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.
Any Basenji's in Adelaide, South Australia?
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Hi, If anyone is keen to have a basenji meet up in Adelaide sometime soon, maybe in July - express your interest.
It would be great to go to the North Adelaide small dog park as it's enclosed and green with lots of cover. Also, I've spotted two other basenjis there previously, and a B / Jack Russell mix recently.
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We got our basenjis here in adelaide from a breeder. We bred our female and kept one of her pups. So we have 3 now. We normally go to dog park at old Glengowrie high school oval which is now an enclosed dog park.
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Hi Kenny and Blondie, sorry I never checked back after I posted! Doh.
Is that oval also known as Hazelmere Reserve? It's not close to me, but it's certainly feasible to make the drive if I know you'll be there.
We are soon to have two basenjis, so if you'd like to meet our boys let me know when to catch you.
Which breeder did you get yours from?
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Yep, that is the one. Drop me a line at: uppers77@ yahoo. Com. Au
I don't check this site very often.
Cheers
Matt and Erica
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Do you have a pup for sale?
If so or if you know where I can get one please message me
[removed email address]
Thank you -
@Sheree, this thread is from 2014. The posters haven't been on this forum for years!
