Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Basenji Talk
  3. Advice on Basenjis

Advice on Basenjis

Basenji Talk
  • M

    Hey all,

    My wife and I have decided we'd like to get a puppy and have filled in every form of breed quiz available and have watched enough youtube dog videos to last a lifetime in order to try and find the right breed. Basenjis look like an amazing breed, but I wanted to get some advice from existing owners before comitting.

    My wife and I live in a 2 bed apartment in the heart of London, no garden. We do have a big park right next to us, like literally a 1 minute walk.

    I own a small design studio of about 10 people and I would take the dog with me to work each day (20 min single journey). At the office we would have plent of people to give him attention, but people would need to be able to get on with their jobs without the little guy being too needy... Otherwise I would have to leave him at home, which I dont really want to do. At lunch we could walk him as well as there is a park right next to the studio as well.

    My main concerns are, is it possible to have a basenji as an office dog and that he can entertain himself for the full day in a 1600 sq ft office, without being to distracting / mental.

    Also will the Basenji cope in our gardenless apartment?

    Thanks guys,
    All advice is gladly accepted!

    Marvin

    0
  • 2baroos2

    Hello!
    Basenjis are not needy dogs. Some would call them cold. They like their pack (family) and are cordial to others. Of course there are exceptions to every rule. We had Basenjis in a 1 bedroom Condo in the heart of the city. 3 good walks a day and they were fine.
    I think if you crate train your dog and take some time during office hours for a walk and play time you should have no problems. Special toys and chewies that are only used at the office would be a good idea.

    0
  • eeeefarmE

    I think a Basenji would be much happier at the office with you than home alone. That said, a puppy of any breed will be a bit needy and possibly disruptive until they learn the rules and adjust to settling down at "work". A mature Basenji would likely enjoy the arrangement, but you need to have a strategy to get through the puppy stage. You also have to take precautions to ensure your pup doesn't get out the door at the office, so people would have to be clued in and careful. Some Basenjis are escape artists!

    "In order to get along with a Basenji, you have to be at least half as smart as the dog!"

    0
  • K

    An apartment would not be a problem if you give your B plenty of exercise and nose time. Also, the office would be great, but do realise that dogs need a lot of sleep, not only puppies. Our 2 sisters (7 and 6) sleep all night and most of the day. So your B would need a quiet space in the office to retreat and sleep. Agree with eeeefarm: puppy time is extra intensive, but so much fun. Try to be with your B as much as possible. Enjoy!

    0

Suggested Topics

  • J

    basenji

    Basenji Talk
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    1k Views
    ZandeZ
    Last I heard, the Breed Club secretaries had more people waiting or wanting pups than were available . You could get on a list for a Basenji next winter but I very much doubt you will find one still unsold. Go to the website of the BCGB, or the Northern Basenji Society as you are in the North and you will find email addresses of the secretaries. They will put you in touch with breeders who may be planning a litter for puppies to become ready to leave the nest in about a year's time. Its a long wait I know, but you have most probably missed the boat for now. You are welcome to post me privately. Good luck!
  • C

    Advice for potential basenji owner

    Basenji Talk
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    16k Views
    eeeefarmE
    @EMurata said in Advice for potential basenji owner: The "weather permitting" part of your statement wont work with a Basenji. My dog doesnt care if its 100 degrees out or 10, she needs constant exercise. If outside exercise isn't available for whatever reason, mental exercise is a good substitute. Basenjis are very clever and if you keep their minds busy it often serves to minimize or avoid destructive behaviour. You are not going to wear a fit Basenji out by walking him or her a couple of hours a day, but I have seen them perfectly content to kick back and relax after half an hour of demanding mental exercise! Clicker training can be useful here.....
  • dogeloverD

    Advice for potential first-time basenji owners

    Basenji Talk
    67
    0 Votes
    67 Posts
    52k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    @Cafu LOL on cutting leash.. I am certain they have retractable scissors in their gums. I have had mine cut leashes and cut straps to clothing that were so smooth, nothing else but scissors explains it (okay or razor blades). Which is why I put these on the collars... snap/ o ring, chain, o ring, leash [image: 1508253202524-leash.jpg]
  • NatalplumN

    Need advice on transporting my Basenjis

    Basenji Talk
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    5k Views
    M
    I think a good cartel saying DONT OPEN is nice, Laika was left on the airport by me one night, so the people there get out of her cage.. i think they got a bad time catching her because first they said to me the next morning laika was missing, then they say that they got her. pff I left her because when Maca arrives i was there waiting for a delay flight almost from 5 pm to 2 am and i was told they were open to 10 pm, So i arrive at the airport at 9 just to find the office closed, and the poor Laika inside! so i return next day for her.. She is very nervous and give me some bites when i put out of the cage.. and thats all. Well i deserved for sure.. lol
  • S

    The Other Basenji

    Basenji Talk
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    2k Views
    KipawaK
    I read your blog and find it kind of confusing and ….. your comment about "messing with ..." hmmmmmmm.... Anyhow, yes, it is so cool when you come across another basenji, because they totally understand each other and how they want to play. We were fortunate once to have another basenji play chase with Kipawa at a dog park. I just don't think there are many basenjis in the Lower Mainland. :(
  • tashaT

    Basenji Traits Your Basenji Doesn't Have…

    Basenji Talk
    32
    0 Votes
    32 Posts
    17k Views
    M
    My Rue is pretty perfect. She is mixed with something (I don't know what) so she doesn't look like a real B… and she isn't interested in anything in our house (chewing wise), doesn't bolt out the door, and licks like CRAZY! She also doesn't really like to play with other dogs at the dog park, she just smells them, occasionally chases them, then comes back and lays down by me (EXERCISE DANG IT!). The only normal B behaviors that I see in her are the little noises that she makes (she makes a lot of them for different reasons) and her BAROOOOOOO (which is fitting because we named her Rue before we even knew she was a Basenji) and it seems like she is stubborn about sitting. It's like she is saying, "yeah I know you want me to sit, but first I'm gonna spin around in a circle. Then maybe I'll sit if I feel like it." Haha! She is a character!