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The basenji is a breed of hunting dog that originated in central Africa. It is considered by some, particularly in North America, to be a member of the sighthound family; most kennel clubs, including the American Kennel Club and the Kennel Club of the United Kingdom classify it as a hound.

NOTE: The American Kennel Club (AKC) has proposed realigning the dog breed groups. One change would divide the present hound group, placing the Basenji into a new sighthound group.

The basenji produces an unusual yodel-like sound, due to its unusually shaped larynx. [1] This trait also gives the basenji the nickname "Voiceless Dog."[2] In behavior and temperament they have some traits in common with cats.[citation needed]

Sometimes referred to as an Egyptian or African Dingo, basenjis and their closely related Southeast Asian and Australian counterparts share many unique traits not found in Modern Dog species. Both species come into estrus only once annually, as compared to modern dogs which can have two or more breeding seasons every year. As well, both dingos and basenjis lack a distinctive odor, and both are considered relatively silent, more prone to howls, yodels, and other undulated vocalizations over the characteristic bark of modern dog breeds.

Basenji are small, elegant-looking, short-haired dogs with erect ears, a tightly curled tail, and a graceful neck. Some people consider their appearance similar to that of a miniature deer. A basenji''''s forehead is wrinkled, especially when the animal is young. basenji eyes are typically almond shaped, which gives the dog the appearance of squinting seriously.

Dogs typically weigh 24 pounds and stand 16 inches at the tail. They are typically a square breed, which means that they are as long as they are tall. The basenji is an athletic dog and is deceptively powerful for its size. They have a graceful, confident gait like a trotting horse, and skim the ground in a "double-suspension gallop", with their characteristic curled tail straightened out for greater balance, when running flat-out at their top speed.

The basenji is recognized in the following standard colorations: red, black, tricolor (black with tan in the traditional pattern), and brindle (black stripes on a background of red), all with white, by the FCI, KC, AKC, and UKC. There are additional variations, such as the "trindle", which is a tricolor with brindle points, and several other colorations exist in the Congo such as liver, shaded reds(sables), "capped" tricolors (creeping tan), and piebald marked dogs.

This breed has little to no shedding (see Moult), does not slobber or drool, and very rarely pants (as dogs do).



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There is apparently only one completed health survey of basenjis,[3] a 2004 UK Kennel Club survey.[4]

Many basenjis also suffer from PRA, which causes blindness and Fanconi''''s syndrome which can cause kidney failure. Besides Fanconi Syndrome and PRA, Basenjis also suffer from Hypothyroidism, IPSID (immunoproliferative systemic intestinal disease), HA (Hemolytic Anemia), and some have umbilical hernias. Basenjis are also sensitive to environmental and household chemicals which can cause liver problems.

Mortality

Basenjis in the 2004 UK Kennel Club survey had a median longevity of 13.6 years (sample size of 46 deceased dogs),[4] which is 1-2 years longer than the median longevity of other breeds of similar size.[5] The oldest dog in the survey was 17.5 years. Most common causes of death were old age (30%), urologic (incontinence, Fanconi syndrome, chronic kidney failure 13%), behavior ("unspecified" and aggression 9%), and cancer. (9%).[4]

Morbidity

Among 78 live dogs in the 2004 UKC survey, the most common health issues noted by owners were dermatologic and urologic[4] (urologic issues in basenjis can be signs of Fanconi syndrome).

The Basenji is alert, affectionate, energetic, and curious. It loves to play and makes a good pet, as long as it is handled regularly from an early age and the owners are very patient. It is very intelligent. It can be reserved with strangers. The Basenji is somewhat aloof, but can also form strong bonds with people. It should not be trusted with noncanine pets. It is usually patient, but does best with older considerate children. The Basenji dislikes wet weather. The breed likes to climb and can easily get over chain wire fences. (NOTE: Not all Basenjis climb--it depends on the individual.) Basenjis are very clever at getting their own way. The Basenji has the unique properties of not barking (it makes a low, liquid ululation instead) and cleaning itself like a cat. It can be described as speedy, frisky, tireless at play, and teasing the owner into play. Most Basenji problems usually involve a mismatch between owner and pet. The owners mistake the adjective "quiet" to mean inactive instead of noiseless; thus, they become harassed by an active, though relatively silent, dog.

Basenjis often stand on their hind legs, somewhat like a meerkat, by themselves or leaning on something. This behavior is observed when the dog is curious about something.

While housebreaking a Basenji is easy, Basenjis have the reputation of being very difficult to obedience-train. The prospective Basenji owner should be sure to attend obedience classes taught by a good instructor who understands how to work with ALL breeds, not just the usual obedience breeds. Meeting the challenges presented by the Basenji will make a better trainer and strengthen the bond between dog and owner. Basenjis respond well to consistency and kind but firm treatment. The trainer must be as stubborn as the dog to achieve results! In general, Basenjis respond well to positive reinforcement, including the careful use of food treats, such as small pieces of cooked chicken gizzards. Some, but not all, Basenjis can be motivated by toys. If you choose to train a Basenji and enter competitions, you can succeed. Do not give up at the first problem. Advice and help are available from your local dog clubs.

Weight: 21-26 pounds

Height: 15-17" inches

Coat: Very Smooth, shiny

Litter size: 4 puppies

Basenji Life span is around 12-15 years

The basenji is one of the most ancient dog breeds. Originating on the continent of Africa, it has been venerated by humans for thousands of years. Basenjis can be seen on steles in the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs, sitting at the feet of their masters, looking just as they do today, with pricked ears and tightly curled tails. They were originally bred for hunting small game by coursing.

The basenji had almost totally disappeared from the West when Europeans came across it in the Congo in 1895. There, the basenji was prized by locals for its intelligence, courage, speed, and silence. They were assistants to the hunt, chasing wild game into nets for their masters. The Azande and Mangbetu people from the northeastern Congo region describe basenjis, in the local Lingala language, as mbwá na basɛ́nzi. Translated, this means "dogs of the savages", or "dogs of the villagers". In the Congo, the basenji is also known as "dog of the bush." The dogs are also known to the Azande of southern Sudan as Ango Angari.[9] The word basɛ́nzi itself is the plural form of mosɛ́nzi. In Kiswahili, another Bantu language, from East Africa, mbwa shenzi translates to “wild dog”. Another local name is m’bwa m’kube m’bwa wamwitu, or “jumping up and down dog”, a reference to their tendency to jump straight up to spot their quarry.

Several attempts were made to bring the breed to England, but the earliest imports succumbed to disease. In 1923, for example, Lady Helen Nutting brought six basenjis with her from Sudan, but all six died from distemper shots they received in quarantine.[10] It was not until the 1930s that foundation stock was successfully established in England, and then to the United States by animal importer Henry Trefflich. So it is that nearly all the basenjis in the Western world are descended from these few original imports. [11] The breed was officially accepted into the AKC in 1943. In 1990, the AKC stud book was reopened to several new imports at the request of the Basenji Club of America. Basenjis are also registered with the UKC.

Due to it’s unique characteristics, some genetic biologists believe the Basenji had a different evolutionary path from other dogs.[citation needed] They suggest it may be a primitive dog which simply never evolved the larynx shape to bark, the domestic dog’s biannual heat cycle and the less pronounced carnassial shear of the modern dog. In this case, the Basenji could either be the original dog breed, or it could have evolved separately from another primitive Canid species, such as Xenocyon. Another theory is that the Basenji evolved from (or were bred from) another Canid species common to Africa, the Golden Jackal (canis aureus). Dogs are known to have been crossed with golden jackals. It is also thought that Pharoanic Egyptians crossbred domestic dogs with jackals, producing a jackal-dog that resembled the god Anubis. The reason golden jackals differ in chromosome number is most likely because golden jackals have 2 pairs of chromosomes that are twice as long but contain similar gene content as 4 pairs of dog chromosomes. This might reduce fertility but it would not likely completely sterilize golden jackal-dog hybrids. In ‘The Variation Of Animals And Plants Under Domestication’ Charles Darwin wrote: “Several years ago I saw confined in the Zoological Gardens of London a female hybrid from an English dog and jackal, which even in this the first generation was so sterile that, as I was assured by her keeper, she did not fully exhibit her proper periods; but this case was certainly exceptional, as numerous instances have occurred of fertile hybrids from these two animals.”

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