HareHill Hounds

home of america's top ibizan hounds

The Basenjis


Scout and Gable

Long before Bunny... there were the Basenjis. Curiously tidy dogs that don't bark.

Basenjis are odorless and have short coats, no undercoat, and only shed seasonally. This helps them to be tolerated much better than other breeds by people with allergies. Like cats, they clean themselves and don't like to be dirty. They prefer not getting wet and don't generally care for the snow and cold (the breed originated in Africa).

Scout and Gable


Scout
 

Gable

Sukari Field Trip to Felicity

Scout is the elder lady in the house. She is 14 years old. Her breeders are Kathy and Julie Jones, Jasiri & Sukari Basenjis. She is out of Ch. Sukari California Cooler JC and Ch. Jasiri Field of Drums. Scout sleeps a lot. But she can still get quite feisty and keeps her roomate, Gable, on his toes.
 
 

Jarisis It Happened One Nite

Kathy and Julie are also Gable's breeder. He is out of Ch. Sukari's Spot the Target CD x Ch. Jasiri-Sukari First In Lines JC.

At 13, Gable is the elder statesmen of our house. He has an OFA rating of good and earned 7 points towards his championship.
 
 
 

Gable and Scout share the deluxe kennel (twice the size of the others with 5-foot tall windows). The kennels are in-out types with double flap doggie doors. In warm weather, we place a cot in the outside kennel so they can sunbathe.

This past year, Gable has taken to staying outside, a lot. Even in cold weather. His coat has gotten very thick and furry. A few years back he would have given us the "are you nuts?" look if we even suggested he go out in the cold. Now there are times he won't come in. The picture below is of Gable earning his only Best of Breed ribbon.

Sonbars Magic Diamond Kirby


Kirby

Kirby was Wendy's first Basenji. Prior to moving into her first house Wendy researched various breeds and decided the Basenji was for her. About a week after moving in, she attended a Basenji puppy party (thinking she could put in a reservation in with a breeder for a puppy from a future litter). The next day, Kirby became a member of the family.

Kirby's grandparents came over directly from Africa in the late 1980's. He earned his Canine Good Citizenship and competed in obedience.


Mindy and Kirby

Kirby spent his last several years living with a wonderful family. They took him on regular visits to a nursing home as a therapy dog where he had quite a following. Wendy also found him a friend, Mindy. She was a rescue with severe separation anxiety - prior to moving in with Kirby. Kirby was her best pal and she seemed to know that he was very ill. Kirby passed away in January 2002. She spent several days after his passing looking for him but handled it better than anyone would have guessed.

Basenji Breed History

Basenjis originated in Africa and are one of the oldest breed of dogs. The dogs lived in a close relationship with Pygmy tribes for thousands of years in Central Africa in an area that includes the heart of the Congo Basin to South Sudan. The name Basenji means "small wild thing from the bush" in the Pygmy language (which also gives a clue to their origin).

It is widely held that origin of the breed is Egypt. The earliest drawings of this type of dog were found in the tombs of pharos dating from around 2700 BC. These dogs reached Central Africa as war trophies after Egypt lost a war against the Sudan.

Basenjis are now found in the Congo area of Africa where the tribesmen still use them for hunting. A good hunting Basenji is highly valued. In fact sometimes the dogs will sleep in the hut while the tribesmen sleep outside.