Basenji

If one breed sits at the root of most dog family trees, it is this Central African hunter. Genome surveys since 2004 keep placing the Basenji among the earliest-branching breeds, which is genuine evidence. The popular claim that Egyptian tomb paintings show Basenjis is not: a prick-eared, curl-tailed dog in ancient art cannot be pinned to a modern breed. Anyone thinking of owning one should know about Fanconi syndrome, an inherited kidney disorder with a DNA test.