Post by charmingnancy on Jan 12, 2009 14:57:10 GMT -5
Basenji
Group: 2- Hounds
Origin: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central Africa
Purpose: Used to locate game and bring it to bay so that the hunters could kill it. It is used by the pygmy peoples of the Congo in deep forest hunting.
Description:
The Basenji is a breed of hunting dog that originated in central Africa. Only in North America is the breed considered to be of the sighthound type. The Basenji produces an unusual yodel-like sound, due to its unusually shaped larynx. This trait also gives the Basenji the nickname "Voiceless Dog."
Appearance-Breed Standards:
The Basenji is a small, lightly built, short-backed dog, giving the impression of being high on the leg compared to its length. The wrinkled head must be proudly carried, and the whole demeanor should be one of poise and alertness. The wrinkled forehead and the swift, tireless running gait (resembling a race horse trotting full out) are typical of the breed.
Coat and Colour: Coat short and silky. Skin very pliant. Colour chestnut red; pure black; tricolor (pure black and chestnut red); or brindle (black stripes on a background of chestnut red); all with white feet, chest and tail tip. White legs, blaze and collar optional. The amount of white should never predominate over primary color. Color and markings should be rich, clear and well-defined, with a distinct line of demarcation between the black and red of tricolors and the stripes of brindles.
Head: The skull is flat, well chiseled and of medium width, tapering towards the eyes. The foreface should taper from eye to muzzle and should be shorter than the skull. The muzzle neither coarse nor snipey but with rounded cushions. Wrinkles should appear upon the forehead, and be fine and profuse. Side wrinkles are desirable, but should never be exaggerated into dewlap. Black nose greatly desired. A pinkish tinge should not penalize an otherwise first-class specimen, but it should be discouraged in breeding. Teeth must be level with scissors bite. Eyes dark hazel, almond shaped, obliquely set and far seeing. Ears small, pointed and erect of fine texture, set well forward on top of head.
Neck: Of good length, well crested and slightly full at base of throat. It should be well set into shoulders.
Forequarters: Shoulders flat, laid back. The legs straight with clean fine bone, long forearm and well-defined sinews. Pasterns should be of good length, straight and flexible.
Body: The body should be short and the back level. The chest should be deep and of medium width. The ribs well sprung, with plenty of heart room, deep brisket, short-coupled, and ending in a definite waist.
Hindquarters: Should be strong and muscular, with hocks well let down, turned neither in nor out, with long second thighs. Feet small, narrow, and compact, with well-arched toes.
Tail: Should be set on top and curled tightly over to either side.
Faults: Coarse skull or muzzle. Domed or peaked skull. Dewlap. Round eyes. Low set ears. Overshot or undershot mouths. Wide chest. Wide behind. Heavy bone. Creams, shaded or off-colours, other than those defined above, should be heavily penalized.
Size:
Height: Bitches 16 inches (41 cm) and dogs 17 inches (43 cm)
from the ground to the top of the shoulder.
Bitches 16 inches (41 cm) and dogs 17 inches (43 cm)
from the front of the chest to the farthest point of the
hindquarters.
Weight: Dogs 24 lb. (10.886 kg). Bitches 22 lb. (9.979 kg).
Temperament:
The Basenji is alert, affectionate, energetic, and curious. It loves to play and makes a great pet, as long as it is handled regularly from an early age and the owners are very patient. It can be reserved with strangers. The Basenji is somewhat aloof, but can also form strong bonds with people. It should not be trusted with noncanine pets. It is usually patient, but does best with older considerate children. The Basenji dislikes wet weather. The breed likes to climb and can easily get over chain wire fences. It can be described as speedy, frisky, tireless at play, and teasing the owner into play.
Health:
Many basenjis suffer from PRA, which causes blindness and Fanconi's syndrome which can cause kidney failure. Basenjis also suffer from Hypothyroidism, IPSID (immunoproliferative systemic intestinal disease), HA (Hemolytic Anemia), and some have umbilical hernias. Basenjis are also sensitive to environmental and household chemicals which can cause liver problems. Basenjis sometimes carry a simple recessive gene which, when homozygous for the defect, causes genetic Hemolytic Anemia. Basenjis sometimes suffer from hip dysplasia.
Average Lifespan:
Basenjis in the 2004 UK Kennel Club survey had a median longevity of 13.6 years (sample size of 46 deceased dogs), which is 1-2 years longer than the median longevity of other breeds of similar size.
History:
The basenji is one of the most ancient dog breeds. Originating on the continent of Africa, it has lived with humans for thousands of years. Ancestors of modern Basenjis can be seen on steles in the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs, sitting at the feet of their masters, looking just as they do today, with pricked ears and tightly curled tails. Dogs of this type were originally kept for hunting small game by coursing.
Europeans first described the basenji in the Congo in 1895. There, the basenji was prized by locals for its intelligence, courage, speed, and silence. They were assistants to the hunt, chasing wild game into nets for their masters. The Azande and Mangbetu people from the northeastern Congo region describe basenjis, in the local Lingala language, as mbwá na basɛ́nzi. Translated, this means "dogs of the savages", or "dogs of the villagers". In the Congo, the basenji is also known as "dog of the bush." The dogs are also known to the Azande of southern Sudan as Ango Angari. The word basɛ́nzi itself is the plural form of mosɛ́nzi. In Kiswahili, another Bantu language, from East Africa, mbwa shenzi translates to “wild dog”. Another local name is m’bwa m’kube m’bwa wamwitu, or “jumping up and down dog”, a reference to their tendency to jump straight up to spot their quarry.
Several attempts were made to bring the breed to England, but the earliest imports succumbed to disease. In 1923, for example, Lady Helen Nutting brought six basenjis with her from Sudan, but all six died from distemper shots they received in quarantine. It was not until the 1930s that foundation stock was successfully established in England, and then to the United States by animal importer Henry Trefflich. So it is that nearly all the basenjis in the Western world are descended from these few original imports. The breed was officially accepted into the AKC in 1943. In 1990, the AKC stud book was reopened to several new imports at the request of the Basenji Club of America. Basenjis are also registered with the UKC.
Sources:
Wikipedia
Canada's Guide to Dogs
Net Pet
CKC
Pictures:
Photobucket
Group: 2- Hounds
Origin: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central Africa
Purpose: Used to locate game and bring it to bay so that the hunters could kill it. It is used by the pygmy peoples of the Congo in deep forest hunting.
Description:
The Basenji is a breed of hunting dog that originated in central Africa. Only in North America is the breed considered to be of the sighthound type. The Basenji produces an unusual yodel-like sound, due to its unusually shaped larynx. This trait also gives the Basenji the nickname "Voiceless Dog."
Appearance-Breed Standards:
The Basenji is a small, lightly built, short-backed dog, giving the impression of being high on the leg compared to its length. The wrinkled head must be proudly carried, and the whole demeanor should be one of poise and alertness. The wrinkled forehead and the swift, tireless running gait (resembling a race horse trotting full out) are typical of the breed.
Coat and Colour: Coat short and silky. Skin very pliant. Colour chestnut red; pure black; tricolor (pure black and chestnut red); or brindle (black stripes on a background of chestnut red); all with white feet, chest and tail tip. White legs, blaze and collar optional. The amount of white should never predominate over primary color. Color and markings should be rich, clear and well-defined, with a distinct line of demarcation between the black and red of tricolors and the stripes of brindles.
Head: The skull is flat, well chiseled and of medium width, tapering towards the eyes. The foreface should taper from eye to muzzle and should be shorter than the skull. The muzzle neither coarse nor snipey but with rounded cushions. Wrinkles should appear upon the forehead, and be fine and profuse. Side wrinkles are desirable, but should never be exaggerated into dewlap. Black nose greatly desired. A pinkish tinge should not penalize an otherwise first-class specimen, but it should be discouraged in breeding. Teeth must be level with scissors bite. Eyes dark hazel, almond shaped, obliquely set and far seeing. Ears small, pointed and erect of fine texture, set well forward on top of head.
Neck: Of good length, well crested and slightly full at base of throat. It should be well set into shoulders.
Forequarters: Shoulders flat, laid back. The legs straight with clean fine bone, long forearm and well-defined sinews. Pasterns should be of good length, straight and flexible.
Body: The body should be short and the back level. The chest should be deep and of medium width. The ribs well sprung, with plenty of heart room, deep brisket, short-coupled, and ending in a definite waist.
Hindquarters: Should be strong and muscular, with hocks well let down, turned neither in nor out, with long second thighs. Feet small, narrow, and compact, with well-arched toes.
Tail: Should be set on top and curled tightly over to either side.
Faults: Coarse skull or muzzle. Domed or peaked skull. Dewlap. Round eyes. Low set ears. Overshot or undershot mouths. Wide chest. Wide behind. Heavy bone. Creams, shaded or off-colours, other than those defined above, should be heavily penalized.
Size:
Height: Bitches 16 inches (41 cm) and dogs 17 inches (43 cm)
from the ground to the top of the shoulder.
Bitches 16 inches (41 cm) and dogs 17 inches (43 cm)
from the front of the chest to the farthest point of the
hindquarters.
Weight: Dogs 24 lb. (10.886 kg). Bitches 22 lb. (9.979 kg).
Temperament:
The Basenji is alert, affectionate, energetic, and curious. It loves to play and makes a great pet, as long as it is handled regularly from an early age and the owners are very patient. It can be reserved with strangers. The Basenji is somewhat aloof, but can also form strong bonds with people. It should not be trusted with noncanine pets. It is usually patient, but does best with older considerate children. The Basenji dislikes wet weather. The breed likes to climb and can easily get over chain wire fences. It can be described as speedy, frisky, tireless at play, and teasing the owner into play.
Health:
Many basenjis suffer from PRA, which causes blindness and Fanconi's syndrome which can cause kidney failure. Basenjis also suffer from Hypothyroidism, IPSID (immunoproliferative systemic intestinal disease), HA (Hemolytic Anemia), and some have umbilical hernias. Basenjis are also sensitive to environmental and household chemicals which can cause liver problems. Basenjis sometimes carry a simple recessive gene which, when homozygous for the defect, causes genetic Hemolytic Anemia. Basenjis sometimes suffer from hip dysplasia.
Average Lifespan:
Basenjis in the 2004 UK Kennel Club survey had a median longevity of 13.6 years (sample size of 46 deceased dogs), which is 1-2 years longer than the median longevity of other breeds of similar size.
History:
The basenji is one of the most ancient dog breeds. Originating on the continent of Africa, it has lived with humans for thousands of years. Ancestors of modern Basenjis can be seen on steles in the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs, sitting at the feet of their masters, looking just as they do today, with pricked ears and tightly curled tails. Dogs of this type were originally kept for hunting small game by coursing.
Europeans first described the basenji in the Congo in 1895. There, the basenji was prized by locals for its intelligence, courage, speed, and silence. They were assistants to the hunt, chasing wild game into nets for their masters. The Azande and Mangbetu people from the northeastern Congo region describe basenjis, in the local Lingala language, as mbwá na basɛ́nzi. Translated, this means "dogs of the savages", or "dogs of the villagers". In the Congo, the basenji is also known as "dog of the bush." The dogs are also known to the Azande of southern Sudan as Ango Angari. The word basɛ́nzi itself is the plural form of mosɛ́nzi. In Kiswahili, another Bantu language, from East Africa, mbwa shenzi translates to “wild dog”. Another local name is m’bwa m’kube m’bwa wamwitu, or “jumping up and down dog”, a reference to their tendency to jump straight up to spot their quarry.
Several attempts were made to bring the breed to England, but the earliest imports succumbed to disease. In 1923, for example, Lady Helen Nutting brought six basenjis with her from Sudan, but all six died from distemper shots they received in quarantine. It was not until the 1930s that foundation stock was successfully established in England, and then to the United States by animal importer Henry Trefflich. So it is that nearly all the basenjis in the Western world are descended from these few original imports. The breed was officially accepted into the AKC in 1943. In 1990, the AKC stud book was reopened to several new imports at the request of the Basenji Club of America. Basenjis are also registered with the UKC.
Sources:
Wikipedia
Canada's Guide to Dogs
Net Pet
CKC
Pictures:
Photobucket