Dogs

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN Africa.

MOST SUITED AS Hunting dog and companion.

SIZE
The ideal shoulder-height is 43cm (17in) for dogs and 40cm (15 1/2in) for bitches.

COAT
The coat is short-haired, dense and fine. Basen­jis are usually red with white, but black with white, and black with tan and white (triple-coloured) are also permitted. Not every country accepts those dogs having blends of colours with highlights.

CARE REQUIRED
Groom occasionally with a coarse rubber brush or with a rubber glove. These dogs naturally keep themselves very clean.

CHARACTER
This remarkable breed acts in many ways like a cat. They clean themselves by licking their coat, do not bark, instead emitting a kind of yodel. They are independent dogs with minds of their own yet bond very closely with their handler and family and need to be in their company. The majority detest rain and cannot stand the cold or draughts.

TRAINING
If the quest is for a perfectly obedient family dog, then look elsewhere than this breed. Basenjis are independent and headstrong dogs which are not easy to train. Much is demanded  of the trainer including considerable cunning to get this breed to listen and respond with the odd corrective measure. However it is not sensible to attempt to create the ideal obedient dog with this breed because in doing so you will harm the natural character of the dog.

SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
To a degree these dogs can be trusted with children, provided the children do not invade the dog's own domain, but they can never be considered real playmates for children. They are naturally reserved towards strangers and have a natural instinct to protect their handler. Contact with other dogs is usually no problem. Do not forget that the origin of the Basenji is as a hunting dog for wild game so it is advisable to familiarize them with cats and other animals early on.

EXERCISE
This breed will adapt to the circumstances so that it can live in a flat, provided it is taken out for regular walks.

GENERAL
The bitches of this breed normally come into season only once per year.