Questions before I get my Basenji pup!


  • The test has only been in existence for 4 yrs, before that, none of us knew whether our dogs were carriers or not.


  • And if you breed first, don't test or test later… well, you get the picture. Just because someone says you should not do "something"... doesn't mean that some people don't do it....

    And as noted the test has only been available since July of 2007, so not even quite 4yrs.


  • Lakers13: Good luck to you and your new puppy - do post pictures as soon as you are able, we love puppy pictures. I understand where your heart is very well, as I am someone whose little B, Shaye, was gotten from questionable sources before we knew better. Shortly after bringing my little girl home, I joined this forum, and have gotten lots and lots of wonderful advice and answers to questions I have had. In the two-plus years I have now had Shaye, I feel lucky to have found the forum. The first thing they taught me was about Fanconi disease. I ordered the test and had her tested immediately - thank God, she is clear. The $65 spent will give you great peace of mind, which, when raising a basenji, is a precious thing indeed. My girl is healthy, strong and a typical basenji, and we have felt welcome here, regardless of her background. Love your puppy, ask us bunches of questions, and be sure to pay lots of attention to what is said on the forum. But be aware that your vet, who should be willing to do the research to become an expert on basenjis, will be your best indicator of how your dog is doing.


  • A very good post, Shaye's Mom. I hope you're still with us Lakers13.


  • Hello everyone, I got back from Texas yesterday but haven't had a chance to get on the computer since I've been playing with Benji 24/7! He is the best puppy I have ever owned! He is so good and funny. He hasn't used the bathroom in the house yet! Everytime I take him outisde he goes on command. He loves to play and sleep ALOT. I put him in his pen for the first time last night and put him to sleep before I snuck out and then I woke up around 1 am to him crying terribly. I felt so sorry for him but didn't respond and he stopped shortly and slept til around 6 am. He didnt use the bathhroom all night, but did first thing when I took him out. He's been perfect, he even found a water leak in our garage that he heard running through the walls! I will post pics soon. I'm not very tech savvy, ha.


  • Congrats, looking forward to seeing photos. I'm driving to KY Friday to pick up our girl, so excited to be getting another one. I don't have your willpower, she will be in our bed with the other 4 dogs from the first day. We are staying in a hotel near her breeder Friday night so she can get used to our two basenji boys before taking her home to be overwhelmed by the whippet girls. The 7 hr drive will be stressfull enough. Where are you in Arkansas? We will be in Rogers, AR on the 19th and 20th of March coursing our 4 dogs.


  • Good to hear from you Lakers13 - Benji sounds a very good boy - don't be too complacent though - he might be working out his strategies!!

  • Houston

    Taylor..so happy to hear that everything is going great..can't wait to see pictures of that little rascal..I am also very glad you stuck around..:):D


  • Photos???!!!!


  • I live in Conway. And I will try and get on the photos asap


  • Lakers13 - Benji sounds wonderful, and of course we anxiously await pictures. 🙂 Kipawa sleeps in/on the bed with us, but if you want to have Benji sleep in his crate, you did the right thing by not giving in to the whining.

    Kipawa was a wonderdog the first week we had him. He heeled perfectly and did nothing wrong. As he gained more confidence in our home, the 'basenjiness' became more evident, so as Patty said, be prepared. After all, they are babies in a bright, exciting world and there is so much trouble to get into. But as so many have said, they look so darn cute when they nosh a pillow or pull the stuffing out of a bedspread! 🙂


  • I will only add that if you want your B to sleep in a crate (mine do at least for now), as puppies when I heard them whinning, I did get up and take them out… Unless you do, then you really don't know if they do have to potty. I honestly do not believe (unless by accident) that they can hold it all night (8 to 10 hours).... So I would take them out, but then immediately return them to the crate. Then if they continued to complain, I would ignore them. Of course that said, the crates are in the bedroom so I pretty much know when there is a problem.


  • I didn't have him in a crate. I had him in a portable pen in another room to sleep, but he has been perfect on pottying outside so I let him sleep with me last night and he slept all night and then pottied right when I took him out this morning!


  • @lakers13:

    I didn't have him in a crate. I had him in a portable pen in another room to sleep, but he has been perfect on pottying outside so I let him sleep with me last night and he slept all night and then pottied right when I took him out this morning!

    Pen/crate same thing really…. however don't be surprised for set backs....but most will sleep through the night when you let them sleep in bed...:)


  • @lisastewart:

    The test has only been in existence for 4 yrs, before that, none of us knew whether our dogs were carriers or not.

    Thats right,.. I keep forgeting that that was so recently…..


  • Congratulations on your new puppy, Benji.
    Our first Basenji was called Benji too. Have fun.


  • Here are some pics of Benji!
    attachment_p_132309_0_082.jpg
    attachment_p_132309_1_087.jpg
    attachment_p_132309_2_092.jpg
    attachment_p_132309_3_097.jpg
    attachment_p_132309_4_071.jpg
    attachment_p_132309_5_086.jpg
    attachment_p_132309_6_094.jpg


  • Oh, he is so sweet! I love that little belly of his. Wishing you many many years of fun, love and craziness with him.

  • Houston

    Benji is adorable..he looks to have just melted everybodies hearts. Congratulations again.


  • aw! the last picture looks like the traditional momma and baby pic.

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