Basenji has average obesity risk, needs balanced diet, daily walks, and weight monitoring.

American Water Spaniel has average risk of obesity, needs daily walks and quality diet to maintain healthy weight.

Affectionate
Curious
Playful
Alert
Energetic
Intelligent

Energetic
Intelligent
Protective
Friendly
Obedient
Trainable

Choose a Basenji if you want a top-notch watchdog. This breed takes guarding seriously, and may not require much training, though obedience or guard dog training can improve their skills.

American Water Spaniels make excellent watchdogs - they're vocal and protective of their territory.

Central Africa (Zaire and the Congo)

United States

African Bush Dog

spaniel, retriever

Ancient

1800s

Hound (AKC:1943)
Sighthounds and Pariahs (UKC)

Sporting (AKC:1940)
Gun Dog (UKC)

Hazel
Brown
Amber

Hazel
Brown
Amber

Black
Brown

Black
Brown

White
Black
Brindle
Red

Black
Brown
Red
Sable

Basenjis have short coats.

American Water Spaniels have medium-length coats.

Straight

Wavy

A Basenji can have a litter of 10-12 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

An American Water Spaniel can have a litter of 10-13 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Basenjis have average adaptability to changes in lifestyle and living environments compared to other breeds.

American Water Spaniels are highly adaptable and versatile, making them excellent companions for families and individuals of all lifestyles.

PRA
Fanconi Syndrome
Basenji Enteropathy

Mitral Valve Disease
Degenerative Myelopathy

Persistent Pupillary Membranes (PPM)
Pyruvate Kinase (PK) Deficiency

Distichiasis
Lenticular Opacities
Hip Dysplasia
Heart Disease

Eye
Dna Test For Pk
Fanconi Urine Test
Full Body Physical Examination

Hip X-Rays
Heart
Eye Examination

Basenji has below average social needs and is content with spending time alone.

American Water Spaniel has very high social needs and requires regular mental and physical stimulation, a job or purpose, and companionship.

Basenjis require significant physical activity and suit those with an active lifestyle.

American Water Spaniels need high physical activity and are ideal for active individuals, but not suitable for sedentary lifestyles or small apartments.

Basenji has low drooling tendency, suitable for those who dislike drool marks.

American Water Spaniel minimally drools, ideal for those who dislike drool marks on clothing.

Basenjis are typically quiet and only bark when needed, such as to alert their owner or when in distress.

American Water Spaniels bark moderately when necessary and may also bark due to certain triggers like fear, alarm, boredom, greeting, separation anxiety and compulsive barking.

While Basenji dogs can defend their territory or owners, it's not their primary trait, and they are not ideal guard dogs.

American Water Spaniel dogs are highly protective and make excellent guard dogs due to their strong instinct to defend their territory and owners, and their high level of vigilance.

Shake, Running, Sniffing, Cuddling, Destroying toys, Marking, Run, Play with Toys, Dog Parks, Walk, Being pet, Fetch, Smelling, Out, Catch treats, Play keep away, Play, Chase, Tracking, Eating Snacks, Walking, Mischif, Hiking, Lounging, Mountain biking, Off-leash, Fetch-ish, Trail running, Long hikes

Swim, Walk, Run

Basenjis are high-energy dogs. They need mental as well as physical exercise. These dogs require a lot of your involvement and without it they can, and will, become problematic dogs.

American Water Spaniels are medium-energy dogs and typically enjoy socializing and playing casual or even sustained games of chase with other dogs. They may also have occasional periods of barking or racing around the house.

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Basenji, it's at least 15 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For American Water Spaniel, it's at least 8 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

In general most Basenjis usually need at least 90 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

In general most American Water Spaniels usually need at least 60 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

The Basenji is a low-maintenance breed that doesn't require much grooming.

The American Water Spaniel requires an average amount of grooming compared to other breeds.

Basenji should be brushed at least once a week. Of course you can give them more frequent brushes if you find that they are still shedding a lot

Ideally, American Water Spaniel should be brushed at least 2 or 3 times a week (preferably daily) improve shedding.

Slicker Brush
Deshedder
Nail Clipper

Pin Brush
Slicker Brush
Dematter
Comb
Deshedder
Clipper
Nail Clipper

The average cost of a Basenji is somewhere $1.70 - $2.00 per day.

The average cost of an American Water Spaniel is somewhere $2.50 - $3.20 per day.

The average per month expenses of a Basenji is between $48 - $63. This makes an average of $576 - $756 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

The average per month expenses of an American Water Spaniel is between $74 - $95. This makes an average of $888 - $1140 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

Basenji is an independent and stubborn breed with low obedience intelligence, making training a test of patience.

American Water Spaniels are average in obedience intelligence but have a high IQ and may cause trouble if left unsupervised.

Basenjis have average emotions and adapt well to different situations.

This breed is sensitive to its environment and best suited for patient and understanding families with a consistent routine.

Basenjis can do well in apartments with enough exercise and time outside, but a small yard would be ideal.

American Water Spaniels make excellent apartment dogs, being fairly active indoors and not requiring a yard.

Basenjis are good with kids if socialized and trained from a young age.

American Water Spaniels make excellent family pets for kids due to their gentle, protective nature and calm temperament.

Basenjis are somewhat cat friendly and can be trained to get along with cats.

American Water Spaniels are average in their friendliness toward cats and tend to do well with them, especially if raised together.

Basenjis are quick to announce strangers and can be standoffish or suspicious.

American Water Spaniels are highly friendly around strangers.

Basenjis have an average level of playfulness, enjoying playtime like most dogs but not excessively so.

American Water Spaniels are very playful, so adopting an older one might be a better option for a more relaxed experience.