The Basenji"It's a Basenji," I say patiently to baffled enquirers. "Yes, a Basenji - a barkless African Hound." Of course, that's a little like summing up Gone with the Wind with, "It's a book about the civil war." True enough, but you're leaving all the juicy parts out.
There are several excellent sources of Basenji lore and knowledge. My personal favorite is
The Complete Basenji
by Elspet Ford. What I offer here is based on my personal observations, having lived with these hounds for around nine years.
Basenjis are like cats trapped in a dog's body. Regal, yet subject to sudden and sometimes prolonged bouts of pure canine joy of living. I've seen our pair, Keegan and Spritzer - that's her in the picture - go from elegant, statue-like poses to berserk play in a matter of seconds.
Basenjis are fastidious, and clean themselves like cats. They also have no real body odor (read "doggie stink"), and they don't bark. They are not, however, quiet! They yodel or chortle when happy, they whimper and make loud whining noises when they see a bunny, cat, or other interesting creature, and they can screech like a siren when they are in pain. They just don't go "woof, woof" all the time.
Also, Basenjis are not what I'd call easy to train. Several people have commented on how well-behaved our dogs are, but unless they are fellow Basenji people, they don't have a grasp on just how much effort went into training them. Since they are primitive dogs - not having been bred to the point of idiocy - Basenjis tend to be a little headstrong. (Understatement!) In his early years, Keegan challenged my position as Alpha Male many times, and I had to prove to him that I was the right one to be in charge. They also tend to question the why of things - most Basenjis I know don't fetch thrown objects, instead they fix the thrower with a gaze that seems to say, "You want it back? You were stupid enough to throw it, you go get it." You don't own a Basenji: either they own you, or you reach a mutual agreement akin to the SALT treaties. Just in case you were wondering, the upside to life with the Basenji is well worth the downsides. Keegan and Spritzer are the best companions we could ask for. They sleep on the bed with us at night (a good reason to have a king-sized bed, by the way...), and we really enjoy the time we spend with them - walking in the desert or hills, playing couch potato, or getting greeted after coming home from a long day. The Basenji is not the dog for everyone, but those with the patience and flexibility to understand and appreciate this uncommon breed get love, devotion, and true companionship as a reward.
Peter Wargo
www.basenji.com
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