| Basenji | |||||||||||||||||||||
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.jpg) A red Basenji with white markings | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| Origin | Democratic Republic of the Congo | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Dog (domestic dog) | |||||||||||||||||||||
TheBasenji (/bəˈsɛndʒi/) is abreed ofhunting dog created from stock that originated inCentral Africa, including in theRepublic of the Congo and other adjacent tropical African countries. TheFédération Cynologique Internationale places the Basenji in theSpitz and "primitive types" categories, while theAmerican Kennel Club classifies it as ahound.[1] The breed does notbark in the traditional manner of most dogs, rather vocalising in an unusual,yodel-like "talking" sound, due to its unusually-shapedlarynx.[2] This trait earns the Basenji its nickname of "barkless"[3] dog, a similar feature seen and heard in theNew Guinea singing dog.
Basenjis are athletic small dogs that can run up to 30 to 35 miles per hour (48 to 56 km/h), and share many distinctive traits with the pye orpariah dog types of theIndian subcontinent. In addition to their uniquely similar vocalisations, the Basenji, the Australiandingo and the aforementioned New Guinea singing dog all only come-intoestrus once per year, as does theTibetan Mastiff; other dog breeds may have two or morebreeding seasons each year. Basenjis lack a distinctive odor, or "dog smell".[4]
InSwahili,mbwa shenzi translates to "savage dog". Another local name ism'bwa m'kube, 'mbwa wa mwitu "wild dog", or "dog that jumps up and down",[5] a reference to their tendency to jump straight up to spot their quarry.
The dogs are also known to the Azande ofSouth Sudan asango angari.[6]
The Basenji has been identified as abasal breed that predates the emergence of the modern breeds in the 19th century.[7] DNA studies based onwhole-genome sequences indicate that the basenji and the dingo are both considered to bebasal members of the domestic dogclade.[8][9][10]
In 2021, thegenome of two basenjis wereassembled, which indicated that the basenji fell within theAsian spitz group.[11] TheAMY2B gene produces an enzyme,amylase, that helps to digest starch. Thewolf, thehusky and the dingo possess only two copies of this gene, which provides evidence that they arose before the expansion of agriculture.[10] The genomic study found that similarly, the basenji possesses only two copies of this gene.[11]
The Basenji originated on the continent ofAfrica,[12] where it has been identified with Egyptian depictions of dogs with curled tails and erect ears, a breed calledTesem which is found in murals as old as 4,500 years.[13][14][15]
Europeans first described the breed which became the Basenji in 1895 in theCongo. These dogs were prized by locals for their intelligence, courage, speed, and silence.
Several attempts were made to introduce the breed intoEngland, but the earliest imports succumbed to disease. In 1923 six Basenjis were taken fromSudan, but all six died fromdistemper shots received inquarantine.[16] It was not until the 1930s that foundation stock was successfully established in England, and then in theUnited States by animal importerHenry Trefflich. It is likely that nearly all the Basenjis in the Western world are descended from these few original imports.[17] The breed was officially accepted into the AKC in 1943. In 1990, the AKC stud book was reopened to 14 new imports at the request of the Basenji Club of America.[18] The stud book was reopened again to selected imported dogs from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2013.[19] An American-led expedition collected breeding stock in villages in theBasankusu area of theDemocratic Republic of Congo, in 2010.[20] Basenjis are also registered with theUnited Kennel Club.
The popularity of the Basenji in the United States, according to the American Kennel Club, has declined over the past decade, with the breed ranked 71st in 1999, decreasing to 84th in 2006, and to 93rd in 2011.[21]
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Basenjis are small, short-haired dogs with erect ears, tightly curled tails and graceful necks. A Basenji's forehead is wrinkled, even more so when it is young or extremely excited. A Basenji's eyes are typically almond-shaped. Basenjis typically weigh about 9–11 kg (20–24 lb) and stand 41–46 cm (16–18 in) at the shoulder. They are a square breed, which means they are as long as they are tall with males usually larger than females. Basenjis are athletic dogs, and deceptively powerful for their size.
The FCI standard states that when moving their legs should be: 'carried straight forward with a swift, long, tireless, swinging stride.' Basenjis come in a few different colorations: red, black, tricolor, and brindle, and they all have white feet, chests and tail tips.
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The Basenji is alert, energetic, curious and reserved with strangers. The Basenji tends to become emotionally attached to a single human. Basenjis may not get along with non-canine pets. Basenjis dislike wet weather, much like cats, and will often refuse to go outside in any sort of damp conditions. They like to climb, and can easily scale chain wire/link fences.[22]
Basenjis often stand on their hind legs, somewhat like ameerkat, by themselves or leaning on something; this behavior is often observed when the dog is curious about something. Basenjis have a strong prey drive. According to the bookThe Intelligence of Dogs, they are the second least trainable dog, when required to do human commands (behind only theAfghan Hound).[citation needed] Their real intelligence manifests when they are required to actually solve problems for the sake of the dogs' own goals (such as food, or freedom).
Basenjis are highly prey driven and will go after cats and other small animals.
There is only one completed health survey of dog breeds, including the Basenji, that was conducted by the UK Kennel Club in 2004. The survey indicated the prevalence of diseases in Basenjis with dermatitis (9% of responses), incontinence and bladder infection (5%),hypothyroidism (4%),pyometra and infertility (4%).[23]
Basenjis in the 2004UK Kennel Club survey had a median lifespan of 13.6 years (sample size of 46 deceased dogs),[23] which is 1–2 years longer than the median lifespan of other breeds of similar size. The oldest dog in the survey was 17.5 years. The most common causes of death were old age (30%),urologic (incontinence,Fanconi syndrome, chronic kidney failure 13%), behavior ("unspecified" and aggression 9%), and cancer (9%).[23]
Fanconi syndrome, an inheritable disorder in which the renal (kidney) tubes fail to reabsorbelectrolytes and nutrients,[24] is unusually common in Basenjis.[25] Symptoms include excessive drinking, excessive urination, and glucose in the urine, which may lead to a misdiagnosis of diabetes. Fanconi syndrome usually presents between 4 and 8 years of age, but sometimes as early as 3 years or as late as 10 years. Fanconi syndrome is treatable and organ damage is reduced if treatment begins early. Basenji owners are advised to test their dog's urine for glucose once a month beginning at the age of 3 years. Glucose testing strips designed for human diabetics are inexpensive and available at most pharmacies. A Fanconi disease management protocol has been developed that can be used by veterinarians to treat Fanconi-afflicted dogs.[26]
Basenjis sometimes carry a simple recessive gene that, whenhomozygous for the defect, causesgenetic hemolytic anemia.[27] Most 21st-century Basenjis are descended from ancestors that have tested clean. When lineage from a fully tested line (set of ancestors) cannot be completely verified, the dog should be tested before breeding. As this is a non-invasive DNA test, a Basenji can be tested for HA at any time.
Basenjis sometimes suffer fromhip dysplasia, resulting in loss of mobility and arthritis-like symptoms. All dogs should be tested by eitherOFA orPennHIP prior to breeding.
Malabsorption, or immunoproliferative enteropathy, is an autoimmune intestinal disease that leads toanorexia, chronicdiarrhea, and even death. A special diet can improve the quality of life for afflicted dogs.
The breed can also fall victim toprogressive retinal atrophy (a degeneration of the retina causing blindness) and several less serious hereditary eye problems such ascoloboma (a hole in the eye structure), andpersistent pupillary membrane (tiny threads across the pupil).
