Basenji

Overall description of the breed

The Basenji is a very ancient breed of dog, originating in the Congo. Its ancestors date back more than 5,000 years, and traces of similar dogs can be found in ancient writings. This dog, also known as the "Pharaoh's dog", was highly prized in ancient Egypt for its hunting and companion skills.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Basenji disappeared from view for several decades before resurfacing in the province of Kasai-Oriental in the Congo, where it was discovered by British explorers.

The name "Basenji" comes from the Congolese word "basénzi", meaning "wild" or "primitive", a term used by settlers to designate the indigenous inhabitants of the region. In the 1930s, the breed was imported to Europe, where it became very popular in the UK and northern countries, but less so in southern Europe.

The F.C.I. officially recognised the breed on 26 March 1964, and the most recent update of the official standard in force was published on 25 November 1999.

Basenjis are medium-sized dogs that are well proportioned and muscular. They have an elegant, lean body with a chiseled outline. Basenjis are renowned for their stamina, energy and athleticism. Historically, the Basenji was used as a tracking dog to warn hunters of the presence of wild animals or prey.

One of the Basenji's unique characteristics is its cat-like grooming behaviour. It is reputed to be very clean and regularly licks itself to maintain its coat, which is quite unusual for a dog.

In terms of character, Basenjis are generally sociable with family members and people they know well. However, they can be very wary of strangers. As a primitive dog, it tends to be independent and may be less receptive to recall commands. They are intelligent dogs that need to be stimulated mentally and physically to avoid boredom.

Training them is therefore vital to making them an ideal companion. Despite their independence, Basenjis tend to become very attached to a particular person, developing a close and loyal bond.

As for their physical characteristics, Basenjis average 43cm (16 inches) in height for males and 40cm (15 inches) for females. The average adult weight is around 11 kg (24 lbs) for males and 9 kg (19 lbs) for females.

The Basenji is classified in Group 5 of the FCI classification, which includes Spitz-type and primitive-type dogs. Its recognition as a breed in its own right by the FCI was an important step in the preservation of this exceptional breed with its thousand-year-old history and unique character. Today, the Basenji continues to captivate dog lovers around the world with its graceful appearance, alert temperament and unique grooming behaviour.