Guide on Deciding Betweeen the Basenji and the Curly-Coated Retriever.

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Basenji Versus Curly-Coated Retriever: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Basenji and the Curly-Coated Retriever 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 Curly-Coated Retriever. 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 Curly-Coated Retriever.

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 Curly-Coated Retriever.

Basenji versus Curly-Coated Retriever: Overview

A very important difference between the Basenji and the Curly-Coated Retriever is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Basenji is a small-sized dog while the Curly-Coated Retriever is a medium-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 Curly-Coated Retriever belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

Basenji versus Curly-Coated Retriever: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Basenji to the Curly-Coated Retriever 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 Curly-Coated Retriever

FactorBasenjiCurly-Coated Retriever
Tolerates Cold Weather1/54/5
Does NOT Shed5/53/5
Does NOT Drool5/54/5
Easy To Train1/54/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl5/53/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor5/53/5
Life Span10 to 12 years9 to 12 years
Height16 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the
General Health2/52/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight4/53/5
Potential For Playfulness2/55/5
Weight22 to 24 pounds65 to 100 pounds
Easygoing3/53/5
Good For Novice Owners4/53/5
Tolerates Being Alone4/53/5
Tolerates Hot Weather4/54/5
Dog Friendly4/54/5
Intelligence4/55/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/51/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Kid-Friendly5/55/5
Friendly Toward Strangers5/53/5
Easy To Groom5/53/5
Does NOT chew on things1/51/5
Low Prey Drive1/51/5
Tendency NOT to Wander1/52/5
NOT Rambunctious1/51/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/52/5
Average Lifespan11.0 years10.5 years
Average Price$1560No Data
Price Range$1450 – $1450No Data
Temperament Score68.9 percent91.7 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
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Cord-1 PRA
  • EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse)
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • GSD IIIa
  • Hip Dysplasia
    • Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)7841

    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 Curly-Coated Retriever. 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 Curly-Coated Retriever is 77 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Basenji is a better pet than the Curly-Coated Retriever. 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 Basenji and the Curly-Coated Retriever so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Basenji and the Curly-Coated Retriever

    Below is a list of where the Basenji and the Curly-Coated Retriever are most different:

    • Basenjis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Curly-Coated Retrievers can tolerate cold weather.
    • Basenjis are not easy to train. However, Curly-Coated Retrievers are very easy to train.
    • Basenjis not very playful. However, Curly-Coated Retrievers are very playful.
    • Basenjis adapt well to apartment living. However, Curly-Coated Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    The Similarities Between the Basenji and the Curly-Coated Retriever

    The Basenji and the Curly-Coated Retriever are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Basenji and the Curly-Coated Retriever are most similar:

    • Both the Basenji and the Curly-Coated Retriever do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Basenji and the Curly-Coated Retriever have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
    • Both the Basenji and the Curly-Coated Retriever are not prone to gaining weight easily.
    • Both the Basenji and the Curly-Coated Retriever are good for new dog owners.
    • Both the Basenji and the Curly-Coated Retriever can be left alone for some time without problems.
    • Both the Basenji and the Curly-Coated Retriever can tolerate hot weather.
    • Both the Basenji and the Curly-Coated Retriever get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the Basenji and the Curly-Coated Retriever are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Basenji and the Curly-Coated Retriever are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Basenji and the Curly-Coated Retriever get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Basenji and the Curly-Coated Retriever are prone to nip and chew at things.
    • Both the Basenji and the Curly-Coated Retriever have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
    • Both the Basenji and the Curly-Coated Retriever have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
    • Both the Basenji and the Curly-Coated Retriever have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Basenji and the Curly-Coated Retriever require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.

    Size Comparison of Basenji versus Curly-Coated Retriever

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Basenji and the Curly-Coated Retriever.

    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, Curly-Coated Retrievers weigh 65 to 100 pounds when fully grown. Curly-Coated Retrievers are 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Basenji versus Curly-Coated Retriever

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

    The lifespan of Curly-Coated Retrievers is between 9 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Curly-Coated Retrievers is 10.5 years.

    Basenjis live longer than Curly-Coated Retrievers.

    Temperament of the Curly-Coated Retriever Versus the Basenji

    The Curly-Coated Retriever has a better temperament than the Basenji.

    This is because the temperament score for the Curly-Coated Retriever is 91.7 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 91.7 percent, the Curly-Coated Retriever has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Basenji and the Curly-Coated Retriever by measuring the temperaments of 177 Basenjis and 181 Curly-Coated Retrievers.

    The Intelligence of the Basenji versus the Intelligence of the Curly-Coated Retriever

    `
    Basenji Curly-Coated Retriever
    Intelligence Rank 78 out of 130 dog breeds 41 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions

    Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.

    According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
    • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
    • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
    • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.

    Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.

    This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.

    To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.

    Prof. Coren found that the Basenji has an obedience intelligence rank of 78 out of 130 dog breeds. The Basenji belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Basenjis tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.

    The Curly-Coated Retriever has an obedience intelligence rank of 41 out of 130 dog breeds. The Curly-Coated Retriever belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Curly-Coated Retrievers tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.

    The Curly-Coated Retriever is more intelligent than the Basenji.

    However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.

    Health Problems of Basenji versus Health Problems of Curly-Coated Retriever

    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 Curly-Coated Retriever 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 Curly-Coated Retriever is prone to more genetic health problems than the Basenji.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Curly-Coated Retriever than for the Basenji.

    6 health tests are recommended for Basenji while 7 tests are recommended for the Curly-Coated Retriever.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Basenjis and in Curly-Coated Retrievers.

    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.

    Curly-Coated Retriever Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Cord-1 PRA
  • EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse)
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • GSD IIIa
  • Hip Dysplasia

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Curly-Coated Retrievers here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Basenji versus Curly-Coated Retriever

    Basenjis can be left alone for some time without problems.

    Curly-Coated Retrievers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Basenjis shed more than Curly-Coated Retrievers?

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

    Curly-Coated Retrievers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Basenji or the Curly-Coated Retriever

    Basenjis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Curly-Coated Retrievers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Basenji or the Curly-Coated Retriever?

    Basenjis are very easy to groom.

    Curly-Coated Retrievers are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Basenji Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Curly-Coated Retriever?

    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.

    Curly-Coated Retrievers 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 Basenjis Bark and Howl? What about Curly-Coated Retrievers?

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

    Curly-Coated Retrievers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Basenjis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Curly-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Curly-Coated Retrievers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Basenji vs. Curly-Coated Retriever

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

    Curly-Coated Retrievers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Basenjis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Curly-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Basenjis can tolerate hot weather.

    Curly-Coated Retrievers can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Basenji or the Curly-Coated Retriever?

    Basenjis get along very well with other dogs.

    Curly-Coated Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Basenjis good family dogs? What about Curly-Coated Retrievers?

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

    Curly-Coated Retrievers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Basenjis and Curly-Coated Retrievers?

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

    Curly-Coated Retrievers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Basenji Easier to Train than the Curly-Coated Retriever?

    Basenjis are not easy to train.

    Curly-Coated Retrievers are very easy to train.

    Is the Basenji Better for Apartment Owners than the Curly-Coated Retriever?

    Basenjis adapt very well to apartment living.

    Curly-Coated Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Basenji or the Curly-Coated Retriever?

    Basenjis are very good for new dog owners.

    Curly-Coated Retrievers are OK for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Basenji versus Curly-Coated Retriever. 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 Curly-Coated Retriever better suits you and your family.