The Basenji is one of the worlds oldest dog breeds, dated 3000 BC, sometimes even earlier. Paintings have been found in Algeria of basenji like dogs which are dated as early as 12000BC. In Egypt, which has been believed to be the cradle of the  Basenji, paintings have been found of  small spits like dogs with a little bell around their neck. This bell is considered an evidence that it really is a Basenji since the Basenji is the only breed which does not bark, and in Central Africa, where you  find Basenjis today, the people use bells around the neck of their Basenjis. The bells are often made of a nut and an ape bone or a stick is used as the clapper. The bells are used for the hunters to localise the Basenjis.

The Basenji was discovered in the end of the 1900 century by explorers in Africa, in the former Belgian Congo and in the south of Sudan. Several attempts were made to bring them to Europe but they died of distemper. Finally in the 1930-ies they survived and they were shown at Crufts in 1937 and a lot of people came to see them.

People started to breed them and the first one came to Sweden in 1951.

The Basenji is a rare breed in Scandinavia and in Sweden we register ~50 puppies/year. (Here we have to register every puppy) It is shown a lot at dog shows with great results and the entries are quite high.

The Basenji belong to FCI group 5, Spits breeds and dogs of primitive origin.

The Basenji can not bark but is not mute. It can growl, whine, howl and when it is happy it makes a yodelling sound. It should not be misunderstood  for a growl. A yodelling Basenji is a happy  Basenji! Some yodel in a very low tune and some go very high. Especially the males can yodel  very low.

The Basenji is a hunting dog belonging to the "sight hounds". It is a very capable hunter and can also easily kill its prey. You should not forget that as a Basenji owner. Unfortunately the Basenji is not used as a hunter in Sweden, only as a pet or a show dog. We can practice lure coursing and in 2003 we will be able to start competing as well, which they do in Finland with great success.

A Basenji is a spits like dog, ~40-43cm tall. The coat is short and silky of different colours, black/white, red/white, brindle/white and tricolour. It should have white feet, chest and tail tip. A white blaze, white legs and a white collar, everything from a small white spot on the neck to a full collar, is optional. The most common colour is red/white.

The head should be wrinkled with a short muzzle and with almond shaped dark eyes. It should  not have a snipy appearance.

The Basenji is a square dog with a short back with the curly tail set high  and laying down on the side.

They should move with elegance and with very little energy  and they should not lift the legs more than necessary, the legs should move like the pendulum of an old clock.

The general appearance should be a dog with elegance and aristocracy  with fine bone, but they should not lack substance.

The Basenji is not everybody¹s breed, you need to have a good sense of humour. It is not a tail wagging beggar and can be aloof with strangers, but it should NOT be AGGRESSIVE. A Basenji learns very fast, both positive and negative behaviour, and it is very important to "guide" your Basenji  threw the "teenage" period.
You train your Basenji through teaching it the right behaviour instead of correcting wrong behaviour. A Basenji needs a lot of mental training and they love to learn tricks and to show them. They can do the whole repertoire in one go.

A Basenji matures physically very fast and a 6 months old dog puppy can be too much if you  let yourself into a fight with it, 8-10kg of muscles. It has a great need for exercise and of free running and it is very wise to teach your puppy to run free every day.

If you really want an obedience dog  you should  not choose a Basenji, but if you want a challenge and to live your life with a sense of humour and if you want a dog to share your ups and downs with, you should choose the Basenji.

A Basenji will never be your slave but can be your best friend!

Life with a Basenji!

Yulara Elanora, Nora,  and her owner were out in the forest. It was during the moose hunting period but the signs said it was NO hunting that day.
Suddenly Nora was off lead, something happened with lead, and no harm done. Then a hunter showed up and said "change of plans, we are hunting today". The owner got very nervous of coarse and thought that her lovely dog was going to be shot immediately. She told the hunter to try to reach his hunting members so they will be aware of the little dog. Very soon a call came and Nora she was having a ball, having a moose at the stand. Don¹t shoot, don¹t shoot the owner cried, my dog will be very frightened. They promised, but very soon they called again and said the dog was holding the moose perfectly so they wanted to shoot and so they did. The moose was not killed instantly and ran off and so did the Basenji. When they reached them the Basenji had a firm grip around the moose¹s throat and they did shoot it.
The story ends with Nora sitting with the hunters sharing their picnic and she was invited for next year¹s hunt.

Yulara Fulared Fagus, Fagge, (the one I compete in obedience with) and I were out in the forest. Suddenly he did find a blue cloth and really enjoyed it, he tore it to pieces and wouldn¹t let me near it. He refused to obey. I turned my back to him and ignored him walking away. He came immediately, it was no fun anymore.
Every time we passed that area later he had some of this pieces hidden and he went for them but didn¹t want to let go.
One day he was on his way again. I said NO and he obeyed!! Yeah! Finally the penny dropped. He was heeling and I was soooo proud of him. I let him run again and he shot like a cannonball 50m ahead of me and there he had another of this blue cloths. You should have seen his expression!! Fooled you, didn¹t I J
I was laughing with my tears running!

This is life with a BASENJI !!!