Background Notes
Basenjis are extremely intelligent dogs. A recent book concerning dog intelligence placed the basenji near the bottom of the list. Anyone who knows basenjis, knows that this is false. The listing was based on how easily different breeds can be trained and how well they obey commands. Basenjis can be trained (make that must), but if they find something of greater interest to them, they may ignore the command and continue on their way. Being that basenjis are direct descendants of the first dogs, and that dogs of their type are still found in the wild world wide, it is doubtful that they could survive thousands of years and not be intelligent.
The breed basenji is known as the barkless dog. Their vocal folds are not shaped for barking. This additional fact brings them
one step closer to all dogs closest relative, the wolf. Wolves, as you may or may not know, cannot bark either.
Background Notes.
The Basenji is one of the oldest breeds known to man.
Ancient Egyptian art works show very clearly, dogs of the basenji's size and shape. Of course, other breeds are also depicted,
namely Pharaoh Hounds and Izban Hounds.
The Great Pyramid of Khufu (also known as Cheops) has paintings of basenji type dogs seated at the feet of their owners. This
pyramid was constructed about 2700 BCE.
There are also cave and rock drawings dating from about 6000 BCE in what is now Libya. These paintings show hunting
scenes that contain pariah dogs looking very similar to basenjis. European explorers first started describing basenjis in 1870.
For more information about the Basenji, Please visit:
Basenji.com
The Basenji Gallery
Out of Africa, into Your Heart
The Greyhound.
Affectionate, but not overly demanding. Greyhounds love to be near you or to sit with you on the
couch. Body contact is big with these sweet dogs. They develop a strong bond with their person or people. They want to be part of your family and your family activities.
Greyhounds are intelligent,
independent thinkers. This sweet loving dogs are even mention in the Bible.
Background Notes.
In Egypt, the ancestors of modern greyhounds were used in hunting and kept as companions.
Many Egyptians considered the birth of a such a hound second in importance only to the birth of a
son. When the pet hound died, the entire family would go into mourning.
The favorite hounds of the upper class were mummified and buried with their owners. The walls of
Egyptian tombs often were decorated with images of their hounds. An Egyptian tomb painting from
2200 BC portrays dogs that looks very much like the modern greyhound. Among pharaohs known to own
greyhound-type dogs are Tutankhamen, Amenhotep II, Thutmose III, Queen Hatshepsut, and Cleopatra VII.
Throughout history, Greyhounds were the pets, hunting dogs and friends of the ancient Egyptians, the Romans, the Greeks and the Medieval European aristocracy. It is only recently that they have been used in the gambling world for racing and are often destroyed as soon as their money-making capabilities are
finished.
But We can stop this, adopting a retired Greyhound or donating money to help the organizations would be a big help!
If you'd like to adopt a Greyhound, please, research about the breed first, to know if it's suitable for you and your lifestyle.
Here are some links that can help you with that!
MEET MY GREYHOUNDS
You can find more information about the care of Greyhound in the links below!
The Greyhounds on the pictures above are for adoption at
reyhounds as Companions.
Here are some more organizations that help retired Greyhound get new homes!
Here's a page with a great source of information about the rescues in America, find out which is the nearest to you! It also has a lot of information about the care of the breed and more!
The Saluki.
They were the favorite hounds of the Egyptians, and were known as the
Royal Dogs of Egypt. Only nobility were allowed to have them. Many have been found mummified in tombs with
their masters, a sign of great favor! There are several good depictions of King Tutenkamen with his favorite
salukis. The Egyptians sometimes cropped the hounds' ears -- which you can see in the tomb carvings showing
prick-eared, deep chested, long legged hounds. Many of the early salukis were smooths -- identical to their
feathered brethren except for the silky hair on ears and tails.
For more information about the Saluki, please, visit:
Saluki's Rescues:
If you have a website with information about any of the breeds above, please Thank you!