Page 33 - (DK) The Dog Encyclopedia

PRIMITIVE DOGS

Basenji DEDICATED BREEDER

Veronica Tudor-Williams (below) was one of the
HEIGHT WEIGHT LIFE SPAN Variety of colors first people to import the Basenji to the UK from
16–17in 22–24lb Over 10 years White markings may appear on Africa in the late 1930s. She continued breeding
(40–43cm) (10–11kg) chest, feet, and tail tip. her dogs during the food shortages of World
War II and exported puppies to North America,
helping to establish the breed there. In 1959 she
This neat and graceful dog is always on the alert and ready traveled to southern Sudan in search of native
to protect, but instead of barking it yodels Basenji dogs that could be used to improve
the breed. She returned with two. One of them,
a red and white female named Fula, was never
One of the most primitive breeds, the most other dogs. Instead, the dogs howl
presented at shows but was still extremely
Basenji is a hunting dog from Central Africa. or yodel; some of the African tribespeople influential and appears in the pedigrees of
Like the Canaan Dog (see p.32), it belongs who use them refer to them as “talking nearly all registered Basenjis.
to a group known as Schensi dogs—breeds dogs.” Another notable feature is that
that have not been completely domesticated. the females come into season only once
Basenjis are traditionally used by pygmy a year, like wolves, rather than twice,
hunters; they live semi-independently in a as with domestic dogs.
pack alongside the tribe, but are employed The Basenji is affectionate and fun-
for driving big game into nets. The dogs loving, and is a popular house dog. Although
are fitted with bells around their necks to loyal to its family, it is rather independent-
scare their prey. Western explorers originally minded, so may need careful training to
encountered these dogs in the 17th century follow orders. These dogs are fast, agile,
and used names such as “Congo Terrier” and intelligent; they locate their prey by
or “Bush Dog” to describe them. In the both sight and scent, and enjoy chasing
1930s the first dogs were imported into and tracking activities. They need plenty
the UK, and the breed was named basenji of mental and physical exercise if they are
(meaning “little things from the bush” not to become bored.
or “villagers’ dogs” in one of the languages
of the Congo region of Africa).
An unusual feature of the Basenji is Forehead wrinkles Flat-topped
that it does not bark—the larynx (voice when alert skull
box) is shaped differently from that of

Tail carried in tight Smooth,
curl over back short coat

Finely
chiseled
features Long,
elegant
neck

Very long
forearms

Red

PUPPY

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