• I definately agree. There is not a day that goes by in which I am not laughing at my B's. They can make you so angry (just now Tucker grabbed a book off the table and was proceeding to chew on it) and yet they look at you and you don't realize how you could live without them.


  • I think it is hard when you have had an 'easy' one, then get one that is a challenge at the far end of the spectrum! You thought you did know what you were getting into, but like kids in a family, they can be miles apart in personality! Uzie is a doll and will be 'worth it' but at least here you have a place to voice your frustrations! Many are calm and sweet during the 'honeymoon' period, then their true personality comes out once they really feel at home.

  • First Basenji's

    Hey eeeefarm! thanks for the sharing of the Quirks-funny:)! Just reading these reminded me of why I am hooked to the breed! I love to laugh at him, his bad is really pretty cute, mostly-even my husband really doesn't stay angry, how can one stay angry when the little guy looks up at you as he is doing the 'bad' thing (ripping the stuffing out of the dog bed….) I love being humbled every day!!!!! Yes, I love him and all the quirks! I am glad he feels at home now...PS: you all stay up pretty late!


  • @Buddys:

    how can one stay angry when the little guy looks up at you as he is doing the 'bad' thing (ripping the stuffing out of the dog bed….)

    I find when a Basenji is caught doing something particularly reprehensible he/she will try to distract you by being particularly charming, perhaps try to lure you into a game, and in some cases will offer you a yodel. I find it very hard to remain stern and not laugh, but any expression of pleasure on my part would obviously reinforce the undesired behaviour. 🙂

  • Houston

    Like I always say ;)…those wrinkles in their faces were given by God so we won't kill them…I remind myself of that about 3 maybe 4 hundred times a day...:)

    But they are so darn addictive..I know I could not live without one from here on out in my life..no way...now..if you really like their quirks....check out their bigger cousin, the Portuguese Podengos...wholly moly, with one of each in my home..our life is never boring or mundane. :D...and I ♥ it.


  • @MacPack:

    I think it is hard when you have had an 'easy' one, then get one that is a challenge at the far end of the spectrum! You thought you did know what you were getting into, but like kids in a family, they can be miles apart in personality! Uzie is a doll and will be 'worth it' but at least here you have a place to voice your frustrations! Many are calm and sweet during the 'honeymoon' period, then their true personality comes out once they really feel at home.

    I second that, MacPack - I have one at the end of the spectrum, and some days it leaves me at the end of my patience, strength, etc. As many days as I love her to bits, there are also those days where I would love to find someone with more strength and a fenced back yard to take her! :eek:


  • A Basenji teaches you the fine art of compromise. In our house, it goes like this: "I will not pull the toilet paper off the roll if you do not put it on there." "I will not eat the Q-Tips or shred the Kleenex if you do not put them in the trash can." "I will not baroo in the crate if you do not shut me in there." "I will not pull on the leash if you don't– OK, I'll pull on the leash no matter what, but see how cute I am." 🙂


  • I just remind myself: Thank goodness they're so cute. But kudos to you for opening up your heart and your house to a B that obviously needed a little more people-time. They're not for everyone, but for those that love the breed, it's seem difficult to turn one away that is in need…even if she is the naughtiest Basenji ever.


  • I've been addicted to Basenjis for hhhhrumm… years (more than I care to remember) and its always a delight to hear from others sharing that same addiction!!


  • @eeeefarm:

    I found this link sums up the "quirks" quite well. I am sure most of you have seen it, but I find it's fun to review. 🙂

    http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/9467/bquirks.html

    **WOW, what a great link, thank you!!

    I've been under the control of the Basenji now for about 16+years. There isn't a day that goes by when I'm not totally in awe of them. I love to watch em, touch em, smell em, play with em, becuase they put an energy into life like nothing else I've ever experienced. We have our routines we do at certain times each day & evening, but other than that, anything goes.

    My Zander does not like phones, door bells, people, most other dogs, loud noises, bugs, rain, or being disturbed anytime between midnight & midnight, every day of the week. He does however love me, so I have learned to live with the other stuff, with his help.

    Once a Basenji has you properly trained you'll do just about anything for them and ask almost nothing of them. Once in a while if your real good, they'll walk up and give ya a lick or show some breif show of emotion, but it's their way of keepin ya on yer toes….and darn if it don't work better than a clicker.

    Most people that have problems with Basenji's, do so, because they think they can change them into the kinda dog they want and will have the added bonus of 'NoBarkin', 'Little Sheddin', and the small size that they think makes them easy to handle. Unfortunately it doesn't take long for them to figure out they've been completely outwitted by a "NoBark', "Little Shed", 21 lb. independent genius with four feet, wrinkeled forehead and a curly tail. Then lucky folks like us get to adopt them, fall helplessly under their control and live happily ever after.

    If a person accepts them for the beautiful, energetic, independent creatures god made them to be, you'll be so much the better for it and so will the lucky little 'B' that lets you into their world.

    It should however be mentioned that once addicted to the Basenji, there is no known cure this side of heaven......and I thank God for that every day!!! 😃

    **


  • Basenjis have been my DRUG of choice for years. I am totally hooked..

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