Basenji

Basenji

FCI Standard No. 43

Origin

Group

Section

Working

Date of acceptance on a definitive basis by the FCI

Date of publication of the official valid standard

Date of the last update

En français, cette race se dit

Diese Norm ist in deutscher Sprache sichtbar

En español, esta raza se dice

In het Nederlands, wordt dit ras gezegd

This breed is also known as

Terrier du Congo 
Terrier Nyam-Nyam

Usage

General appearance

Important proportions

Behaviour / temperament

Head

Cranial region

Head

Skull

Stop

Facial region

Nose

Jaws and teeth

Eyes

Ears

Neck

Body

Body

Back

Loin

Chest

Ribs

Underline and belly

Tail

Limbs

Forequarters

Generality

Shoulders

Elbows

Forearm

Pastern

Hindquarters

Generality

Lower thigh

Stifle

Hock

Feet

Gait and movement

Skin

Coat

Hair

Colour

Size and weight

Height at withers

Weight

Faults

Disqualifying faults

NB :

Detailed history

It is in Africa that we must look for the origins of Basenji, whose name derives, in fact, from that of a tribe from the Congo River region: the Bashingi. It is actually further east, in the heart of the Ituri forest region, that we find the first traces of this race. A few millennia ago, this dog was the favorite hunting companion of the Pygmies. The legend says that, then, he fought without fear the lion, but the reality is much more modest. It was rather to poultry and antelopes that Basenji hunted. The Africans thought, moreover, that this dog removed evil spirits, and they entrusted to him the guard of their dwellings.

It is in any case in this part of black Africa that the Egyptians discovered this animal. After adopting it, they went so far as to worship it, and Basenji became a sacred dog. As such, he appeared on the tombs because he was supposed to accompany the dead in the afterlife. Be that as it may, it has been found, on a large number of tombs dating back to about 3600 BC, representations of a dog breed in every respect identical to today's Basenji. The Basenji was also baptized for some time "dog of Kheops", named after the pharaoh who built the great pyramid of Guizèh.

This is all that we know about the African history of Basenji, which is lost until the nineteenth century. It was around 1870 that English settlers rediscovered this race in an area between the former kingdom of Kongo and Sudan, where its representatives were used for hunting. And so, a few years later, in 1895, dogs named "Terriers of the Congo" made a remarkable appearance at the National Cruft's Show in London, one of the most famous international exhibitions.

Alas, suffering from the disease of Carré, these imported dogs died before being able to reproduce. Six other subjects suffered the same fate in 1923. It should be noted that at the time Carré's disease was unknown in Africa and that the dogs that came from this continent did not offer any resistance to the virus.

Basenji did not succeed until 1937 in Great Britain, in 1941 in the United States. The establishment of this breed in the Western world is undoubtedly due to the efforts of an English breeder, Veronica Tudor Williams, who, for years, traveled across Africa to find the most beautiful specimens.

Basenji made its entry into France in 1966, but, if there are some breeding quality, this breed remains virtually unknown in the Hexagon, which explains in part its low birth rate: there is in fact only about ten births each year (females of Basenji are those who have heat only once a year).

There is one point that should be emphasized: Basenji is a purebred dog. This precision is not superfluous, because we meet in Africa a large number of dogs who are like him but who are only bastards or horny. The real Basenji is easy to recognize, however, because it has a particularity a priori inimitable: it does not bark, but sounds sounds both laughter and the "jodler" Tyrolean. This originality is not transmitted to the products of a cross between a Basenji and another race. Indeed, the horny and the bastards bark, and this sign does not deceive.

"He is the most cat of all dogs. This is what is often said about Basenji. In fact, not only does Basenji not bark, but he licks in the manner of a feline, and as his short hair does not require any particular maintenance, he remains clean. Another common point with the cat, Basenji loves to perch on a table or a chair from where he dominates his entourage.

In any case, it is his character that best defines Basenji. This dog is both mischievous and stubborn, and it is desirable to educate him with a firm hand. The animal is sometimes hard enough, and his fierce will often disconcerts the too lax masters. Very exclusive, Basenji attaches to his master, which he can not bear the slightest sign of indifference. However, enthusiasts readily claim that it is its independent character that is the charm of Basenji. For the latter, disobedience is obviously a deliberate act, just as his behavior is when he stands apart from the rest of the canine gent. Moreover, Basenji is very curious and always seems on the alert.

Educated at a very young age, this African dog adapts well enough to living in an apartment, but he nevertheless prefers the freedom that can be offered to him in the country. In this regard, it should be noted that it is prudent to fence the garden in which it evolves. Very rustic, Basenji does not require any special maintenance. Naturally clean, it will still benefit from regular brushing and friction horsehair. It does not lend any particular fragility, but it must however avoid him to take cold, because he is not used to low temperatures.

As noted above, females are in heat only once a year, and puppies (five or six per litter) are born, usually, in November or December, so at a time when they are the most vulnerable. Still used to hunt small game in Africa, Basenji is appreciated in Europe and the United States in the only role of pet.