As scientists progress at mapping genomes, many ordinary folks may wonder if any of these researchers are also gnomes. Who could do the job better than someone combining both manifestations?
The Basenji genome is particularly interesting among domestic dogs because this canine is among the most genetically unaltered dog types. Calling the Basenji a breed is a mistake because, whereas humans have tinkered and bred all the other dog species, the Basenji is unchanged since the Egyptians revered them as early as 3000 BCE. They imported Basenjis in trade with Pygmies from the jungles of Central Africa.
As discussed here: (Ancient dog breed DNA), the Basenji occupies the base of the domestic dog family tree. Its genome can serve as an anchor point for studying changes to the dog DNA by subsequent human selective so-called trait enhancements. In other words, the Basenji is God’s idea of a dog. If you have felt sorry for Pugs and Chihuahuas or for Dandie Dinmont Terriers and Bergamasco Sheepdogs, among others, your feelings are a reaction to what humans have done to the dog, for many various hybridizing motives.
But with what traits did God endow the first dog to come alongside humans? Not too big, not too small, at about 23 pounds, the Basenji is just right. Being short-haired, they do not shed significantly and are hypoallergenic with low dander levels.
Their name comes from the Congolese tribal language Lingála, and the phrase, mbwá na basénzi, meaning “dog of the savages.” The word basénzi (savages) is the plural form of mosénzi. In Swahili, a closely related Bantu language, the phrase mbwá shenzi translates to “savage dog.” (See Wikipedia.)
To further discuss Basenji traits, meet three Basenji dogs: Mosani, a tri-color, who lived from 2002 to 2016, and the sister/brother pair, Kili & Jaro, born 2019 and still alive.
Basenjis are categorized as hounds and are sometimes called “sight hounds” because of their keen ability to spot the smallest movements at a distance. As with all dogs, however, they also have keen senses of smell and hearing. They constantly shift their erect ears to pick up the slightest sounds from multiple directions.
The Basenji does not bark as most dogs do. Their vocal cords are more similar to coyotes and wolves than other domestic dogs. Basenjis make many sounds, from short yips to howls to yodels. They whine and make audible yawns. They love to interact with all humans and dogs and are curious about anything that moves.
They are pack animals, love laps and children, and cherish their families.
Passers-by greet the photogenic Basenji with “Aren’t you cute!” and “What kind of dog is this?”
Kili and Jaro growl at each other one minute and nap side by side the next. Kili, usually a paragon of feminine beauty, will put on her ugliest face when expressing herself sometimes to Jaro:
Jaro contemplates while chewing:
The domestic dog evolved with humans and, before being hybridized, had perfected the ability to draw the affection of their people. Mosani, Kili, and Jaro show that God-given talent.
Kili and Jaro came from Therese and Kevin Leimback at Fopaws Basenjis.