Basenji

Height: Averages 17 inches (male); Averages 16 inches (female).
Size: Small.
Weight: Averages 24 pounds (male); Averages 22 (female).
Availability: May take some effort to find.

ORIGIN : Central Africa.

UTILIZATION : Hunting dog, companion.

GENERAL APPEARANCE : Lightly built, finely boned aristocratic
looking animal, high on legs compared with its length, always poised,
alert and intelligent. Wrinkled head, with pricked ears, proudly
carried on a well arched neck. Deep brisket runs up into a definite
waist, tail tightly curled presenting a picture of a well balanced dog of
gazelle-like grace.

IMPORTANT PROPORTION : Distance from top of head to stop
slightly more than from stop to tip of nose.

BEHAVIOR / TEMPERAMENT : Barkless but not mute, its own
special noise a mixture of a chortle and a yodel. Remarkable for its
cleanliness in every way. An intelligent, independent, but affectionate
and alert breed. Can be aloof with strangers.

HEAD : Fine and profuse wrinkles appearing on forehead when ears
pricked; side wrinkles desirable but not exaggerated into dewlap;
wrinkles more noticeable in puppies, but because of lack of
shadowing, not as noticeable in tricolours.
CRANIAL REGION :
Skull : Flat, well-chiselled and medium width, tapering towards the
nose. Side lines of skull taper gradually towards mouth, giving a
clean-cheeked appearance.
FACIAL REGION :
Nose : Black nose desirable.
Jaws/Teeth : Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor
bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set
square in the jaws.
Eyes : Dark, almond-shaped; obliquely set, far-seeing and rather
inscrutable in expression.
Ears : Small, pointed, erect and slightly hooded, of fine texture, set
well forward on top of head, tip of ear nearer centre of skull than
outside base.
NECK : Strong and of good length, without thickness, well crested
and slightly full at base of throat with a graceful curve accentuating
crest. Well set into shoulders giving head a « lofty » carriage.
BODY : Balanced.
Back : Short, level.
Loin : Short-coupled.
Chest : Deep brisket. Ribs well sprung, deep and oval.
Underline : Running up into a definite waist.
TAIL : High set, with posterior curve of buttock extending beyond
root of tail giving a reachy appearance to hindquarters. Curls tightly
over spine and lies closely to thigh with a single or double curl.
LIMBS
FOREQUARTERS : Forelegs straight with fine bone. Legs in a
straight line to ground giving a medium front.
Shoulders : Well laid back, muscular, not loaded.
Elbows : Tucked in against brisket. When viewed from front, elbows
in line with ribs.
Forearm : Very long.
Pasterns : Good length, straight and flexible.
HINDQUARTERS : Strong and muscular.
Stifle : Moderately bent.
Second thigh : Long.
Hock : Well let down, turned neither in nor out.
Feet : Small, narrow and compact, with deep pads, well arched toes
and short nails.
GAIT / MOVEMENT : Legs carried straight forward with a swift,
long, tireless, swinging stride.
SKIN : Very pliant.
COAT
HAIR : Short, sleek and close, very fine.
COLOR : Pure black and white; red and white; black and tan, and
white with melon pips and tan markings on muzzle and cheeks; black;
tan and white; brindle : red background with black stripes, the
more clearly defined the stripes the better. The white should be on
the feet, chest and tail tip. White legs, blaze and white collar optional.
SIZE AND WEIGHT :
Ideal height : dogs 43 cm (17 ins) at withers,
bitches 40 cm (16 ins) at withers.
Ideal weight : dogs 11 kg (24 lbs),
bitches 9 1/2 kg (21 lbs).