I have read a few threads here about basenji dogs.
People have mentioned their lack of "doggy smell" because they groom
themselves, their lack of common sense with vehicles because they're a
chasing dog, their enthusiasm for life (read nosiness and delight in
ripping and tearing).

The particular idea I want to tell about is the question on their need
for companionship. Yes, they are (well, mine is) a loving dog. My dog
loves to be as near to us as he can be. And writers here have advised
would-be owners to carefully consider things like whether or not to
crate the dog, and whether or not they can spend enough time with the
dog to keep it happy.
Here's my story, as a further caution...

When we chose our 'boy', we knew about the climbing, the hole digging,
the chewing - and thought it no problem. My partner knew I wanted a
companion pet, but did not express to me his reluctance to have a dog
(of any breed) inside the house. Where I was/am quite happy at the
thought of sharing the house (in deed the bedroom!) with my 'boy', my
partner put down his foot.
So my basenji became on outdoors dog with kennel and petbed at the
back door.

Now, a career shift has meant I am out of town four nights a week. I
get to see my 'boy' only at weekends. And he is Miserable, to the
point of stress-related sores (where he has over-licked his paws for
comfort). He has had antibiotic tablets and creams to treat the sores
and they have healed.

But I know he is going to miss me all over again when the new academic
term takes me back out of town, and I am as miserable about it as he
has been.

Please, people, when selecting any pet (but especially a basenji, as
is mine) predict your own lifestyle changes and take into
consideration the effect such changes may have on whether you will be
able to continue to do the right thing by the pet.
Sob!