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 its group five (spitz and primitive types), and the United Kennel Club (US) places the breed in its Sighthound and pariah group. Basenjis share many unique traits with pariah dog types. Basenjis, like dingoes, New Guinea singing dogs and some other breeds of dog such as Tibetan mastiffs, come into estrus only once annually — as compared to other dog breeds, which may have two or more breeding seasons every year. The name comes from the Lingala language of the Congo, mbwá na basɛ́nzi which means 'villager dogs'.
mbwá na basɛ́nzi name comes from the Lingala language of the Congo, mbwá na basɛ́nzi which means 'villager dogs'.
mbwá na basɛ́nzi name comes from the Lingala language of the Congo, mbwá na basɛ́nzi which means 'villager dogs'.