• Hi everyone! I came across this site when I was researching Basenjis. About a month ago I adopted a dog. At the shelter they said he was Chihuahua, but by looking at him I knew he was something else as well.
    So 2 weeks ago I showed a picture of my dog to a friend of mine. She immidiatley knew that he was part Basenji.
    As I researched more I realized, "hey! This dog has the characteristics of a Basenji."

    Since getting Buddy, it has been a challenge. No one at the shelter had any history on him. I guess you could say I was getting into this with a blind fold on haha.
    I was at my wits end with training him and was ready to give up. A friend of mine got me thinking and I then decided to keep moving forward with Buddy.
    When he's good, he's an awesome dog! But it's when I train him is when it gets tough.

    Anyways, Sorry to type a long post. Here is a picture of Buddy. Do you all think he's part Basenji? I would love more imput 🙂


  • Welcome to the Forum to you and Buddy. It's very difficult to tell with him lying in his basket (cute). He appears to have Basenji colouring but I'd have to see more pictures before I gave an opinion. How big is he actually? Has he any white or is he just red all over? How old is he?

    I hope you're successful with his trainng. Keep persevering and don't rigidly follow training suggestions which don't seem to work. There is plenty of helpful advice here from well qualified people.


  • I'm no expert, but he definitely has Chihuahua eyes - the head shape could be Basenji. Regardless, welcome to the forum. I have received a lot of very helpful information here about training. After I got my Basenji, I had some trouble with him and the folks here were stellar in offering tips and support. Good luck and congratulations on your new addition!


  • Welcome, whatever your dog's breed, thank you for opening your home and heart up to this little critter!

  • First Basenji's

    Welcome! Buddy is a cutie. I confess I'm a sucker for large, pricked ears. 🙂

    I'm not sure I see Basenji, but I do see Miniature Pinscher. They come in red, too. Anyway, it's hard to tell without weight/size/seeing him in person… and even then, you may never know. Whatever he is, he looks like a spirited, alert little fellow.

    There are a lot of good training threads on this board, particularly useful for working with little dogs with big personalities. You may find them useful. Generally speaking, I like to keep things positive, use rewards, and be patient. Other training threads will get into specifics. Happy reading!


  • @Patty:

    Welcome to the Forum to you and Buddy. It's very difficult to tell with him lying in his basket (cute). He appears to have Basenji colouring but I'd have to see more pictures before I gave an opinion. How big is he actually? Has he any white or is he just red all over? How old is he?

    I hope you're successful with his trainng. Keep persevering and don't rigidly follow training suggestions which don't seem to work. There is plenty of helpful advice here from well qualified people.

    He has some white on his chest and on one paw. I'll try to get pics of him standing. Buddy is about 7lbs. He's a little under weight but I'm working on that 🙂 The shelter said he's about 18 months old.

    @bewler:

    I'm no expert, but he definitely has Chihuahua eyes - the head shape could be Basenji. Regardless, welcome to the forum. I have received a lot of very helpful information here about training. After I got my Basenji, I had some trouble with him and the folks here were stellar in offering tips and support. Good luck and congratulations on your new addition!

    Thank you. I've been told he looks like a min pin. I see it but he really doesn't have the face of a min pin, but that's just me.
    @sharronhurlbut:

    Welcome, whatever your dog's breed, thank you for opening your home and heart up to this little critter!

    Thank You. It felt really good to be able to adopt him from the shelter.

    @curlytails:

    Welcome! Buddy is a cutie. I confess I'm a sucker for large, pricked ears. 🙂

    I'm not sure I see Basenji, but I do see Miniature Pinscher. They come in red, too. Anyway, it's hard to tell without weight/size/seeing him in person… and even then, you may never know. Whatever he is, he looks like a spirited, alert little fellow.

    There are a lot of good training threads on this board, particularly useful for working with little dogs with big personalities. You may find them useful. Generally speaking, I like to keep things positive, use rewards, and be patient. Other training threads will get into specifics. Happy reading!

    You know, it's funny because my husband and I wanted a big dog. But when we tried to connect with them, they had no interest.
    Buddy was the only dog that wasn't barking and was calm. Within 5 mins he took to us and I couldn't help but fall in love with him. I'm a sucker for big ears lol.
    The whole time I've had him I've only heard him bark twice. Which I love! I didn't want a dog that barks at everything.
    I will do my best to post more pics of him and show you all 🙂


  • no idea what he's a mix of, but with those ears, he ought to be able to pick up the BBC easily.
    just adorable!


  • @agilebasenji:

    no idea what he's a mix of, but with those ears, he ought to be able to pick up the BBC easily.
    just adorable!

    LOL! Everytime I take Buddy out, everyone comments on how big his ears are. We get showtime with those ears. I'll have to find out if we get the BBC channel lol


  • He is a cutie…I do know some people do DNA testing if they really want to know what breeds are contributing to their mixed dogs origin 🙂 I have no idea how expensive that might be though.

    As for training... I would find a good, positive reinforcement based class to enroll in.


  • Welcome!

    He is so cute!

    His muzzle looks a bit basenji and his ears 😃
    Maybe Basenji x chi x pincher??


  • At 18 months and 7lbs I very much doubt that he's got Basenji in him but who knows. It doesn't matter,- he's a delightfulchap and good to have you both on here. Looking forward to more pictures.

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