|
FCI 5 - Hound Group
|
General Appearance
The Basenji is a small, short
haired hunting dog from Africa.
It is short backed and lightly
built, appearing high on the leg
compared to its length. The
wrinkled head is proudly carried
on a well arched neck and the
tail is set high and curled.
Elegant and graceful, the whole
demeanor is one of poise and
inquiring alertness. The
balanced structure and the
smooth musculature enables it to
move with ease and agility. The
Basenji hunts by both sight and
scent.
Characteristics--The
Basenji should not bark but is
not mute. The wrinkled forehead,
tightly curled tail and swift,
effortless gait (resembling a
racehorse trotting full out) are
typical of the breed.
Faults--Any
departure from the following
points must be considered a
fault, and the seriousness with
which the fault is regarded is
to be in exact proportion to its
degree. |
 |
Size, Proportion,
Substance
Ideal height for
dogs is 17 inches and bitches 16 inches. Dogs 17 inches and bitches
16 inches from front of chest to point of buttocks. Approximate
weight for dogs, 24 pounds and bitches, 22 pounds. Lightly built
within this height to weight ratio.
Head
The head is proudly carried.
Eyes--Dark hazel to
dark brown, almond shaped, obliquely set and farseeing. Rims dark.
Ears--Small, erect and
slightly hooded, of fine texture and set well forward on top of
head. The skull is flat, well chiseled and of medium width, tapering
toward the eyes. The foreface tapers from eye to muzzle with a
perceptible stop. Muzzle shorter than skull, neither coarse nor
snipy, but with rounded cushions. Wrinkles appear upon the forehead
when ears are erect, and are fine and profuse. Side wrinkles are
desirable, but should never be exaggerated into dewlap. Wrinkles are
most noticeable in puppies, and because of lack of shadowing, less
noticeable in blacks, tricolors and brindles.
Nose--Black greatly
desired.
Teeth--Evenly aligned
with a scissors bite.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck of good length,
well crested and slightly full at base of throat. Well set into
shoulders.
Topline--Back level.
Body--Balanced with a
short back, short coupled and ending in a definite waist. Ribs
moderately sprung, deep to elbows and oval. Slight forechest in
front of point of shoulder. Chest of medium width.
Tail is set high on
topline, bends acutely forward and lies well curled over to either
side.
Forequarters
Shoulders moderately laid back. Shoulder blade and upper arm of
approximately equal length. Elbows tucked firmly against brisket.
Legs straight with clean fine bone, long forearm and well defined
sinews. Pasterns of good length, strong and flexible.
Feet--Small, oval and
compact with thick pads and well arched toes. Dewclaws are usually
removed.
Hindquarters
Medium width, strong and muscular, hocks well let down and turned
neither in nor out, with long second thighs and moderately bent
stifles.
Feet--Same as in
"Forequarters."
Coat and Color
Coat short and fine.
Skin very pliant.
Color--Chestnut red;
pure black; tricolor (pure black and chestnut red); or brindle
(black stripes on a background of chestnut red); all with white
feet, chest and tail tip. White legs, blaze and collar optional. The
amount of white should never predominate over primary color. Color
and markings should be rich, clear and well-defined, with a distinct
line of demarcation between the black and red of tricolors and the
stripes of brindles.
Gait
Swift, tireless trot. Stride is long, smooth, effortless and the
topline remains level. Coming and going, the straight column of
bones from shoulder joint to foot and from hip joint to pad remains
unbroken, converging toward the centerline under the body. The
faster the trot, the greater the convergence.
Temperament
An intelligent, independent, but affectionate and alert breed. Can
be aloof with strangers.
To top
|
