Considering a Basenji. Thoughts?

[Zande]

@tanza said in Considering a Basenji. Thoughts?:

only on their terms.

That about sums it up beautifully.

'only on their terms' applies to just about every aspect of life with a Basenji. Life is a compormise (on their terms !) the moment a B steps into the house.

[eeeefarm]

@italeigha said in Considering a Basenji. Thoughts?:

@eeeefarm That is encouraging. I find myself wondering what is the best way to train when you are a family of four. Should one member of the family take the lead? Or should we all share it equally? I need to look into this. We do intend to do doggie school and just researching that.

Dogs usually do better with one person doing the training and making sure once the dog understands that the other family members are familiar with the commands when asking the dog to do something. It's very important not to send mixed messages when the dog is learning something new, and with just one person it's more likely the method will remain consistent, without the potentially confusing variations that might occur with multiple trainers.

As to the many cautions on this thread about Basenjis being difficult, they are all so individual it's hard to generalize. Although there are many common traits, each dog may have quite different reactions to people, other animals, situations, etc. Of my five, my first absolutely adored children while being aloof with adults. My second was good with young kids, but less tolerant as they got older, and she would challenge adults who wanted to move her from a comfy chair. My third was a more "bitchy" bitch, not nasty but definitely wanted her own way, and had "attitude" in abundance. She hated all dogs except for my other Basenji. My fourth was an absolute sweetheart, good with both children and adults and fine with other dogs. My fifth was leery of children but O.K. with most adults until he got older and I couldn't trust him with strangers. Much depends on their early socialization. If you have kids or expect to have them, try to find a breeder that socializes the pups with children if you can. It does make a difference. And temperament, IMO, is extremely important, so if you can meet sire and dam, or at least the dam, and see how they react to you and your children that may be a good indicator of how easily your pup may adjust to your family.

[JKent]

@eeeefarm at what age do you think you can tell the temperament? My female is 6 months and wondering if she's likely to change.

[italeigha]

@zande Gotcha. Thanks for the information. My husband is a marathoner and qualifies for Boston, so quite fast (I can not keep up with him for sure) but yes, a series runner.... not sure he will want to deal with a dog that won't run alongside him eventually. I will be sure to dig some more on this.

[eeeefarm]

@jkent said in Considering a Basenji. Thoughts?:

@eeeefarm at what age do you think you can tell the temperament? Mine female is 6 months and wondering if she's likely to change.

I think you can get an inkling early on, but things can change as they mature. At 18 months to 2 years they are growing up and may go through the "teenage" stage, becoming more willful, independent, and possibly challenging you over obedience. It's also the time they may become dog or same sex aggressive. Sometimes a pup that has been respectful and obedient may decide to "try it on" and test your leadership, and that is the time to be kind but firm. Yes, I am the boss of you! Consistency is key to having a respectful relationship with your Basenji. You cannot change the rules from day to day, and if something is out of bounds, it must continue to be out of bounds when you have company, same as raising kids! I'm wandering a bit from your question, but they do change somewhat as they mature and mostly it is for the better, as they outgrow some of the annoying habits, such as chewing inappropriate items, and generally require less close supervision, but I hasten to add, this is only true if you have made the rules of the house plain to them, and been diligent in enforcing them....

[tanza]

@eeeefarm said in Considering a Basenji. Thoughts?:

@jkent said in Considering a Basenji. Thoughts?:

@eeeefarm at what age do you think you can tell the temperament? Mine female is 6 months and wondering if she's likely to change.

I think you can get an inkling early on, but things can change as they mature. At 18 months to 2 years they are growing up and may go through the "teenage" stage, becoming more willful, independent, and possibly challenging you over obedience. It's also the time they may become dog or same sex aggressive. Sometimes a pup that has been respectful and obedient may decide to "try it on" and test your leadership, and that is the time to be kind but firm. Yes, I am the boss of you! Consistency is key to having a respectful relationship with your Basenji. You cannot change the rules from day to day, and if something is out of bounds, it must continue to be out of bounds when you have company, same as raising kids! I'm wandering a bit from your question, but they do change somewhat as they mature and mostly it is for the better, as they outgrow some of the annoying habits, such as chewing inappropriate items, and generally require less close supervision, but I hasten to add, this is only true if you have made the rules of the house plain to them, and been diligent in enforcing them....

This why it is important to go with a responsible breeder, tell them what you are looking for and what you want to do with your Basenji.... and this is why a responsible breeder will "pick" the puppy that best suits your lifestyle

[Zande]

But above all, establish yourself OR your husband as the Alpha, pack leader, with love, understanding and discipline from the start.

There will be constant challenges from the Basenji, which is why you need patience and a sense of humour, but whatever you do, don't break into peals of laughter or all discipline will be lost.

I would suggest whoever is most with the Basenji takes on the Alpha roll. Whoever feeds him. But the children must be disciplined too.

As long as the Basenji wants to play, fine. But he or she will let them know when playtime is over and they must respect that.

[eeeefarm]

@zande said in Considering a Basenji. Thoughts?:

whatever you do, don't break into peals of laughter or all discipline will be lost.

This is probably the hardest thing, because Basenjis can be so charming and their antics when caught out doing something they shouldn't make it very difficult to suppress laughter, but if you do laugh it is reinforcing for them and they will likely repeat the behaviour to get your reaction again.

[Zande]

@tanza said in Considering a Basenji. Thoughts?:

All depends on where you live...

I thought she said she was moving to somewhere with large grounds.

[Daureen]

Zande, Guess I am lost because I frequently laugh with Prince, He makes my heart sing. He just looks at me, cocks his head, and I feel like he is thinking "I have done my good deed for the day". I absolutely a lot of his cooperation thus far is out of love...his bond and love for me so far is very strong. But that said, if he doesn't want to be near me, he will sit on the sofa at the other end and just look at me and refuse to come closer. I let him be...love and cuddles are always on his terms. Generally, he will look at the ceiling, then at the floor, then over his back (this is when I laugh) and he will come up to me an flop down. All is right with my world.

[JKent]

Very hard not to laugh when they steal something and run off doing the victory trot!

[Zande]

@daureen as long as you realise you are lost, and are happy to be so, I'm sure you and Prince will get along fine. Basenjis are often aware they have done wrong and challenge you to pick up on it in the most delightful ways.

Which is why, when I had 8 of these house pe(s)ts, I would make a song and dance over little things and give the impression more serious misdemeanors didn't bother me in the slightest. We got along fine that way.

[elbrant]

@italeigha said in Considering a Basenji. Thoughts?:

My husband is a marathoner

I picked the Basenji breed in part for a jogging companion. Not that I am doing any distance yet, but still... the other breed I considered was a Vizsla. Not sure which would win for distance/endurance...

[sasha74]

Hi,

I have lived with three basenjis. I acquired the first two in Sweden, a b/w male and a tri/female. The breeder was completely honest with me about what to expect. He told me all the good things and also the bad things, which included chewing. I don't know how many underpants and jeans' crotches the male chewed up but his actions didn't come as a surprise. After they outgrew puppy hood, they didn't play together very often but their antics, yodels, and beautiful selves brought us great joy. As someone else has mentioned, they are very affectionate, like to be warm and sleep under the covers. Unless they are hit by cars, basenjis tend to live well into their teens. Mine were 15 years old when they died.

My third basenji, Sasha, a tri female, was also bred in Sweden but spent her life in the States. I wanted a second dog so I went to the local Humane Society and found what turned out to be the perfect partner for Sasha. He was a mixed breed, probably had some beagle in him, and when they met, I knew that I had made the right decision. For 16+ years, they were inseparable, and neither one of them ever destroyed anything. They could spend hours chasing each other around the backyard and then once back in the house, they would lie down next to each other and go to sleep. Sasha was the alpha, and Dylan didn't mind.

They died within three months of each other. Dylan died first and Sasha, who was in fairly good health for her age, missed him so much that her health deteriorated. I think she died of a broken heart.

I guess the point that I'm trying to make is that I believe that basenjis can be only dogs but in that case they require a tremendous amount of exercise and stimulation. A companion dog can provide these things. An added bonus: when I left the house for any reason, they kept each other company.

Basenjis are not known for their ability to learn at the drop of a hat. They are very smart and need to want to please you. However, with patience, you can teach them many things. Finally, if you're looking for a dog that is submissive and knows their place, a basenji is probably not for you. A basenji will be your four-footed partner/friend for life. They will adore you and respect you but they will also be independent.

Good luck. Please let us know what you decide.

Mireille

[italeigha]

@elbrant Does the dog run well with you, or is he/she too distracted by squirrels, etc?

[Alibobo]

I don't think there is a day that goes by when my Basenji doesn't stress me out.... But I cannot put into words the love, entertainment and joy he has brought into my life. There is just something about this breed that sets them apart from all the rest - I grew up with herding dogs, extremely obedient and loyal, but nowhere near as fun as the Basenji!

Anyway, the biggest struggle I have with mine is recall and pulling on the lead, which is a shame because I'd love to let him loose. But as for all the other issues that can be common with the breed, I haven't experienced them at all. Mine doesn't jump fences/walls, he has never torn up the house, and he can cope with a bit of separation. I have trained him to do sit, stay, lie down and fetch toys. He is extremely affectionate in the most heart-warming way. I would be totally lost without him.

If you do get a Basenji, you will learn A LOT! And yes, time and patience would be very beneficial. Good luck with your decision!

[elbrant]

@italeigha said in Considering a Basenji. Thoughts?:

Does the dog run well with you, or is he/she too distracted by squirrels, etc?

I taught her to run alongside my bicycle, without too much trouble, using a rather long leash. I hold the leash at the handlebars so that I can drop it if there is an emergency of some sort. Doodle does very well trotting next to the bike, about 8 feet away on the side. She doesn't want to be up close to the bike. That's okay with me. I ride a road bike, so we will not be trying this without a leash. I also don't go very fast.... not sure how hard to push her.... If I were in the woods on a off-road course, I would go fast and let her off the leash. I know a couple of young(er) girls who do this and they tie a plastic bag to the bike to get their dogs to chase them. (Like Lure Coursing in the woods!)

As for jogging, I'm not physically able to jog just yet. I work on it once in a while, but I'm not getting more than two tenths of a mile at a time. Again, she trots in almost a "heel" position. It probably reminds her of being in the show ring.

Finally, squirrels do not seem to be an issue while we are running or riding. There was a short learning curve with a couple of incidents where she wanted to go a different direction. But it was a very short learning curve.

[eeeefarm]

@elbrant said in Considering a Basenji. Thoughts?:

I taught her to run alongside my bicycle, without too much trouble, using a rather long leash.

I have biked several of my dogs. I taught them to run on the right side of the bike ("bike side" instead of "heel") so that the bike was between them and road traffic. I kept the leash short enough for control and to prevent any attempt to cross in front or behind the bike, and if there was a distraction I found that speeding up and getting past it quickly worked best. Basenjis are not big dogs, so it was fairly easy to prevent unwanted actions or incidents. I used biking when I needed to get the exercise done quickly or wanted to give them a run faster than I could do on foot, but mostly I kept to a trot pace for longer work, galloping for short bursts.

[helle devi]

@italeigha said in Considering a Basenji. Thoughts?:

@adina Thanks so much for this. The breeders we are looking at seem to have all those boxes checked and we found them through AKC. We are hoping this is surely a trusted source...

Alas, AKC lists breeders who have paid to be listed. There is NO vetting. Please apply due diligence in choosing your breeder.
You should spend almost as much time researching the breeder (and the sire and dam) as you have the breed of dog. The breeder can let you know much of the pup's temperament and potential character.
Good luck.