Which is Better Between the Basenji and the Kooikerhondje?

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Basenji Versus Kooikerhondje: Introduction

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

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

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 Kooikerhondje.

Basenji versus Kooikerhondje: Overview

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

The table below compares the Basenji to the Kooikerhondje 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 Kooikerhondje

Factor Basenji Kooikerhondje
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 5/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Train 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 5/5 1/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 14 years
Height 16 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder 14 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder
General Health 2/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 2/5 4/5
Weight 22 to 24 pounds 20 to 25 pounds
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.0 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 Kooikerhondje. 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 Kooikerhondje is 70 out of 125.

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Basenji and the Kooikerhondje

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

    • Basenjis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Kooikerhondjes can tolerate cold weather.
    • Basenjis do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful. However, Kooikerhondjes do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
    • Basenjis have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Kooikerhondjes are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Basenjis get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly. However, Kooikerhondjes do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
    • Basenjis are very friendly towards strangers. However, Kooikerhondjes are not very friendly towards strangers.
    • Basenjis are very easy to groom. However, Kooikerhondjes require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.

    The Similarities Between the Basenji and the Kooikerhondje

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

    • Both the Basenji and the Kooikerhondje do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Basenji and the Kooikerhondje are not easy to train.
    • Both the Basenji and the Kooikerhondje are not prone to gaining weight easily.
    • Both the Basenji and the Kooikerhondje are good for new dog owners.
    • Both the Basenji and the Kooikerhondje can tolerate hot weather.
    • Both the Basenji and the Kooikerhondje are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Basenji and the Kooikerhondje adapt well to apartment living.
    • Both the Basenji and the Kooikerhondje have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Basenji and the Kooikerhondje require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.

    Size Comparison of Basenji versus Kooikerhondje

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

    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, Kooikerhondjes weigh 20 to 25 pounds when fully grown. Kooikerhondjes are 14 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Basenji versus Kooikerhondje

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

    The lifespan of Kooikerhondjes is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Kooikerhondjes is 13.0 years.

    Kooikerhondjes live longer than Basenjis.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Basenji versus Kooikerhondje

    Basenjis can be left alone for some time without problems.

    Kooikerhondjes do not like to be left alone.

    Do Basenjis shed more than Kooikerhondjes?

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

    Kooikerhondjes shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Basenji or the Kooikerhondje

    Basenjis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Kooikerhondjes do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Basenjis are very easy to groom.

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

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

    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.

    Kooikerhondjes have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Basenjis Bark and Howl? What about Kooikerhondjes?

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

    Kooikerhondjes bark and howl, but not very much.

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

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

    Kooikerhondjes can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Basenji vs. Kooikerhondje

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

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

    Can Basenjis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Kooikerhondjes Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Basenjis can tolerate hot weather.

    Kooikerhondjes can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

    Basenjis get along very well with other dogs.

    Kooikerhondjes do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Basenjis good family dogs? What about Kooikerhondjes?

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

    Kooikerhondjes are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Basenjis and Kooikerhondjes?

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

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

    Is the Basenji Easier to Train than the Kooikerhondje?

    Basenjis are not easy to train.

    Kooikerhondjes are not easy to train.

    Is the Basenji Better for Apartment Owners than the Kooikerhondje?

    Basenjis adapt very well to apartment living.

    Kooikerhondjes adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Basenjis are very good for new dog owners.

    Kooikerhondjes are OK for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Basenji versus Kooikerhondje. 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 Kooikerhondje better suits you and your family.