Friendly, always.
And I am very happy that my husband not base his decision to marry on looks –it was my stunning personality that won him over. 
{I'm sure he would agree....but please, don't ask him. LOL}
I don't mind an "unattractive" dog -- believe me, I've had a few. Had one dog that people actually laughed at upon seeing, and that hurt my feelings cuz she was a beautiful dog to me.
But like I said, if I am seeking a particular breed, and buying from a breeder, I am going to hope for whole package.
That said, had Jazzy grown up to be the ugliest dog Bryan ever produced, she would still have my whole heart! My husband will tell you it is ridiculous how much I love that dog. {although, she is the first dog we've ever owned that he will admit he liked a lot from the get-go. She cracks him up}.
If I had to choose between lovely to look at or wonderful to spend time with, I'd go with personality every time.
I don't think I've ever seen an African in "real" life, only in pictures on the Internet. But it hasn't struck me that they are anything but beautiful.
Are they just not as "polished" looking?
BTW–I did look at the BRAT dogs when we first began our search, and I would have been happy to take one of those -- homely or otherwise--, but didn't/don't know enough about the breed, and the potential for temperment problems, esp with children and not knowing the dog's past, is what sent me looking for a breeder instead.
Bryan's dogs are lovely…we are not talking about his line.
My Af girl...was very houndy...long in the body, bad feet not pretty large ears, loose tail...just really not pretty at all, but to me, she was a jewel, and I would treasure her today...if she was alive.
It was so funny, I knew how folks ring side would repond to her... they would come by and say just spontanous OH, MY GOD!...looking at her.
I would look at them and say in a very stern voice laugh in my eyes ARE YOU dissing my dog????
Oh, NO they would say, backing up, hands raised..., I would smile and say, its ok..she is beautiful to me...and I did mean it.
I mean it still.
So, when or if these new Af dogs or their pups are put into the basenji population, I do so hope folks who just want a pet, will take some of these...oh, my god pups in.
If they are 1/2 the dog my sweet girl was, you will be very, very blessed indeed.
Bryan's dogs are lovely…we are not talking about his line.
Oh! Absolutely not! I just used MY dog as an example, to say even if.....!
My Af girl...was very houndy...long in the body, bad feet not pretty >>large ears, loose tail..
So, the AKC standard that I am familiar with is more based on the "new and improved" Basenji, more than the "original models".
I guess, now that you mention it, I did notice in the photos of African Basenjis {from that African project website} that the tails of those dogs had long, loose curls rather than nice tight curls. It's hard to tell much else from the photos that I recall. I'll have to go look again.
{Like I said, I know very little and am just beginning to learn about the breed…... }
The more you learn, the more you will NEED To learn.
Its an exciting time for b's I think.
New blood.
If its included, we might be able to have dogs who have it all, looks, tempement and health.
Fingers crossed its so.
re the houndy look…longer in the back, feet at least my girl pretty ugly.
Tails loops like you see in the photos.
But oh, the hearts and love they have..
Giggle, I am a great big fan,
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That's the idea 
But, believe it or not, it can be really hard to find it all in once place.
Andrea Walters
Quercus Basenjis
Toledo, Ohio
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Well, that is just, plain rude! Regardless of how funny looking I thought someone's dog was, I would never, ever say something. That is just hurtful....imagine people doing that about each other's children...my G-d! wars would be started!
Just because people are breeders, or show goers, doesn't mean they can't appreciate the beauty in each dog. Yes, some dogs are stunning...but most show dogs have weak areas of conformation...for many of us, it really is more about correct angles (the angles found in Africa) than it is about curly tails
Andrea Walters
Quercus Basenjis
Toeldo, Ohio
I got to spend a weekend in March with Beverly Bland and some of her Avongaras. The best word to describe them was diverse. Even though they were all related in some way or fashion there was a real diversity of traits. None of them were "ugly", though some were more close to what we see in the show ring than others. I was really impressed with their agility and eagerness to please Bev. Each dog had conformation traits that I liked and each had faults like any other dog. So I do not think that being African = ugly and I do not think that it should be used as an excuse for ignoring Basenji type in breeding. Health and Temperament are important but breeding for that to the exclusion of type is not responsible breeding, IMO, because it is that type that makes a basenji a basenji.
Lisa
I think the wonderful thing is that we care for these dogs, be they show, pet or doing agility.
I didn't take any issue with what those folks said.
I know they were coming from a different angle than me.
Besides, I got to take that sweet girl home and love her…they didn't!
Laugh.
Speaking of Africans, I got to visit Susan Patterson of Calypso Basenjis. I was lucky to meet her Benin girl Avuvi Afonhaan "Honey" She was such a sweetie!
for more info on Honey, go to this link: http://www.calypsobasenjis.com/african_import.htm#.htm
It's really educational!
Oh my gosh! What a face that little girl has! And the shot of her coming over the fence was just too much!
Beautiful!
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Hi Susan,
IMO, basenjis don't look that different from than their early ancestors, or their relatives in Africa right now. There are some in Africa that look like they could have come right out of a domestic bloodline litter, and their are ones in domestic litters that look like they are straight out of Africa. I agree that historically western breeders have selected for a few traits that aren't found in Africa, mainly curlier tails, smaller ears, and color (of course)...but overall, I think the dogs look remarkably similar.
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Hi Susan,
IMO, basenjis don't look that different from than their early ancestors, or their relatives in Africa right now. There are some in Africa that look like they could have come right out of a domestic bloodline litter, and their are ones in domestic litters that look like they are straight out of Africa. I agree that historically western breeders have selected for a few traits that aren't found in Africa, mainly curlier tails, smaller ears, and color (of course)...but overall, I think the dogs look remarkably similar.
**Some would agree and some wouldn't. Our Sarah looked very similar to some of the early Africans I've seen photos of. She was pretty big, big boned and long backed, but she had a very curly tail. Sarah was a 'coarser' looking dog. She might have survived in the wild, but not for long. IPSID got her.
What's interesting is defining what is "Basenji" in Africa. I know of some people who believe that, e.g. the Benin dogs aren't Basenjis. I've been having this discussion with a friend.
Dogs were interbred with others, some feel that jackals were/are included, so "pure" is questionable. What defines "pure"?
For awhile I'd heard that some of the recent French Basenjis were bred so short backed that they couldn't move properly.:( And like many current show dogs, I wonder how functional our dogs are. I love breeders whose dogs are competent in other areas besides conformation.
We've only owned 5 B's, but each was/is very different. They are truly exquisite. So are my Poodles and my Rhodesian.
Ah....dogs.:)
s.
Not polished ???
Sorry, but that is one of the silliest things that I have heard in ages.
I have seen dogs that are uglier than sin.. in the show ring no less!
People that can't breed a decent looking domestic basenji aren't going to be able to breed a decent looking African basenji!
Go check out my website (link is in profile)… go to Available Puppies and then click on Available African Puppies...
scroll to the bottom of the page to link to "Singer"s page...
then see her full Af babies at the bottom....
How is that for a bunch of African beauties???
Kathy
Not polished ???
Sorry, but that is one of the silliest things that I have heard in ages.**I'm sorry; to what is this referring?
I have seen dogs that are uglier than sin.. in the show ring no less!
People that can't breed a decent looking domestic basenji aren't going to be able to breed a decent looking African basenji!**Uglier than sin? Really?
I really prefer health and temperament and function as breeding goals. IMHO.How is that for a bunch of African beauties???
**Your dogs are quite lovely.
So are my two Jasiri-Sukari B's. But neither would win in a show.
We think they're beautiful, too. And they both have sweet temperaments. Lucky us.s.
