Basenji Weight & Growth Chart

Complete weight guide with growth charts for male and female Basenjis from puppy to adult.

Male Adult Weight

22–24 lbs

Female Adult Weight

18–21 lbs

Basenji Weight Overview

The Basenji weighs 22–24 lbs at maturity. Males (22–24 lbs) are typically heavier than females (18–21 lbs).

Weighs 22 to 24 pounds for males and 20 to 22 pounds for females; they are lean, muscular, and elegant with a square build.. The growth chart below shows the typical weight progression from puppyhood to adulthood.

Growth Chart

When Does a Basenji Stop Growing?

Basenjis typically reach their full adult height of 16–17 inches by 12 to 15 months and their full adult weight of 22–24 lbs shortly after. Weighs 22 to 24 pounds for males and 20 to 22 pounds for females; they are lean, muscular, and elegant with a square build..

Factors that influence growth include genetics, nutrition, and spay/neuter timing. Dogs spayed or neutered very early may grow slightly taller due to delayed growth plate closure.

Is My Basenji Overweight?

To determine if your Basenji is at a healthy weight (22–24 lbs target):

Rib test: You should be able to feel the ribs without pressing hard, with a thin layer of fat covering them
Waist check: Viewed from above, there should be a visible waist behind the ribs
Tuck-up: From the side, the abdomen should tuck up behind the rib cage

Their coat type allows for relatively easy visual assessment. If your Basenji is overweight, work with your veterinarian to develop a safe weight loss plan. Even a 10% reduction can reduce the risk of Fanconi Syndrome and other conditions.

Feeding Recommendation

Daily food for an adult Basenji: 0.5–0.5 cups of high-quality dry food in two meals, budgeting $42–66/month. Puppies growing toward 22–24 lbs need three to four daily feedings until around six months old. Fanconi syndrome is the signature health concern; DNA testing has made it possible to identify carriers before breeding.—treats count toward daily calorie intake.

Weight by Age Table

Age	Male (lbs)	Female (lbs)
3 months	5.6–6.4	4.7–5.5
6 months	12.2–14.2	10.4–12.1
9 months	17.8–20.6	15.1–17.6
12 months	22.2–25.8	18.8–22.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Adult Basenjis weigh 22–24 lbs (males: 22–24 lbs; females: 18–21 lbs). Weighs 22 to 24 pounds for males and 20 to 22 pounds for females; they are lean, muscular, and elegant with a square build..

Most Basenjis reach adult height of 16–17 inches by 12–15 months, with full body weight of 22–24 lbs achieved shortly after. Weighs 22 to 24 pounds for males and 20 to 22 pounds for females; they are lean, muscular, and elegant with a square build..

Three quick checks for your Basenji: (1) Feel the ribs–they should be easily palpable under a thin fat layer. (2) View from above–there should be a visible waist behind the ribs. (3) Side profile–the abdomen should tuck up. Target weight: 22–24 lbs. Their short and fine coat can make visual assessment harder, so hands-on rib checks are especially important. Consult your vet for a body condition score.

Start with the food label's guidelines for your puppy's current weight and adjust based on body condition. Basenji puppies should eat 3–4 meals daily until 6 months, then transition to twice daily. Given the breed's predisposition to Fanconi Syndrome, your vet may recommend specific dietary considerations. Target adult weight is 22–24 lbs (22–24 for males, 18–21 for females).

A Basenji puppy not gaining weight needs veterinary attention. Expected growth milestones lead to an adult weight of 22–24 lbs (males 22–24, females 18–21). Possible causes: parasites, insufficient calorie density in food, stress, or underlying conditions. With energy needs rated 4/5, high-energy puppies may burn more calories than expected.