Which is Better Between the Basenji and the Chinook?

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Basenji Versus Chinook: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Basenji and the Chinook 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 Basenji and for the Chinook. 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 Basenji and the Chinook.

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

Basenji versus Chinook: Overview

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

Furthermore, 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.

On the other hand, the Chinook belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

Basenji versus Chinook: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Basenji to the Chinook 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 Basenji and the Chinook

Factor Basenji Chinook
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 5/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Train 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 5/5 3/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 15 years
Height 16 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder 21 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
General Health 2/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 2/5 4/5
Weight 22 to 24 pounds 55 to 70 pounds
Easygoing 3/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 4/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 3/5
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1560 No Data
Price Range $1450 – $1450 No Data
Temperament Score 68.9 percent 77.8 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • 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
    		•
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•

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

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

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Basenji and the Chinook

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

    • Basenjis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Chinooks can tolerate cold weather.
    • Basenjis do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies. However, Chinooks shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
    • Basenjis are not easy to train. However, Chinooks are very easy to train.
    • Basenjis are good for new dog owners. However, Chinooks are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
    • Basenjis can be left alone for some time without problems. However, Chinooks do not like to be left alone.
    • Basenjis are very easy to groom. However, Chinooks require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
    • Basenjis have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Chinooks have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
    • Basenjis have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Chinooks do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    The Similarities Between the Basenji and the Chinook

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

    • Both the Basenji and the Chinook do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Basenji and the Chinook are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the Basenji and the Chinook are not prone to gaining weight easily.
    • Both the Basenji and the Chinook can tolerate hot weather.
    • Both the Basenji and the Chinook get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the Basenji and the Chinook are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Basenji and the Chinook adapt well to apartment living.
    • Both the Basenji and the Chinook are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Basenji and the Chinook get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Basenji and the Chinook are very friendly towards strangers.

    Size Comparison of Basenji versus Chinook

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

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

    On the other hand, Chinooks weigh 55 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Chinooks are 21 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Basenji versus Chinook

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

    The lifespan of Chinooks is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Chinooks is 13.5 years.

    Chinooks live longer than Basenjis.

    Temperament of the Basenji Versus the Chinook

    The Chinook has a better temperament than the Basenji.

    This is because the temperament score for the Chinook is 77.8 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 68.9 percent, the Basenji has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 77.8 percent, the Chinook has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Basenji and the Chinook by measuring the temperaments of 177 Basenjis and 9 Chinooks.

    Health Problems of Basenji versus Health Problems of Chinook

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

    Both the Basenji and the Chinook 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 Basenji is prone to more genetic health problems than the Chinook.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Basenji than for the Chinook.

    6 health tests are recommended for Basenji while 3 tests are recommended for the Chinook.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Basenjis and in Chinooks.

    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.

    Chinook Health Problems

    Chinooks are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Chinook 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 Chinook puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Chinook 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 Chinooks for:

  • Clear By Parentage
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: Basenji versus Chinook

    Basenjis can be left alone for some time without problems.

    Chinooks do not like to be left alone.

    Do Basenjis shed more than Chinooks?

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

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

    Which one drools more, the Basenji or the Chinook

    Basenjis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Chinooks do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Basenjis are very easy to groom.

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

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

    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.

    Chinooks have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do Basenjis Bark and Howl? What about Chinooks?

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

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

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

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

    Chinooks can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Basenji vs. Chinook

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

    Chinooks do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Basenjis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Chinooks Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Basenjis can tolerate hot weather.

    Chinooks can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Basenjis get along very well with other dogs.

    Chinooks get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Basenjis good family dogs? What about Chinooks?

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are Basenjis and Chinooks?

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

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

    Is the Basenji Easier to Train than the Chinook?

    Basenjis are not easy to train.

    Chinooks are very easy to train.

    Is the Basenji Better for Apartment Owners than the Chinook?

    Basenjis adapt very well to apartment living.

    Chinooks adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Basenjis are very good for new dog owners.

    Chinooks are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Basenji versus Chinook. 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 Basenji and the Chinook better suits you and your family.