Basenji

It is one of the oldest dog types known, depicted in ancient Egyptian art and kept by Central African tribes long before European contact, where it hunted small game by driving it into nets, working largely silently so as not to alert prey or rival hunters. British and American breeders imported foundation stock from the Congo in the 1930s and later, and a further import in the 1990s widened the gene pool.

Living with a Basenji means living with a genuinely independent, cat-like dog. It does not bark in the conventional sense but makes a distinctive yodelling sound called a "baroo", and it is fastidious, curious and often aloof with strangers while deeply attached to its own household. It has a strong prey drive and a talent for climbing and escaping, so secure fencing and recall training from puppyhood are essential rather than optional. The short coat needs almost no grooming, but the breed's intelligence needs an outlet or it will find its own, usually destructive, entertainment.

Today it remains a minority breed valued by owners who want a low-maintenance coat paired with a strong-willed, almost feline character. It suits experienced owners rather than first-time dog keepers, and its females typically come into season only once a year, unlike most breeds.