The following article was written by a well respected Breeder-judge and a dear friend
Marianne Klinkowski for the African Basenji Club and has been presented at Judge's Seminars.
I find this article as one of the best ones that describe the Basenji to the "T" and is
extremely helpful for everyone to understand the breed standard and breed characteristics.
The Basenji is an athlete. Fit, strong and agile, he is a powerhouse in a small package He has heart,
determination and boundless enthusiasm for the hunt and must have a body to match.
This is a natural breed, shaped over time and ruthlessly culled by the demands of the hunt and the
challenges of daily survival in his harsh and unforgiving homeland.
There is nothing frail or feeble about the correct Basenji. His well-developed body has long,
smooth muscles which allow well-coordinated, effortless action; he does not have short,
bunchy muscles which tend to load and tighten with use. The correct Basenji fills the eye with
his perfect balance and proportion. He is the picture of health, eyes gleaming, his whole being eager,
vibrant and alert. He can run like the wind and turn on a dime.
His movement at the trot is effortless, with a long, smooth, flowing stride. His hindquarters
show no exaggeration and he is able to extend them fully and equally to the rear and forward under his body.
There is a brief moment of suspension at full extension. He fairly skims the ground, does not kick up in the
rear and there is never a suggestion of stiffness or sickle hocks.
His front is balanced and acts in smooth coordination with the rear.
His front reach is equal to that of his rear and his footfall timing is superb.
He does NOT take short mincing steps, flail his legs in all directions or prance like a fancy pony.
The correct Basenji takes your breath away precisely because his
movement is so easy; you can miss him altogether if you do not know what
you are looking for. He will not even catch your eye if you are looking for
a dog with high action and exaggerated moves. His silky, flowing gait is extremely
efficient and conserves energy for the long haul. In the ring he can easily keep up
with the flashy movers, who often take twice as many steps to go the same distance and,
as the appearance of speed is deceptive, he is more than capable of leaving them behind
on the go around. This is not to suggest that the judge allow a mad race around the ring;
the clever handler is able to disguise many faults when the dog's legs are but a blur!
His proportions are square but he appears to be high on the leg. He should not be rectangular
nor should he actually be taller than he is long. His angles are smooth and sloping, never abrupt nor upright.
This is a moderate breed; extremes of any sort are wasteful and not to be encouraged.
The dog stands 43 cm (17 inches) at the shoulder; the bitch should be 40 cm (16 inches).
A few centimeters either way does not present a problem as long as his proportions are retained.
A short and squatty look is just as incorrect as a tall and attenuated appearance. Height to weight
ratio is important and the 43 cm dog should weigh a full 11 kg (24 lbs), the 40 cm bitch should weigh in at 9.5 kg (21 lbs)
His distinctive head has a marked look of quality as all elements are in proportion.
His backskull is broad and he has a well-developed crushing jaw. There is fill and chiseling under his eyes;
He most definitely does not have a tight-skinned skully look. His foreface is shorter than his backskull by a
ratio of two to three, there is a moderate stop and a well-cushioned muzzle with a pleasing underjaw. He has a
scissors bite and his muzzle is never snipey or pointy.
Wrinkles are fine and profuse and most visible on the red and white dogs,
particularly the puppies. Tricolors and black and whites do have wrinkles but they may
be harder to see because of distracting markings and lack of contrast.
His nose should be black but may show a seasonal fading; this should
not be weighted heavily. Light or incompletely pigmented eye rims, however
should not be tolerated as they ruin expression.
His ears are small, pointed, flexible and mobile, set high with the tips at a
slight outward angle; they do not stand straight up on top of his head. From the side,
they are hooded and set well forward. Large ears set on the side of the head are unsightly and incorrect.
He has dark, squinty, almond-shaped eyes that can look right through you,
spot a tiny crumb on the floor or watch a small bird on a branch at the top of a tall tree.
His expression varies from inscrutable to sweet and pleading, depending on his mood and the
incentives available. Food is a prime motivator.
His neck is strong, functional, well-crested and neither too long nor too short.
It fits smoothly into his shoulders as a well-proportioned part of the whole.
His shoulders and upper arm are well-set and of equal length.
His chest is medium in width with a forechest and fill in front.
His ribcage is long, deep and oval, neither barreled nor shelly,
with plenty of room for his heart and lungs. As a consequence, his
loin is short with no weakness. His topline is level and does not dip;
his supporting muscles are firm, not flabby.
His pelvis is long and a distinct shelf extends back past the root of his tail for
maximum muscle attachment. His second thigh is long and broad, there is a definite
curve to his stifles and his hocks are well let down. From the rear, his quarters
are meaty with balanced musculature. They cannot be thin, scrawny and lacking in muscles,
particularly on the inside of his upper thigh.
The tail should be set high and lie closely on either hip. It should not
appear to be in any danger of falling off the end of his back. The set is more
important than the degree of curl; a well-set single curl is sufficient but a
tight double or triple curl is certainly attractive.
It is not necessary to uncurl their tails. It is painful to some and does not
reveal any secrets in the short-coated breed.
His bone is fine, oval, bladed and very strong. Heavy, round bone or ultra fine,
brittle bone are equally incorrect. His feet are compact, have well-arched toes and thick pads.
They are hunter's feet; capable of carrying him for great distances over rough terrain.
His skin is fine and loose. He has wiggle-room in times of danger and can squirm
through heavy brush without getting hung up and tearing his gleaming hide. His coat
is short and sleek; there may be an undercoat during the colder months. It is not an
open coat which would make him susceptible to sunburn.
Wariness in new situations was a survival skill in his native land and he may be aloof with strangers.
His reflexes are razor sharp and he does not take kindly to an unexpected swooping approach,
particularly from the rear. Generations of defensive behaviour vital to survival in the wilds
make this a truly risky move.
When you approach a Basenji, greet him pleasantly and confidently and let him sniff your hand.
This simple manoeuvre will pay large dividends with this breed.
The correct Basenji exhibits a delightful and good-natured disposition once
he is satisfied that your intentions are honourable.
Puppies, in particular, must be handled gently and with consideration. They
have excellent memories and will never forget rough treatment at the hands of a judge.
The judge has a definite responsibility to make a Basenji puppy's early ring experiences
positive ones, both for the puppy's sake and for that of other judges who may encounter
the dog in the ring in future years.
Basenjis are busy little dogs with a lot on their minds. They are quick-witted and
have a marvelous sense of humour so expect the unexpected when judging or handling this breed.
This dog is no slouch and is a master at seizing the slightest opportunity to turn
your mental lapse to his advantage.
Living with this breed is exciting and can be a real challenge as his curiosity and creativity are legendary.
You may penalize a dull or sullen Basenji in the ring as this is not typical of the breed.
Be careful not to confuse dullness with boredom as many Basenjis tire quickly of the show
ring routine and become ring-wise, much to the dismay of their handlers.
Do not penalize a dog who becomes alert only when something interesting is going on.
The Basenji is a study in contrasts. He is a tough, competitive dog,
capable of great bursts of energy and extreme athleticism but no breed appreciates
creature comforts such as a good meal and his master's soft, warm bed more than the Basenji.
He is adept at manipulating those who love him but returns that love, in his own way, with all his heart.
The secret of living happily with a Basenji is to convince him that it is in his own best
interests to do what you want him to do. He seldom acts merely to please his owner. The Basenji
is a thinking dog and looks to his own advantage with good effect.
This is truly a unique breed and should be treasured as Nature's Masterpiece.
The Basenji, commonly known as the "Barkless Dog", is one of the oldest Breeds, appearing on ancient Egyptian engravings which date back to 3600BC. When the Egyptian civilization declined, the Basenji faded into obscurity. He was, however, preserved in his native land of Central Africa where he was highly prized for his intelligence, courage, speed, keen nose (he can scent at eighty yards), and silence. He was used for driving game into nets and hunting wounded quarry. Due to his silence, he wore a bell so the hunter knew where he was. Yet, while the Basenji does not bark, apparently due to a difference from other dogs in the structure of his larynx, he is capable of making all the other usual doggy sounds, plus a variety of unique noises such as a joyous crowing "yodel".
In 1895, the Basenji was rediscovered in Africa by British explorers and a pair was brought back to England and exhibited at Cruft's show that year as "African Bush Dogs". Unfortunately both soon died of distemper. Several more attempts were made to obtain foundation stock, all ending in disaster. Finally in 1936, Mrs. O.Burn successfully imported the famous Bongo of Blean and Kokoto of Blean. Their puppies made the breed's debut at Crufts in 1937, causing such a sensaton that special police had to be employed to move the crowds past the Basenji benches. The breed had come to Britain to stay.
Four years later, the Basenji Club was founded and in 1941 the breed was officially recognized by The Kennel Club (England). It was Mrs. Burn who gave the breed its name. In the language of the tribesmen "Basenji" means Bush Thing or Wild Thing.
Basenji now recognized as a member of the subgroup of hounds known as sighthounds, the Basenji is the barkless dog of central Africa. But the breed is not mute. It is capable of a series of doggy noises and a crowing sound that breed fanciers refer to as a yodel. Said to be of ancient origin, this hunting breed is valued for its speedy, intelligent and silent workmanship. It could outsmart most creatures, a trait some owners find a downright challenge to cope with in the home. Basenjis are not above trying to outwit the hand that feeds them. But on the credit side, the breed is fastidious when it comes to personal cleanliness. It cleans itself much like a cat does. Squarely built, Basenji males measure approximately 17 inches at the shoulder, females 1 inch less. Weight ranges from 22 to 24 pounds. The coat may be black, chestnut red, brindle or tri-color, all with distinctive markings. The coat is easily maintained with regular brushing. A properly angulated Basenji should show good reach and drive at slow speeds as well as at fast speeds.
The Basenji is probably closer to the wild dog of the jungle and the desert than any other domesticated breed. This makes him unique in the world of dogs. For over 8,000 years the Basenji has developed in a natural way alongside man but never under man's domination - instead he treats man as a colleague. He loves his owner and his owner's family, but will not ecstatically welcome visitors, unless he considers them worthy of attention.
Basenjis do have a very independent nature and because of this can sometimes be hard to live with. They can be willful and disobedient if not trained correctly. They are too intelligent to be forced, so do not try to break his will. You must be firm, but just, to get the best results from your Basenji.
A Basenji is a Basenji and nothing will change this. He is a natural hunter with the ability to make the best use of sight, scent and sound, all of which tends to have its disadvantages. Although he is extremely intelligent, his strongly developed hunting instincts can be his undoing. If a car happens to be in the path of a scent he will not see it and this has resulted in an alarming number of Basenjis being killed It is for this reason that it is important to have good fencing.
Despite the above criticism, to the dog-lover who has the patience and tolerance to really understand the Basenji;, he can be the most affectionate, lovable family companion. He is easily house trained, fastidiously clean, and with a total lack of doggy smell is hard to beat as a house pet. They will greet each and every member of the family with the same enthusiasm upon their return home from work, school or whatever. Their own particular noise is best described as a mixture of a chortle and a yodel.
Some people buy a Basenji because they do not bark. True, they do not bark, but they can make all other 'doggy' noises, and can conceivably kick up quite a fuss if lonely or un-cared for. Under these conditions they will think of every mischievous thing that can be done to attract attention.
A Basenji owner really needs to understand his dog's nature to get the full enjoyment from him. When you do understand him he is a joy to have.- Whether he is looking into a fire with pricked ears and worried frown, cleaning himself like a cat, racing after game or just settling down on your bed for the night, he is a delight to watch.
The following article is written by a very good friend of mine, Rumour Basenjis. It helps you to decide whether basenji is the right breed for you or not.
Owning a Basenjis is not right for everyone...
If you have ever heard of a Basenji I'll bet that you've heard that they are barkless and do not shed. Sounds just like what you are looking for, doesn't it? But before you go searching for that "perfect dog" let me share some Basenji traits with you.
If you are looking for a companion that will walk quietly with you in a heal position or come immediately when called then a Basenji is probably not the dog for you. The Basenji is a natural breed of dog and has survived in nature for hundreds of years on their wits. They will not readily bend to the whims of man. This does not mean that a Basenji cannot be trained, only that you have to understand the reasons that a Basenji behaves the way it does. Basenjis are extremely intelligent animals and will probably train the owner rather than the owner training the Basenji.
Yes you have already heard that a Basenji is barkless which is somewhat true. But "barkless" does NOT mean MUTE! Basenjis can make a variety of noises that range from whining to singing (what Basenji people refer to as yodeling). The occasional Basenji will also produce a single bark that sounds very much like a fox bark. I have returned home from work or the store to find my entire house singing! Some Basenjis yodel when they are happy and I have a male in my house that will scream like a banshee when he feels that he has been crated to long. Some Basenjis can be taught to yodel on command but this is very difficult to teach since it is instinct for a Basenji to remain quiet.
The Basenji is an active hunting dog and as such this is not the breed of dog that you can easily care for if you do not have a fenced yard. Basenjis are not dogs that you can open the door and expect them to go outside, take care of business, and return to the door. I know how difficult it is can be as I got my first Basenji while I was living in a mobile home park. Thank goodness that I had friends that were willing to let me borrow their yard so that my dog (and eventually dogs) could run and blow off some steam.
Ok now that I've mentioned a fenced yard don't think that just any kind of fencing will do. The Basenji is an escape artist and can easily climb or jump a fence or if really determined dig under the fence. I have friends that put their newest Basenji out back in a 10 foot chain link run and watched as the dog proceeded to climb put of the run without hesitation. This same dog has let himself out of crates that were guaranteed escape proof. However on the other hand my Basenjis have never offered to climb out of a fenced yard and are quite content to nap in their crates while I am away.
If you are not a neat person, one of twi things will probably happen. You become a neat person or you give up your dog. Having a Basenji in the household is like having a toddler around for the next 12-14 years. Trash cans need to be placed behind a door or on top of a counter.Covers on trash cans are not enough to deter the normal Basenji. Ink pens are best left in the desk or on counters well out of reach of Basenjis. And if you think you have something high enough out of reach you better move it back a little bit farther. I have observed my Basenjis getting things off of counters that I thought were safe- their paws are used just like we use our hands.
Basenjis are notorious paper shredders. Tissues, toilet paper, paper towels, newspaper, homework, etc. are not safe if a Basenji is in the right mood. Most Basenjis are very good about leaving things alone if they are taught what is "out of bounds" to them. However I have found my toilet paper unrolled out into the hallway (that is if it wasn't shredded first) and the best one was when I couldn't figure out where all the "dead tissues" were coming from until I just happened to catch the guilty party pulling the tissues from the box sitting next to the sofa. House plants can also be a problem. Not only in just the destructiveness, but also in the aspect that a number of house plants are poisonous and could cause your dog to become seriously ill or even die. A crate is a must for your Basenji. This is the only way to keep them from injuring themselves or destroying your home while you are gone. It also is a must in the car. Basenjis are VERY quick and can be out your car door or window before you know what has happened.
If not socialized when young and continued to be socialized with other dogs as it becomes older, a Basenji can become aggressive towards other dogs especially when on lead or when they are confined. Puppy kindergarten classes and additional obedience classes are very helpful for both owner and dog. These places are a great place to meet other dog people. Some of our puppy class students have formed small groups that meet at someone's house (if they have a big enough yard) for a play session or at a local park.
If you have made it this far and are still considering getting a Basenji then maybe it is the right breed for you. Now I'm sure you would like to hear some of the good points about our breed.
Owning a Basenji can be one of the most rewarding and fascinating experiences of your life. Despite being a breed from the wild, they love their humans a great deal. It is not unlikely to find that when you sit down your Basenji will be either in your lap or glued to your leg. A number of Basenji owners allow their dogs to sleep in the bed with them. If you allow yours in the bed they will probably want to snuggle under the covers with you. They make great bed warmers- especially if you can persuade them to go to bed before you do so they warm up the bed for you!
The normal Basenji personality can range from being standoffish to a real snuggle bunny or lap hugger. I currently share my home with 4 Basenjis and each has their own unique personality. My first Basenji is standoffish and accepts you but on her terms. If you become one of her favorite people she may sit next to you and demand that you scratch her until she tells you to stop. My next Basenji I refer to as my "Southern Belle" as she is always there to greet you and tries to get her way by turning on the looks and charm. It takes a strong person to tell her NO! and mean it. Then there are the next two. My male is my clown. He is always into something or doing something to get my attention and make me laugh. The last lady in my home is again standoffish until she gets to know you then look out. She can turn in the charm just like her mother and can easily wrap you around her paw.
Basenjis can be very good with children. But as with some people, some dogs just don't like kids. It depends on the dog's personality and if it has been socialized with children. Sometimes if you have young children in the household it is best to wait until the children are old enough to deal with a dog, or look for an older dog that would possibly be more tolerant of the child. My basenjis are good with my niece and nephew, even thought they don't see them very often. I have watched my older basenji move out of reach of my niece when she was just a baby and throwing things but stay close enough to keep an eye on her. When the kids came for a visit recently, my male got into a tug of war game with my nephew who is only 2 years old. Dog and boy had the best time. Actually the adults did too watching it! Children and dogs have been known to share food- out of the dogs bowl of course. A Basenji will quickly learn that the best place during meal times is under the children's chairs.
The Basenji is very cat like in their mannerisms. They keep themselves very clean and use their paws much in the same way a cat does. They like to sun themselves and it is not uncommon to find the dog perched on the back of the sofa sunning itself much in the same way a cat does. A Basenji has a short coat that requires little care. An occasional brushing and an rare bath are all that is really necessary. Basenjis do not get that "doggie smell" that other breeds do. They do shed very little and can be a great companion for someone with asthma or dog allergies. They are a warm weather breed and do not like the cold and wet. House training can go out the window at the first sign of a raindrop or snowflake. Oh but how humorous it is to watch them try to squat and relieve themselves while trying to keep as many paws off of the cold wet ground as possible. The Basenji does participate in activities outside during cold weather with the proper protection but are not meant to be an outside dog.
The Basenji is a very versatile breed. Activities can range from pets to therapy dogs to show dogs to lure coursing and many other activities. There is nothing like the thrill of watching a Basenji do what comes naturally to them. Whether that is racing around the backyard or coursing after the "bunny" on a coursing field.
The breed as a whole has very little health problems but what we do have can be quite serious due to the small gene pool in our breed. Anyone in our breed that is a responsible breeder is aware of these health problems and takes great pains to try to avoid continuing the problem.
Most Basenjis owners are very willing to share their breed with you so please do not be afraid to ask to meet their dog(s) and ask them questions.
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