THE BASENJI

(Breed Standard)

Partha Sekhar Chatterjee

International All Breeds Dog Show Judge

General Appearance

Lightly built, finely boned aristocratic – looking animal, high on leg compared with its length, always poised, alert and intelligent. Wrinked head, with pricked ears, proudly carried on a well-arched neck. Deep brisket runs up into a definite waist, tall tightly curled presenting a picture of a well balanced dog of gazelle-like grace.

Characteristics

Barkless but not mute, its own special noise a mixture of a chortle and a yodel. Remarkable for its cleanliness in every way. 

Temperament

An Intelligent, independent, but affectionate and alert breed. Can be aloof with strangers.

 Head and Skull

Flat, well chiselled and medium width, tapering towards nose, with slight stop. Distance from top of head to stop slightly more than from stop to tip of nose. Sidelines of skull taper gradually towards mouth, giving a clean cheeked appearance. Fine and profuse wrinkles appearing on forehead when ears pricked, side wrinkles desirable but not exaggerated into dewlap. Wrinkles more noticeable in puppies, but because of lack of shadowing, not as noticeable as tricolours; black nose desirable.

Eyes

Dark, almond-shaped, obliquely set, farseeing and rather inscrutable in expression.

 Ears

Small, pointed, erect and slightly hooded, of fine texture, set well forward on top of head, tip of ear nearer centre of skull than outside base.

Mouth

Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck

Strong of good length, without thickness, well crested and slightly full at base of throat with a graceful curve accentuating crest. Well set into shoulders giving head a ‘lofty’ carriage.

Forequarters

Shoulders well laid back, muscular, not loaded. Elbows tucked in against brisket. When viewed from front, elbows in line with ribs and legs should continue in a straight line to ground giving a medium front. Forelegs straight with fine bone and very long forearms. Pasterns good length, straight and flexible.

  Body

Balanced with short, level back. Ribs well sprung, deep and oval. Loin short- coupled, deep brisket running up into definite waist.

Hindquarters

Strong and muscular, hocks well let down, turned neither in nor out, with long second thighs and moderately bent stifles.

Feet

Small, narrow and compact, with deep pads, well arched toes and short nails.

Tail

High set, with posterior curve of buttock extending beyond root of tail giving a reachy appearance to hindquarters. Curls tightly over spine and lies closely to thigh with a single or double curl.

Gait/Movement

Legs carried straight forward with a swift, long, tireless, swinging stride.

Coat

Short, sleek and close, very fine. Skin very pliant.

 Colour

Pure black and white, red and white, black tan and white, with tan melons pips and mask, black, tan and white. The white should be on feet, chest and tail tips. White legs, blaze and white collar optional.  

Size

Ideal height: Dogs: 43 cms (17ins) at withers; Bitches: 40 cms (16ins) at withers. Ideal weight: Dogs: 11kgs (24 lbs); Bitches: 9and a half kgs (21lbs).

Faults:  Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note: The male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

History tells us that this fascinating dog was a balance dog of the Pharaohs, and for proof offers paintings of the dogs in ancient tombs, to which the modern version certainly bears a striking resemblance. In the seventh century they were sighted in the Congo, and it is from there that they have been imported to Britain.

The Basenji is clean both in outline and habits-cat-like in they way in which he cleans his feet and odourless- thus making him a perfect household companion.

He is known as the ‘barkless dog’-a unique characteristic to breed, and expresses his pleasure with a crowing- yodeling noise. The wrinkles on his head give him a quizzical expression. He is curious, self-confident and friendly, and becomes very attached to his human family.

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