InTheBeginning

The basenjis owned and bred in the 1960s provided the education that determined what was needed in the foundation of the Kenset line. In the early '70s a tri bitch of Kiljongo and Cambria breeding was acquired. She was bred to a Khajah dog and produced Ch. Kenset The Eighth Wonder. "Little" was born in a litter of 8 and finished her championship in 8 shows. She was shown only in Puppy and Bred-By-Exhibitor finishing with 4 majors including one at Westminster. She is on the Brood Bitch Honor Roll and is behind many of today's top winners and producers.

Our red basenjis carry on through "Little's" daughter, Ch. Kenset Small Wonder, Fld. Ch. "Penny" finished her Championship title with three straight 5 point majors in three days. One of these included going Best of Opposite Sex over specials at the Basenji Club of Cincinnati Specialty. "Penny" then traveled to Colorado for the Bi-Centennial Circuit where, four days later, she won Best Of Breed from the classes at the 1976 Basenji Club Of America Central Zone Regional Specialty. She was the first specialty winner to earn an ASFA Field Championship. She also placed in the H.O.M.B.C. National Field Trial for scent hounds. "Penny" was shown to several Bests of Opposite Sex at other Specialties and was never defeated in her sex. She also graduated 1st in her obedience class and was truly an "all around hound".

"Quary" carries on through his grandson, "Ch. Kenset's Wayfarer From Asbah, Fld. Ch., S.D.H.R." "Prune", who is also a "Little" grandson, is one of the breed's top producers. He won B.O.B. and 1st in Stud Dog at the 1985 B.C.O.A. National Specialty. He was the first, and so far the only, field titled basenji to win B.O.B. at a B.C.O.A. National Specialty. Although he was used sparingly at stud, he was tied for top producer in 1986 and has sired more than 30 AKC Champions as well as Canadian Champions. His offspring account for over 30 performance titles including Bests In Field in US and Canada and High In Trial in obedience. More important than the quantity is the quality that this dog has produced in conformation, performance ability, health and temperament. All his life he was checked and found free of all the basenji inherited diseases.

"Jon" produced an outstanding daughter in Ch. Kenset Vesta O' Luzambo,L.C.M., T.T., B.B.H.R., C.G.C. "Lulu" finished her titles with ease and graduated from the Dog Training Club of York. She was our 'resident school teacher' who instructed the youngsters in social acceptability. "Lulu" was a healthy, long-lived, much loved companion. She earned her CGC at 13 ½ and CERFed at 14 years of age.

"Lulu's" offspring have contributed to the Kenset family. Her son, "Ch. Kenset Made In The USA" (Hans) is contributing great tempered show and coursing basenjis to many breeding programs. One of her daughters, Ch. Kenset Home Fires Burning (Bess), produced UACH, U-CD, Kenset Burning Brite O'Merit, UD, OA, NAJ, CGC, Can. CD (Tygr). Tygr (See Tygr on Extended Family page) is the first (and so far the only) basenji to win a DOG WORLD award in obedience.

A tri daughter of "Little" who contributed to the Kenset family is Kenset Elusive Butterfly, L.C.M. "Lucy" was our first, and one of the breeds first, Lure Coursers of Merit. Although her own show career was neglected, she produced our first tri champions.

"Lucy's" daughter, Ch. Kenset Butterflies Are Free (Freda), won the Bred-by-exhibitor class at the 1985 National Specialty and finished her championship from Bred-by. She is "Curly's" dam and CERFed at 12 years of age.

Ch. Kenset Carpe Diem, Fld. Ch. (Curly), is out of "Freda: and sired by "Prune". His hips and eyes are normal and he has shown none of the inherited basenji problems. He is the sire of "Hans" (pure for red) and "Amy" (see Current Basenjis).

The preceding Basenjis are the backbone of the Kenset red/tri line. Our black and white color was introduced into this line by our 1970 English import, Sir Exetar Of Horsley (Horsey).

"Vito" introduced the brindle and white color into the Kenset line in 1992. "Vito", a multi Best In Field winner, won BOB at the 1992 B.C.O.A. National Specialty Lure Coursing Trial and was the #1 Lure Coursing Basenji in the nation in 1993.