Basenjis

Basenji lovers are among the most dedicated in the world. They love their dog’s imaginative misadventures and can laugh about their sometimes—well, often—willful disobedience. They admire their independence and don’t want what they consider an obsequious follower as a partner in crime. They also love the Basenji’s unique history, clean habits, wash and wear fur, and handy size. Basenjis are an eye-catching breed with clean-cut lines and quick cat-like grace. Although known as the barkless breed, they produce a wide variety of yodels, chortles and other odd sounds.

They are a handy sized dog, small enough to fit in any car or bed but large enough to avoid being caught underfoot. Their body is square-proportioned, short-backed with long legs, and with light rather than heavy bone. Its upstanding posture and erect ears give the Basenji a perpetually “on alert” appearance. The distinctive tail is short and curled over the back and to the side, sitting snugly alongside the dog’s croup. The muzzle is about as long as the backskull, and small tight wrinkles form on the forehead when the ears are erect. There's no docking or cropping. The fur is short and tight-fitting. They come in chestnut red, pure black, tricolor, or brindle; all with white feet, chest and tail tip. They may also have white legs, blaze and collar. The Basenji’s movement is long-striding, with the head held high. They cover tremendous ground for their size. At a gallop, they are quite fast, and able to employ the double-suspension.

Basenjis are a unique breed basically plucked from life as a village dog, or pariah dog, within the last century or so. Even in the African villages they belonged not to one family in particular but to the whole village. They hunted with minimal human direction. All of these factors shaped a dog that evolved to be self-sufficient and independent. In a famous set of dog behavior studies, Basenjis and several other breeds were given a variety of tasks and tests. Of the tasks that required human direction, the Basenjis came in last. Of the tasks that required problem-solving and independent thinking, Basenjis came in first. Don't be surprised when they use this problem solving ability to figure out how to open your cupboards and climb out of your yard! Basenjis like their people but aren’t overly demonstrative. They are very playful. They are apt to chase cats but can bond with household cats. They can be somewhat feisty and don’t mind an occasional scrabble, but these tend to be quick skirmishes rather than true dog fights. They do not believe in coming when called unless they happen to feel like it. They are very clean in the house. They are also fairly quiet, but just because they don’t bark don’t expect silence. They make a variety of weird yodels and chortles. They only come in season once a year.

You have to be a bit of a psychologist to train a Basenji. They’re more like a human teenager who thinks he knows better than you. Using force will only have your Basenji digging in his heels, so you have to use treats and let him think he’s training you. Basenjis are not known as great obedience or agility contenders because they tend to blow off their handler and do whatever they please. That said, if you can convince one that obeying is fun and rewarding, they can perform with amazing precision. More than most breeds, early socialization is essential for young Basenjis. They should be socialized to people, other dogs and even other pets and situations. Early training will also help them learn that training is fun.

DNA studies show the Basenji is one of the oldest breeds of dogs in the world. It is considered a primitive breed, meaning it has changed very little from how it was thousands of years ago. The breed was developed in Central Africa, although early specimens are thought to have been brought to Egypt as gifts to the Pharaoh. They lived in Africa as village dogs, roaming the village and being cared for by various people. They were gathered up to accompany the men on hunts, where they often wore large bells to scare game into nets. Basenji means “bush thing.” When they first came to England in the 1920s they were called Congo Terriers. The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized them as a breed in 1943, placing them in the AKC Hound group. Throughout much of the world they are instead in the "Spitz and Primitive Dogs" group. The 1956 movie "Goodbye, My Lady" starred a Basenji as Lady and popularized the breed in the United States of America. Starting in the 1980s, the AKC made a special exception to allow certain approved Basenjis from the African Congo to be brought to America and enter the AKC Basenji gene pool. This was an effort to improve the health of the breed. It also introduced the brindle coat pattern. Celebrity owners include Kelsey Grammer and Courtney Thorne-Smith, as well as royalty from Egypt, Rumania and Thailand.