Everywhere we go, Olive turns heads.

It doesn't matter if we're on a morning walk, waiting at a crosswalk, or just sitting outside a coffee shop. Someone always stops me to ask about Olive.

And honestly, I love it.

Olive is not your average dog. She's got big pointy ears, a tightly curled tail, and a permanently furrowed brow that makes her look very concerned at all times. She's adorable, a little dramatic, and is definitely not a breed you see every day.

After years of answering the same questions on the sidewalk, I figured it was time to write them all down. If you've ever been curious about Basenjis, or just want to know what it's like living with one, this post is for you.

"Wait... What Kind of Dog Is That?"

This is always the first question I get.

Every so often, I’ll overhear someone saying, “That’s a Basenji,” as they walk past us. But nine times out of ten, people have never heard of her breed. When I tell them what she is, I usually get a confused look.

They’re not common. Most people have never seen one in person, and the name alone doesn’t ring a bell.

Basenjis are a small, ancient breed that originated in Central Africa. They were bred for hunting and are known for their sharp vision, quick reflexes, and independent, clever nature. They’re considered one of the oldest domesticated dog breeds in the world.

Oftentimes, people guess she’s a Shiba Inu. It’s a fair assumption. Similar size, similar silhouette. But she’s a completely different breed from a very different part of the world.

"She Doesn't Bark?"

Nope. Never has.

Basenjis are known as the "barkless dog," and Olive is a perfect example. Their larynx is shaped a little differently than most dogs, which means a traditional bark just isn't in their range.

But quiet? Haha.

Olive makes a wide array of sounds. On an average day, she cycles through whines, cries, and the occasional yodel. This yodel is actually referred to as a “baroo,” and it usually comes out when she’s excited, wants to play, or wants you to come back home.

Over the years, her sounds have been compared to a piglet, a canary, and Stitch from Lilo & Stitch. She’s very attached, so when one of her humans leaves, even for a moment, she lets out the most piercing, heartbreaking little yelps you’ve ever heard.

So no, she doesn’t bark.

But she has plenty to say.

"Is She Hypoallergenic?"

Yes, Basenjis are classified as a hypoallergenic dog breed. It’s worth noting that hypoallergenic doesn’t mean allergen-free. It simply means they tend to produce fewer allergens than most dogs. For people with mild dog allergies, Basenjis can be a great fit, but it’s always a good idea to spend time with one before assuming you’re in the clear.

She does shed, just not constantly.

Olive usually sheds for a few days when the seasons change. A good brushing during that window takes care of most of it. The rest of the year, her coat is sleek, smooth, and pretty much zero maintenance.

"Is She Good in an Apartment?"

In my opinion, Olive is a fantastic apartment dog. Small, barkless, and perfectly content to nap for hours.

Before getting Olive, I had heard that Basenjis had a lot of energy. I worried that apartment living might be a challenge and mentally prepared myself to spend hours outside each day. Running. Long walks. Weekend hikes.

While Olive absolutely has her bursts of energy, she isn’t in constant need of stimulation.

She’ll do her signature zoomies around the apartment, burn it off in about ninety seconds, and then curl up in the nearest patch of sunlight. She adjusts to the pace of the day surprisingly well. If I’m up for a long walk, she’s ready. If we’re having a slow Sunday, she isn’t pacing or demanding attention.

As long as she gets a nice walk, some playtime, a window to monitor the neighborhood, and something soft to curl up on, she’s completely content.

"Is She Good with People?"

Olive loves people. She has never met a stranger. No matter where we go, she’s making friends. Some days I don’t feel like being social, but Olive has very different plans. She’ll sit on someone’s feet in the elevator, nudge a passerby for pets on the sidewalk, or cozy up to a patron at a biergarten.

When she was a puppy, I always carried small treats and made a point of having strangers give them to her if they were open to it. I really think that early exposure shaped how she sees the world, and I recommend it to anyone raising a puppy. She doesn’t fear people, even when maybe she should. She has her inner circle, but she’s quick to expand it.

Olive is also gentle, affectionate, and wonderful with kids. She’s a hit at family gatherings with my nieces, who play with her ears and her curled tail. She has a calm temperament and goes along with it. Before long, she finds the coziest spot near whoever she has decided likes her most and makes herself at home.

"What About Other Dogs?"

When I first brought Olive home, she loved other dogs. We’d stop to say hello to everyone on the street and spent plenty of time at the dog park. She was playful, curious, and happy to mingle.

Around a year and a half old, though, something shifted. She became more protective of her people and more particular about her space.

Olive has a small circle of dog friends she’s known since she was a puppy, and she absolutely adores them. But when it comes to meeting new dogs, she’s not especially interested. So these days, we usually keep a little distance from dogs we don’t know.

We’ve traded crowded dog parks for quieter walks and calm environments with familiar faces. It works better for her, and honestly, for me too.

Every Basenji is different. Some are social butterflies. Olive just happens to know what she likes. I’ve learned to respect that and avoid putting her, or anyone else’s dog, in situations that might make them uncomfortable.

"Does She Like Water?"

Nope. Olive does not do water.

She has an incredible knack for sensing when it’s raining. On those days, she’ll curl up under a blanket and pretend she didn’t hear me mention the word “walk.” When we finally do make it outside, she leaps dramatically over puddles. It’s very on brand for her.

Bath time isn’t her favorite, and it isn’t mine either. The second I move her toward the tub, her body tightens. Her eyes get big. She looks at me in fear. I can sense the panic, and I hate it.

I don’t bathe her unless I absolutely have to. If the pollen is high and she’s itchy. If she rolled in something gross. If she’s starting to smell like wet dog. Otherwise, I leave her alone. Basenjis are naturally clean. Olive takes care of herself and I try not to intervene unless there’s a real reason.

I did try the pool once when she was younger. I thought maybe she’d surprise me. Instead, she clawed her way up my body and climbed onto my head. It was cartoonish. That was the moment I accepted it. She will never be the dog running into the ocean or jumping into a pool at the end of summer.

She prefers dry land.

Was She Easy to Train?"

Yes and no.

She picks up on new things quickly. I’ve taught her to roll over, and she can even stand on her two legs and “pose” like a big bear. When she’s interested, she learns fast. You can see the gears turning.

I’ve been complimented a lot on her elevator etiquette, or the way she’ll sit quietly at a restaurant. She’s well behaved when it matters.

But getting her there wasn’t effortless. Olive is very smart. She knows exactly what I’m asking her to do. The challenge isn’t understanding. It’s compliance. She’s stubborn and has a strong mind of her own. Sometimes she’ll look at me as if to say, “yea, I’m not gonna do that.”

Treats help. A lot.

So no, I wouldn’t call her “easy” to train in the traditional sense. She’s capable. She’s quick. But she loves to negotiate.

"Is She Cuddly?"

So cuddly. But this one comes with a caveat.

Olive is happiest when she’s right next to her people. On the couch, at your feet, pressed against your side. She’s clingy in the sweetest way, and it’s one of my favorite things about her.

But that closeness is a double-edged sword. Separation anxiety is the thing I struggle with most.

When I leave, she doesn’t just miss me. She falls apart. There’s the screaming, the howling, the fear in her eyes as she watches me put on my shoes. We’ve been working on it for a long time, and we’ve made minimal progress. It’s the hardest part of having her, bless her little heart. She loves her people so much that being apart from them feels impossible.

What Raising Her Taught Me

When I got Olive, it was the first time I had ever raised a dog from puppyhood. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Nothing really went to plan. I tried crate training her at night, but she screamed. Now she sleeps in the bed. She started off great with other dogs, and then one day she wasn’t. She escaped out the front door and ran into the neighborhood more times than I’d like to count. She was defiant, sometimes just for the sake of it.

But I honestly wouldn’t trade any of it. She has been an incredible blessing in my life.

There is something about having a living being entirely dependent on you that changes you. You have to show up. You have to feed them every day. Take them out, even when you’re tired. They can’t tell you exactly what they need, so you learn to anticipate it. You are their joy and their discipline. Their comfort and their structure. Even on the days you don’t feel up to it.

She’s taught me patience in ways nothing else could.

Things I would do differently? Sure. Moments I shudder to think about what could have happened? Absolutely. But she’s grown me as much as I’ve raised her.

She is my buddy. We do everything together.

I wouldn’t have it any other way.