Why does the basenji yodel, not bark?

The beautiful Basenji is one of the most ancient dog breeds currently alive today. These primitive dogs hail from central Africa, where they have been used for thousands of years as a hunting dog. One of the most peculiar traits about this breed is its reputation as the "Barkless Dog," since it does not have the barking vocalizations typical of other breeds. Instead of yapping or woofing, the Basenji instead yodels.

The Basenji yodel is one of the most fascinating traits associated with the breed, since it isn't seen in any other extant breed. It's likely that the original breeders of Basenjis intentionally selected for this trait for some reason that isn't apparent or relevant to the breed's modern function. No one is certain of exactly why the Basenji yodels and doesn't bark, but there are a few plausible theories.

One potential reason for the Basenji's yodel may lie in the nature and history of the breed. The United Kennel Club, classifies the Basenji as a pariah, or primitive, breed, in the same category as the dingo, the Carolina dog, and the Canaan dog. These breeds are very primitive in their behavior and appearance, and many prefer to howl or yodel than to bark. The Basenji's origin as one of the most ancient breeds might contribute to its tendency to vocalize with sounds other than barking.

The shape of the Basenji's larynx holds an important clue to the mystery of the yodel. While other pariah breeds tend not to bark because of both behavioral and physiological differences, the Basenji's unique anatomy is at least part of the equation. A Basenji's larynx is narrow and doesn't doesn't allow low, rapid barking the way other dogs' bodies do, so their vocalizations sound more like singing or yodeling, according to Abutu.

Ancient breeders may have selected this trait very deliberately. In antiquity, the barks of dogs could have led rival hunters to camp sites or hunting grounds, thus endangering the hunt or the people participating in it. The Basenji's yodel, which might sound more like the cry of a jackal or other wild dog, is safer than the characteristic bark of other dog breeds.

The Basenji's barkless nature and adorably unique yodel are part of what make the breed so fun and delightful, especially to enthusiasts of ancient dog breeds. While an inability to bark is a defining trait of the breed, specific vocalizations can vary from dog to dog, with some yodeling for hours on end and others remaining mute most of the time. While man and nature spent thousands of years adjusting the Basenji to be the yodeling dog it is today, variations always exist-- and your dog's specific sounds may be different than those of his relatives.