Basenji History
The Basenji is thought to be one of the oldest breeds of dog throughout the world. Their name translates to ‘small wild thing of the bush.’
They originate from Central Africa, more specifically from the Congo to Sudan. The breed resided there for literally thousands of years with the locals; the locals were actually members of a Pygmy tribe. The Basenjis would live in packs and be quite independent from the Pygmies. They would survive without the help of the locals but seemed to like being around their presence.
The good thing with the breed being so independent is that they had no assistance from the Pygmies when it came to reproduction. This meant that they maintained their originality with no fear of mankind interfering and crossing the Basenji with other breeds of dog.
Basenjis are part of the group called Schensi-Dogs, basically this describes dogs that have not been fully domesticated and are still partly wild. The Basenji dog cannot bark this is due to their larynx being flat.
Although the dogs would live independently from the Pygmy tribe the locals would find the dogs to be exceedingly helpful when it came to hunting. The Basenji would track small animals down and then direct and herd them towards a net held by the hunters.
Due to the fact that the breed was used for hunting they now have a developed sense of smell and a high prey drive instinct. They are also very agile and very fast.
There were initial drawings of Basenji type dogs discovered in the tombs of the Great Pyramid of Khufu. These images portray small dogs sitting with their owners, always at or near their feet; they even display them sat underneath the table that their owner is sat at.
Found amongst some other furnishings within the tombs of the rich Pharaohs were drawings and also statues of the Basenji type dog. These depicted the breed as somewhat ‘cat like.’
The truth is that Basenjis are slightly alike cats as they wash the same way and they move around silently just as cats do when stalking their prey. Basenjis are also free from all the normal doggy smells.
It is thought that the initial Basenjis travelled to Egypt as presents for the Pharaohs from the Pygmy tribes. Until the year 1870 the Basenji seemed to just disappear and it was not until some explorers of Africa happened to find them again.
Then they vanished again and turned up in the year 1894 when there were reports of them being seen throughout Europe. During the year 1937 the first Basenji puppies were seen at Crufts and they stunned the crowd with their unique ways and their handsome looks.
They are truly a wonderful breed of dog that has grown steadily in popularity over the years.
