Basenjis are small, elegant-looking, short-haired dogs with erect ears, tightly curled tail, and graceful neck. Some people equate their appearance to that of a miniature deer. Their forehead is wrinkled, especially when young. Eyes are typically almond shaped, which gives the appearance of squinting with a serious look. It is not uncommon for a Basenji to stare down a person, which gives some people an unsettling feeling.
Developed in Africa for hunting, the Basenji is noted for its tightly curled tail, wedged shaped head and wrinkled forehead. With their swift, effortless gait, they present themselves as being very graceful. The present name basenji means wild and violent in Swahili, which suggests once aggressive nature of this breed. 
Basenjis are sight hounds which mean they hunt by sight. Their hunting instincts make them run after anything that moves, especially cars. They should not be allowed to run loose outside a securely fenced area.
Best known as a non-barking dog, they do make sounds, such as yodeling and wailing when they are excited. Basenjis are similar to cats in that they keep themselves exceptionally clean. The females come into season once a year in the fall while most females of other breeds come in twice per year. They're little dickens. Not appropriate for inexperienced owners. Ownership requires time, effort and understanding. Usually aloof with strangers.