Basenji versus Kishu Ken. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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Basenji Versus Kishu Ken: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Basenji and the Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken. 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 Kishu Ken.

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 Kishu Ken.

Basenji versus Kishu Ken: Overview

A very important difference between the Basenji and the Kishu Ken is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Basenji is a small-sized dog while the Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Basenji to the Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken

Factor Basenji Kishu Ken
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 5/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Easy To Train 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 5/5 3/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 9 to 13 years
Height 16 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder 17 to 22 inches
General Health 2/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 2/5 2/5
Weight 22 to 24 pounds 30 to 60 pounds
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $1560 No Data
Price Range $1450 – $1450 No Data
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
    		•  No Data

    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 Kishu Ken. 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 Kishu Ken is 79 out of 125.

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Basenji and the Kishu Ken

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

    • Basenjis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Kishu Kens can tolerate cold weather.
    • Basenjis do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies. However, Kishu Kens shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
    • Basenjis are not easy to train. However, Kishu Kens are very easy to train.
    • Basenjis are very friendly towards strangers. However, Kishu Kens are not very friendly towards strangers.
    • Basenjis are prone to nip and chew at things. However, Kishu Kens are not prone to nip and chew at things.
    • Basenjis have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Kishu Kens 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 Kishu Ken

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

    • Both the Basenji and the Kishu Ken do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Basenji and the Kishu Ken are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the Basenji and the Kishu Ken are not prone to gaining weight easily.
    • Both the Basenji and the Kishu Ken not very playful.
    • Both the Basenji and the Kishu Ken can be left alone for some time without problems.
    • Both the Basenji and the Kishu Ken can tolerate hot weather.
    • Both the Basenji and the Kishu Ken are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Basenji and the Kishu Ken have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
    • Both the Basenji and the Kishu Ken require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.

    Size Comparison of Basenji versus Kishu Ken

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

    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, Kishu Kens weigh 30 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Kishu Kens are 17 to 22 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Basenji versus Kishu Ken

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

    The lifespan of Kishu Kens is between 9 to 13 years. The average lifespan of Kishu Kens is 11.0 years.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Basenji versus Kishu Ken

    Basenjis can be left alone for some time without problems.

    Kishu Kens can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Basenjis shed more than Kishu Kens?

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

    Kishu Kens shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Basenji or the Kishu Ken

    Basenjis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Kishu Kens do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Basenji or the Kishu Ken?

    Basenjis are very easy to groom.

    Kishu Kens are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Basenji Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Kishu Ken?

    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.

    Kishu Kens 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 Kishu Kens?

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

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

    Can Basenjis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Kishu Kens Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Kishu Kens can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Basenji vs. Kishu Ken

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

    Kishu Kens 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 Kishu Kens Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Basenjis can tolerate hot weather.

    Kishu Kens can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

    Basenjis get along very well with other dogs.

    Kishu Kens do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Basenjis good family dogs? What about Kishu Kens?

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

    Kishu Kens are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Basenjis and Kishu Kens?

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

    Kishu Kens get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Is the Basenji Easier to Train than the Kishu Ken?

    Basenjis are not easy to train.

    Kishu Kens are very easy to train.

    Is the Basenji Better for Apartment Owners than the Kishu Ken?

    Basenjis adapt very well to apartment living.

    Kishu Kens adapt moderately well to apartment living.

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

    Basenjis are very good for new dog owners.

    Kishu Kens are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Basenji versus Kishu Ken. 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 Kishu Ken better suits you and your family.