I love your spunk!
I think you are on the right track, and often what makes a "good" Basenji parent is a person who has an open and flexible mentality. Basenjis need people who have a great sense of humour and who will love them through their "faults". Those faults are also why we love them, their tenacious nature and strength of spirit often gets them into trouble. And trust me the love you get from a Basenji is unique and addicting, because in essence it is a thoughtful wild creature that chooses to listen and respond to you when you choose to treat them with respect and kindness. Basenji people understand when they find their toilet paper shredded to tiny bits all over the floor that their dog is bored, or when they find an offender sneaking cookies of the kitchen counter - realise it was their fault for not locking those cookies safely away in the cupboard. You gotta just laugh, take pictures and share the story with us!! They flourish with positive reinforcement training, and really respond to body language - Patricia B McConnell outlines it brilliantly in the "Other End of the Leash" - if you haven't read her yet, she is positively fantastic and illuminating. A really nice read for dog enthusiasts.
Going and visiting Bs will really give a real life depiction of what you are diving into. Ask loads of questions because Basenji owners love to answer them. Feel free to go for the juicy bits, ask about unstuffed couches and doors that have been chewed off (my first Basenji did 4 doors under the age of 7 …hehe) But also bear in mind that Basenjis like most dogs only really chew when they are board, and as the saying goes : A tired Basenji is a good Basenji. Live by that one. I think with all the stimulation in your house, your chewing will be minimal if you offer lots of other lovely things to much on (ie bully sticks or meaty bones). Crate training is really something that you will want to invest in purely for the sake of ease when transporting your dog - and not all dogs will need to be crated when home alone. I crated my 2 year old for a year and a half and after a particularly sticky move she has adjusted much better to staying in the flat alone outside of the crate. She sleeps on my bed now until I come home. We still positively reinforce the crate but find she is much much happier lose in the new flat.
Since everyone else mentions fencing ? I'll skip it... but I should mention that a chain fence would not keep Lycia away from 5 dachshunds
Perhaps the biggest thing I would mention is make sure you find a breeder you love. Talk to them thoroughly and ask all of your pressing questions. Be sure your breeder tests for Fanconi syndrome in both parents and their tests results are listed on the OFA website. With the cheap testing available anyone who refuses to test is negligent. Look for someone who you can see as a partner in your dog's life, because that?s what they are there for ? the breeder should be your go to person when ever trouble arises with your dog.
Keep at the research and you'll be well rewarded. We will look forward to seeing little wrinkly photos from Green Bay.
good luck!