Breed comparison
Australian Cattle Dog vs Basenji
How the two breeds compare on the American Kennel Club's 1 to 5 trait ratings, and which one suits which home.
Australian Cattle Dog
The biggest differences
- Trainability: the Australian Cattle Dog scores 4 out of 5, the Basenji 2.
They score the same on affection with family, good with young children, good with other dogs, openness to strangers, playfulness, mental stimulation needs.
Which one should you choose?
Pick the Australian Cattle Dog if you want an energetic exercise partner, you want a dog that is easier to train, you want a more protective watchdog. Pick the Basenji if you prefer a calmer dog, you want less dog hair.
Ratings are general breed tendencies from the AKC. Every dog is an individual, so meet the dog, and its parents if you can, before you decide. Not sure? Try the breed selector.
Source: American Kennel Club breed ratings (compiled February 2022). How we check.