Looks can be so deceiving- here is an article of a woman who adopted a rescue dog in N.J. Dog looks like a basenji - even her vet thought it might be basenji. She did an Embark DNA test - no basenji. Turned out the dog was a mixture of Mountain Cur, Rat Terrier, Beagle, and Boston Terrier. link text
Advice for potential first-time basenji owners
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Make sure the neighbors dog isn't around cats or other dogs as cross contamination could be a problem. If they have other pets, wiping him down might help so you are just exposed to him.
GOOD LUCK! -
@DebraDownSouth great news!! We just tested my husband's allergies with Mojo, our neighbor's B. He had no reaction besides some small bumps on his skin where Mojo's fur rubbed a lot. No breathing difficulties or eye burning!
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@dogelover The neighbors B is beautiful & the wrinkles in the fore head!! I just love rubbing B wrinkles!!
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WOHOOO, hopefully things will go as well at home!
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Update: We will only be meeting the 1 year old now. Unfortunately, the 4 year old is not adjusting well to being returned to the breeder (having some behavioral issues) and is unable to be adopted out.
But we are meeting the 1 year old boy in 2 weeks! Hoping it goes well.
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@dogelover I'm sorry to hear that you'll only be meeting the 1 yr. old but if the breeder of the older one has made the decision that the B needs to stay with him/her, it's for the best. The breeder knows their dogs better than anyone else. And you might find that the 1 yr. old keeps you busy enough, for now anyway! There's still a chance that you might find another B close to the age of the 1 yr. old! I'm happy that you're going to get at least one B for the time being!
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@Nancy-Berry Yes, it's for the best! I'll attach a photo of the B we are meeting (he is so gorgeous!)
I have contacted many breeders in the states around DC, but most do not have any adults available (which I guess is to be expected).
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@dogelover He is a handsome little fella' for sure!! He's a retired show dog? My 1st. B looked a lot like him & she was a retired little show girl.
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@Nancy-Berry Yes, he is soon to be retired after this show season, I think. We wouldn't be able to get him until June.
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@dogelover Gives you time to get ready for him! Put things that you highly value.. up high where he can't get to them. Both of my B's came from the same breeder. The 1st, retired show girl, was just turning 4 when I got her. She was born in July ~ one of those oddities I guess. She took about 3 days to settle down when I got her home. By the end of the 1st day, I was wondering if maybe I didn't do enough research on the breed & that I'd made a mistake!!! I swear....she was FLYING like a wild bird!! But I hung in there & she settled down & she never tore any of my things up! Sometimes, she'd get close to me & take that perfect set of teeth & pinch the living crap out of me!! As soon as she did it, she'd go ricky-racing thru the apartment 5 or 6 times!! Then I'd put her collar on & take her out to the bathroom & a walk. A lot of people say that she was nipping playfully! BULL!! lol She was pinching me & it usually left a little bruise! But she was awesome! I got her neice when she passed. She was a great dog too! I just lost her Aug. 24, 2016. Been doing some dog fostering since, keeps me occupied. Just found out a little bit ago that I'll be taking this B towards her forever home next month. Not to sure I want to do this anymore, it's taking a lot out of me ~ emotionally but, as everyone says, "It is what it is." But you're going to have such a great time with your youngster! Take loads of pictures!!
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@Nancy-Berry Hahaha! Your first sounds like such a mischievous (and awesome) dog! Our neighbor's B who we played with a week ago also pinches me with his teeth! I had bruises on my legs and feet. He wanted me to play with him, but then he would run away from me really fast. Such a clown! I'm sorry about the loss of your second girl - I'm still not over my beagle who passed in July 2013, I think about him every day. I see you are in Indiana - I am from Ohio (but live in DC now) - midwest is the best!!! my brother is currently studying at DePauw in Greencastle, IN.
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@dogelover I'm originally from Kansas. I might head out that way to see my Dad (91 yrs. old) & brother, after I hand off the B I'm taking care of right now. My Dad's old but still has his wits about him! Went there last yr. & that was the 1st. time in 31 yrs. since I'd seen him. I didn't get there before my Mother passed in 2015 so I hadn't seen her for 30 yrs. And I hadn't seen my brother since I was home last in 1975. It was really a nice visit but I had a dog sitter staying with my dog, so I knew when I got home... my Dorie would be waiting! That was in June & then she passed in Aug. They seem to stay really healthy, for the most part, until the very last day or two. But once you've been loved by a Basenji.... it's like a love you never had before!! Bcoz they're so ... special!!
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@Nancy-Berry I've never been to Kansas - Hope you have a good trip there! One more photo to share (who doesn't love puppy pictures!!!) This is our potential B at 8 weeks...
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@dogelover I made a mistake ... people say that B's "bite playfully" ~ but I say they "pinch" when they want to surprise you into playing! They are soooo funny ~ the things they do!! You're in for loads of fun!! Enjoy!
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@dogelover Awwww ~ I'm jealous now!! He's sooo cute!!!
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The 4 yr old.. how long do they think it will take to settle him down?
Good luck on the other dog. He is adorable!
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@DebraDownSouth They think he will take at least a couple months if not more. He is biting when they try to put a leash on or put him in the crate. They are thinking of sending him away for intensive training
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That's really too bad. Both are behaviors I would think they could work with.
I hope they get things okay with him. -
@dogelover The older B was with another family & then returned to the breeder?? I agree with Deb - those are behaviors but I wonder what (or IF anything in particular) happened that he "acquired" those behaviors!! I
hope they get it worked out with the little fella' ... I feel bad for the B & the humans too! -
@dogelover said in Advice for potential first-time basenji owners:
He is biting when they try to put a leash on or put him in the crate. They are thinking of sending him away for intensive training
I would think a good clicker trainer could sort that in very short order. Make it his idea to go into the crate or come to be leashed. The crate thing would be the easiest, the leash thing a tad harder but getting him to come to you when you hold out the leash would be key. Not taking hold of him physically but getting him to offer the behaviour is the way to go. Once he trusts his handler then one could work toward defusing the reaction to physical placement.
