The Basenji is one of the world's most ancient breeds of dog.  They are depicted in Egyptian engravings and in the tombs of Pharaohs.  Basenjis are a natural breed, meaning that man has not bred one type of dog to another to "create" a breed.  Basenjis have been used as hunting dogs in Africa for thousands of years and are still used for this purpose today.  Although Basenjis have been used to track and kill several different kinds of animals (and there have even been stories of Basenjis saving hunters from vicious animals), they are mostly used for driving prey, such as antelope, into nets.  Hunters tie bells around the Basenjis' necks in order to keep track of them during the hunt.

Basenjis were first seen at Crufts in England as early as 1895 but these dogs succumbed to distemper as did several other Basenjis that were brought to England and America in the 1930's.  By 1937 a successful breeding program had been started in England and by 1941, Basenjis were first seen at a dog show in the United States.  Two short years later, The Basenji Club of America was formed and by 1943, Basenjis were accepted by the AKC and became eligible for registration in the Hound Group.

© Claudia Nix *1998~2004* All rights reserved. No part of this website--photos, text or personal gifs--may be copied or used without written consent.