Contrary to some belief, African Basenjis are not wild. They live with people and are owned and used by people. If anything they are more domestic than Western basenjis - they (at least in West Africa) dont run away and they are good watchdogs. .
What most of us would not give to be able to say our Basenjis would not run away if off-leash. I know I do not dare try mine…...:o
Contrary to some belief, African Basenjis are not wild. They live with people and are owned and used by people. If anything they are more domestic than Western basenjis - they (at least in West Africa) dont run away and they are good watchdogs. They dont fight amongst one another as much. They live where the people live - except they generally arent allowed in houses. However people in Benin dont spend a lot of time in the house either. They are cared for. In Benin they were shameless beggars for affection. Thanks for the opportunity to continue my mission to dispel this misapprehension. Reading of people who have been in other countries also do not support the "wild basenji". There were said to be some street dogs in a city in Cameroun however there were NO street dogs in Benin - the dog was either at home or with the owner.
However this opinion is based on the premise that these are Basenjis. Many believe these are just nice village mixed dogs.
And also village life where the Avongara's came from (and the Lukuru imports) certainly have a different life structure that the way we live in the US
@Shaye's:
What most of us would not give to be able to say our Basenjis would not run away if off-leash. I know I do not dare try mine…...:o
My previous 3 Basenjis did not ever run away. I've had them get out for 1 reason or another and they wait in the front yard for me to get home. Now my newest one is not quite as good. But I will give him some time to mature and settle down.
I think also the issue is that, while there are critters who can chomp a village dog of any breed, we have to worry more about cars hitting out dogs who are NOT car smart.
Many have lost a b to a car, and its just not worth it.
So, dogs getting out, IMO is a big deal, at least, in this country.
My basenjis over the years have all gotten out, some out for hours (I was at work and had no idea) they all stayed close around, most came right back after sprinting up the street. But we had a quieter street, laid back, no big deal. When I had single dogs, we had 2 different ones that would be out front with us, off leash, and just lie in the driveway. So they don't "run away" but they do have intense curiosity and can't be trusted. As Sharron said, the issue is cars and danger to the dogs. If I lived way out in the country, 20 miles from a road, I might leave basenjis loose to come and go as they please, I give them a lot of credit for knowing where the kibble is at the end of the day. I trust them and their instincts, but they just don't know nuthin' 'bout no cars!
I live away from any busy road but I still can't let my Basenjis come and go because they will hunt and kill livestock. I suppose that's not a big problem in a town. However mine are very wary of traffic. Some got away in a town when I was transferring them into another car. They ran along the pavements well away from the busy road and didn't attempt to cross until they came to a quiet cul de sac.
Perhaps just because they are not used to traffic? Also one of the words I've taught them is "In" which they do when we meet traffic - our roads don't have pavements.
Zoey isnt too bad but I cant trust her off leash. She has gotten out a few times though she doesnt head for the open road she cant resist chasing the nearest squirrel or just haveing a sprint where she runs accross the street and circles the neighbors houses a few times before she will decide to come to me. We do live near some traffic that twice a day is busy. So we have now enclosed our portch so now we have that second defense.
This is from my BRAT friend….
Right now, there are 45 basenjis. Among them are four litters of young pups, probably no older than 3 weeks. I am tickled to death that Animal Services in Hillsborough will allow us to socialize these dogs. The shelter is a very good one, with separate spacious indoor/outdoor runs, heated floors, and cots in each space.
Thanks for your concern.
Debbi
Awesome news..Thank you so much for sharing Sharron..
I will keep you posted when I hear anything.
Contrary to some belief, African Basenjis are not wild. They live with people and are owned and used by people…... Reading of people who have been in other countries also do not support the "wild basenji". There were said to be some street dogs in a city in Cameroun however there were NO street dogs in Benin - the dog was either at home or with the owner.
(partial quote above)
Sorry to disagree with you but this forum has an occasional poster from Benin that has stated that most of the Basenjis and Basenji crosses in Benin were in fact wild &/or street dogs.
I have a friend from Ghana, bordering to Benin, and they have several dogs that look like Otis (my basenji, but in red, it is more common he said) and they are wild, into everybodies trash, trying to get to the chickens people keep and all.
He did say however, even though they look just like a basenji, in body style, curled tail and always have white feet, they bark..he has heard howling in the distance, but never seen one of these dogs do it..
kind of interesting I think…
Many, many years ago, early 80s, we were walking our several basenjis along the street near our home. A car stopped and a man in his 30's got out and was amazed to see so many (5) basenjis. He had spent the last 10 years living in Africa, can't remember where, and said that where he was, small packs of basenjis roamed, wild, but would occasionally just "move in" to a village. Some dogs would stay with the humans but after some time, most of the pack would move on. I imagine the "moving-in" was for scavenging, and some may have decided they liked scraps!
This is purely third-hand, told to me quite unsolicited, well over 25 years ago, Snorky 998's post triggered the memory!
There are many village dogs who are a bit larger than b's and have an upright alto not curledtail…they are in many areas, and are not basenjis...
So, we might be talking of another type of dog here.
I have a friend that was just over in Africa for a few months. It was funny because she saw Kananga the other week and mentioned she had seen a bunch of them where she was in Africa, yet they were obviously much more skinny compared to Kananga (who is ideal in weight, just not skin and bones).
Must be quite interesting to see them in the wild. They are stealthy enough as our pets, cannot imagine the mischief that they get into in the wild. 
Pam Hamilton has been visiting the Hillsborough Animal Control Services
(HCAS) as often as possible. These dogs cannot be released to rescue until
legal issues are resolved. It may take up to two months. We appreciate all
offers of help.
Many of you have sent messages to Pam volunteering to help with the
socialization of this group at HCAS. She is working with the staff on
procedures so volunteers can start visiting the dogs. Animal Services
recognizes the need for these dogs to have extra handling and socializing
that is beyond the capacity of the available staff.
Due to the unexpected volume of responses and her frequent trips to HCAS,
Pam has been unable to respond to all who want to help. She will get back
with you as soon as she can. Those who have not contacted Pam and wish to
volunteer should send her an email with the subject "Hillsborough Basenji
Socialization" to help her to organize responses. Her address is
flbasenji@earthlink.net .
Thank you for your concern and interest in these basenjis.
Debbi Johnson
BRAT Treasurer & Director
Germantown, TN
debbijbasenjirescue@comcast.net
just bumping this thread for cahootz
Here is the latest on the Florida basenjis from Pam in Florida!
SPCA: Confiscated basenjis held at the SPCA are still restricted to
certain personnel. They will keep a mom and pups in an office with an
approved individual, so they are getting some socialization.
HCAS: Confiscated basenjis have been moved to the investigation
kennel, so they are no longer open to the public. They are doing
reasonably well, but some have dropped a bit of weight. The barking
environment is tough on some basenjis. An investigation walker
(volunteer) has been getting them used to her presence. While I do
check them all, I have worked with several a bit more closely over the
past couple of weeks. I have been amazed at how quickly some are
turning into "domesticated" basenjis. We are ramping up the
socialization process now. Hopefully, we can get them to be more
content in their current quarters so that they will eat a bit more. A big
thanks to all who volunteered to help with the socialization project which
started today!
If you haven't received a response to your offer to help with
socialization, please resend your offer. If you would like to help but
have not yet replied to my request for more information, please do so
at your earliest convenience.
Thanks for your continued support,
Pam Hamilton
FL District Coordinator
Advisory Director
Basenji Rescue and Transport
Pam has been working with them, and 6 of us went Saturday for volunteer orientation and worked with the dogs a bit. Though very shy, they are not aggressive and a few of them are really "coming out" and come up to the gate and take food from us. Others still cower as far away as they can get. The shelter has a very small fenced grassy "park" where the dogs in the Investigation building get taken by volunteer walkers for a few minutes out of their cages. That is where the basenji pups play and chase like "normal" basenjis. Pam is doing a great job! These dogs will take a lot of patience and TLC, but I think they have "pet potential".
Oh, Yea!! thanks for the update.
I having been thinking of these dogs ever sense they have been written up.
