Introduction

Upon hearing that the Basenji is a small barkless dog with an easy-care short coat, a person often jumps to the conclusion that this is the perfect apartment dog. Although a few of them do live in apartments or condominiums, their high activity level requires frequent walks or a fenced backyard.

Basenjis do not bark, but they do make noise, and a Basenji left alone can make quite a racket. One owner, a policeman, was surprised to find his house surrounded as he returned from a quick trip to the store. A neighbor, convinced that the noise he was hearing was a baby crying, had called the police. The breed's characteristic yodel or chortle can often sound like human laughter or crying.

First recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1943, the Basenji is a very old breed that is considered both a sighthound and a scent hound. In the Louvre museum in France sits a stone Basenji statue from a pharaoh's tomb, wearing the typical hunting bell. The statue is dated 5000 BC. The noise of the wooden bell helped drive game into the hunter's nets.

Legend has it that tribal chiefs made gifts of their hunting dogs to the pharaoh. On recent excursions to Zaire in central Africa, American Basenji fanciers found the native still using their "mongrel" dogs for hunting with nets. The keen intelligence and courage of the Basenji are still useful in his native land for hunting the reed rat, a vicious, long-toothed creature that can weigh up to 20 pounds. The Basenji is a proud, alert little dog. His attitude is one of poise and grace. With his swift, tireless gait, he is often compared to a small deer. The breed standard calls for a male to be 17 inches in height and 24 pounds in weight. Females should be 16 inches tall and 22 pounds. The standard also calls for a square dog, so they should be the same in length as they are in height, giving them a characteristic "high on the leg" appearance.

These dogs have a characteristic wrinkled forehead that gives them a puzzled look. They have a short, silky coat with a pliant skin and come in four colors<197> chestnut red, pure black, black and tan, and brindle. All colors should have white feet, chest, and tip of tail. White legs, face blaze, and collar are optional. The majority of Basenjis in the US and in the African bush are red and white.

Behavior and habits

The Basenjis fastidious nature and dainty habits have made them popular. They clean themselves all over, spending hours grooming themselves just like a cat. (They also sit on the back of furniture and gaze out the window.)

Temperament has become a problem with some Basenjis. Viciousness should not be tolerated. Puppies must be raised in a home environment with lots of human contact. Some experts feel that the Basenji is an early off-shoot of the domestic dog and hence is only semi-domesticated. Others feel that their high intelligence leads to antisocial and destructive behavior.

Recently, a Basenji owner who was preparing to take her dog for a walk answered the phone before heading out the door. The Basenji, finding his walk delayed, dug a hole in her couch. Obedience training is a must. All Basenjis should learn the basic commands of sit, stay, heel, and come.

Basenjis generally love children. Since youngsters and Basenjis can be very active, the continuous play can serve to wear everyone out.

Red-White          Brindle

Tricolour             Black- White