I am pleased that I started this thread, it's all really interesting…
I think it depends on the basenji. My older ones are much more likely to be protective-especially Sugar. Shadow would probably do a sneak attack-wait until their back is turned, nip them in the butt and then run like heck! Sugar would probably meet head on if she didn't like something. Johnny and Rose would just wag their tails and want to be petted. But I don't know if they would really attack without provocation. If the robber left them alone, they would probably just watch them from the comfort of the sofa!
Thabo showed last week what he would do. We were on a road trip and stayed overnight at a motel. The folks on the floor were part of a wedding party, and they were coming & going until the wee hours. Several times, Thabo woe me up growling at the door. But when he saw I was awake and on guard, e curled up in the bed and went right to sleep. So if I'm there, he'd save himself.
Well, you can't protect him if YOU are sleeping! LOL
I will say this:
I walk Oakley when I get home at 6pm and its already dark..a couple weeks ago I was walking in the park down the street ( it's the safest area around, we'll lit and within a quick run to help! Yes I need to think about such things). Well, I came across a man who only spoke Spanish and a tiny English..he seemed innocent enough and asked about my dog, so rather than be rude I answered what I could..soon he started asking me if I had family, if I was married and tried to get me to "walk" with him…immediately from meeting him oak was aloof but as soon as I started feeling tense and uneasy, amazingly Oakley read me and started to growl, snare ad show his teeth..even stepping between me a the man. It was enough for the man to leave and even as I walked home (making sure no one was following me) Oakley kept looking back, fur on his back up..even after getting home you could tell he was shaken but to my surprise he really stepped up to the plate and I now know, he WOULD protect me..perhaps it's his vet strong bond with me, I just never thought he would even react to my body language as he did but it made me feel proud.
Ps- I saw the man again in the park yesterday and Oakley knew who he was and I had to redirect his attention from the man and calm him down…I've decided to alter my route..although I'm limited in places to go when it's dark that are safe. I'm looking ino other means of protection of course so I can feel more comfortable and less limited. After all, I'm a single woman in her mid twenties and am not that intimidating...it seems time to get a little more protection...even with Oakley, as there are others in my neighborhood that when they see Oakley they comment "oh, there's the rare dog"...not a term I'd like used as rare tends to lead others to think $$$
Do the Charlie Brown comment about Beagles - "Oh, they're a dime a dozen!" 
And the last two posts confirm my opinion about overdoing the socialization. It's a conundrum. Do you want strangers to be able to catch your dog if he gets loose? Do you want your dog to think that thieves are his friend? One thing I like about having a dog that is a bit stand offish is that he is unlikely to be stolen. Of course, all bets are off if the thief has a nice, juicy steak!
Chealsie508, yes, Oakley read your feelings well. When you got concerned, so did he. And he would try to protect you, I have no doubt. Unfortunately, that could end badly for him. Small dogs don't do well against determined aggressors. But you are using your street smarts, so hopefully all will be well.
Well, I guess I Tempted Fate with this post, and Fate responded! I was mugged tonight. In broad daylight. On my steps. Butu and I are okay. He was no help. I have lost some precious photos of him, though. If anyone sees any photos of a B. on a surfboard, please let me know!
QuizBasenji, very sorry to hear this, how awful. I'm glad you are both ok. There are some scumbags around, i hope Karma deals with them.
You still have those images in your mind, and you are both safe, but how awful to be mugged right on your steps!
That sucks a lot!! Glad you and Butu are okay though.
Hopefully the mugger just pocketed the cash/cards and ditched the wallet (?) with photos all accounted for.
sorry to hear about being mugged but very very glad you are okay.
Terrible thing to not be able to feel safe in your own home. Very glad you and Butu are okay. "Things" are replaceable, even pictures stay in our memories - he could have hurt either of you, or taken Butu. I agree with Thunderbird - hopefully Karma will step in to teach a huge lesson to the mugger.
So sorry! Quiz. But as others have said, Thankfully You and Butu are still happy, healthy, and among us. And Chelsie508, awesome with your B! When I got my first guy, I also lived in a 'not so great' area but never had an issue ' cause I'm kinda a big girl ( 5'8") and walk with some confidence while walking with my dog. I was approached several times but mostly by folks having curiosity about my B. I was approached once by a kinda scary looking young man with a doberman on a leash once. Turned out he lived on the other side of the complex I lived in and was was just happy to find another person with a unusual dog. We ended up meeting and talking quite a bit over the years. My B was quite pensive at first, but because of the other dog, not the human. The dogs actually became friends, played together while I chatted with that same, scary at first, young man. "Can't judge a book by it's cover", Lesson learned! 
heck no, congo would probably just cry and run in circles. however, i don't ever worry because he looks like he could probably do some damage. now if they almost stepped on congo, he would scream and scare them lol
