The Basenji Standard, accepted by the American Kennel Club, makes provisions for a black and white Basenji. A
registered dog of this description could not be produced in the U.S. since no two Basenjis of any other color can
produce a black dog. Thus it was necessary to obtain the black and white coloring from a source outside the
United States. Mrs. Gwedolyn Stanich of Illinois chose to undertake this project as an individual and embarked
upon what was at that time a very chancy and expensive experiment.
Mrs. Stanich exported two red and white bitches, Coptokin Copper Bikini and Coptokin Copper Beautique, to
Africa to be bred to two different K.U.S.A. registered black and white studs. Both bitches are sired by Eng. Am
Ch. Andersley Atlantic, and are daughters of group winning Ch. Coptokin Ameliette.
The first litter of imports to this country were sired by Kennel Union of South Africa Ch. Lazi of the Senjies who is
also a group winner. This dog is owned by Mr. Bertram Blewett of Port Elizabeth, Union of South Africa, formerly
of Bessemer, Michigan, U.S.A. The litter contained six blacks and one red. The black imports are Coptokin
Amerique of the Senjies, Coptokin Ameliana of the Senjies and Coptokin Africana of the Senjies. The dam of the
litter, Coptokin Copper Bikini went on to win her K.U.S.A. Championship and a Reserve Best in Show.
The second litter was sired by Tasenji Tigee who was bred and owned by Mrs. Ford of Scotland, formerly of
Northern Rhodesia. The dam was Coptokin Copper Beautique. Their litter contained 5 pups, 2 reds and 3 blacks,
were bred in Africa, whelped in England and imported to the U.S.A. These dogs are registered in three recognized
clubs. Taysenji Kuidi and Taysenji Bweynu are two of these pups.
These blacks were the first imports used to establish the black and white Basenji in the United States. Several of
the bitches were bred back to Andersley Atlantic to standardize type and conformation. The American Kennel
Club made a rather unique ruling on this importation however, and the original imports were not granted indivi-
dual registration. Only after being bred once to A.K.C. registered dogs would their offspring be granted full regi-
stration.
A complete list of the genetic capabilities of these black and white Basenjis is listed in the October 1968 issue of
DOG WORLD on page 47. There are a few points of interest which I would like to bring out here and which have
proven the dominance of the blacks. Each black decendant is genetically capable of producing black and white
offspring no matter what color Basenji he is bred to. The color dominant to all colors as red is to tri. It is now esti-
mated that between 25 and 50% of the offspring of one black over a life time will be black and white. Each black
carries either red or tri recessively. Knowing the genetic facts, you have a great deal of control over the colors
you wish to produce and know pretty well what to expect from each breeding.
From the first imports in 1965 the black has gained a great deal of publicity, admirers and recognition and have tra-
velled from East to West Coast and into Canada. In preparation for this article I have attempted to compile a list of
breeders and perhaps make an estimate of the number of black and white puppies available this year. However, I
was not able to acquire an accurate listing, and can only state that these dominant blacks are available in the
following states and will be seen in many of the coming shows this year. Our own blacks have been sent to
Canada, Virginia, Nebraska, California and of course here in Texas. From Richmond, B.C. Canada, they have been
sent to Oregon and Vancouver. From Illinois they have travelled to Oregon, Michigan, Arkansas, North Carolina,
Wisconsin and Mass.
While we have stayed within the second and third generations, the 5th generation is available this year and inc-
orperates many different bloodlines already established in the United States. The purpose of this article is to est-
ablish the solid background on which these blacks are based. The dogs themselves with their striking contrast of
black on white are flashy eye-catchers who sell themselves to their admirers and take along with them a basic pre-
dictable genetic structure which is entirely dependable.
1st Generation
Coptokin Atlantic of The Senjies
2nd Generation 2nd Generation
Coptokin The Black Ashanti (Toby) The Veldt's Black Bantu
Reprinted from
The Bi-Monthly Bulletin of the Basenji Club of
America
Volume V,
Number 4 Nov.-Dec. 1970 pp. 10-11
Copyright © 1970 Basenji Club of America,
Inc., All Rights Reserved.