Description

A lightly-built, finely-boned dog, with a wrinkled, loose-fitting skin

Head

Pronounced wrinkles on the forehead; flat skull; pointed muzzle and black or slightly rose-tinted nose

Eyes

Brown, almond-shaped

Ears

Pricked and turned open to the front

Tail

Tightly curled over its back

Body

Neck well arched, muscular body and thighs covered in a slack skin; a gait with front legs carried straight forward, like a horse's

Coat

Short and glossy

Colour

Rich chestnut or black, with white marking or tricolour

Sizes

Dogs height 43.2cm (17in); bitches height 40.6cm (16in); dogs' weight 10.9kg(24lb), bitches weight 10Kg (22lb)

Origin

An ancient breed, from central Africa, only establishing itself in Europe in the middle of the twentieth century

Personality

The Basenji does not bark, but makes a soft cry. A very clean dog, cheerful and good with children