@basenjicurious
It’s great that you’re doing your homework on the basenji. I think the reason you read all these “horror stories” is because they are not your typical dog. They are a beautiful and highly intelligent breed with a very strong prey drive. My Kembe is my first basenji but I was familiar with the breed because my brothers were basenji owners. I got her when she was 1years old - she was returned to the breeder by the previous owners. Kembe has never been destructive, she has free reign of our house, and I can leave her at home alone. It’s extremely important to exercise them regularly - especially exercise and stimulate their minds, and establish a routine (I can set my watch to my dog). They are definitely trainable - it scares me to see how smart she is and also well behaved. Basenjis are extremely lovable and hilariously funny. If I have a treat that my dog especially likes - she will do her whole “repertoire of tricks” without me even asking her. She dances to let me know it’s time to eat and will sit right next to me and hit me with her paw when she wants to go for her walk.
I think our basenji chose us - when we went to the breeders home to look at her - She jumped up next to my husband on the couch and curled up! I was sold on her! I really hope you find a basenji that right for you!
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Basenjis and cats
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LOL – Keoki would have been insane, screaming and crying, and whining and pulling until he eventually got his teeth into one. I've never seen a dog so full of cat-hate in my life!
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We have a cat as well, Lucy, maincoon/bobcat, so very strongminded, silent type..i.e "don't f–k with me" type cat. Otis loves her and now our new foster Dotty is facsinated as well. They both just want to smell and check her out, Lucy of course won't have anything to do with that so she gets up high and just swipes away..every now and the she will let Otis sniff her allover and he is amazed..it is cute. Like a highschool crush..
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Our Basenji was fine with cats as long as they didn't run. One of our cats Tom stood his ground and sometimes would roll over onto his back to tempt Benji to play, Benji would paw him from the side whilst keeping his head clear from Toms claws, wish i'd videod it. He used to chase our other cat Jerry because he ran.
Would love to see the old cat opening the cabinet
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We have Sir Duke who is 15 years old and great with Jaycee. Jaycee really good with him she likes to lick his face he's not to crazy about that.
Rita Jean
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We had our cat ghost for 16 yrs then along came zoe and almost 8 months later I wouldnt call them friends (zoe thinks they are) but ghost tolerates her presence. Ghost isnt the type to back down when my son comes over with his dog ghost my 9 lb cat attacks and has this 50 lb dog cowering in a corner He doesnt ever run from zoe but when he gets burst of energy and runs through the house like a maniac zoe always tries to chase him but he will stop and turn on her. Honestly its a good thing he's declawed because I think otherwise he would hurt her or there would be a real fight. As it is he will tackle her until he is tired of the game and then bite her till she yelps.
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My previous 2 Basenjis used to chase my cats around the house and for years the cats lived on a table. Then they got older and calmed down and the cat could walk around no problem. The cat was really good and never swiped at them. Now it's Deja Vu with Buddy being 11 months old and any cat that runs….. well you know the story.
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For some reason Abbey LOVES cats, and most of the cats in our neighborhood like her. She just marches right up to them and if they don't lay a claw in her nose she thinks she's made a new friend!
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We had Ushe and Neish the cats before we got Marley-mutt. He chases them in the house and pins them down and it can be a nightmare. So much so the cats live mostly outside now!
However, take Marley-mutt for a walk down the road and both the cats will come for a walk and he won't give two hoots about them!
They can also eat his food and sleep in his bed at night and Marley just looks at them!
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When I have had cats with my basenjis everything has always been more or less fine because the cats didn't run away.
One of my cats used to walk with us (me and Basenjis) but only to the end of his territory which usually was about three miles. He would then wait in the spot until we returned and take up the walk home. When we returned a different way, I would always have to go back to where he stayed to get him to return. Once I couldn't go back because my oldie had hurt her paw and he stayed in the spot until I returned 2 days later!!
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Poor cat, how quirky..
I used to have a cat, Daisy, that would follow us on walks, for a few blocks, then she would turn around and go back..she always walked about 15 feet behind us..so funny. -
When I have had cats with my basenjis everything has always been more or less fine because the cats didn't run away.
One of my cats used to walk with us (me and Basenjis) but only to the end of his territory which usually was about three miles. He would then wait in the spot until we returned and take up the walk home. When we returned a different way, I would always have to go back to where he stayed to get him to return. Once I couldn't go back because my oldie had hurt her paw and he stayed in the spot until I returned 2 days later!!
That's is amazing! I have never heard of anything like that. My cats would greet me coming down the driveway or side walk only. But never follow me past the house.
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One of our Cats Tom used to follow on dog walks, he tended to do it in the evening when it's a bit quieter. If we went to the nearby park that was fine and he would come quite away before picking a spot to wait for us so like you Helena we had to go back the same way. He sometimes followed us to the shop, darting in and out of gardens along the way but i discouraged this as my nerves couldn't stand him being near the road. We certainly got some looks from people
At present we are unfortunately dog free so Tom will have to walk alone
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Sammy, mostly walked ahead and when he heard a car approaching (usually from quite a distance away) he would disappear into the nearest hedge. I was immediately alerted to gather the Basenjis in to the side of the road.
Yes, he was a very quirky cat. He also used to come and help when we were gathering the sheep.
He died of an old age some years ago but we still miss him. My two oldies still always perk their ears when they see a ginger cat (Sammy was a ginger) so I'm sure they miss him too.
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Cassie, our 1.5 year old, loves to chase the cats. Buddy will stand up to her but Carmel runs like the wind, which only intices Cassie more. Panda, 10 weeks, is fairly mellow. Will walk up to both cats but only sniffs. Cassie will actually pin the cats down if given the chance, but luckily no injuries to day (knock on wood).
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Sumi, my almost 9-year-old, 7 lb (3.2 kg) Feline of Questionable Heritage has a habit of training dogs. She doesn't put up with nonsense and dogs quickly learn she has sharp points. She flat refuses to run from any dog. She'll lay the trap: lie on her side with her belly showing and dare the dog to put his nose in there. I've never seen a dog do it more than once. In her case, it's up to her who she chooses to get along with. If she chooses not to get along, she will sit high on her kitty tree and watch from afar.
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Both Abby and Cooper love my cat, love to chase him. He's pretty smart though he's know how to get away from them. We have our formal dining room blocked off with baby gates so he can go in there and eat and not be bothered by the dogs. Plus apparently Cooper looooooves cat food. Then again Cooper loves all food.
