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. Someone always stares. Someone always asks.

And honestly? I love it.

Because Olive is not your average dog. She's got enormous ears, a tightly curled tail, and a permanently furrowed little brow that makes her look deeply concerned about the state of the world at all times. She's adorable. She's a little dramatic. And she is absolutely a breed you don't see every day.

So 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 really like living with one, this is for you.

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

This is always the first one.

I tell people she's a Basenji, and nine times out of ten, I get a genuinely puzzled "A what?!" They're not a common breed. Most people have never seen one in person. The name itself doesn't ring a bell.

Basenjis are a small, ancient breed from Central Africa. They were originally bred for hunting, prized for their sharp vision, quick reflexes, and clever nature. They're one of the oldest domesticated dog breeds in the world, and they carry themselves like they know it.

And yes, people sometimes think she's a Shiba Inu. She's not. Similar silhouette, similar attitude, totally different breed from a totally 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? She is absolutely, definitely not quiet.

Olive yodels. It's called a "baroo," and it comes out when she's excited or wants your attention. She grumbles. She squeaks. She makes a whole repertoire of little sounds that people have compared to a piglet, a canary, and Stitch from Lilo & Stitch. When one of her favorite humans leaves, she lets out the most piercing, heartbreaking little scream you've ever heard. It turns heads on the street. It breaks your heart.

So no, she doesn't bark. But she has plenty to say.

"Is She Hypoallergenic?"

Yes, she is. Though it's worth noting that hypoallergenic doesn't mean allergen-free. It just means she produces fewer allergens than most dogs. For people with mild dog allergies, Basenjis can be a great fit, but it's always worth spending 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?"

She is a fantastic apartment dog. Small, barkless, and perfectly content to nap for hours.

Olive has her moments of energy. She'll do her signature zoomies around the apartment, burn it all off in about ninety seconds, and then find the nearest sun patch to collapse in. She adjusts to the pace of the day really well. If I'm up for a long walk, she's in. If we're having a slow Sunday, she's not bouncing off the walls demanding stimulation.

As long as she gets some attention, a window to monitor the neighborhood, and something cozy to curl up on, she's completely content.

"Is She Good with People?"

She loves people. Especially the ones who sit still long enough for her to crawl into their lap. It’s safe to say, Olive has never met a stranger.

Olive is gentle and affectionate and absolutely wonderful with kids. She usually finds the coziest spot near whoever she's decided likes her most and makes herself right at home. When she was a puppy, I made a point of having strangers give her treats, and I really think that early experience shaped how she sees the world. She has her inner circle, but she's quick to add new members.

"What About Other Dogs?"

This one is a little more complicated.

Olive has a handful of dog friends she's known since she was a puppy, and she adores them. But when it comes to unfamiliar dogs, she doesn't exactly roll out the welcome mat. She knows her people and her pups, and she keeps a tight circle.

We skip crowded dog parks now. She does best in calm environments with familiar faces. Every Basenji is different, so yours might be more of a social butterfly. Olive just knows what she likes, and she's not particularly interested in pretending otherwise.

"Does She Like Water?"

Ask anyone who has watched us freeze on the sidewalk during a light drizzle. Yes. She hates it.

The tiniest mist sends her into full protest mode. She'll stop dead in her tracks, look up at me like I've personally betrayed her, and leap over puddles like they're made of lava.

She is, however, remarkably clean. She grooms herself constantly. She avoids mud like it's her full-time job. Baths happen maybe once or twice a year, and she makes her feelings known the entire time. She flails. She cries. She is not subtle about it.

Was She Easy to Train?"

She's smart. Genuinely, impressively smart.

But easy? Not quite.

Olive is stubborn in a way that only a Basenji owner truly understands. She knows exactly what I'm asking her to do. Whether she does it depends entirely on whether she's in the mood. She responds to "heel." She'll wait for her treat if I put it right under her nose. She picks up new tricks. She knows the rules.

She just doesn't always feel like following them.

On structured walks, she's focused and attentive. On casual ones, sniffing every single square inch of the sidewalk is entirely on her terms, and no amount of gentle leash pressure will rush her.

"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, on 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 cuts both ways. Separation anxiety is the thing I struggle with most. When I leave, she doesn't just miss me. She falls apart. The screaming, the pacing, the absolute devastation of watching me put on shoes. We've been working on it for a long time, and we've made real progress, but it's still the hardest part of having her. She loves her people so much that being apart from them feels impossible.

When I got Olive, it was the first time I'd ever raised a dog from puppyhood. I had no idea what I was doing. There were moments of real frustration, potty training disasters, leash battles, and the kind of exhaustion that comes from pouring everything into something small and stubborn and wonderful.

But I'd do every single bit of it again.

Olive is quirky and clingy and a little dramatic. She yodels when she's happy and screams when she's sad and leaps over puddles like a tiny, concerned gazelle. She is the sweetest, most singular companion I've ever had. And she turns heads everywhere we go.

I wouldn't have it any other way.

You can follow more of her daily life on Instagram @holdtheolive. And if you ever have questions about Basenjis, feel free to send me a message.