I'm sure all puppies are destructive. Basenjis need lots of good and consistent training with lots of positive reinforcement. Some training methods that work for other breeds just don't work for basenjis. You have to remember that the breed is thousands of years old. They behave like that for a reason, or they wouldn't have survived all these years. We can only attempt to train them to behave in ways that are acceptable to our human standards. With lots of love, patience and a sense of humor…you'll have a wonderful companion and wonder how you lived without one for all these years. 
My husband was also afraid to get a Basenji. Everyone he spoke to at work, etc. told him he was crazy because they'd all heard horror stories. THEN, he talked {via email, I think} with Sharron Hurlburt – I still have no idea how/where he even found her, LOL, as he did that behind my back -- and whatever she said reassured him.
We've been happy Basenji owners for three years now. While there are aspects of Basenji-ness that he's still not wild about, he is constantly amused by these dogs and loves them both very much.
Do your research. With proper preparation, you can be ready for whatever dog you get. But rest assured, you're not getting a black lab or a goldne retriever personality.
Basenjis are different, challenging, and WONDERFUL!!
It will depend alot on the dog also. My first basenji was so destructive in the crate but once I let him out all day he would lay on the back of the couch and watch the world go by. I did make sure he got a long walk in the morning, came home for lunch and after work, weather permitting, would take him to a park and exercise him.
I also always crate train my pups until they are potty trained and past the teething stage. I'm home now so it's easier, but when I start letting them out I will leave for 15 minutes at a time and then gradually extend the time I'm gone. So far it's worked for me. I occasionally come home to things chewed and torn up.. but that's usually my fault for not putting something away. My vizsla has actually destroyed more cherished items then my b's.
As lvoss says.."A tired basenji is a good basenji." …I also give my dogs two good walks a day.
They go through a destructive stage that in most cases subsides at 1 and a half to two years IMO.
They can drive you nuts during rainy periods, not wanting to go out in the rain.
Many Basenji's don't like to be left alone and you'll read a lot about problems Basenji Owners have with that.
These dogs require attention and time…..however, I don't think I'd be without a Basenji in my life, actually Basenji's in my life.
You might want to consider an older, more settled b for your first dog.
They can sleep through the night, puppies can't.
They can wait to go outside when your at work, and they often
have a lot of manners most pups don't.
Just a suggestion.
hi Atoosa
where in the czech republic are you from? My boyfriend is from Prostejov and we spent a few weeks there last summer - a very lovely country!
I am from South Moravia. A small town - (Straznice).
You might want to consider an older, more settled b for your first dog.
They can sleep through the night, puppies can't.
They can wait to go outside when your at work, and they often
have a lot of manners most pups don't.
Just a suggestion.
Excellent suggestion Sharron.
Of course, those darned puppy faces are so hard to resist!
But an older dog may not be a bad option if you fear you may
not be up to the puppy-hood.
Thank you!
Most folks foreget that puppies have to get up to pee 2-4 times a night.
Like an baby that they are laugh.
So, its an awful lot of work!
Nothing cuter than a puppy, but boy, its nice to sleep through the night!
I got an adult for my first basenji and didn't realize what a smart move that was until after we'd had her a little while. I highly recommend it. She came house-broken, leash-trained, well-mannered and able to be left out with minimal damage. I do plan on getting a puppy and possibly being a foster family when I have both the money and space to do so and I feel I will have been thoroughly trained in the ways of the adult basenji when that time arrives. The basenjis really aren't the only ones who get trained, haha.
You might want to consider an older, more settled b for your first dog.
They can sleep through the night, puppies can't.
They can wait to go outside when your at work, and they often
have a lot of manners most pups don't.
Just a suggestion.
Excellent suggestion! I actually got TWO adults as my first basenjis 
and have been very happy with that decision. Many breeders sometimes have adult dogs that they are willing to place with a family.
Excellent suggestion! I actually got TWO adults as my first basenjis
I agree completely…an adult is a great option. I got an adult for my first basenji...a retired show dog (from the same breeder as JYS).
I would like to thank you all for you advice. I know what a commitment it is to have a dog. I´ll let you know what my decision was this Friday - that´s the day I´m gonna se the breeder
The reason why I prefer puppy to an adult dog is that you can do lots of work with your puppy and make sure that it´s gonna grow up as well behaved dog.
And I also think that the bond between the owner and puppy is much stronger. I´m sure it takes lots of time and a lot of nerve to bring up well-behaved dog but at the end it´s worth it.
Adult dogs bond just as close with owners.
It just depends on how you love them.
I have never owned a basenji pup, but all my adult dogs are bonded.
There are some wonderful helpful book on raising basenji puppies.
I can sugggest one if you wish.
Good luck.
I agree that pups need to be crated, but my 2 adults are loose when we are at work with a doggie door to the yard.
Hubby walks them 2 miles in the morning before we leave them however.
I´d be very happy if you could suggest me some books about raising basenji puppy.
I adopted an adult who was 3.5 when I got him (he just turned 5 in Jan). After the initial bout of separation anxiety (and by bout, I mean 4 months!), he turned into a wonderful addition. I leave him unattended from 7am until 6pm every day (he gets a half hour noon walk from my dog walker) of the week and he doesn't do a damn thing to disappoint me. He's never chewed the furniture, he doesn't soil the carpet…nothing. He's a perfect dog. I am a firm believer in the fact that ANY dog can be a good dog and that not all Basenji's are destructive. Only the dog gods will ever know what it is that makes some eat the furniture and some not. Adult or puppy, it's a crap shoot, but I would think they can be trained to focus on destroying other things (like toys) than your furniture. Just like housetraining. My B has been crated only a handful of times, and that only happens when I am away from home.
I am a firm believer in the fact that ANY dog can be a good dog and that not all Basenji's are destructive. Only the dog gods will ever know what it is that makes some eat the furniture and some not. Adult or puppy, it's a crap shoot, but I would think they can be trained to focus on destroying other things (like toys) than your furniture. Just like housetraining. My B has been crated only a handful of times, and that only happens when I am away from home.
I agree…it's hit or miss with pups or adults on who's destructive. As for the bonding. I'd have to respectfully disagree with you Atoosa. My furkids are so incredibly close to me...they protect me (even when I don't want them to), they come to cuddle with me, they lick me when I'm upset, my husband gets kisses from TOPAZ on command :D...we have an amazing bond with our dogs.
my husband gets kisses from TOPAZ on command :D…we have an amazing bond with our dogs.
I am training Dallas to lick my chin when I saw "kisses" So cute!
I think you can have just as strong of a bond with an adopted adult as with a puppy.
That said, I don't blame you for wanting your shot at having a puppy for your first dog. It will be tough though. It's literally like having a newborn in the house (personally I think even worse…). In my opinion, you should not be as worried about a Basenji ruining your things if left at home. You should be focused instead on understanding the breed & knowing how to properly train them so that [hopefully] you can eventually leave them uncrated as they get past their destructive chew phase in puppyhood.
Go to this site.
www.evergreenbasenjiclub.org
On the left hand side of the page is the Basenji Owners Manual.
Click on this.
Its not expensive and its very helpful.
Good luck.
Welcome to the forum. When I acquired my dog (at 4 yrs) he was known to be very destructive and even tore up his crates. However, when I took him home and worked with him and spent time with him and gave him lots of toys, I never ever had any destructive problems. Who knows what went on with the previous owner!
Talk with your breeder and find out what kinds of dogs the parents were, and what kind of advice s/he can give you about training, etc. Reputable breeders will take the pup back if there is a serious problem and it just doesn't work out for you. Spend time with the breeder and get to know the puppy personalities.
