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Basenji

©1998 Bonnie Dalzell,

Registration Organization and Dog Group:
  • AKC: Hound
  • Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI); Group
    The FCI registers dogs in Puerto Rico, South America, Morocco, and Europe.
  • Kennel Club, United Kingdom (KC[GB]):
  • Canadian Kennel Club (CKC)
  • AKC National Breed Club: Basenji Club of America
  • Secretary,
    Anne L. Graves, 5102 Darnell Houston, TX 77096-1404
  • Breeder Contact
  • Rescue:  Basenji Club of America

Breed Description:

  • Original purpose and special abilities:
    This is a small general purpose hunting dog used to locate game and bring it to bay so that the hunters could kill it. It is used by the pygmy peoples of the Congo in deep forest hunting.

  • Breed History:

  • Country of Origin:The Congo, Zaire, Central Africa

  • Basenji REcignized by AKC : 1943

  • AKC Registration Statistics:
    The Basenji Ranked ##nd in Popularity in individual registrations in 1996 Basenji 22 17032 20 18043 1498 1517 2901 523 485 520 480
    Numbers of AKC Registered Basenjis 1968-1996
    1968 1982 1986 1994 1996

  • Size:
    • Weight (AKC breed standard) ## (pounds)
    • Height AKC under ## (inches)
    • Height KC(United Kingdom) maximum size is ## (inches)

  • Life expectancy:## years

  • Eye color:

  • Lips:  Tight - Basenjis are not noted as droolers.

  • Ear type:
    Erect ears, fox like expression.

  • Disqualifications:
    Breed disqualifications can lead to a dog be offered as a pet animal. One should never pay more for a dog with breed disqualifications because it is rare or unusual !
    • Absence of two apparently normal, fully descended testicles in the scrotum in males is a general disqualification in most registries.

  • Cosmetic Surgeries (to establish 'breed look') None are called for but if an individual is born with a fifth toe on the hind legs, this is removed.

  • Color:
    The typical color is red, black and tan or black with a pattern of white markings called " irish " or "collie " in which the legs, chest and tail tip are white. In addition a white blaze and a white neck ring are usually present. When the dog in question is a black and tan with white marking this combination is referred to as tricolor. Red dogs with white marking and black dogs with white markings are often referred to as bicolored. Red brindle dogs and brindle pointed tri-colors are also seen.

  • Coat Type:
    A medium-short (1/2 inch to 3/4 inch long) fairly thick, hard coat. Tail fur with a slight bush to it (as opposed to a thinly haired 'rat tail').

  • Temperament:
    These small dogs have fairly typical hunting spitz type personalities. They are independent and can be aggressive to other dogs that are not part of their pack. They require patience in training. As hunting dogs boredom will produce hunting behaviors and these dogs have great endurance.

    They are fairly quiet if not alerted by external attractor. However can howl with boredom. They do not typically bark but can yodle and howl. They hunt silently.

  • Special Requirements:
    Fenced yard. If left in a yard or kennel the fence row must be proofed against digging. These dogs are not for the person who objects to burrows dug in their yard.

  • Typical Competitive Activities for this Breed:
    Lure coursing field trials, hunting, obedience, tracking, agility.

  • Genetic problems commonly encountered in this breed:

  • Non-genetic health problems commonly encountered in this breed:

  • Breed Pluses:

  • Breed Minuses:

  • Who should own this breed?

  • Who should not own this breed?
    People expecting a highly attentive dog, especially an intense obedience prospect. People who have an unfenced yard. (However because of their size Basenjis do well as apartment dogs for owners who plan to exercise them on a leash).

  • Esthetic Defiencies: Often these are also the breed disqualifications and are legitimate reasons for a dog to be sold at a pet price on a 'neuter contract'. These should not detract from the health of the dog or its suitability as a pet.
    • Size Show breeders may sell oversized or undersized Basenjis to pet homes.
    • Uniformity of Markings Show breeders will sell Beagles with excessively assymetrical markings to pet homes.
    • Eyes
    • Ears Show breeders will sell Basenji hanging ears to pet homes.
    • Dentition Undershot or overshot, missing teeth.
  • Do not buy a puppy that is 'sold as a pet because it is/has':
    • It is excessively fearful or excessively aggressive.
    • It has a really exaggerated posture - front feet flat on the ground to the stop pad, hind feet flat on the ground.
    • Chronic lameness in a 2 to 5 month old puppy.
    • The unhealthy scrawny pup in the litter. This pup may have any one of a number of life treatening congenital illnesses such as a major heart anomaly, pancreatitis, severe food sensitivities.
    • An extremely large puppy for its age with very large, tender or hot to the touch "growth knobs" at the wrists and ankles. Very rapidly growing puppies are much more likely to have joint problems later in life. This is in part a management problem. These dogs can be fed too rich a diet as pups and pushed to grow too rapidly. Too rapid growth is generally an error made by novice owners and breeders.
    • A pup from an excessively inbred litter.


  • Author (i.e., person to flame if you take exception to this breed description) - Bonnie Dalzell

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