Guide on Deciding Betweeen the Australian Kelpie and the Basenji.

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Australian Kelpie Versus Basenji: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Australian Kelpie 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 Australian Kelpie 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 Australian Kelpie and the Basenji.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Australian Kelpie 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 Australian Kelpie 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 Australian Kelpie 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 Australian Kelpie or the Basenji.

Australian Kelpie versus Basenji: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Australian Kelpie belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

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.

Australian Kelpie versus Basenji: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Australian Kelpie 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 Australian Kelpie and the Basenji

Factor Australian Kelpie Basenji
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 10 to 15 years 10 to 12 years
Height 15 to 20 inches 16 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 4/5
Weight 25 to 46 pounds 22 to 24 pounds
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 1/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 5/5
General Health 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 5/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 5/5 4/5
Easy To Train 5/5 1/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Average Lifespan 12.5 years 11.0 years
Average Price $500 $1560
Price Range $500 – $500 $1450 – $1450
Temperament Score 83.3 percent 68.9 percent
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 Australian Kelpie 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 Australian Kelpie is 72 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 Australian Kelpie. 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 Australian Kelpie and the Basenji so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Kelpie and the Basenji

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

    • Australian Kelpies do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Basenjis adapt well to apartment living.
    • Australian Kelpies do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Basenjis get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Australian Kelpies are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Basenjis are very friendly towards strangers.
    • Australian Kelpies 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.
    • Australian Kelpies are very easy to train. However, Basenjis are not easy to train.

    The Similarities Between the Australian Kelpie and the Basenji

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

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

    Size Comparison of Australian Kelpie versus Basenji

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

    Australian Kelpies weigh 25 to 46 pounds when fully grown. Australian Kelpies are 15 to 20 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 Australian Kelpie versus Basenji

    The lifespan of Australian Kelpies is between 10 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Australian Kelpies is 12.5 years.

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

    Australian Kelpies live longer than Basenjis.

    Temperament of the Basenji Versus the Australian Kelpie

    The Australian Kelpie has a better temperament than the Basenji.

    This is because the temperament score for the Australian Kelpie is 83.3 percent while the temperament score for the Basenji is 68.9 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 83.3 percent, the Australian Kelpie has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 68.9 percent, the Basenji has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Australian Kelpie and the Basenji by measuring the temperaments of 6 Australian Kelpies and 177 Basenjis.

    Price of Australian Kelpie versus Price of Basenji

    The average price of the Australian Kelpie puppy is $500. The price of the Australian Kelpie typically ranges from $500 – $500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1 Australian Kelpie puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Basenji puppy is $1560. The price of the Basenji typically ranges from $1450 – $1450. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 10 Basenji puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Basenji is more expensive than the Australian Kelpie.

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Australian Kelpies. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Australian Kelpies. 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 Australian Kelpie 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 to buy 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 a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Kelpie versus Basenji

    Australian Kelpies do not like to be left alone.

    Basenjis can be left alone for some time without problems.

    Do Australian Kelpies shed more than Basenjis?

    Australian Kelpies shed moderately.

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

    Which one drools more, the Australian Kelpie or the Basenji

    Australian Kelpies do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Basenjis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Kelpie or the Basenji?

    Australian Kelpies are very easy to groom.

    Basenjis are very easy to groom.

    Does the Australian Kelpie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Basenji?

    Australian Kelpies 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 Australian Kelpies Bark and Howl? What about Basenjis?

    Australian Kelpies 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 Australian Kelpies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Basenjis Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Australian Kelpies can moderately tolerate cold weather.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Australian Kelpie vs. Basenji

    Australian Kelpies 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 Australian Kelpies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Basenjis Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Australian Kelpies can tolerate hot weather.

    Basenjis can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Australian Kelpies get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Basenjis get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Australian Kelpies good family dogs? What about Basenjis?

    Australian Kelpies 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 Australian Kelpies and Basenjis?

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

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

    Is the Australian Kelpie Easier to Train than the Basenji?

    Australian Kelpies are very easy to train.

    Basenjis are not easy to train.

    Is the Australian Kelpie Better for Apartment Owners than the Basenji?

    Australian Kelpies do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Basenjis adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Australian Kelpies are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Basenjis are very good for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Australian Kelpie 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 Australian Kelpie and the Basenji better suits you and your family.