Is the Afador Better than the Basenji as a Pet? Our Answer.

by

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Afador Versus Basenji: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Afador and the Basenji? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Afador and the Basenji better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Afador and the Basenji.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Afador and the Basenji is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Afador and for the Basenji. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Afador and the Basenji.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Afador or the Basenji.

Afador versus Basenji: Overview

A very important difference between the Afador and the Basenji is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Afador is a large-sized dog while the Basenji is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Afador belongs to the Mixed Breed Dogs group. Mixed Breed Dogs are not purebred dogs.

On the other hand, the Basenji belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

Afador versus Basenji: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Afador to the Basenji based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Afador and the Basenji

Factor Afador Basenji
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 1/5 5/5
Easy To Train 1/5 1/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 12 years
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 5/5
Height 20 to 29 inches 16 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
General Health 3/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 1/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Weight 50 to 75 pounds 22 to 24 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 11.0 years
Price Range No Data $1450 – $1450
Average Price No Data $1560
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Basenji Night Blindness / PRA DNA Test
  • Eye Examination each year until 6, thereafter every 2 years
  • Fanconi syndrome
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • OFA/U of Missouri
    		•

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Afador in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Basenji. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Afador is 59 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Basenji is 83 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Basenji is a better pet than the Afador. So, you should get the Basenji!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Afador and the Basenji so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Afador and the Basenji

    Below is a list of where the Afador and the Basenji are most different:

    • Afadors do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Basenjis adapt well to apartment living.
    • Afadors are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Basenjis are good for new dog owners.
    • Afadors are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Basenjis are very friendly towards strangers.
    • Afadors do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Basenjis get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Afadors require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Basenjis are very easy to groom.
    • Afadors can tolerate cold weather. However, Basenjis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
    • Afadors shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Basenjis do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
    • Afadors are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Basenjis are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
    • Afadors do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful. However, Basenjis do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.

    The Similarities Between the Afador and the Basenji

    The Afador and the Basenji are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Afador and the Basenji are most similar:

    • Both the Afador and the Basenji are not easy to train.
    • Both the Afador and the Basenji are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Afador and the Basenji are prone to nip and chew at things.
    • Both the Afador and the Basenji have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
    • Both the Afador and the Basenji have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
    • Both the Afador and the Basenji have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Afador and the Basenji require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Afador and the Basenji are highly intelligent.

    Size Comparison of Afador versus Basenji

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Afador and the Basenji.

    Afadors weigh 50 to 75 pounds when fully grown. Afadors are 20 to 29 inches when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Basenjis weigh 22 to 24 pounds when fully grown. Basenjis are 16 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Afador versus Basenji

    The lifespan of Afadors is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Afadors is 11.0 years.

    The lifespan of Basenjis is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Basenjis is 11.0 years.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Afador versus Basenji

    Afadors can be left alone only for a short time.

    Basenjis can be left alone for some time without problems.

    Do Afadors shed more than Basenjis?

    Afadors shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Basenjis do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Afador or the Basenji

    Afadors drool moderately.

    Basenjis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Afador or the Basenji?

    Afadors require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Basenjis are very easy to groom.

    Does the Afador Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Basenji?

    Afadors have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Basenjis have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Afadors Bark and Howl? What about Basenjis?

    Afadors are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Basenjis are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Afadors Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Basenjis Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Afadors can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Basenjis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Afador vs. Basenji

    Afadors have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Basenjis have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Afadors Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Basenjis Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Afadors cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Basenjis can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Afador or the Basenji?

    Afadors get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Basenjis get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Afadors good family dogs? What about Basenjis?

    Afadors are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Basenjis are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Afadors and Basenjis?

    Afadors do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Basenjis get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Afador Easier to Train than the Basenji?

    Afadors are not easy to train.

    Basenjis are not easy to train.

    Is the Afador Better for Apartment Owners than the Basenji?

    Afadors do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Basenjis adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Afador or the Basenji?

    Afadors are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Basenjis are very good for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Afador versus Basenji. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Afador and the Basenji better suits you and your family.