Chihuahua Basenji Mix (Chisenji Photos and Breed Guide)
If you are looking to know more about the Basenji Chihuahua Mix, then you are in the right spot. In this article, we will be looking into the different aspects of this hybrid.
The Basenji Chihuahua Mix is also referred to as the Chisenji and is a cross between a Basenji and Chihuahua. This dog is usually about half the size of a purebred Basenji.
The Chisenji is a popular designer dog in the United States, and because of this, the price is often high due to low supply.
What is a Chihuahua-Basenji Mix?
The Chihuahua Basenji Mix is a popular dog in America that has parents that are purebred Basenji and a Chihuahua. These dogs are largely recognized to be lively, loving, and sometimes clingy. The demand for them is so high that breeders are struggling to keep up with demand.
Like everything else with high demand and low supply, Chisenji’s price is also high. They share a cross-section of the qualities of the two purebred parents and no two Chisenjis are really alike, even from the same litter.
Having said that, it has been largely recognized that the majority of Chisenjis take on the physical qualities of the Chihuahua parent. It is never easy to determine just how any crossbreed puppy is going to come out.
They naturally take on the dominant qualities of either side of the gene pool. In short, you will have to do a bit of research to establish the individual qualities of each parent breed so you can at least make an educated guess.
What Size is a Basenji Chihuahua Mix?
Again, this is not a cut-and-dry issue but you can expect your Chisenji to be small. They are often slightly bigger than the Chihuahua breed but they may also be roughly about the same size. This is part of their appeal as they make great lap dogs.
It is uncommon for them to be the size of the Basenji but not impossible. If you get a litter of 4 puppies, for example, each of them will be different sizes when fully grown.
Personality and Temperament of a Basenji Chihuahua Mix
The Chihuahua Basenji Mix is often described as a lively, playful, loving, and sometimes clingy dog. They are great pets to have but you may need to be careful with them around small children or other dogs. Some have been known to display aggressive behavior towards children and sometimes even biting.
This behavior is also common with strangers and bigger dogs. The reason for this may be down to how close they get to their owners and may be exhibiting possessiveness. This behavior is common in some Basenjis but not all.
At the end of the day, not all Chisenjis are like this but you need to be mindful that this is a very real possibility with them that you need to be aware of.
Basenji Chihuahua Mix Crying
Exercise Needs of a Chisenji
As far as exercise is concerned, these little doggies need a considerable amount of it. 30 minutes a day is a minimum but they have been known to “demand” 4 or more walks per day. Just as in the case of a Basenji, a lack of exercise will lead to restlessness and a greater potential for distractive behavior.
If you are reading this post with a view to adopt or buy one, you need to be aware of this possibility.
Health Issues of a Basenji Chihuahua Mix
Health is a common problem when it comes to Basenjis in particular. There are several genetic diseases that can affect them. Some of them like Fanconi syndrome only manifests if both parents carry it.
If you have a Basenji mix with a purebred Chihuahua and Basenji, this concern is eliminated. However, if the Chihuahua is not purebred and has a Basenji somewhere in the bloodline, then your puppy may get Fanconi syndrome.
Other health issues that can affect the hybrid, especially from the Basenji side are the following:
- Hypothyroidism
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Coloboma
- Pyruvate Kinase deficiency
- Umbilical hernia
- Hip Dysplasia
- Persistent Pupillary Membrane (PPM)
Where can you find a Basenji Chihuahua Mix for Sale?
A Basenji Chihuahua mix can be found for adoption at various animal shelters and rescues throughout the country. They are not as common as other dog breeds, so it may take some time and effort to find a reputable breeder or shelter that has one available.
Checking online classifieds or breed-specific websites may also be a helpful resource in locating a basenji chihuahua mix for sale.
Facebook groups for Basenji owners in your state are another wonderful resource if you are trying to track down a rarer mix of dog.
Conclusion
Chisenjis are great dogs and that is proved by how popular they are. They are generally very loving dogs towards their owner and in some cases, other people. Expect a lot of love and activity from this little cutie.
