Whippet Basenji Mix Guide (with Photos)
What is a Basenji Whippet mix? If you’ve ever asked this question then this is the post for you. We are going to be tackling this topic to establish what exactly this breed is and what to expect from it. To start off with, here is a short summary of what a Basenji Whippet mix is:
The Whippet Basenji Mix is a mixed breed dog resulting from breeding the Basenji and the Whippet.
These are two very different dogs so it is important to know what you might be getting. It’s important to gain knowledge about both breeds to determine what to expect. Both of these dogs are energetic, friendly, and trainable.
Whippets are racing dogs, descended from greyhounds. They are medium-sized dogs that are great around people. They can be a bit reserved with strangers but they do well with kids and other pets too. They can be cream, fawn, black or blue in color with white markings and have a short, smooth coat.
Basenjis have been called African Barkless dogs but they do make noise, they just don’t bark as most dogs do. They have a yodel or howl that they use to communicate their displeasure when their owners leave them alone for long periods of time or when separation anxiety sets in.
These dogs were bred to hunt large game-like antelopes and still possess those traits today, so cats or small animals may be viewed as prey and should not be left alone. Some Basenjis can even climb fences!
History of the Whippet Basenji Mix
The Whippet Basenji Mix is a relatively new dog breed. The first litters were born around the year 2000. It’s mostly popular in the States, but you may also see it in other parts of the world. This hybrid has not yet been recognized by any major kennel clubs.
Whippet Basenji Size
A Whippet Basenji mix could produce a dog of any size, but most likely it will be relatively small. Both the Whippet and the Basenji are between 17 and 22 inches tall, with the Whippet weighing 15 to 40 pounds and the Basenji weighing 22 to 24 pounds. (Compare with say a Great Dane Basenji dog)
A Basenji/Whippet mix will probably have a smooth coat similar to that of its Basenji progenitor. Both breeds have short hair, which means you won’t need to be concerned about brushing your dog every day. However, both breeds shed, so you’ll want to keep a lint roller nearby for your furniture.
What is the Basenji Whippet Personality
The Basenji is a hunting dog. The Whippet was originally bred for racing. Both are known to be energetic, intelligent and agile.
The Whippet Basenji mix will likely retain some of these characteristics with the possible addition of being overly protective of family members. This crossbreed is not recommended for families with small children or other pets, including dogs.
Health Issues With the Basenji Whippet Mix
A large percentage of mixed breeds inherit various health problems from their parents. The most common health issues that affect this breed are eye problems, epilepsy, and hip dysplasia. In some cases, they may also suffer from hypothyroidism or allergies.
It’s important that you take your dog for regular visits to the veterinarian for checkups to ensure they stay fit and healthy throughout their life.
What is Their Lifespan?
The lifespans of mixed breeds are notoriously hard to predict.
Like most designer dogs, the Whippet Basenji mix is a relatively new breed. That makes it difficult to know their average lifespan with any certainty.
However, we can look at the life expectancy of the parent breeds.
The Whippet has an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years, while the Basenji’s lifespan is estimated at 10 to 16 years.
Is a Whippet Basenji Mix for me?
If you’re looking for a lapdog, this isn’t the right dog for you. The Whippet Basenji mix needs plenty of exercise to be happy. He loves to run, so if he’s not getting enough activity, he can become destructive inside your house or apartment.
The Whippet Basenji mix may be okay with other dogs and pets that he’s raised with from puppyhood, but he’s not likely to be good with cats or small animals like rabbits or rodents. He has a high prey drive and will chase them without thinking twice.
He’s an independent thinker and can be stubborn if he doesn’t see the point of what you’re asking him to do. This means that you’ll need to train him using positive reinforcement methods such as rewards-based training rather than by force. If you try to get him to do something using physical punishment, he’ll just walk away.
Conclusion
We hope that this post has helped you better understand the Whippet Basenji crossbreed. If you have any comments or questions, please don’t hesitate to communicate them in the comment section below.
