Labrasenji Dog Breed

The Lab-Basenji mix, as a crossbreed, is not an official member of any breed group. Neither does any info exist about these hybrids' true origin; while a Basenji and Lab mix dog may have existed naturally for a long time, no breeder or breed club has claimed its creation. Whatever the case, these energetic, resourceful hybrids will make good pets for active families, but they'll need training and socialization to help ensure good behavior.

A few facts about the Basenji-Labrador mix: their size can vary a lot, but they average 20 inches at the shoulders in height and 50 pounds in weight; they have short, stiff coats that shed regularly (and possibly heavily in the spring and fall); and they're very energetic and will need a lot of exercise.

Some advantages and drawbacks to owning a Labrador-Basenji mix:

The Labrasenji is the offspring of two breeds that have at least as many differences as they do similarities. Both parent breeds are energetic hunting dogs--but the Lab is big (70 pounds or more), enthusiastic, and eager to please, while the Basenji is small (25 pounds), stubborn, and much less agreeable. This means your Labrasenji can lean one way or the other personality-wise, and the dog will often show both sides of that temperament coin at different times.

A Labrasenji's size can vary a lot, too, depending on inherited traits. Puppies in the same litter can grow to be as small as 35 pounds, or they can reach 65 pounds. So breeding techniques for these hybrids can be tricky; mainly, the birth mother will need to be a Lab, since that bigger breed is capable of whelping the large pups. Breeders will charge more exorbitant fees for this extra work.

As a pet, though, the Labrasenji has some great qualities. These dogs will be loyal to and playful with family members, and they usually inherit the Basenji's low barking tendencies. Labrasenjis are extremely active, however, and they'll need some outdoor exercise--walks or jogs and a period of play, for example--on a daily basis.

Energetic, intelligent, affectionate, hard-working, and often stubborn and strong-willed, the Labrasenji temperament is one of activity and loyalty. The parent breeds' personalities can be quite different, so Basenji-Lab mix traits are hard to predict. It's a good idea for owners to provide training and socialization starting early in these hybrids' lives to hopefully ensure they're well-balanced. That said, Labrasenjis are fun-loving and friendly with family members; these dogs normally get along well with kids and other pets (although they may inherit the Basenji's high prey drive and instinctively chase small animals like birds and rodents). It's a good idea for your Labrasenji to grow up alongside any children or other household pets, so they learn to be accustomed to one another.

A Labrasenji is smart, but may be stubborn--so training can be tough. The dog may need a few repetitions when learning commands, tasks, and tricks. As with any dog, firm, consistent, reward-based training methods are best.

And a Labrasenji usually has pretty good watchdog skills. These hybrids are alert and loyal, and will often bark at and investigate unknown sights or sounds--and depending on their size, they may be able to neutralize potential threats like intruders as well.

The Basenji-Labrador Retriever mix, due to hybrid vigor (in which a crossbred dog inherits the healthiest traits of its parent breeds), is pretty healthy. Even so, these hybrids can suffer ailments common to the parent breeds including hip and/or elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and various eye issues like cataracts and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). Larger, deeper-chested Labrasenjis can also be prone to gastric torsion (bloat), particularly if they're allowed to "wolf" their food too quickly. Potential Labrasenji owners are advised to ask breeders for health screenings for the dog and/or its parents, or they can have their own veterinarians do the screenings.

Life expectancy for these hybrids is relatively short, at 10-12 years.