American Canine Association

Breeds

Basenji


History

Traced back to the Egyptian days, the Basenji has been around for thousands of years. We have the English to thank for every being able to incorporate this breed into our households today, as they are responsible for finding this breed and using selective breeding to distribute their bloodlines across the the entire world. This breed was used for warning his or her owner of possible threats and for hunting small animals.

Appearance

This breed is considered a medium size breed, with both male and females measuring an average of 17 inches in height and weighing an average of 25 pounds. This breed is built thick and firm, with a triangular shaped head, coming down to their scissor bite muzzle. In between their two large, triangular ears that stand firm and tall on their head, rests small wrinkles where their "forehead" would be. Their tail is positioned up high and curled tightly, resting on their lower back. The Basenji has a single layer coat available in tri color, black, all shades of red, brindle and white. This breed usually has white on their feet, chest and tail as well. Their large round eyes are available in a light brown to black in color.

Temperament

This breed requires much daily physical activity and can be active indoors. This breed does very well mentally when he or she lives with other Basenji's. This breed is not recommended to live with pets other than dogs due to their history of hunting small animals. The Basenji would do best in a home with older children due to their activity level, however this breed is extremely loving, loyal, kind and affectionate. Owners of this breed do make sure to note that the Basenji has a very fun and goofy attitude and can bring much happiness into ones home. They love to learn, so training at an early age is not made rough. Early obedience classes are always recommended to help set the base rules for both owner and dog. Positive reinforcement training methods are the only methods ever recommended. You must remain pack leader and consistent with rules being set within your home with this breed.

Grooming

Shedding very little, this breed doesn't require much grooming at all. Brush and bathe when you feel it is needed.

Special Notes

A properly fenced in yard is a requirement prior to owning this breed, for his or her safety and well being. Please fully educate yourself about the Basenji prior to adding one to your home to ensure you are able to provide life long physical and financial care to your new family member. Please note this breed is prone to Kidney issues, stomach problems and eye issues. All dogs originate from wolves (Canis Lupus). Each breed of dog was originally created by mixing different breeds together in an effort to bring forth certain characteristics. Once a breeder has created acceptable “breed characteristics” within their bloodline and these “breed characteristics” have shown to be reliably reproduced in the offspring for three (3) generations, the bloodline may be upgraded from the category of “foundation stock” to “pure-bred”. The same “pure-bred” breed standards vary from different continents, countries, territories, regions, breed clubs, and canine pure-breed registries depending on the goals of their breeders. Dog DNA testing companies can have accurate results for a specific bloodline of a small colony of dogs. However, there are tens of thousands of different bloodlines in the world which have not yet been tested for marker baseline results by Dog DNA testing companies as of 2017. For this reason Dog DNA testing companies do not guarantee the 100% accuracy of their breed lineage results and will also show different marker results for the same pure-bred breed in different continents, countries, territories, regions, breed clubs, and canine pure-breed registries depending on the goals of their breeders.

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