@nancyss
She's one beautiful and impish darling!
Newbie!
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Hi everyone, i'm new round these parts! Have been a fan of the fabulous Basenji for a while now and am currently doing some research into the breed to hopefully get my very first Basenji in the future… not sure when exactly it will happen but i know that i would like to own one of these little guys and am on the look out for a show dog! I've shown in the past in Danes but my boy hated the show ring so i retired him last year. Basenji's look like a lot of fun.
Can you tell me what its like living with a Basenji on normal day? Are they generally good with children if reared with them? Are they escape artists/wanderers? What should i look out for when searching for my Basenji (aside from the fact that i will be searching out a reputable breeder)? They don't seem to be a popular breed for a small dog, is there any reason for this?
Can you recommend any books on the breed that are a "must read" prior to bring a Basenji into our home?
Thanks for your time in advance!!!
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Dolce is now 9 months old, she's my first B def not my last. I was super terrified yet super excited and anxious when I was getting her. I had a million questions and concerns and was driving some people nuts. I wasn't sure what to expect but she is the BEST THING that has EVER happened to me in my LIFE, for real. She makes me laugh everyday with how unusual she is not like any other kind of dog I have ever met. She is def half cat half dog which its so cool. Dolce is super loving and needs to cuddle and sleep only with me every night and my bf is super jealous! She can be very stubborn and pretends she can't hear me and is very clever. She knows how to climb fences and jump in my cousin/neighbors yard and go through their doggy door, she knows how to open her last crate which was a wire one, she decided to eat the bottom plastic part and rip up the carpet below it now she has a different crate where she can't do that. She has been very destructive but since she is getting older I am able to trust her more and more but still I am very careful for her to not do anything too crazy. When my friends hear the stories they are like "I am never getting a Basenji" but when they meet her they are in LOVE with how different and interesting and funny she is.. My father has 6 other children who range from 3 to 16 and she lovesss them I brought her there as soon as possible, she loves everyone. I know every dog is different I think it's just the way she was raised but she does not have a mean bone in her body she has never growled even as much as we messed with her and the kids messed with her, taking her toys, putting our fingers in her mouth, playing with her food, pinning her down on her back, she has never bit anyone or another dog. I love the fact I got a puppy and raised it to be apart of me and I understand there are dogs who are homeless out there and can be made into great dogs and I just haven't been there yet so I have no opinion or statement on that. All I know is the Basenji is the best dog out there for me and many others, maybe not everyone though, that's why I am great full for the people on this forum to guide me to the right breeder/s and show me what is important in getting a quality pet. My opinion on the popularity factor is that most people would not be able to understand that the Basenji isn't a Lab or a ****zu as what experience I have with B's but again every dog and every B has their own story and personality so its hard to say.
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I think the best thing I can say about being posessed by a Basenji is you will never become complaisant. B's are ingenious little escape artists, kitchen counter surfers, happy singers, and most of all mother natures cold weather bed warmers. They need a great deal of intelligent stimulation, if they dont get it they will devise any number of distructice ways to amuse themselves. We started with a 2 yo female rescue 5 years ago and being too foolish to know better have adopted 2 males in the last 2 years. The wonderful thing about B's is that once they bond with you you are loved beyond any stretch of your imagination but always remember they will be attempting to outsmart you ever moment of the day. Good luck and welcome to Basenjiland.
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Like any breed of dog, there is a lot of variation in Basenjis. I have had two…....both females.......that I would absolutely trust with children, two that were a bit "iffy", and my current boy, who I do not trust with them at all because if they were to hurt him inadvertently he would bite. Basenjis have certain traits that are common to the breed. There is a good summary to be had here:
http://www.basenjirescue.org/Chey_Miller/Quirks/Quirks.htm
Basenjis are not for everyone. They are endearing and can make you laugh at their latest act of destruction, but they require patience and a sense of humour. They are also a proud dog, and respond better to being "asked" than being "told". That said, it is important that you make the rules of your house clear to them or they will walk all over you! Kind but firm is the best approach IMO. They have a cat-like temperament and prefer to please themselves, which can be a challenge when you are training them. You will discover they understand perfectly well what you want, the trick is to make them want to do it! They are also not a dog that does well when left for long hours alone. If you don't have enough time for them, I would say look at another breed that doesn't require as much stimulation and attention.
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oops duplicate
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First , welcome!
Like eeeefarm says, they vary. Sayblee, my heart dog I lost to lymphoma, was a dream other than destructiveness when she was younger (while I learned even a book case was not safe for leather shoes and a minute too long to leave anything down, and leashes I learned to basenji-proof with a foot or so of chain at the bottom).
Arwen – typical day is saying get out of the trash, get off the table, no snarking, stop gutting Cara's toy.... about 100 times or more.
Cara just needs me to play with her or chase her around the house umpteen times a day. She's really good about trash cans. She does counter surf though.
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Welcome to the forum. You will have seen from the previous postings why they are not the most popular dog. If you like a challenge you'll enjoy your Basenji. Don't expect a normal dog - a Basenji likes to negotiate rather than slavishly obey.
If they are reared with children they usually get along with them..One of the most important points is to set your parameters from the beginning and stick with them. If you let them get away with anything they'll take advantage of your weakness.
They mainly should be exercised on lead especially if there is livestock or small animals around. Make sure that they are socialised at a very young age.
Find a reputable breeder and keep in touch with her throughout your Basenji's life.
If you read through this forum you'll find answers to most of your questions,
Recommended books - it really depends. There are some really good books you can purchase on-line on history and background to the breed. If you go to www.zande.basenjis.com SallyWallis has a list of Basenji books on there.
Showing - they are great fun to show and one or two UK people show in Ireland. On the whole Basenjis much prefer to compete in more active sports.
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Hello, welcome to the forum
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Dolce is now 9 months old, she's my first B def not my last. I was super terrified yet super excited and anxious when I was getting her. I had a million questions and concerns and was driving some people nuts. I wasn't sure what to expect but she is the BEST THING that has EVER happened to me in my LIFE, for real. She makes me laugh everyday with how unusual she is not like any other kind of dog I have ever met. She is def half cat half dog which its so cool. Dolce is super loving and needs to cuddle and sleep only with me every night and my bf is super jealous! She can be very stubborn and pretends she can't hear me and is very clever. She knows how to climb fences and jump in my cousin/neighbors yard and go through their doggy door, she knows how to open her last crate which was a wire one, she decided to eat the bottom plastic part and rip up the carpet below it now she has a different crate where she can't do that. She has been very destructive but since she is getting older I am able to trust her more and more but still I am very careful for her to not do anything too crazy. When my friends hear the stories they are like "I am never getting a Basenji" but when they meet her they are in LOVE with how different and interesting and funny she is.. My father has 6 other children who range from 3 to 16 and she lovesss them I brought her there as soon as possible, she loves everyone. I know every dog is different I think it's just the way she was raised but she does not have a mean bone in her body she has never growled even as much as we messed with her and the kids messed with her, taking her toys, putting our fingers in her mouth, playing with her food, pinning her down on her back, she has never bit anyone or another dog. I love the fact I got a puppy and raised it to be apart of me and I understand there are dogs who are homeless out there and can be made into great dogs and I just haven't been there yet so I have no opinion or statement on that. All I know is the Basenji is the best dog out there for me and many others, maybe not everyone though, that's why I am great full for the people on this forum to guide me to the right breeder/s and show me what is important in getting a quality pet. My opinion on the popularity factor is that most people would not be able to understand that the Basenji isn't a Lab or a ****zu as what experience I have with B's but again every dog and every B has their own story and personality so its hard to say.
I think basenji's are more unique than any other dogs. They are special. After reading your post I believe that even more now. My basenji mix acts like a cat too; I really notice it in the way he stretches his back like a cat would. The only time I've heard my guy growl is at other dogs, he has never growled at me even when we are playing tug of war with his rope, I've tried to get him to, he is just too nice. He's never bit anyone either. The only problem I have with my basenji is that he doesn't get along with stranger dogs. When he was a puppy he loved to chew on shoes, but he outgrew that habit as he got older.
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Shes the butter to my bread 
