Membership Benefits
These basic membership benefits are automatically included with BCOA membership, along with special member-only services.
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Opportunity for Basenji fanciers to meet others who are involved with Basenjis in many ways by socializing and communicating with other Basenji fanciers, judges and breeders.
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Opportunity to learn about and participate in many aspects of Basenji competition such as obedience, conformation, lure coursing, agility and more.
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Opportunity to give back to the breed by way of being involved in community education programs and the Basenji Health Endowment.
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Subscription to the Bulletin, a full-color magazine, the Bulletin Board Newsletter and the annual club membership Roster.
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Access to the BCOA website's Members-Only pages, for exclusive archival information about the breed, events and the club.
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Most of all, BCOA membership affords the opportunity to influence the preservation and integrity of the Basenji by making your voice heard as an active club member.
Membership Eligibility
Membership shall be open to all persons who are in good standing with the American Kennel Club and who subscribe to the purposes of this Club and agree to abide by its Constitution and By-Laws.
Membership Types
Regular
Any person who has reached his or her 18th birthday and is a resident of the United States may become a regular member with full privileges from the date of membership. Regular members may vote and may hold office. Regular memberships have two classes:
Single membership is defined as membership held by one adult member who holds individual voting privileges.
Household membership is defined as membership held by two adult persons residing at the same address. Each household member holds individual voting privileges. Each household will receive just one subscription to the Bulletin, Bulletin Board and Roster.
Foreign
Those who meet the requirements for regular membership but are not residents of the United States are eligible. Foreign members may not vote, hold office, or sponsor new regular voting members. Foreign members may sponsor new non-voting Foreign members. Two adults residing at the same address may have an Foreign Household membership.
Junior
Any person under 18 years of age is classed as a junior member. Junior membership not in conjunction with regular single or household membership will receive a subscription to the Club Bulletin and Bulletin Board. Junior members may not vote nor hold office.
Lifetime
The Club may appoint lifetime members in recognition of outstanding service to the breed. Lifetime members may be nominated either by a petition addressed to the Secretary, signed by five members in good standing or by majority vote of the Board. Nominees are notified of their nomination by the Club Secretary and given the option of accepting or declining the nomination. Those accepting nomination are submitted to the Club membership for vote. Lifetime membership is granted if the nominee receives affirmative votes of two-thirds of those voting. Lifetime members shall hold individual voting privileges, but do not pay dues.
How to Become a Member
The application process requires submission of a completed Membership Application Form to the Club Secretary. Applications must be endorsed by two BCOA members in good standing, not residing in the same household, who must sign the application form. You must agree to abide by the Constitution and By-Laws of the BASENJI CLUB OF AMERICA, INC. and have read its Code of Recommended Practices. The application must be accompanied by the first year's dues. The complete application process is described in detail in the BCOA Constitution and By-Laws. Please note that membership fees have increased as of January 1, 2019: Single $30, Household $42, Foreign Single $30, Foreign Household $42, Junior $3, Standalone Junior $12.
Annual Membership Renewal
Membership is renewed annually. Annual dues are payable by February 1 of each year and membership will lapse if the dues are not paid. Reminders of membership renewal are sent out on January 1 of each year. Watch for regular mail and online renewal information to be posted on the Message Board from the first of January through the first of March each year.
Member Reinstatement
If you were a member but missed the renewal deadline. Here is an application for you to join the Club again.
Basenji Club of America Programs
BCOA has programs that are structured to achieve specific goals, with procedures or activities that address a purpose to the benefit of all Basenjis. Here are some programs that you may find interesting.
Versatile Basenji Program
This program seeks to create enthusiasm for training and working with Basenjis in all endeavors: conformation showing, athletes and pets as well as by recognizing outstanding achievements. In designing the Versatility program the Committee adopted the definition that Versatility is the ability of a dog and handler to accomplish a variety of things. BCOA, through this program recognizes lifetime accomplishments of a dog. Click the Versatile Basenji Program link to view this page.
Basenji Honor Rolls
The Honor Rolls are maintained to celebrate the achievements of outstanding Basenji Stud Dogs and Brood Bitches. The most recent Honor Rolls of top producing Basenjis with offspring winning AKC conformation championships can be seen by clicking the links for Stud Dog Honor Roll or Brood Bitch Honor Roll in the menu. There are photos of many of honorees.
African Stock Project
This Committee maintains data and information on original imports, both from the 1930s and later by tracking Basenji imports and their progeny. The Committee maintains and revises the African Stock Project for the BCOA to keep the fancy abreast of news about African imports. Click African Stock Project to view these foundation dogs and a library of articles.
Rescue Information
The BCOA has members interested in helping those who may have dogs in need of new homes. The volunteers will try to help you resolve problems you are having with your Basenji before offering help to find a Basenji a new home. Additionally, if you would like to adopt a Rescue Basenji to join your family, contact a Rescue volunteer, visit Rescue Information in the About Basenjis section of the website.
Public Education
The Outreach Committee provides educational information and resources to the potential Basenji owners. They have developed the information in Is A Basenji Right for Me? The best place to learn about Basenjis beyond this website is from responsible breeders who will educate inquirers about the accountabilities of dog ownership in general and will also provide information about the specifics of Basenji ownership and breed-specific health issues. A responsible breeder wants the relationship between adoptive families and their Basenji to be successful and will provide inquirers with accurate information regarding the Basenji temperament, health issues, grooming, and exercise needs. This program educates the public with the specific purpose of guiding and assisting potential puppy buyers towards finding responsible breeders. If you would like to assist this Committee or have suggestions for the Committee or have breed questions, contact the
BCOA Publications
The Basenji Club of America has three distinct, official publications for the benefit of its members.
Bulletin
The Official Bulletin of the BCOA is a full-color, glossy magazine A subscription to the Bulletin is included with BCOA membership. Subscriptions for non-members are available. If you are a non-member, you may order a subscription at our Online Shop. Individual numbers can also be purchased and advertising can be paid at our Online Shop.
The Bulletin's content includes:
President's Message
Committee & Club Reports
Club Columns
Specialty Results and Photos
Tally Pages
Health News and Notes
Breeder's Forum
Club Directory
Letters to the Editor
Point of View
New Titles earned by Basenjis
Basenji Briefs — Basenji FYI
Advertising both by members and commercial
Position Open - Contact Bulletin Editor at:
Bulletin Board
The Bulletin Board newsletter is distributed every month to keep members abreast of Club news and business. There is no advertising in the Newsletter. It is delivered in PDF format by email or via the U. S. Postal Service to BCOA members only. Back issues can be viewed in the Members-Only section of the website.
Contact Laurie Gregory the Bulletin Board Editor:
Roster
The Membership Roster and Club Directory is distributed annually to members in April. It contains a comprehensive listing of BCOA members, club officers, committees, affiliate clubs and rescue volunteers. BCOA members ONLY may advertise in this Club publication. The Roster is delivered exclusively to members of BCOA.
Position Open - Contact the Roster Editor:
Illustrated Standard
This 32 page pamphlet prepared in 2012 is a modern printed description of the basenji standard. It is available for purchase at the Online Shop.
Canis Basenjis
by Robert Vavra
A delightful book that deals with the comical reality of living with basenjis. This book has been reprinted by the BCOA with profit from the sales donated to the BCOA by the author who is a longtime basenji fan. Copies can be purchased at our Online Shop.
Judges Education
The BCOA is interested in educating judges about Basenjis.
Seminars are offered when requested. There is always a seminar and ringside mentoring at the National Specialty each year. Contact the Judges Education Chairperson for information on seminars.
A list of BCOA members who have volunteered to act as mentors is in the menu. If you have additional questions about mentors, contact the Judges Education Chairperson.
Click Official Basenji Standard for the AKC Basenji standard and click BCOA's Letter on Color to "AKC's Judges Newsletter" for clarification regarding color in Basenjis.
Procedural Clarifications: 1) The question of the correct procedure for determining the pliancy of the skin of the Basenji is covered here: Clarification for examining a basenji for pliant skin. 2) Please be aware that a Basenji's tail should never be uncurled during examination. This can be painful to the dogs 3) Two individuals should not be tabled together. .
An online educational program is offered by BCOA from this website at the Basenji University's College for Basenji Judges.
The Illustrated Standard was prepared by the Judges Education Committee in 2012. The Review of the Basenji Standard was published in 1991 by the BCOA.
If you you would like to become a mentor and are a BCOA member with experience in both breeding and exhibiting Basenjis, see the Mentor Application for qualification details.
College for Basenji Owners
Course 103
Performance Honor Rolls
Lists updated on 10 May 2022. Please read criteria below the lists on this page.
Brood Bitches
7 GCHB DC N’Focus Santa Baby MC LCX FCH VFCH LCM 5 VLCM CGC GRC JOR CA RATN TKN VB
6 FC Apu Sand Thru The Hourglass RA THD MC GRC ORC JOR CGC TDIA VBX
6 Ch. Kenset Vesta O' Luzambo TT FCh LCM CGC
5 Ch. Mahon's Tasha of Lamp FCh
5 UWPO UWPCh Ch Meisterhaus Kiroja Kiss N Tell RN JC GRC JOR NA NAJ CGC VB
5 Ch Tarawinds Blue Rockies Joy LCM
4 DC & Can CH UCI-Int/Nat Ch Jumoke-Quita Dream of Qena MC FCh JOR
4 Am. & UKC Ch. Kazor's Moonlit Madness Fly'N Hi CDX OA OAJ OAP OJP FCH
4 FC Stilwell's CallTheWind Mariah
4 DC Stilwell's Tirzah of Ben Hur SC LCM2
4 Ch. Undercover Bella The Ball
3 Ch Emerant N Fowpaws Sheza Seeker SC
3 Ch Eldorado's Akuaba With One Look JC
3 Fanfare Take The Money And Run
3 BIF GCHB DC FoPaw's Touch of Evil at Saorsa RA SC CA TKP ATD MVB
3 Kasai's Red Mystique SC LCM3 CGC
3 Ch. Kenset Butterflies Are Free
3 GCH CH UKC CH Reveille Ballerina SC CA RATI CHIC VBS2
3 Ch. Sherwood's Restless Heart
3 DC Sherwood's Shadow of the Moon MC LCM JOR
Stud Dogs
20 Ch. Kenset's Wayfarer From Asbah FCh
8 GCH DC Jerlin’s Our Zuri Pupin MC LCX TT SGRC3 SORC LCM VLCM8 CGC TKN CA VB
7 Ch. Ashanti's Melanite of Wilmer
6 UWPO, UWPChX DC UnderCover Meisterhaus Valentino RN SC FCh, GRC JOR NA NAJ CGC VBX
5 FC Apu the Answer MC LCX FCh SGRC4 ORC SOR
5 Ch Bordeaux African Jumoke SC FCh
5 GCH Platinum's Fear Is Not a Factor JC RN
5 Ch. Kazor's Almasi Africani Fly'N Hi CDX JC MX MXJ FCh MVB
5 Ch. Stilwell's Ben Hur SC LCM
4 Ch. Akuaba In Blacque By Candu
4 DC Apu i Liner SC RA BID CAA TKP VSWB FCh SGRC3 SORC JOR VBE
4 DC Bojak's Undercover Kojak SC FCh
4 Ch. Bubalak's Welred Kipling LCM
4 GCH Eldorado's Akuaba One More Time
4 GCh DC Jasiri-Sukari Win Tin Tin SC
4 FC New World Baridi Ngano SC LCM3
4 Ch. Osennji Tibouchina of Apu
4 DC Sinful's Swamp Legend, SC RN MC LCX LCh
4 Ch. SunDiata's Pi R Squared JC
Honor Roll Criteria
3 Performance titled get for bitches and 4 for dogs, with each get counting only once.
Minimum titles
Obedience - RA, CD, UCD, C-CD
Agility - NA, NAJ, NF, OAP, OJP, OFP, AD, PI, SG, PG2, NAC, NJC, CL2-R, RS-N, JS-N
Lure Coursing - FC, FCh, CKC FCh
Racing - GRC, ORC
Tracking - TD
Equivalent titles from other venues
When a dam or sire fulfills the criteria for this Honor Roll, the owner may apply to the tallier and supply supporting documents. The Performance Honor Roll is now illustrated, thanks to Susan Coe, so please submit a photo as well.
Honor Roll qualifiers from years past may also be submitted, and if supporting documents are not available, written explanations of titles will suffice. The Honor Roll is published on the BCOA web page. Performance Honor Roll Creator/Tallier is Susan Kamen Marsicano. Please email
This includes the registered name (with titles, if applicable) of your brood bitch or stud dog, and the names of each of their get (with titles), and supporting documents for one qualifying title for each get. Also include a photo, as described above.
Copyright the Basenji Club of America 2010 CLICK to return to the Basenji Timeline
What? You have a photo that is better or missing! Contact us to learn how to send it in. The Performance Honor Rolls are now maintained by Susan Kamen Marsicano for the Basenji Club of America. If you have a questions about the statistics as published or if you have updates to report, contact Susan.