Basenji

Overview

Overview of Basenji

A dog that doesn't bark? Yup - the Basenji may be barkless, but they are far from silent! They tend to yodel or “baroo” due to the unusual shape of their larynx. As arguably one of the oldest dogs in existence, depictions of Basenji-like dogs (tightly curled tails and pointy ears) can be found in ancient Egyptian, Babylonian and Mesopotamian art. The ancestors of the modern Basenji dog have lived alongside the Indigenous people of Central Africa for thousands of years as semi-wild hunting dogs. They prized Basenji puppies as versatile hunters with exceptional eyesight, speed, and a great sense of smell. Used for hunting lions, these medium-sized (20-24 lbs) dogs are known by the Azande and Mangbetu people as "the jumping up and down dog” to describe the way they leap up above the tall grass of the Congo plains. They were first brought over to the UK and the US in the 19th century and were nearly wiped out by Fanconi syndrome - a fatal genetic condition. Breeders travelled to Central Africa in the 1980s to bring back more Basenji pups to diversify the genetic pool and since then, there have been genetic tests created to help prevent the spread of this condition. The notoriety of the Basenji quickly grew when featured on the silver screen in the 1956 film Goodbye, My Lady - a story about a boy separated from his loyal companion (a Basenji). These unique pups come in black and white, black, tan and white, brindle and white or red and white with white paws, chest and tail tip. These dogs don't have the typical doggy smell because they are meticulous self groomers. Their short, low shedding coat is great for allergy sufferers and neat freaks alike!