For Breeders

For current and future basenji breeders. The place to broaden your knowledge of general dog conformation, the basenji breed standard, theories of breeding practice, and what the established breeders have learned along the way.

On this page: The breed standard · Dog breeding · Movement · Recommended reading · Find a mentor

  • The breed standardThe official document and the BCOA commentary

    The formal AKC standard

    The current AKC standard, approved 28 June 1990, is the official description of the basenji breed. Read it in full on the site:

    Basenji Breed Standard (current) · PDF of the AKC standard

    The Standard Dissected

    A detailed section-by-section commentary on the standard prepared by Susan Coe, Laurie Stargell, and Pamela Geoffroy. Each point in the standard is illustrated and discussed in depth, with photographs of correct and incorrect examples. Aimed at breeders learning to evaluate against the standard.

    The Standard Dissected

    Introduction to the Standard

    A short illustrated overview of the standard and the terminology it uses, helpful before reading the formal document or the dissected commentary.

    Introduction to the Basenji Standard (PDF)

    These presentations are aids for those interested in learning more about basenjis. They do not constitute a change in the official standard in any way.

  • Dog breedingGenetics, articles, and breeder interviews

    Practical Genetics for Basenji Breeders

    Dr Jerold Bell DVM's two-part lecture from the 2014 BCOA Margaret Greenlee Health Seminar:

    • Practical Genetics: Parts 1 and 2 (video)

    Breeding fundamentals

    Reading list by Claudia Waller Orlandi, Ph.D. and others on the practice of dog breeding:

    Breeder interviews

    "Meet Your Breeder" articles appeared in The Basenji magazine 2006 to 2012. Laura Pond began a new "Backstory" series of interviews in 2018.

    The Backstory series (2018)

    Meet Your Breeder series (2006-2012)

    AKC Breeder Education

    The AKC has a free site with breeder education courses covering an introduction to breeding, genetics, anatomy, whelping, and nutrition. AKC Breeder Education Courses.

  • MovementSide-view trotting study

    This study aid illustrates the side-view trot of a variety of real basenjis, drawn from old amateur videos. Do the dogs at shows move by so quickly that you cannot evaluate their movement? Compare them standing, in still movement photos, and on video. Both slow-motion and full-speed action is shown, so you can see the various phases of stride and the quality of movement produced overall at the trot.

    Each dog has its own strengths and weaknesses. Use the breed standard alongside the stills and videos to evaluate.

    Trotting samples (six basenjis, video)

  • Recommended readingGeneral books and pedigree compilations

    General books about the basenji, books that help you raise a basenji, and compilations of titled basenjis. The Basenji Pedigree Database maintained by Sally Wallis is essential for any breeder.

    BCOA
    African Stock Project (1999). Binders with information on native-stock basenjis exported from Africa. Regularly updated and now followed as the Native Stock Project on the BCOA website.
    Year Book 1965.
    Basenji Club of New South Wales
    Basenjis in Australasia. Photos and pedigrees 1969 to 2005 in three volumes, transitioning to digital.
    Bickering, B. and Brach, R. J.
    The Barkless Dog: A Handbook for the Basenji Owner (1962). Exposition Press, 38 pages.
    Camino Books Inc.
    Basenji Champions, 1982-1986 (1988). 96 pages. A collection of photos and pedigrees supplied by some breeders. New issues for 1945-1981, 1987-2003, and 2004-2011 also.
    Cardew, Mirrie
    A Basenji For Me (1979 and 1986). Midlands Counties Publications.
    Cole, Robert W.
    The Basenji Illustrated: An Illustrated Explanation of the Basenji Breed Standard (1977, limited first edition). Reissued 1978 by the author.
    The Basenji Stacked and Moving: An Illustrated Explanation Based on the Basenji Standard (1987). Cole Book Imprint, 188 pages. Reissued 1996 by Doral Publishing.
    Coe, Susan
    The Basenji, Out of Africa to You (1990). Doral, 341 pages. Reissued 1994, updated 2000.
    Cotter, Maria W.
    The Secondhand Basenji Handbook: The Guide to Adopting and Living With a "Rescued" Basenji (1996). Windigo, 264 pages.
    Cunliffe, Juliette
    Basenji (2002 and 2005). Interpet Publishing, then Kennel Club Books. 155 pages.
    Evergreen Basenji Club
    Basenji Owners Manual (1986, updated many times).
    Ford, Elspet
    The Complete Basenji (1993). Ringpress, 160 pages.
    Freund, Jan L.
    Basenji Champions, 1945-1981 (1986). Camino E.E., 152 pages.
    Green, Evelyn M.
    Your Basenji (1976). Denlinger's, 128 pages.
    Johnson, Forrest Bryant
    The ancient history of the Basenji: a study of the dog in ancient Egypt and his early migration throughout Africa (1967). Self-published, 44 pages.
    Basenji, Dog from the Past (1970, revised 1978, 1991 by A Thousand Autumns Press, 67 pages).
    Kenworthy, Mary Lou
    Understanding the Practical Application of Genetics (1998).
    So You Want to Buy a Basenji, So You Want to Course Your Basenji, and So You Want to Enjoy Your Basenji (1990, three booklets).
    Basenjis (Complete Pet Owners Manual) (2006). Barron's Educational Series, 95 pages.
    Limouzy, Christian
    Le Basenji (1996). De Vecchi.
    Lowbeer, M., Fornell, L., and Selinus, E.
    Basenji Champions 1951-1996 i Sverige (1997). M. Lowbeer, 144 pages.
    Magnolia Basenji Club
    Magnolia Basenji Club Handbook (1971).
    Northern Basenji Society
    The Basenji Year Book 1991 (self-published).
    Palukka, Petra
    Basenji Suomen Suosituimmat Koirarodut (2007). Perhemediat, 181 pages.
    Shafer, Jack and Mankey, Bob
    How to Raise and Train a Basenji (1966). T.F.H. Publications, 64 pages.
    Basenjis (1990). T.F.H. Publications, 192 pages.
    Steele, Marie E. and Field, Barbara A.
    At Home with Basenjis (1967, self-published, 44 pages). Reissued 1988 by the Basenji Club of Southeastern Wisconsin.
    Russell, Melody and Coe, Susan
    The Years of the American Basenji (1980). Self-published. Several large binders of photos and pedigrees of American titled basenjis, supplied by the fancy. A record of pedigrees before computerized pedigrees became commonplace.
    Thackrah, Ron
    Why A Basenji. Self-published booklet (England).
    Troisi-Hoerr, Carmella, Kenworthy, Mary Lou, and Butler, Karen
    Where Have All the Old Dogs Gone. Self-published.
    The Basenji Owners and Breeders Association
    A Handbook 1995-96. Self-published.
    Tudor-Williams, Veronica
    Basenjis, The Barkless Dog (1946, red cover). Reprinted 1954 (blue cover, with new photos). Revised and expanded 1976 as Basenjis, The Barkless Dogs of Central Africa (David & Charles, London). Due to publisher errors in 1976 an addendum was issued.
    Fula: Basenji from the Jungle (1988). Self-published, 109 pages.
    Wilson-Stringer, Jayne and Ford, Elspet
    Basenji Champions 1937-1977 (1978). Self-published, 152 pages.
    Basenji Champions 1978-1989 (1978). Self-published, 152 pages.

    Is a book missing? Let the BCOA know so this list can be updated.

  • Find a mentorVolunteer mentors by state

    The BCOA's Mentor Program connects prospective and new breeders with experienced basenji breeders in their region. Mentors volunteer their time to answer questions on breed health, pedigrees, raising puppies, conformation, and the practical realities of breeding well. To request mentorship, contact a mentor in or near your state directly; if none are listed close to you, contact the Membership Committee chair and they'll help connect you.

    To become a mentor yourself, submit the Mentor Program Application (PDF) to the Membership Committee.

    Arizona
    • Florine Havens
    • Penny Inan
    • Sandy Bridges
    • Tari Parish
    California (Northern)
    • Marianne Klinkowski
    • Pat Cembura
    California (Southern)
    • Denise Searcy
    • Catherine Baltgalvis
    • Cecily D. Rappe
    • Julie Jones
    • Kathy Jones
    • Stella Sapios
    • Valerie Anne Yale
    Colorado
    • Laurie Stargell
    • Stephanie Cheng
    Delaware
    • Julie Dugan
    Illinois
    • Karla Schreiber
    • Susan Joyner
    Indiana
    • Brad Phifer
    Kentucky
    • A. Tad Brooks
    • Carole Kirk
    Massachusetts
    • Pam Geoffroy
    Minnesota
    • Carrie Jones
    • Sally Wuornos
    Missouri
    • Jon Curby
    New Mexico
    • Jennie D. Behles
    Ohio
    • Becky Blansett
    • Heather Hettick
    • Jeffrey J. Gillespie
    • Sue Kite
    • Tracy Leonard, DVM
    Oregon
    • Kathryn R. Britton
    Pennsylvania
    • Chris Maxka
    • Karen Hutchison
    • Kimberly A. Brown
    • Veronica Nagy
    Rhode Island
    • Andrew Sawler
    Texas
    • Bob Reed
    • Ciara Cassell
    • Denise Vertrees
    • Michael L. Graves
    • Michael Work
    • Pat Marshall
    • S. Anne Humphreys
    • Terry Reed
    Virginia
    • Damara Bolte
    • Julie Hartigan
    • Kim Byrd
    Washington
    • Bryan Gregory
    • Katie Campbell
    • Natalie Scherwin
    • Rita Webb
    Wisconsin
    • Laura Mae Hesse
    Canada
    • Chris Frost

    To protect mentors from email scraping, individual contact details are not published on this page. The Membership Committee can introduce you to any mentor by request.

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