Hi all, just signed up! My name is Brian and I live in Iowa, USA. I started looking at smaller dog breeds about a year ago when I stumbled across the Basenji. They caught my eye, to say the least, and I instantly fell in love. I liked not only their unique and handsome look, but the fact that they are an ancient breed with such an interesting history and heritage. The more I read about them the more I was intrigued. I have picked out a red male puppy - I pick him up in a couple weeks and I can't wait! I think I might name him Cairo. Glad I found this sight - I've already read several of the forums so I decided to join, and I look forward to talking to you all! I don't know if anyone will actually read this, but if you are "hello!" General advice any of you may have would be greatly appreciated, as I know many of you have a lot of great knowledge to share! I would like to bring out the full potential in my dog, so any tips on training would be very helpful! Thanks much, have a good day!

Brian in Iowa

Welcome Brain! Cairo is a great name for a basenji boy, I'm sure you are very excited to be getting him. There are several threads here on Forum about getting ready for a puppy which I'm sure you will find helpful. Remember, a tired puppy is a good puppy. Lots and lots of exercise and walks, or a cute puppy can become a 'destruction machine'.

Look forward to seeing pics of your baby.

Welcome to the Forum. I love the name Cairo, it is perfect for your puppy. You will find lots of helpful information here, and lots of support when your little boy gets to be a real handful. I have a two year old female red/white named Shaye, and a Basenji mix who is two and a half - if it were not for reading the various threads here and talking with other Basenji owners, I would have really been at a loss when the girls acted like Basenjis. As MacPack says, remember a tired puppy is a good puppy. Lots of exercise, early training, and the training must be positive - a basenji reacts very badly to negative training.

Welcome Brian..nice to have you onboard. I too have a new puppy, Pippin, he is 10 weeks old…I can attest to "a tired basenji is a good basenji"..
Love your name choice.

Welcome Brian,
my advice would be to enrol in a good dog training class, it's good for socialisation and also should provide support.

Welcome Brian, who are you getting your Basenji from? Many of us are related by our Basenjis.

And as already said, a tired Basenji is a good Basenji!

Hello Brian - so glad to have you on this forum! You will have your hands full with Cairo, so remember to take lots of deep breaths. What I did before Kipawa arrived (he is almost 17 weeks now) was to go through each room and really puppy proof it. I put my mind in the headspace of a silly puppy and went through each room with a fine toothed comb. Anything that was on the floor, such as knickknacks were put up higher or stored. No shoes or clothes laying anywhere (that was an easy one for us, as we have lots of closet space). Any chemicals, soaps, etc. under sinks were stored much higher up - totally safe from an inquisitive puppy. Electrical cords were not a problem for us, as our breeders had already trained Kipawa to leave them alone, but you should make sure that they are safely tucked away as best as possible.

Outside, check your fencing, as a basenji puppy can squeeze through the smallest gaps. Hopefully you have fencing that is 6 feet high. Basenjis can really jump.

As others have said, definitely keep his mind and body tired through exercise and training. And remember that anytime you have a question you will find so many people on here willing to help. Can't wait to see pictures of Cairo!

Wow - Thanks so much to each of you! I appreciate all of your advice and take none for granted! Was glad to get some opinions on the name from other owners too. If there's one thing I've come to understand it's that a tired puppy is a good puppy, particularly with Basenjis! Luckily my town (Ames) has a really nice dog park, and I am big on hiking so I'll be taking him out in the woods all the time (on a leash, of course!) I have begun the process of puppy-proofing, I just moved in to a new house so I'm fortunate that there isn't too much clutter yet!

I am getting Cairo from Rafiki Basenjis out of Illinois. It's a bit of a drive for me but I was really impressed by Michelle and her dogs. She really cares about what she is doing, and raises the litters right in her home with constant, loving interaction from her and her family! I'll probably post some pics this afternoon from my visit there.

I will definitely post plenty of pics when Cairo comes home! I pick him up the last weekend in January. I hope you all will continue to be generous with your advice as I'm sure I'll have plenty of questions in the future! To me your knowledge is priceless! I am so glad I found this sight, and I look forward to getting to know all of you better. Have a good weekend!

Brian in Iowa - Soon to be Brian & Cairo!

Michelle has very nice Basenjis…. I know Rafiki Basenjis well. Who are the sire and dam of your puppy!

Welcome to the forum Brian! Great to have you here. My biggest advice when adding a puppy is: make sure you have a camera! Can't wait for Cairo pics!

@tanza:

Michelle has very nice Basenjis…. I know Rafiki Basenjis well. Who are the sire and dam of your puppy!

Really?! That's awesome. The dam is Gracie - such a cool dog! I'll have ask to her again about the sire & I'll let you know!

@CairoPup:

Really?! That's awesome. The dam is Gracie - such a cool dog! I'll have ask to her again about the sire & I'll let you know!

LOL, you will find when you get your puppy from a responsible breeder that other responsible breeders and owners know them and their Basenjis….

Let me know if you know the registered names, we don't always know their call names.

@Janneke:

Welcome to the forum Brian! Great to have you here. My biggest advice when adding a puppy is: make sure you have a camera! Can't wait for Cairo pics!

Thanks for the advice! I'll be sure and take lots of 'em - can't wait either!

@tanza:

LOL, you will find when you get your puppy from a responsible breeder that other responsible breeders and owners know them and their Basenjis….

Let me know if you know the registered names, we don't always know their call names.

Lol, I had a feeling it was a close-knit community and now I'm beginning to see that! I'll have to check with her on the registered names (I'm not sure on the spelling) & I'll get back to you.

@CairoPup:

Lol, I had a feeling it was a close-knit community and now I'm beginning to see that! I'll have to check with her on the registered names (I'm not sure on the spelling) & I'll get back to you.

Yes we are…:D and again welcome, can't wait to see pictures. My Franie may be related to your Cario

Welcome to the forum, Brian and to your Cairo when he arrives!

Welcome the forum Brian,.. All i can say is I,m sure you will enjoy your new puppy Cairo, great name! be patient , I think you'll find that he will more than make up for the frustrations you will undoubtedly go thru raising him!!! It's is very rewarding!!
especially if you do it right and it sounds like your off to a great start!
Welcome

Welcome! Btw just did a rescue evaluation for a dog named Cairo. I think it's a great name!

We go coursing at the 3M park in Ames several times a year. I think we will be up there in April and Oct this year. I know there is one other basenji boy, who lives in Ames, that comes out to course too. You should bring him over to the park to socialize with the other sighthounds at one of the events. I am getting a girl mid feb, they will be close to the same age.

Congrats! I just saw some puppy pictures on Facebook. They're really cute!

Pat, Gracie is Rafikis American Idol.