Basenji Boy Puppies

Behavioral Issues

  • Sex hormones are what signal growth plate closure. Males who are neutered before their growth plates close will have longer legs and can be more prone to injury.

    My 5 month old is also a bundle of energy. She lost her last baby tooth this week. She is still chewing everything in sight so we have to be always ready to trade for something appropriate. As for the just running around and wrestling energy, Rio is happy to help her burn it so I am lucky. The only thing is keeping enough calories in Rio to make up for all the energy she burns.


  • Keoki has had a few bursts of energy lately that are surely going to get him killed by Gypsy and Jazzy if he doesn't soon learn how to discern when he is annoying and when he is charming. LOL He is SUCH a pest to those two girls! They take it well, but he has gotten a few pretty sharp warnings – after which he appears submissive for a second and a half, then charges back at 'em again. LOL They are incredibly tolerant.

    I think, here anyway, it has to do with the weather. These sunny days put a bit of a spring in all our steps, but he's just more springy than the rest of us.

    I plan to have Keoki neutered in late August or September. He will be 7 or 8 mos old.


  • @JazzysMom:

    Keoki has had a few bursts of energy lately that are surely going to get him killed by Gypsy and Jazzy if he doesn't soon learn how to discern when he is annoying and when he is charming. LOL He is SUCH a pest to those two girls! They take it well, but he has gotten a few pretty sharp warnings – after which he appears submissive for a second and a half, then charges back at 'em again. LOL They are incredibly tolerant.

    I think, here anyway, it has to do with the weather. These sunny days put a bit of a spring in all our steps, but he's just more springy than the rest of us.

    I plan to have Keoki neutered in late August or September. He will be 7 or 8 mos old.

    Oh…so Keoki won't be shown?


  • Well, he does have to be in one show, per agreement w/Jumoke, and that'll be in August.

    I wouldn't mind showing him if he proves to "have the right stuff", but dh doesn't want to go that route again. And since we had originally agreed that Jazzy would be spayed at 6mos and NOT show, LOL, I figured I should give him this one. {although…... one never can tell w/dh. Remember, he didn't want another puppy AT ALL, LOL }
    I am a little disappointed, but do plan to still attend local shows to cheer on Jumoke dogs {and Fender if Ambered shows again!!} . But it sure won't be the same w/out my baby out there! I was surprised at how "into" those shows I got!


  • our Fela, 4 1/2 month old male has an undescended testicle…the vet said that the testicle tucked into his warm body will produce too much hormones, and will make him very aggressive, and should be removed. That requires exploratory surgery to find and remove it. Any comments and/or suggestions?


  • oooo, I'm not sure, but I think 4 1/2 months is too soon to say that the testicle will stay undecended. I'd get a bunch of opinions on that, including from your or another experienced breeder.

    A lot of people don't realize that B's carry their testicles a little differently than other dogs, and sometimes even judges at shows have trouble finding them because a scared B will pull them up /in.


  • My mom's poodle had a problem operation while nuteuring to get the undescended testicle. It was more expensive, but he recovered very well and is a sweetie.


  • @ciarasmom:

    A lot of people don't realize that B's carry their testicles a little differently than other dogs, and sometimes even judges at shows have trouble finding them because a scared B will pull them up /in.

    I'm sorry…I've never heard that before and it just gave me SUCH a visual :D


  • My breeder recommends that our little guy be fixed in a year. I guess it has to do with health concerns. Having them fixed early could mean that your B does not fully develop


  • @JazzysMom:

    I'm sorry…I've never heard that before and it just gave me SUCH a visual :D

    Completely understandable! Maybe someone with first hand experience will chime in with a funny story.


  • we had never heard of that longer leg business before, how interesting. if possible we will wait until fela is a year old too. i wonder why their testicles are different than other dogs? anybody know?


  • @felakuti:

    our Fela, 4 1/2 month old male has an undescended testicle…the vet said that the testicle tucked into his warm body will produce too much hormones, and will make him very aggressive, and should be removed. That requires exploratory surgery to find and remove it. Any comments and/or suggestions?

    Ciarasmom is correct. Male Basenjis have the ability to pull their testicles up into their body, usually when scared, excited, or cold. Does the testicle in question ever "settle" into the scrotum when he is relaxed? If so, the pup doesn't have a problem. "Yo-yo" testicles, where they go up into the body and back out again, is usually caused by a vas deferens that is too short. The "cord" is simply not long enough for the testicle to be in the correct place. If this is the case, you just have to wait it out and hope it drops down into the scrotum and stays there. If the testicle has never dropped down, you have a true undescended, or missing, testicle. One missing is called monorchid while both missing is called cryptorchid. Monorchids and cryptorchids are disqualified from dog show competiton and since the problem is thought to be inherited, they should be altered. In any case, wait a few weeks and try to schedule the neuter while the testicle is down into the scrotum. The surgery will be easier for your boy.

    And I'm sure that is more than anyone ever wanted to know about Basenji testicles. :p


  • @Mantis:

    Cairo is officially at 5months and has found a new bag of energy at night that is extreme to say the least. Caesar and I wanted to know what age you guys are fixing your boys?

    Neutering is not as likely to affect your pup's energy level as much as maturity will. Try to fit in more exercise sessions such as long walks and play sessions with another friendly dog to help curb the problem. My best wishes. :)


  • @felakuti:

    our Fela, 4 1/2 month old male has an undescended testicle…the vet said that the testicle tucked into his warm body will produce too much hormones, and will make him very aggressive, and should be removed. That requires exploratory surgery to find and remove it. Any comments and/or suggestions?

    Many, many years ago when I was in highschool :) we had a cocker who was very aggressive. Back then–it wasn't that common to neuter males. Our vet recommended he be neutered to try to help with the aggression. He had one undescended testicle (maybe that contributed to him being aggressive). He went into shock on the operating table when the vet was trying to find it, so he stopped the surgery, and the one was left in there. He was several years old at the time and continued to be aggressive.


  • Undescended testicles are a health concern for dogs.. and I have heard that also about "not" being able to remove them even during surgery, however now days with so many specialist, that is who should be doing that kind of surgery… IMO....
    Also, wanted to chime in about a 4 month old with an undescended testicle.. I would wait until at least over 6 months.. especially with a Basenji. In one of my litters, we had a pup that I could find both at 2 wks, however at 10 weeks I could not, nor could my Vet... He was placed local, so I was able to see him a lot and it was not till he was 7 months did the other testicle drop..

    Basenjis also carry their testicles different then other dogs, which is another reason people have problems (even Vets) finding them.. instead of like most dogs that carry them side by side, Basenjis carry them one in front of the other... which I suppect is the reason it is so easy for them to "suck" one up... and yes they do that.. especially puppies... Cold hands from a judge and you can bet they are gone!... Many judges will have the handler take them off the table and move them around the ring and then re-check....


  • Basenjis carry them one in front of the other?????? First time i have heard of that. Is that verified by anyone else?


  • Yes, they are often front and back, often in puppies. And they can be retracted much later into puppyhood than other breeds. In general their testicals are small for their size…probably because They are definitely *different ...maybe because small and discrete are important for bush dogs?


  • I have noticed that Cairo's are one in front of the other and have dropped lower now where you can see them from behind.


  • I have never heard that Basenji's can "suck up" their testicles. It makes sense though. Monkeys can do the same thing, and with the dogs running throught the bush you would want to keep them safe from being snagged. Very interesting.


  • LOL, I haven't paid much attention but now I feel compelled to study Keoki's testicles next time I hold him.

    LOL what are you people doing to me? ;-)

Suggested Topics

  • Puppy issues

    Behavioral Issues
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    4k Views
    A
    @nick4 I am in the "Basenji Zone" as well. I have done the putting her in the crate and then walking away while I talk to her and then letting her out and then back in again and I do the same thing where i will step out then come back in again. She does best when i leave her a good greenie for her teeth and I step out really quick she got used to it. Also I had the shower problem I even went as far as bringing her into the shower and to my surprise she did not care and i used it as a way to get her comfortable with the water....then i slowly gave her water from the shower talked to her while I was in there and peeked out the curtain every now and then and she got a lot calmer. I dont know if any this would help. Just wanted to share!
  • Basenji packs

    Behavioral Issues
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    3k Views
    eeeefarmE
    For what it's worth, I have noted that in households with a strong human leader/boss/alpha/disciplinarian (pick one!) there are less squabbles among dogs, at least when the human is present. My neighbour has Rotties, had two bitches that hated each other and would fight, but they didn't do it when she was around. She did have to be careful that they could not get together in her absence. ;) Interesting anecdote: If my mare is bothering my old gelding and I notice it, I can break it up by yelling at her out the window! Guess I am "alpha" in that herd.
  • Basenjis that can't stand other basenjis

    Behavioral Issues
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    3k Views
    wizardW
    My previous males never had an opportunity to meet other basenjis (outside their breeder kennel) so don't know if the experience with my current female is "typical" or not. The first time she encountered another, it was a tri-color older female that was a real bitch and instantly got aggressive (now whenever they see each other its "hackles up"). The first time I took her to a lure coursing event, mine was friendly enough until a little blind female came up and bit her. The second time I took her to a LGRA event, a lady came up behind us (while mine was trying to potty) with her tricolor female and her dog attacked mine. So now hackles go up any time another female comes within shouting distance.
  • Puppy crate training around adult basenjis

    Behavioral Issues
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    2k Views
    NemoN
    @tanza: Well, seems that "he" Nemo is not following the "normal" thinking… remember this pup has come into his home and "taken" over his space.... so you have some adjusting to do... you need to just step back... and make sure that he is secure.. and it takes time... and you need to make exceptions to what would be the normal... try different things.. and remember as each day passes... Nemo will understand this girl is "not" leaving....ggg Not the best answer to your questions... but we have all been there... done that.... it is like a game of chance Thanks, Tanza. I think I probably knew the answer should be…"stay out of it". I'm sure it's usually the owner who needs the "behavioral adjustment" and not the dogs 9 times out of 10. :rolleyes: I'm pretty good now at not interfering with them than when I first got her, particularly if Zoni is pestering Nemo. I just need to remind myself not to interfere when he is pestering her. @lvoss: If she is sleeping in the crate, shut the door. You don't necesarily have to lock it that way she can open it and leave but he might be deterred from pestering her. Thanks. I'll give it a try, that might help.
  • My basenji turned on me :(

    Behavioral Issues
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    1k Views
    ldortonL
    Makes sense. Thanks.
  • Puppy now or puppy later??

    Behavioral Issues
    16
    0 Votes
    16 Posts
    6k Views
    C
    Here they are… [image: PA010159.jpg]