Basenji or Decker Rat Terrier?


  • He's a real cutie!!!


  • I have posted before and I have three basenjis and a decker rat terrier from the original lines. It is said that basenjis were used to make deckers way back when. The older deckers do have the wrinkling. They also do not bark, and when they lay down they splay their feet in the back. The only thing I can say and this is because I rescued my decker and there were many rescued from the same breeder and I have kept in touch with a couple. They are not active except when their prey drive kicks in. They are known to be aggressive because they bond very strongly to their family. My decker was aggressive, it was ALOT of training to knock that out. I definately see alot of basenji in your pup. The body, tail and stance definately reminds me of a decker but the color throws me off. I have seen standard rat terriers in that color but not deckers. Either way, the pup is beautiful and you are very lucky if it is basenji or decker or any breed for that matter Basenji and decker are both wonderful breeds.


  • Anyone got a picture of a decker ? Unknown in my neck of the woods and I would love to see one ! Interesting idea that the Basenji part of the mix is more likely to be Dad. I agree that anyone whelping puppies with curly tails would not dock them BUT Basenji puppies are not born with curly tails. Even so, even if the pups were the result of an ooops mating to a 'man with a bicycle' I doubt Mom's owner would dock.


  • Posting a picture of my guy would not show their true appearance. He is 17-18 years old. The coat gets dull, blind, deaf, just their body changes. I think I have a picture of his mom and dad, his mom had the wrinkle head. Let me get back on that.


  • Yes please.


  • There are lots of pictures of Deckers on line. They do seem to come as tricolour. And their tails may be docked or naturally bobbed. The tail of this dog doesn't look like a docked Basenji tail, I don't think docking (either intentional or accidental) would remove the basic tendency to curl, and the tail sure looks Decker. I do hope you get the DNA done. A Basenji/Decker cross seems the most likely, or perhaps a Decker throwback to Basenji......red is a recessive, don't know about the wrinkles!



  • @tanza
    Ears are too big but otherwise you can definitely see Basenji in the head. Are the tails docked or 'au naturel' ?

    Thank you very much for that. I have bookmarked it for future studying.


  • I'm sorry. I no longer have the pictures. Wish I did. If you are interested the best way to look up a decker would be milton deckers lines or fire mountain deckers. Those are the original lines. The NRTA are not the original lines. Those are strains. I noticed that people confuse deckers for basenjis, usually the tri colors. I look at my basenjis and my decker and can tell the difference right away from the tail, size and head and my decker ranges between 55-65 pounds. Be interesting if you did a DNA test. I'm curious and it's not even my dog. Lol


  • If he drives you crazy and up the wall but you still love and adore him, can't do without him then you know he is a Basenji.....just a look into his eyes tells me there is Basenji in him.....have fun with him.


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  • @kembe said in Basenji or Decker Rat Terrier?:

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  • Kembe, are you trying to post a link to a picture (hotlink a picture that is on line)? Or upload a picture from your computer? If the former, your url needs to be within the second set of brackets when you click on formatting picture. You can ignore the square brackets and use the round ones, like this. (your url)

    If you want to upload a picture, use the upload button (second from right) and browse to the picture on your computer. Careful the file isn't too big!


  • @eeeefarm
    Yes, I was trying to upload a photo of a rat terrier that does look very much like a basenji (except for the tail). I was not having any success! Lol


  • @zande - Tails are typically au naturel...... on Deckers


  • @kembe said in Basenji or Decker Rat Terrier?:

    @eeeefarm
    Yes, I was trying to upload a photo of a rat terrier that does look very much like a basenji (except for the tail). I was not having any success! Lol

    Upload from your computer? If so, make sure the file isn't too large and use the second to the right icon at the top of the compose window. That should open a browse pop up and allow you to choose the file. (you can downsize the file with any decent photo program, work on a copy, don't overwrite your original!)


  • @tanza said in Basenji or Decker Rat Terrier?:

    @zande - Tails are typically au naturel...... on Deckers

    So they don't have longer curled tails. Very interesting little dogs. Basenji influence is obvious. I'm sorry to go off topic and happy to continue this on private email.
    But I have to ask why Basenjis were bred with them. To achieve just what ?
    Basenjis were bred at Jackson Laboratoriies, Bar Harbor Maine for research and among other findings the similarity of the kidney juxtaposition to that of humans was established. I'm away from my computer at the moment so can't look up all I would like to. But this is a fascinating subject I should like to pursue


  • Easy way to measure the height of a dog. Stand alongside it and make a chalk mark on your legs/pants/skirt

    I do that when judging- have a mark at correct standard height and can see immediately if an exhibit exceeds it.


  • @zande - No idea Zande why Basenjis were used... was a long time ago....


  • @emca11 I have to say, I never knew of Deckers before this post. Whatever he turns out to be, thatโ€™s one awesome dog and for $20 you got an absolute bargain.

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