Which is Better between the American Eskimo Dog and the Basenji? A Very Detailed Review.

American Eskimo Dog versus Basenji

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American Eskimo Dog Versus Basenji: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the American Eskimo Dog and the Basenji? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the American Eskimo Dog 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 American Eskimo Dog and the Basenji.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the American Eskimo Dog 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 American Eskimo Dog 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 more insight into deciding which pet to get between the American Eskimo Dog 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 American Eskimo Dog or the Basenji

American Eskimo Dog versus Basenji

American Eskimo Dog versus Basenji: Overview

Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Basenji are similar in size. The American Eskimo Dog and the Basenji are both small-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the American Eskimo Dog belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

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.

American Eskimo Dog versus Basenji: Comparison Table

The table below compares the American Eskimo Dog 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.

Factor American Eskimo Dog Basenji
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 12 years
Height 15 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder 16 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 1/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 1/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 4/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 5/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 5/5
General Health 5/5 2/5
Easy To Train 5/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 2/5
Weight Starts at 30 pounds 22 to 24 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 11.0 years
Average Price $1220 $2320
Price Range $750 – $1500 $1450 – $1500
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • 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
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 118 86

    *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the American Eskimo Dog 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 a American Eskimo Dog is 87 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Basenji is 83 out of 125.

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

    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 American Eskimo Dog and the Basenji so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    American Eskimo Dog versus Basenji

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the American Eskimo Dog and the Basenji

    Below is a list of where the American Eskimo Dog and the Basenji are most different:

  • American Eskimo Dogs 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.
  • American Eskimo Dogs can tolerate cold weather. However, Basenjis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • American Eskimo Dogs 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.
  • American Eskimo Dogs are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds However, Basenjis have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
  • American Eskimo Dogs are very easy to train. However, Basenjis are not easy to train.
  • American Eskimo Dogs are very playful. However, Basenjis not very playful.
  • The Similarities Between the American Eskimo Dog and the Basenji

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

  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Basenji do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Basenji are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Basenji are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Basenji are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Basenji are highly intelligent.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Basenji require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Basenji adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Basenji are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Basenji get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Basenji get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Basenji have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of American Eskimo Dog versus Basenji

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the American Eskimo Dog and the Basenji.

    American Eskimo Dogs weigh Starts at 30 pounds when fully grown. American Eskimo Dogs are 15 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder 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.

    Price of American Eskimo Dog versus Price of Basenji

    The average price of the American Eskimo Dog puppy is $1220. The price of the American Eskimo Dog typically ranges from $750 – $1500. However, the price of a American Eskimo Dog can be as low as $225 and as high as $4000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 211 American Eskimo Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Basenji puppy is $2320. The price of the Basenji typically ranges from $1450 – $1500. However, the price of a Basenji can be as low as $1400 and as high as $11920. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 14 Basenji puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Basenji is more expensive than the American Eskimo Dog.

    American Eskimo Dog Basenji
    Average Price $1220 $2320
    Price Range $750 to $1500 $1450 to $1500

    The charts below show the price distribution for the American Eskimo Dog and Basenji. For different price points, the charts show how many American Eskimo Dog puppies or how many Basenji puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of American Eskimo Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of American Eskimo Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Basenjis

    A breakdown of the prices of Basenjis

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the American Eskimo Dog puppy or the Basenji puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking from a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    American Eskimo Dog versus Basenji
    American Eskimo Dog versus Basenji

    The Popularity of American Eskimo Dog versus Popularity of Basenji

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the American Eskimo Dog and the Basenji over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Basenji is more popular with dog owners than the American Eskimo Dog. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Basenji is 86 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the American Eskimo Dog is 118 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of American Eskimo Dog

    Popularity of American Eskimo Dog

    Popularity of Basenji

    Popularity of Basenji

    Year American Eskimo Dog Popularity Rank Basenji Popularity Rank
    2013 110 85
    2014 120 86
    2015 118 87
    2016 122 88
    2017 118 84
    2018 122 87
    2019 120 87
    2020 119 86

    Health Problems of American Eskimo Dog versus Health Problems of Basenji

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.

    Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Basenji are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the American Eskimo Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Basenji.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the American Eskimo Dog than for the Basenji.

    8 health tests are recommended for American Eskimo Dog while 6 tests are recommended for the Basenji.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in American Eskimo Dogs and in Basenjis.

    American Eskimo Dog Health Problems

    American Eskimo Dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing American Eskimo Dog puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a American Eskimo Dog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your American Eskimo Dog breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen American Eskimo Dogs for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for American Eskimo Dogs here.

    Basenji Health Problems

    Basenjis are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Basenji puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Basenji puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Basenji breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Basenjis for:

  • 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
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Basenjis here.

    Which one drools more, the American Eskimo Dog or the Basenji

    American Eskimo Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Basenjis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Tolerates Being Alone: American Eskimo Dog versus Basenji

    American Eskimo Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Basenjis can be left alone for some time without problems.

    Can American Eskimo Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Basenjis Tolerate Hot Weather?

    American Eskimo Dogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Basenjis can tolerate hot weather.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the American Eskimo Dog or the Basenji?

    American Eskimo Dogs are moderately easy to groom.

    Basenjis are very easy to groom.

    Does the American Eskimo Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Basenji?

    American Eskimo Dogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and 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.

    Wanderlust Potential: American Eskimo Dog vs. Basenji

    American Eskimo Dogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

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

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

    American Eskimo Dogs are very good for new dog owners.

    Basenjis are very good for new dog owners.

    Do American Eskimo Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Basenjis?

    American Eskimo Dogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

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

    Is the American Eskimo Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Basenji?

    American Eskimo Dogs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Basenjis adapt very well to apartment living.

    Can American Eskimo Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Basenjis Tolerate Cold Weather?

    American Eskimo Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

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

    Are American Eskimo Dogs good family dogs? What about Basenjis?

    American Eskimo Dogs 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 American Eskimo Dogs and Basenjis?

    American Eskimo Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

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

    American Eskimo Dogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Basenjis get along very well with other dogs.

    Do American Eskimo Dogs shed more than Basenjis?

    American Eskimo Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

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

    Is the American Eskimo Dog Easier to Train than the Basenji?

    American Eskimo Dogs are very easy to train.

    Basenjis are not easy to train.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the American Eskimo Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Basenji that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Basenji:

  • Italian Greyhound (69 percent match with Basenji). Here is our comparison of the American Eskimo Dog vs Italian Greyhound.
  • Whippet (69 percent match with Basenji). Here is our comparison of the American Eskimo Dog vs Whippet.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Basenji

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the American Eskimo Dog that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the American Eskimo Dog:

  • English Cocker Spaniel (79 percent match with American Eskimo Dog). Here is our comparison of the Basenji vs English Cocker Spaniel.
  • Keeshond (82 percent match with American Eskimo Dog). Here is our comparison of the Basenji vs Keeshond.
  • West Highland White Terrier (81 percent match with American Eskimo Dog). Here is our comparison of the Basenji vs West Highland White Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the American Eskimo Dog and how the Basenji compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the American Eskimo Dog and of the Basenji to other breeds:

    American Eskimo Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    American Eskimo Dog versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     American Eskimo Dog versus West Highland White Terrier     American Eskimo Dog versus Saint Berdoodle     American Eskimo Dog versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     American Eskimo Dog versus English Setter     American Eskimo Dog versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     American Eskimo Dog versus Briard     American Eskimo Dog versus English Springer Spaniel     American Eskimo Dog versus Papipoo     American Eskimo Dog versus Belgian Sheepdog     

    Basenji Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Basenji versus King Shepherd     Basenji versus Bichon Frise     Basenji versus Bichon Frise     Basenji versus Patterdale Terrier     Basenji versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Basenji versus Lowchen     Basenji versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Basenji versus American Eskimo Dog     Basenji versus Field Spaniel     Basenji versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     

    Conclusion: American Eskimo Dog 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 American Eskimo Dog and the Basenji better suits you and your family.