, you could also use a DNA test on the dog. These are the Embark dog DNA tests that I’ve used on my two dogs. I like that this dog DNA test can tell me what type of dog it is and if it is healthy.

Fanconi syndrome

Fanconi Syndrome is a disease that is passed down through the genes and affects many Basenji-Chihuahua mixes. This serious kidney disease makes the body lose important nutrients and fluids, which can cause dogs to drink too much, urinate too much, and feel weak all over.

Often, it’s hard to tell if someone has Fanconi Syndrome because their symptoms look like those of other health problems, like allergies or menstrual problems.

Hip Dysplasia

Dogs with this genetic problem have hip sockets that haven’t the right form, which causes crippling pain and discomfort. It can even cause arthritis or lameness if it isn’t handled, so people who want to buy a Basenji-Chihuahua mix should always be aware of the signs of hip dysplasia and watch for them.

There are both surgical and non-surgical ways to treat this condition, so if it is caught early it can be taken care of quickly and the Chisenji can live a happy, busy life.

Patellar Luxation

Patellar luxation is a painful and uncomfortable medical problem that a lot of Basenji-Chihuahua mixes have. This happens when the kneecap moves out of its regular place and makes the affected limb weak.

Owners can fix most of these problems with physical therapy or surgery, but these treatments are expensive and many owners might not be able to pay for them.

Chisenji Care

When taking care of a Basenji Chihuahua Mix, you need to think about cleaning, exercise, training, how much hair it sheds, and what it eats.

Training

It can be hard to train a dog that is a mix of a Chihuahua and a Basenji, but it’s worth it!

The Basenji parent breed is typically quite active and requires a lot of daily activity, whereas the Chihuahua parent breed is renowned for being passionately devoted and possessing an independent streak.

When raising this kind of mixed breed, you need to be patient. Just like with any other dog, it’s important to be consistent and give the dog a lot of good reinforcement while training. To give your dog the best chance of learning, you should teach him or her in small chunks instead of giving him or her too much all at once.

You could start with simple orders like “sit,” “stay,” and “come,” and then move on to more complex lessons like housebreaking and recall exercises.

Shedding Level

Basenjis tend to have short hair and not shedding. When you add a Chihuahua’s long coat to the mix, things can get confusing.

But to answer your question, Chisenjis do shed, but not as much as some other breeds. If you want your four-legged friend to shed less, brushing them regularly is a good idea. This will help his fur stay healthy and get rid of any extra fur.

Chihuahua-Basenji mixes aren’t good for people with allergies.

Grooming

You will need to brush the hair of a Basenji-Chihuahua mix every day, bathe it only when necessary, and take it to the groomer often.

These steps will help your Chisenji look great and prevent his coat from getting knots. Because this situation can be uncomfortable and even painful. When you brush your dog’s hair every day, you get rid of loose hair and also help new hair grow and spread out.

Bathing them often keeps their coats healthy and comfy and gives them a better clean. But make sure the shampoo you use is for dogs because shampoo made for people can irritate their skin.

And finally, regular trips to the groomer can help your Chihuahua-Basenji mix keep its own style and keep those pesky knots from forming.

Exercise

Most likely, your Chihuahua-Bisenji mix will need a lot of exercise.

These little dogs have a lot of energy and they need to use it. Helping them get the exercise they need should take at least 30 minutes a day, but don’t be surprised if they want to go for four or more walks every day.

If a Chihuahua-Basenji mix doesn’t get enough exercise to get rid of excess energy, it may get antsy or nervous, which can lead to bad behavior.

Feeding

The first step in feeding a Chihuahua-Basenji mix dog is to find the right amount of protein, fat, and carbs for its size.

Look for high-quality dog food that is made for small breeds and/or mix breeds that are busy, like your Chisenji. You might have to try a few different brands before you find the one that works best for your Chihuahua-Basenji mix.

Just be careful not to do too much, because Chisenjis can gain weight quickly, which can cause health problems as they age.

Is This Dog The Right Choice For Me?

Chisenji And Other Pets

If you’re thinking of getting a Basenji-Chihuahua mix as a pet, you should know that these dogs can be very independent. They need lots of love and care, but they might not get along well with other pets.

This isn’t because they’re mean, but because they don’t like being crowded or ignored. Even though they can be great friends. You should be ready to spend some time with them alone if you also have other pet friends.

Chisenji Dosen’t Get Along With Young Kids

Basenji-Chihuahua mixes are great pets for families, but they don’t get along well with young kids.

Both Basenjis and Chihuahuas are naturally protective and have a lot of energy. This can make it hard for them to behave around kids without training.

Since these dogs have traits from both of their parents. They can be wary of strangers and very protective of their belongings.

This can be a disaster if there are small children who don’t yet know how to treat other living things with respect.

Quick Breed Summary Table

Weight	5 to 15 lbs
Height	12 to 15 inches
Size	small
Coat Type	short
colors	black, tan, and light brown.
Amount of Shedding	Moderate
Nose	Black
Ears	pointed
Temperament	Territorial, clingy, loving, and energetic.
Life Expectancy	13 to 16 years
Hypoallergenic	No
Intelligence	Yes
Kid-Friendly	No
New Owner Friendly	yes
Activity level	high
Breed Recognition	None