The Basenji is a breed of hunting
dog. It was bred from stock that originated in central Africa. Most of the
major kennel clubs in the English-speaking world place the breed in the Hound
Group—more specifically, in the sighthound type. The Fédération Cynologique
Internationale places the breed in group five, spitz and primitive types, and
the United Kennel Club (US) places the breed in the Sighthound & Pariah
Group.
The
Basenji produces an unusual yodel-like sound commonly called a
"baroo", due to its unusually shaped larynx. This trait also gives
the Basenji the nickname "soundless dog"
Basenjis
share many unique traits with pariah dog types. Basenjis, like dingoes, New
Guinea singing dogs and some other breeds of dog, come into estrus only once
annually—as compared to other dog breeds, which may have two or more breeding
seasons every year. Both dingoes and Basenji lack a distinctive odor, and are
prone to howls, yodels, and other vocalizations over the characteristic bark of
modern dog breeds. One theory holds that the latter trait is the result of
selecting against dogs that frequently bark—in the traditional Central African
context—because barking could lead enemies to humans' forest encampments. While
dogs that resemble the Basenji in some respects are commonplace over much of
Africa, the breed's original foundation stock came from the old growth forest
regions of the Congo Basin, where its structure and type were fixed by
adaptation to its habitat, as well as use (primarily net hunting in extremely
dense old-growth forest vegetation).
The
name comes from the Lingala language of the Congo, mbwá na basɛ́nzi which means
"village dogs".
Lineage
The
Basenji is an ancient breed. It has been identified as a basal breed that
predates the emergence of the modern breeds in the 19th century. Recent DNA
studies based on whole-genome sequences indicate that the domestic dog is a
genetically divergent subspecies of the gray wolf and was derived from a
now-extinct ghost population of Late Pleistocene wolves, and the basenji and
the dingo are both considered to be basal members of the domestic dog clade.
"The term basal refers to a lineage that diverges early in the history of
the group...and lies on a branch that originates near the common ancestor of
the group."
Name
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 Swahili, 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.
Characteristics
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Appearance
Basenjis
are small, short-haired dogs with erect ears, tightly curled tails and graceful
necks. A Basenji's forehead is wrinkled, even more so when they are young or
extremely excited. A Basenji's eyes are typically almond-shaped. Basenjis
typically weigh about 9.1–10.9 kg (20–24 lb) and stand 41–46 cm (16–18 in) at
the shoulder. They are a square breed, which means they are as long as they are
tall with males usually larger than females. Basenjis are athletic dogs, and
deceptively powerful for their size. They have a graceful, confident gait like
a trotting horse, and skim the ground in a double suspension gallop, with their
characteristic curled tail straightened out for greater balance when running at
their top speed. Basenjis come in a few different colorations: red, black,
tricolor, and brindle, and they all have white feet, chests and tail tips. They
can also come in trindle, which is a tricolor with brindle points, a rare
combination.
Temperament
The
Basenji is alert, energetic, curious and reserved with strangers. The Basenji
tends to become emotionally attached to a single human. Basenjis may not get along
with non-canine pets. Basenjis dislike wet weather, like to climb, and can
easily get over chain wire fences.
Basenjis
often stand on their hind legs, somewhat like a meerkat, by themselves or
leaning on something; this behavior is often observed when the dog is curious
about something. Basenjis have a strong prey drive. According to the book The
Intelligence of Dogs, they are the second least trainable dog.
Health
There
is apparently only one completed health survey of Basenjis, a 2004 UK Kennel
Club survey.
Basenjis
are prone to blindness from progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and Fanconi
syndrome. They can also suffer from hypothyroidism, immunoproliferative
systemic intestinal disease (IPSID), and hemolytic anemia (HA). Basenjis are
also sensitive to environmental and household chemicals, which may cause liver
problems.
Longevity
Basenjis
in the 2004 UK Kennel Club survey had a median lifespan of 13.6 years (sample size
of 46 deceased dogs), which is 1–2 years longer than the median lifespan of other
breeds of similar size. The oldest dog in the survey was 17.5 years. Most
common causes of death were old age (30%), urologic (incontinence, Fanconi
syndrome, chronic kidney failure 13%), behavior ("unspecified" and
aggression 9%), and cancer. (9%).
Among
78 live dogs in the 2004 UKC survey, the most common health issues noted by
owners were dermatologic and urologic (urologic issues in Basenjis can be signs
of Fanconi syndrome).
Fanconi syndrome
Fanconi
syndrome, an inheritable disorder in which the renal (kidney) tubes fail to
reabsorb electrolytes and nutrients, is unusually common in Basenjis. Symptoms
include excessive drinking, excessive urination, and glucose in the urine,
which may lead to a misdiagnosis of diabetes. Fanconi syndrome usually presents
between 4 and 8 years of age, but sometimes as early as 3 years or as late as
10 years. Fanconi syndrome is treatable and organ damage is reduced if
treatment begins early. Basenji owners are advised to test their dog's urine
for glucose once a month beginning at the age of 3 years. Glucose testing
strips designed for human diabetics are inexpensive and available at most pharmacies.
Steve Gonto, M.M.Sc., Ph.D., has a 'Fanconi Disease Management Protocol for
Veterinarians' that is commonly used by many veterinarians with Fanconi
syndrome afflicted dogs. The current DNA test for Fanconi syndrome may be
ordered from offa.org.
Fanconi DNA linkage test
In
July 2007, Dr. Gary Johnson of the University of Missouri released the linked
marker DNA test for Fanconi syndrome in Basenjis. It is the first predictive
test available for Fanconi syndrome. With this test, it is possible to more
accurately determine the probability of a dog's carrying the gene for Fanconi
syndrome.
Dogs
tested using this "linkage test" return one of the following
statuses:
·
Probably clear/Normal
Indicates
the individual has most likely inherited normal DNA from both parents. It is
unlikely that Basenjis that test this way will produce affected puppies, no
matter which dog they breed with.
·
Probably carrier
Indicates
the individual has most likely inherited normal DNA from one parent and DNA
with the Fanconi syndrome mutation from the other parent.This basenji is
unlikely to develop Fanconi syndrome, but could produce puppies that do. To
minimize the chances of this happening, it is recommended carriers be bred only
to those that test as Probably clear/Normal for Fanconi syndrome.
·
Probably equivocal/Indeterminate
Indicates
the individual's DNA contained features found in both "normal" and
"carrier" Basenjis. At present it cannot be predicted whether these
Basenjis are carriers or normal; however, it is unlikely that they will develop
Fanconi syndrome. The safest strategy would be to treat them as “carriers” and
bred to only those Basenjis that test as Probably Clear/Normal for Fanconi
syndrome.
·
Probably affected
Indicates
the individual is likely to develop clinical Fanconi syndrome and is likely to
produce puppies with Fanconi syndrome if bred to Basenjis other than those that
test as Probably Clear/Normal for Fanconi syndrome.
This
linkage test is being provided as a tool to assist breeders whilst research
continues towards the development of the direct Fanconi test.
The
direct Fanconi DNA test has now been developed and may be ordered from the
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals at
http://www.offa.org/dnatesting/fanconi.html .
For
more information about the linkage test, visit: Basenji Health Endowment
Fanconi Test FAQ.
Other Basenji health issues
Basenjis
sometimes carry a simple recessive gene that, when homozygous for the defect,
causes genetic hemolytic anemia. Most 21st-century Basenjis are descended from
ancestors that have tested clean. When lineage from a fully tested line (set of
ancestors) cannot be completely verified, the dog should be tested before
breeding. As this is a non-invasive DNA test, a Basenji can be tested for HA at
any time.
Basenjis
sometimes suffer from hip dysplasia, resulting in loss of mobility and
arthritis-like symptoms. All dogs should be tested by either OFA or PennHIP
prior to breeding.
Malabsorption,
or immunoproliferative enteropathy, is an autoimmune intestinal disease that
leads to anorexia, chronic diarrhea, and even death. A special diet can improve
the quality of life for afflicted dogs.
The
breed can also fall victim to progressive retinal atrophy (a degeneration of
the retina causing blindness) and several less serious hereditary eye problems
such as coloboma (a hole in the eye structure), and persistent pupillary
membrane (tiny threads across the pupil).
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