Basenji

Basenji is a descendant of ancient Egyptian dogs, a small, fairly lightweight physically fit dog with protruding ears and a tail curled on its back. He is characterized by cat nature. He does not eagerly submit to a man. His characteristic voice is firing. He doesn’t like loneliness and confinement in small rooms. He likes to be in the spotlight, requires constant attention and devoting a lot of time to him.

Nature

Basenji is a dog of great temperament, cheerful, lively and inquisitive. It is very sensitive and strongly attached to the owner. He doesn’t like loneliness and confinement in small rooms. It is not suitable for being kept in cages and can get hurt if you want to get out.

He likes to be in the spotlight, requires constant attention and devoting a lot of time to him. Left alone for many hours, idle and bored, he often has destructive inclinations. He is very alert and distrustful of strangers, but if he decides that he is safe, he makes friends quite quickly.

This dog is not a typical family favorite. Raised together with children, he understands them well, but will always treat them a little disrespectfully. Usually, he chooses one person to guide the herd, although it happens that he treats all members of the family equally. He can live in harmony with other pets. Does not accost strange dogs, unless it invites them to play. When attacked, he will defend himself.

Although he does not like cold and moisture, he is happy to organize snow races. Feels great in hot weather.

Skills

Basenji is a unique animal. He is intelligent, but usually, on his own – e.g. he learns to open cupboards to get food.

He doesn’t bark like other dogs, but that doesn’t mean he’s dumb. It produces a whole bunch of various sounds, up to its characteristic yodeling. Couples remain faithful to each other throughout their lives. A bitch who has heat only once a year, covered with a strange male, rarely gets pregnant. The problem disappears when there is a larger group in the culture.

Basenji. Training and education

Basenji has a feline character. He is very independent and independent. He always has his own opinion and it is difficult to get him to change his mind. We do not expect our pet to discipline, full submission and submissive submission.

It’s hard to train him. He is intelligent but stubborn. He believes that he knows best how to get out of every situation. It is not easy to teach him the basics of obedience, but if he succeeds, he remembers the instructions for a long time. He also doesn’t forget about unpleasant events and people associated with them. He does not tolerate coercion and brutal treatment, much more can be achieved with gentleness and patience.

Basenji is not afraid of traffic and does not treat passing cars as a threat. If we live in a city, remember to always have full control over it.

Basenji should be taught from an early age, slowly and patiently, without expecting very rapid progress. The effort put into training will pay off in the future, because the dog permanently remembers the exercises instilled in him. Particular emphasis should be placed on the commands: “to the foot”, “equal”, “stay”, because these commands can be the most difficult to enforce.

This dog is independent like a cat, which is why all educators who try to educate basenji by methods based on coercion will fail. The only solution is good motivation and absolute consistency.

Who is this race for?

Basenji is not a dog for everyone. He is very active and requires a lot of movement. Entertainment should be provided if we do not want him to find them alone. The owner must be a calm, balanced and responsible person. It is advisable for him to have some experience, and basenji should not be his first dog.

This small inhabitant of Africa, endowed with a strong character and strong personality, captivated many a fan of quadrupeds. Original in all respects has all the makings of a good friend. He is very ingenious, it is impossible to get bored with him, and each subsequent day is never like the previous one.

Basenji. Advantages and disadvantages

Disadvantages

• stubborn and independent
• can be feisty with other dogs
• requires a lot of movement and some mental entertainment
• a beginner may not be able to cope with it
• in winter he may need clothes

Advantages

• very pure by nature
• uncomplicated care
• economical to maintain
• at home, it is usually quiet and calm

Health

Basenji is usually in good health. One of the more common diseases is an umbilical hernia, which usually appears in young dogs and is associated with the abnormal union of the umbilical ring.

Another racial condition is the so-called Fanconi syndrome – a birth defect associated with metabolic renal tubular disorders. Fortunately, a genetic test for her carrier is now available.

Feeding

It is generally not demanding in terms of nutrition, but some individuals have food allergies. It is important to ensure that the food you receive is of good quality and does not contain too much protein.

Care

Basenji is an extremely clean dog, he cares about the daily toilet. He can wash like a cat: tongue and paws. His short coat does not emit any smell. Care is therefore limited to the necessary minimum. It only happens that the winter undercoat is so abundant that it must be removed later mechanically.

History

Basenji is one of the oldest breeds. His images can be found in paintings in the Egyptian pyramids, at which he rests at the feet of the pharaohs. It belongs to a group of quadrupeds called “schensi”, bringing together primitive dogs of the tropical equatorial zone. Although he lived among people, he had to do without their care and take care of survival himself. In these regions of the world, there has been no habit of caring for animals.

The natives used basenji as hunting and displaying dog. He even hunted lions in groups. Because he made no sounds during the run, a special collar with a bell was put on during hunting to control the chase. It happened sometimes that he ended up in the pot himself. He was also held by local shamans.

FCI recognized him as a breed from Congo, but similar quadrupeds were also seen in Sudan, Kenya or Ivory Coast. However, only “Congo terriers”, as they were once called, were granted this honor.

Until the mid-nineteenth century, basenji was not mentioned in any sources. It was only later explorers of the “Blackland” who left more or less accurate descriptions of dogs living in Central Africa. They were known under different names: congo-terrier, dog Bongo, Niam-Niam or Zande. With high probability, it can be said that in every case it was about basenji.

Apparently, in 1880, the first copies of this breed were presented in the Paris zoo. In 1895, the Cruft exhibition showed several specimens under the name “African Bushmen”. Probably in 1908, I managed to breed a basenji litter in a zoo in Berlin. Later, these quadrupeds were forgotten for many years.

It wasn’t until the 1930s that two kennels were established in England. The first – “of Blean” by Olivia Burn – initiated interest in the breed on European soil. The second – the most famous and best known “of the Congo” by Veronica Tudor-Williams – contributed to the development of the breed in the world. In 1957, basenji became an English champion for the first time. It was a dog BROWN TROUT of the Congo. Apparently, the entire European breeding line is based on only 11 copies imported from Africa.

Basenji is still a little known breed, so far we have had 23 litters, in which 69 puppies were born. The most titled dogs born in Poland are: EASY RIDER Liwang (Intch., Mł. Ch.Pl., Ch.Pl., Multi BIS), YUPPI YOO YEI Ypsylon (Intch., Mł.Ch.Pl., Ch.Pl ., Ch.UA., Ch.RUS.) And PEPSI COLA Ypsylon (Mł.Ch.Pl., Ch.Pl., BIS, Club Winner 2001, Winner BY. 2001, UA Winner 2001, Multi BIG, Junior European Champion).

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Basenji – group V FCI, section 6, reference number 43

• Country of origin: Central Africa
• General appearance: medium-sized, high-legged dog, with a light build and aristocratic appearance. He moves with an elegant gait, reminiscent of a purebred horse trot.
• Height: ideal size for a dog – 43 cm, for a bitch – 40 cm.
• Coat: short, smooth and compact, of good quality. Very flexible and elastic skin.
• Color: black uniform with white, pure red with white, black and tan with white (tricolor) and brindle with white (dark red stripes appear on the red background – the more visible the better). White should appear on the feet, chest and tail. White limbs, a star on the forehead and white-collar acceptable.
• Head: rather flat, well-carved, medium-sized, tapering towards the nose, with a slight stop. The distance from the occipital tumor to the stop slightly exceeds the distance from the stop to the tip of the nose. When the dog sets its ears, characteristic wrinkles form on the forehead. Black nose. Scissor bite.
• Eyes: dark, almond-shaped, oblique set, well open and expressive.
• Ears: Not very large, pointed, erect, set high.
• Neck: Strong, good length, without loose skin.
• Body: well balanced, with a short straight back. Ribs well arched, deep and oval chest. Loins: Short and well connected.
• Forequarters: Muscular arms, straight. Forearm very long. Tight elbows. Pasterns of good length, flexible. Feet small, narrow and tight, toes well arched (so-called cat’s paw).
• Hindquarters: Strong and muscular, moderately angulated, with long legs. Feet like forelimbs.
• Tail: Set on high, medium length, single or double curled, lying on the rump.
• Lifespan: 13-16 years

Interesting facts

The name of the breed comes from the Lingala language (from the bantu group) used in Congo. Mbwá na basɛ́nzi can be translated as “peasant dog” or “wild dog”. Shenzi (schensi) is in turn in the Swahili related language “wild”, hence the name of the whole group of dogs found in the tropics.

Although sometimes it is said that basenji does not bark at all, this is not entirely true. They can bark, but they do it quite rarely, e.g. when a stranger turns around at the door.