@eeeefarm said in Is my dog a Basenji mix?:
Genetics is such an interesting subject!
And the most understandable book on the subject is Mary Lou Kenworthy's ! Recommended to everyone if it is still available.
Thinking of getting a Basenji but i have a few questions!
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Oh gosh. We have loved and cherished Izzy-Bella, a 3/4 Basenji-1/4 Min-Pin Mix for over a decade. She was a rescue, adopted at 18 months old. She turns 13 at the end of June, and seems to have more energy and personality now than she did a decade ago. She does not shed, like other dogs. But, her little short black hairs are all over the white chair she likes to cuddle in with me when we watch HGTV and Food Network. Tee hee. There is hair, lots of it, but not flying tufts of hair that you find with other dogs. I think there are more cat hairs all over our floors than dog hairs. But, boy, those black hairs scream out on white furniture!
Basenjis--or even mixes--are definitely NOT for first-time dog owners. They are unique, to say the least. Our Izzy has mellowed so much now that she approaches her 13th birthday, but she still revels in stealth-stealing tissues; and she sleeps under the sheets and blankets in bed with us every night, between my legs. Lots of destruction in the beginning,(she even won blue ribbons for her badness--Basenji Owners are weird, to say the least, even weirder than their dogs) when we adopted her at 18 months; much destruction in the house. But, just the beloved tissues (it seems that Basenjis might possibly require tissues in their diet, since so many love tissues so much) now at almost 13 years. But, she prances and dances and goes berserko when "walkies" are imminent. Neighbors cannot believe she is almost 13. We have enjoyed many beloved dogs of various breeds, but this little Basenji Mix is the ne plus ultra. I sincerely hope Izzy lives as long as our beloved Malti-Poo, who died at 17 years. But, we are not exactly young and sprightly, so adopting another Basenji down the road could be problematical. But, they are THE BEST, if you know how to read them and coexist with them and deal with their very special personalities. -
@vanessap - I disagree with all that are saying that a Basenji is not a good first dog... it depends on the owner and how much time they are willing to spend with their pup. I have placed Basenjis with first time owners and they have done very well... again, depends on the human and their life style and how they can adapt to having a "thinking" dog... Positive training is a must with this breed....
Again on the subject of shedding... they shed! Period.... -
I have a basenji and a mix and they both shed, the mix sheds much more though. My daughter had a chinese crested which are almost hairless, my daughter had allergies but did good with the chinese crested breed. Of course that breed also comes in powder puff which has a full coat of hair they also don't shed very much at all. They are a very playful and easy to care for breed, except for the powder puff which has a lot of hair. U may want to research that breed, they are about the same size as a Basenji.
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One advantage of being a first time dog owner is that there is nothing to compare to. Another we have found is that educating our children how to interact with a cautious Basenji who doesn't like over handling, has taught them how to act respectfully around dogs in general.
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@isabob - They are much smaller than a Basenji, they are considered a toy breed and in the toy group... (Crested)
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Michigan basenjis Do shed, probably more than west and south. They get a nice under coat to help keep their little african bodies warm. Come spring....lots,of hair coat and a bunch of fluff. Not much dander tho. Great dogs but not for a beginner. How old are you. Are you still in,school...who takes care of dog while you are outside the home? Mom? How about your income? Do you have any idea about the costs of raising a dog? You probably wont be able to find anything this year. Read the forum for info on that. Just saying...
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@joan-duszka - I am in No California (San Francisco area) and mine shed LOTS especially after being in season... do not believe that it has anything to do with the climate that they live in. I can send a pile of hair if anyone wants it... however, I groom them outside and then the birds take the hair for their nests... LOL....
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In Iowa our Basenjis shed a whole lot in January for some reason. There is moderate shedding the rest of the year. I would not recommend a Basenji as a first time dog. I raised German Shepherds for over 30 years and found all the training you used with other breeds does not work with Basenjis as they are independent thinkers. Basenjis want to please themselves not you. On that note I have not have anything but a Basenji for over 20 years now as they just steal your heart.
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As far as not having a Basenji as a first dog, it could actually be an advantage. If you have prior dog experience, you might expect the Basenji to respond in the same way as your previous dogs, which people on this thread have been at pains to inform you isn't so. Better to start with no preconceived ideas of how a dog should be trained and figure it out by learning from others or by experience. OTOH, prior cat experience could be useful!
Within the breed there is a lot of variation. Some respond more like "ordinary" dogs, others not so much. Part of this is genetics, part is environment. The very first Basenji I owned I treated very much as I had the previous dogs in my life. Guess what? She was the most reliable Basenji I have ever owned, had a rock solid recall, and was absolutely wonderful with any and all people and dogs we encountered. Nature or nurture? Who knows. Below, Val in my parents' unfenced backyard in the city of Toronto, no collar or leash. Just posing for a picture. Circa '60's.
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@tanza I always thought the Crested were much smaller also but my daughters was considerable taller then my maltese I had at the time.
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As previously stated, basenjis are not hypoallergenic. Not only are shedding and dander a concern, but also saliva. Some people have terrible reactions to being licked. Whether a basenji is a good "first" dog depends on many factors and is why a good breeder or rescue group is invaluable in the decision of who gets which pup. Shelters do not screen homes for compatibility or appropriateness.
It sounds like you are a minor, living in the home of your parents (or at least a mother). That means you have no control over whether or not you will be able to keep a dog if/when the head of the household decides he/she can no longer tolerate living with a dog. The decision will be out of your control. I would recommend you wait until you have complete control over your living arrangements and have the right circumstances (i.e., time, funds, etc.) to get a puppy or rescue a dog.
I'm sorry if that means you have to wait, but I hope you can be selfless enough not think of what YOU want, but what is best for the dog who will have no say in the matter.
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@pawla - Agree Pawla... and also this is why breeders that are NOT responsible do not "interview" potential puppy owners to see why they want a Basenji and what are their family situation/life style is like.... responsible breeders will tell people if in their opinion a Basenji is NOT a good fit. Different then breeders that only care about getting the money. Responsible breeders do not make money, they are lucky if they break even on a litter. Remember most all responsible breeders, breed to improve the breed and to continue their bloodlines so will typically keep one of the pups out of the litter.
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@isabob - Don't know about your daughter's crested, but they are small. The standard calls for Height: 11-13 inches
Weight: 8-12 poundsBasenjis are:
Height: 17 inches (male), 16 inches (female)
Weight: 24 pounds (male), 22 pounds -
@tanza if u stand them side by side that is not a lot of difference if just looking for a pet. Some breeds run a little bigger then standard and some run a little smaller then standard if u aren't showing them it would be no big deal.
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@isabob - For Basenjis there is no DQ for larger or smaller Basenjis...in fact in Basenjis there is no DQ... other than only one testicle on the males, however in the show ring they can look a bit out of place if you have a larger one and the rest are way smaller... but agree for a pet not an issue. Nature does what nature does!
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@tanza So, even though he was a big ol' 29 pounder, I could've had some Neuticles installed on Jengo and he coulda been a contender?
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@jengosmonkey - Correct depending on his conformation... it that and movement met the standard then yes.... years ago a friend had a black & white Male that was about 30lbs and was about 19 to 20" tall... he finished his championship. Chances of the "Neuticles" being discovered most likely would have happened, however. It had been tried in other breeds.... one was with a Golden that only had 1 testicle so they had one neuticle implanted when the pup was about 8 months... funny thing about testicles... sometimes can come down at the most inopportune times... image the judge when did his exam and discovered "3" testicles....LOL Opps! by the way the dog and the owner & handler were DQ.
