Basenji    

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:  Africa. 

SPECIAL SKILLS:  Hunting dog and companion. 

SIZE:  The ideal shoulder-height is 43cm (17in) for dogs and 40cm (15 3/4in) for bitches. 

COAT:  The coat is short-haired, dense and fine.  Basenji are usually red with white, but black with white, and black with tan and white are also permitted.  Not every country accepts those dogs having blends of colors with highlights 

CARE REQUIRED:  Groom occasionally with a coarse rubber brush or with a rubber glove.  These dogs naturally keep themselves very clean. 

CHARACTER:  This remarkable breed acts in many ways like a cat.  They clean themselves by licking their coat and do not bark instead making a sound that some say is like a yodel.  They are independent dogs with minds of their own yet bond very closely with their handler and family and need to be in their company.  The majority detest rain and have the cold. 

TRAINING:  Basenjis are independent and headstrong dogs which are extremely difficulty to train. A great deal is demanded of the trainer including considerable cunning to get this breed to listen and respond combined with the odd corrective measure. Keep in mind if you decide to keep a Basenji that it is unrealistic to try to make it into the ideal obedient dog.  If you succeeded, you would destroy the dog's very special character. 

SOCIAL BEHAVIOR:  To a degree these dogs can be trusted with children, provided children do not invade the dog's own domain, but they can never be considered real playmates for children.  They are naturally reserved towards strangers and have a natural instinct to protect their handler. Contact with other dogs is not usually a problem.  Do not forget that the origin of the Basenji is as a hunting dog for wild game so get them to know cats and other animals when they are young and teach them that these animals are not to be hunted. 

EXERCISE:  This breed will adapt to the circumstances so that it can live in an apartment, provided it is taken out for regular walks.

SPECIAL REMARKS:  The bitches of this breed normally come into season only once a year.

 

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