I must agree that naive, first-time wanne-be owners need to do deep, extensive research. Basenjis are supremely unique and definitely not a good choice for a "beginner."
I adopted an 18-month old 3/4 Basenji (other 1/4 is Min Pin, yet another quirky little breed, with some "bad" similarities to B's). I was somewhat familiar with B's, but not even a little bit of "enough!!" Gosh, Izzy-Bella was a piperoo!! A little 18 pound bundle of energy, destruction, and escapism. BUT, I have always loved bad boys (9 years working in a high school), so a little bad girl was a sort of delight. But, again, it takes many years before these dogs mellow out and mature and maximize their amazing intelligence. Izzy is SO SO smart: her early unbridled destructiveness has pretty much ended, and now, at ten years old, she amazes us every day with her intelligence, innate understanding, observational skills, language acumen, and comedic skills. And at ten years old, she acts like a three year old! I hope this means she will live forever.
Once you have bonded with a Basenji, you are probably done and gone. But
first-timers REALLY need to do their research and homework.
Someone referred to entrusting their dog
to a family member. I would entrust my B to nobody except a bona fide Vet hospital/kennel, with big-time fences and enclosures, B's are exceptional diggers-under-fences and escape artists. And a Number One cause of
death for them is traffic. Their prey instinct sends them careening into
traffic. Dumber than deer.
But, bottom line: do your due diligence Basenji research, and understand early on that these dogs are singularly unique: indescribably destructive; escape artists; independent thinkers and behaviorists; smarter than you can even begin to imagine (I swear my Izzy understands everything I say and reads my mind!); and prepare to have lots of tissues on hand as auxiliary food, because apparently, Basenjis require wood pulp
projects to prosper!! I don't get it.
Basenji groups in NY/CT?
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We are definitely available either Sat. or Sun. the weekend of the 8th and would love to meet up….is Lewie available too?
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Lewie is not available on the 8th (family thing…) but the 9th might work out. Let me check with Lewie's daddy to be sure...
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Wonderful! The only thing I have to say negative about Southbury is that it's only fenced on three sides. The property is huge and I've never had a problem, even with my new little girl. If that makes either of you nervous I'm open to suggestions of other places to meet. Wethersfield Dog Park is a nice one also, and they have running water there.
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I live in CT and I am currently looking to get a Basenji puppy.
Where did you get your puppies? How much did you pay for them? -
My little girl is a BRAT (basenji rescue and transport) baby. She came from Virginia. You should check out their website.
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Go to www.basenji.org and then to breeder referral. You can see all breeders that are current members of the Basenji Club of America and contact them about a puppy.
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I would definitely prefer fenced as Lewie has a special place in his little basenji heart for motorcycles… Do either of you know a place that somewhere between our locations? Seems to be about 1 hr to all the parks Maverick's Mom has suggested...
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Ah, that's right I forgot about that. Greta climbs right over fences anyways, she thinks they are "suggestions" as to where she should stay. I did a little research and found this park. http://www.fosdogpark.org/news/news.html It's in Shelton and I didn't see anything that said residents only, like the Trumbull park where you need a resident parking sticker. Probably 30-35 minutes for all of us.
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So are we all down for meeting in Shelton? That would definitely be a better trip for us…
Muzz??
MavericksMom?
We don't want to end up being the only basenji there
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I'm down, and if Maverick can come Shelton will work. What time works for you two?
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Sometime in the early afternoon?? Maybe 1ish? Still waiting to hear from Maverick's Mom….
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1:00 sounds good. I guess shelton if we hear from mavericks mom, or else Hamden if we don't.
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Sounds like a plan… see you "somewhere" tomorrow
