Basenji

American  

[buh-sen-jee] / bəˈsɛn dʒi /

noun

1. one of an African breed of dogs having a chestnut coat with white points and a curled tail, characterized chiefly by their inability to bark.

---

basenji British  

/ bəˈsɛndʒɪ /

noun

1. a small smooth-haired breed of dog of African origin having a tightly curled tail and an inability to bark

---

Etymology

Origin of Basenji

1930–35; said to be < Lingala basenji, plural of mosenji native, inhabitant of the hinterland (or < a cognate Bantu word)

Example Sentences

Mr. Bennett, who had a cat named Lemon, also took interest in Charlie, the Basenji Ms. Van Groll had adopted while in Zambia.

From New York Times • Mar. 18, 2022

“It’s functional, period,” said Sabrina Schollmeyer, who frequently visits with Rubin, a Basenji, which is a rare, catlike breed that can climb trees.

From New York Times • Nov. 17, 2021

“The eight puppies are healthy,” the university said of the Basenji hunting dogs.

From Reuters • Oct. 14, 2019

Last week, however, in London's Trinity Hall, at the annual show of the British Basenji Club, a barkless Basenji barked.

From Time Magazine Archive

Coming to the Basenji, the following particulars of a village in the forest will show their liabilities.

From The Crime of the Congo by Doyle, Arthur Conan, Sir