Wanted: Basenji puppy (buy/adopt)

[Quercus]

I think it depends, really, on how things are handled with the Basenji and the children and of course, the individual dogs. Maybe a little on how dominance is established with the dog.

I agree. And IMO, it has much more to do with how much exposure a basenji has to children as a pup, than it does to how dominant either dog or human is. Many basenjis that are not exposed to A LOT of kids during their youth, are wary of them…and every basenji that I have ever met that grew up around kids is bomb proof.

Of our five, the two oldest basenjis who were not raised around kids took a while to adust to our human baby. The two youngest adusted easily, and we added a puppy since our son was born, and she is completely comfortable around kids of all ages.

[Quercus]

Ooops that first paragraph is a quote from Jazzysmom

[thefussybasenjilovers]

Hi! I'd just like to say while it's great to hear other's opinions, you know yourself, your lifestyle, your children, and your cat better than anyone else! We adopted two "Unwanted" Basenjis that everyone said were not good picks and they are now wonerful members of our family. It has more to do with what effort you are willing to invest into the new member of your family. In addition, our 4 Basenjis spend their days in a kennel and get let out when we get home, they roam the yard free and have never left the yard in 4 years….we do keep an eye on them because they are our companions....not just to be ignored when out. We also have 2 cats, sometimes they get along and sometimes they don't but our cats take care of themselves (without harming the Basenjis). Be sure to ask plenty of questions about your prospective breeder and the individual Basenji.....and please follow your own instinct about the choice while remembering that this is a long-term committment to a potential family member. Good Luck!
PS We do currently have 2 - 8 month old Basenjis recently returned from a home where they discovered the son has dander allergies Please contact me if you are interested in further info

[khanis]

@refinnej:

hi, i just wanted to let you know that if you are still considering a basenji, you really need to make sure you have enough time in your life to walk him and exercise him. a rub down or tossing of a toy isn't enough for this breed. they are not to far from a jack russell's energy level. red flag with your small children. i'm looking for a new home for my 3 yr old basenji because he has not adjusted to my 2 yr old. we don't get to give him the proper exercise he needs which has him wired, and i think thats part of his aggression towards my daughter. this breed is also a semi dominant breed, so if dominance isn't established by every member in the household, he will take advantage. there are better breeds for families and children, i dont think this is one of them. i dont want to discourage you, basenjis are wonderful, and fun dogs, but they definatly need proper care. good luck

I don't think I could come close to counting the number of basenjis that I was around as a child.. not just those in our home.. but in the homes of other breeders…some that also didn't have children (at the time)...
Do my children reprimand the dogs the way I do?? Of course not, they are children. Do my dogs take advantage of them? On most all occasions, no.

[JoeyQ]

Very interesting read. I hope to hear whether Culturalenigma decided on a basenji. Joey entered our family at 10 months and was not raised with kids. He has been fine with our 5 teenagers although he knows who is soft, softer and softest! He knows I am the boss :D, thank goodness.

[czebrasky]

I have a 4year old girl and a 8 year old boy. Our Basenji's name is REX. he is tricolored and is a handful. We are looking for a good home for him he is just 1years old. We have been to the selectman's office about our dog due to the leash law, they are really fast dogs and very powerful. He breaks free from my 8year old and goes into a neighbors yard and he calls animal control. If you are interested in a tricolored basenji let me know, this dog is very beautiful, playful, and does not bark. We also have a cat and he loves to play with him. He is fixed and up to date on all shots. We just can't keep going to the selectman's office and court due to him escaping off the property and getting taken away from animal control:

[lvoss]

Please consider contacting BRAT, http://www.basenjirescue.org

[Ambered]

how did you acquire rex? please if you dont contact brat, (which i highly recommend) be very picky about who gets him. make sure they know and understand basenjis!

[culturalenigma]

Hi all…sorry it's taken so long. I did not end up getting a Basenji - though I really really still want one. I did get a Jack Russell. As I said before, my mother breeds them and like any good breeder, when the people who bought her found out they were pregnant, they no longer wanted the puppy. So she was in need of a home and we were looking for a dog.

Anyway, anyone know how a Basenji might get a long with a Jack?

[tanza]

@culturalenigma:

Hi all…sorry it's taken so long. I did not end up getting a Basenji - though I really really still want one. I did get a Jack Russell. As I said before, my mother breeds them and like any good breeder, when the people who bought her found out they were pregnant, they no longer wanted the puppy. So she was in need of a home and we were looking for a dog.

Anyway, anyone know how a Basenji might get a long with a Jack?

I know people with Jack's and Basenjis.. do just find.. but lots of energy there between the two….