About the breed
The Basenji is one of the most ancient breeds of dog. Originating on the continent of Africa, the Basenji has been venerated by humans for thousands of years. Basenjis can be seen on stele in the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs, sitting at the feet of their masters, looking just as they do today, with prick ears and tightly curled tail. This was born out by the announcement in 2004 by canine genome researchers that two branches of the canine family tree were the earliest to diverge from the wolves.
One branch includes the oriental breeds Shar-Pei, Shiba Inu, Chow Chow and Akita; and the other includes Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute, Afghan Hound, Saluki...and the Basenji. The Basenji had all but disappeared from civilization when it was rediscovered in the Congo region of Africa in 1895. There, the Basenji was highly prized by natives for its intelligence, courage, speed, and silence. They were invaluable assistants to the hunt, chasing wild game into nets for their masters. The Azande and Mangbetu tribes from the northeastern Congo region describe Basenjis, in the trade language of Lingala, as "embwa na bwasenji". Translated, this means "dogs from when we were wild" or "dogs from long ago". Several attempts were made to bring the breed to England, but the earliest imports succumbed to disease. It was not until the 1930s that foundation stock was successfully established in England, and thence in the United States. So it is that nearly all the Basenjis in the western world are descended from these original imports. For a fascinating account of the importation of the Basenji from Africa, read The History of the Breed, a document submitted to the AKC in support of reopening the stud book for the purpose of enlarging the gene pool. And if you want to know all about this exceptional breed you can pay a visit to the Basenji Forum.
The Basenji is considered a "primitive" breed due to its independent nature, and is therefore less well-suited to obedience training than many other, more common, breeds. This is one of the reasons the Basenji should not be chosen without careful consideration. If you are looking for a dog that is naturally obedient and attuned to his master, consider a different breed. Basenjis are quite capable of earning obedience titles, but it is a testament to the diligence and consistency of the trainer, not to the Basenji's innate desire to please! The Basenji, like the domestic cat he resembles in so many endearing ways, will very often do as he pleases, regardless of his owner's wishes! Highly intelligent, the Basenji is very curious and easily bored. If untrained, left alone, and not given adequate exercise (a tired dog is a good dog!), the Basenji is capable of unbelievable destruction. The breed demands the utmost in the time and patience of its owners. A sense of humor is essential, as well.
Basenji quirks
Basenjis do some very peculiar things that may seem unremarkable at first blush, especially if you have had some experience with other sighthounds. When you see all these quirks together in one dog, however, you discover the uniquely lovable personality of the Basenji!
They lean. If they were human children, their school teacher would continually holler at them to straighten up and stop slouching! They lean against furniture, and they lean particularly hard against their humans. It is a very endearing quality if you don't mind 22 pounds pushing against some part of your anatomy. It's rather like supporting a drunk so he won't fall down again.
They often sit way back on their tail with their hind feet in the air. It looks much like the classic position dogs assume when they "scoot" due to anal gland problems, but Basenjis, I am convinced, sit like this just to amuse their humans. This is a variation of "the lean". Basenjis are very casual creatures, you see.
They try to rotate their head 360 degrees. It saves them having to change the position of their feet when they want to see behind themselves. One basenji breeder I know calls it "the Exorcist routine". If you saw the movie, you know what I'm talking about.
They have regular fits of extreme excitability. This is known by Basenji owners as The B500. The dog may be leaning against you (rotating his head, perhaps) when he gets a sudden urge to run like hell. He launches himself as if there's a bottle rocket in his little butt, and flies through the house with wild eyes and a crazy grin on his face. When he returns to the starting point, he body-slams into the back of the couch, propels himself onto a chair and then begins the circuit anew. The B500 is most thrilling if there's another Basenji to race with, but the cat will do in a pinch.
Basenjis are inveterate thieves. Why? We don't know. Maybe Basenjis hoard purloined objects against a time of scarcity; similar psychological tendencies in humans have been blamed on the Great Depression, so why not in dogs? More likely, they just don't understand the concept of Yours and Mine. All I know is that when something comes up missing, there's a good chance I'll find it in Bendji's crate.
Basenjis sport a "Mohawk" or "ridgie". This is a strip of hair that runs down the back and is presumably raised to make the animal appear more imposing - though that 1-inch bristle is far less intimidating to me than those 3/4-inch teeth! It is not necessarily a sign of aggression, however. Basenjis put up their 'hawks whenever they encounter something new, and sometimes even in play. Of course it also comes up when meeting a potentially lethal dog for the first time. Think of it as "high alert".
Basenjis do not like to get wet. If it's raining outside, the Basenji can "hold it" until the cows come home! Ever wonder about 40 days on the Biblical ark? No problem for that pair of Basenjis! The only time this caution is discarded is if there's a possibility of chasing the evil blackbirds or a cat in the back yard, and then a monsoon wouldn't matter.
Basenjis insist on licking objects until they are dry. Another mystery: is this a throw-back to periodic droughts in their ancestral homeland, or are they perennially thirsty? Whatever the cause, if you make the mistake of letting a basenji in the bathroom when you shower, you will be relentlessly licked when you step out of the tub.
They love fruits and vegetables. Every Basenji is different, of course, and not all Basenjis are hearty eaters. As a general rule, though, Basenjis are apt to raid the vegetable garden if they have access. Kids will be delighted to discover that the dog just happens to like all the things they do NOT, including yucky cauliflower and broccoli! Bendji is especially fond of sliced beets and carrots. He also favors bananas. Actually, there are very few foods that he does not like: olives, lettuce, celery, and apples, for example. He is an inveterate little beggar. We thought we were safe snacking on salted peanuts, until - he found out they were yummie too! Argghhhhh !!!
Basenjis like to sleep with the pack. It seems somewhat contradictory, given their reputation as an "independent" breed. Be that as it may, when it's bedtime, they want to be with you, their pack...as "with you" as they can be...not even a hair's breadth away from you! It's as though some hot, furry, malleable substance has oozed against the contours of your body and stuck there all night. Or, as Karen, slave of True, of Woodstock, NY puts it, "It's almost as if you are by yourself, except that you feel all warm and fuzzy. Especially in shedding season." As if that isn't charming enough, they also sleep as though in a state of rigor mortis, with their stiff little legs stuck straight out...into your partner's back or front...or yours, if the bugger is sleeping against your partner...and oh, but those nails can be cruel! I guess the bigger question is not "Why do they?", but "Why do WE allow it?"! Would any alienists care to speculate?
Basenjis dig furniture. Literally! A sure sign of a Basenji household is covers on the couch and chairs to hide the holes. Why do they dig? Compassion for humanity, my friend. They aren't intent on destuffing the couch and strewing foam "guts" all over the room, no, no, no! they are trying to liberate the poor souls in China! Hey, it's not THEIR fault they have to dig through a stupid couch to get there!
They are compulsive skywatchers. Basenjis are unusually interested in what is happening above their heads. They notice birds, bees, butterflies and airplanes. Do they have a dim genetic memory of the Jurassic Period when their evolutionary ancestors had wings? Do they dream of flying? No, they dream of chasing. Remember the Basenji motto: Semper captare!
(All credits to Chey Miller from Rochester NY for this superb characterization )
