Some surface level online research may indicate Basenjis are hypoallergenic dogs and good for people with dog allergies. Is this true? In my experience, no. I'm not an expert on allergies, but let me share my thoughts...
I've had several great inquiries from people allergic to dogs. In multiple instances, I've had these people over to my home to test the allergy on my dogs. They rub their face in the dogs hair, they visit at times when the dogs are typically shedding, they have the dogs lick them, they take home a piece of clothing they've rubbed on the dogs, etc. Whether it be the first visit or the second, EVERY allergic person has had a reaction to my dogs. Other Basenji breeders have shared identical stories with me.
Basenjis are a low shedding breed and they have very LOW coat maintenance. Unlike a poodle/doodle who does not shed but has very HIGH coat maintenance, they are a great choice if you want a clean house dog without much hair on your clothes and in your house. They don't need daily brushing and they don't need monthly visits to the groomer (like a poodle/doodle), which can be costly and time consuming.
Basenjis shed typically once per year, in the spring, where for a few weeks they will shed whatever undercoat they grew for the winter. If you keep your house warm and they wear a coat in the cold, they may grow very little to no undercoat and ultimately shed very little. Or they may shed rather heavily for a few weeks. Outside of that time in spring, they shed very little. I don't have hair on my clothes or furniture after cuddling with the dogs outside of their shedding period. In addition, their coat is very repellent to dirt and grime, and can go months smelling fresh without a bath. They have virtually no doggy odor with very little grooming effort.
Bottom line, Basenjis are not hypoallergenic and are not a good dog if you truly have dog allergies. If you want a clean, low shedding dog, they are ideal.
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