Welcome to the forum. You received a Basenji puppy for Christmas?? May I ask where it came from? Has it had any health tests? There is a disease called Fanconi and you will want to know if it's a carrier or not. I don't think the puppy came from a reputable breeder as they wouldn't allow a puppy to be given as a gift. Anyway we are here to help you and please spend as much time as possible looking at the threads under health and behavior to learn as much as possible. Post some pictures too.
You might also want to visit www.basenjihealth.org and www.basenji.org there is lots of information about Basenjis and Basenji health on both those sites. As noted by nobarkus, if this puppy or its Dad/Mom have not been DNA tested for Fanconi, you should consider doing it. Cost is 65.00 and it is done with a cheek swab.
Welcome to the forum, as Dan has said you need to spend some time exploring the forum and the sites Pat has suggested to learn about this wondeful but challenging breed.
Welcome to the forum..ask, search and learn as much as you can on the breed as it is different, very cool, once you understand/get it, but can be difficult if you don't know what is typical for basenjis..
As stated find out if your puppy's parents were fanconi tested, if ou can't then have your little bundle tested so you know for sure.
We love to see pictures of that little bundle, once again welcome.
Thanks for your help and suggestions! I will do some homework and I am sure that I will be using this forum alot!! My sons bought the puppy near Grand Haven, Michigan. I can call the breeder regarding the falconi testing.
In reading posts regarding an invisible fence, it does not sound promising. Is there special training that I need to be doing while she is young? We have her enrolled in a puppy class!!
That is the first step, puppy class….
As far as Fanconi, if you have her registration information and the registration numbers for her Sire and Dam, you can check for Fanconi testing youself at www.offa.org
Go to search and the put in the registration number. If the dog has been tested it will show up and look like this: (this is for one of my Basenjis)
http://www.offa.org/display.html?appnum=1293496#animal
You need to make sure your garden is very secure, Basenjis are escapologists. Quite a few do get run over as although they can be trained to come back thay are not as reliable as some other breeds and love to run, often in the other direction 
Most are not reliable off lead unless it is in a very safe area.
You need to make sure your garden is very secure, Basenjis are escapologists. Quite a few do get run over as although they can be trained to come back thay are not as reliable as some other breeds and love to run, often in the other direction
Escapologists….he, he....love it 
Welcome…a well exercised puppy is a tired puppy..and that makes for a happy household.
Puppy classes, yes, a must.
Photos please..we all love pics.
I am a new puppy owner in Il. My college age sons gave my 14 yr old daugeter an adorable puppy for Christmas. I know little about the breed and I am hoping to find helpful information on this forum.
Hi Grace,
Welcome to the forum! For future reference, we have a relatively active basenji club in your general area if you want to get to know some local basenji knowledgeable people. You can go to www.bcosw.org or www.facebook.com/bcosw (if you are on FaceBook) for details.
Clay
You have a Sun-Dance puppy?
Welcome to our group! I would definitely agree with the suggestion about contacting the BCOSW and maybe even go to a few dog shows and talk to breeders. This is a very cool breed but one that doesn't come without some work on your (family's) part.
Make sure your daughter understands that she is likely to lose a favorite blouse or toy or a piece of jewelry unless she keeps her room neat. In addition to being dogoudinis, basenjis like to chew on all kinds of things unless given a stimulus of some kind. Be prepared for toilet paper or tissues strewn around the house (it's a basenji thing).
And don't give up, nor let your daughter give up, on the obedience class. And if it's not a positive reinforcement type obedience class, switch to one that is. Basenjis learn much faster if there is some reward rather than punishment or a lot of no's.
The Puppy's sire is Jomo Joshua of Sundance–Do you know anything about him?
Hi Grace,
Welcome to the forum! For future reference, we have a relatively active basenji club in your general area if you want to get to know some local basenji knowledgeable people. You can go to www.bcosw.org or www.facebook.com/bcosw (if you are on FaceBook) for details.
Clay
thanks for your info- it is just what we needed!
The Puppy's sire is Jomo Joshua of Sundance–Do you know anything about him?
Jono Joshua of Sundance is the Sire- Do you know him?
Jono Joshua of Sundance is the Sire- Do you know him?
AKC number is HM745322/02, he is on Sally's pedigree site born 31-Dec-1997 which would have made him almost 12 when this pup was born. He is NOT DNA tested for Fanconi and only has two litters that were registered AKC and that was in 2002 that they were born…. I would venture to bet after that time his owners did not use AKC for registration? Is your pup AKC registered (American Kennel Club)
There are a number of Fanconi dogs and dogs that produced Fanconi in his pedigree.
You can look up is pedigree here http://www.pedigrees.zandebasenjis.com/search.html
Who is the Dam?
I would highly suggest that you have her DNA tested for Fanconi, as it doesn't look like the breeder did any health testing.
Pat is right…knowing what is in store for you with your b's health is worth the $60.
If the dog isn't affected, you can just keep an eye on the dogs health and discount fanconis, to a degree...if she is affected, then you can learn all you need to and make sure your ready when she starts to spill sugar. It can be scary, but it is so necessary to know....
You need to make sure your garden is very secure, Basenjis are escapologists. Quite a few do get run over as although they can be trained to come back thay are not as reliable as some other breeds and love to run, often in the other direction
+1
And just when you think your fence/yard is completely basenji-proof, check it again. Every time we thought our yard was secure, Cody would escape. It took us 4 tries, and even now, he will try to break out by chewing the ropes tying the gate closed (he can open the latch, so we also tie the gate), so we have to check the perimeter often.
BTW, welcome to the forum and congrats on your new family member!
Her mother's name was Safiya of Foxtrot. The breeder gave us AKC info but i see no need in registering her, I will not breed her.
Her mother's name was Safiya of Foxtrot. The breeder gave us AKC info but i see no need in registering her, I will not breed her.
Everyone should register their dogs, that is the way that people can keep track of pedigrees and offspring… I think it is very important regardless if a show dog, one you might breed, or family pet...
And the dam is on Sally pedigree site, she had 3 registered offspring from 2005. She is not DNA test for Fanconi. So you really should at least have her DNA'ed for Fanconi, it is well worth the 65.00 for some peace of mind.
