Labrador Retriever vs Basenji
Compare Labrador Retriever and Basenji side by side and get a clear picture of what sets the breeds apart. Explore differences in size, weight, temperament, activity level, and other key traits to more easily decide which breed best fits your lifestyle and circumstances.
Characteristic
Labrador Retriever
Basenji
Breed type
Purebred
Purebred
Height
55 – 57 cm
40 – 43 cm
Weight
25 – 36 kg
9 – 11 kg
Life expectancy
10 – 12 years
12 – 16 years
Child friendly
4/5
2/5
Energy level
5/5
4/5
Intelligence
5/5
3/5
Trainability
5/5
3/5
Health
3/5
4/5
Grooming needs
4/5
2/5
Shedding
4/5
2/5
Barking level
2/5
1/5
Aggressiveness
2/5
3/5
Characteristics
Labrador Retriever
Great with kids
High energy
Super smart
Quiet
Easy to train
Large
Basenji
High energy
Low grooming
Quiet
Small
Summary
About Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers are medium‑large, athletic, friendly dogs with a strong swimming ability and short, dense, water‑repellent coats in yellow, black, or chocolate. Intelligent and food‑motivated, they train easily, need daily exercise and mental work, and are widely used as family and working dogs.
About Basenji
Basenji: small, athletic African hound, 40–43 cm and 9–12 kg, with short coat, curled tail and wrinkled forehead. Often “barkless,” it yodels instead. Clean, independent, intelligent and strong-willed, it needs patient positive training, secure fencing, and regular mental and physical exercise.
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