@jordandwilly - Thanks for clearing that up.... 9-5 is just fine, IMO.... I work and have always had to leave mine when I was at work, never an issue. That said, we were able to set up the house that access to the backyard (with 10 to 12' privacy fences) with a doggy door and a dog room in the house for them, Locks on the gates so there is NO access for anyone. Dogs sleep 90% of the day so being at work doesn't bother them... never have mine even when I had a litter in the house (And have been in the breed as owner/breeder for 35+ years). You can hire a dog walker to take them out mid day..which is a good solution. and give them a mid day meal depending on their age. I do not and never have used free feeding, period. Especially if you have more that one... you never know what/who is eating what. And you can set up camera's on line to watch them from "afar".... LOL. Keep in mind people that many of us need to work and have day jobs. The most important thing is the time you need to spend with them when you are home. Example would be, if you have young children and you work... when you get home you are going to spend your time with your human children... NO dog would be happy if left out... they need their time also because they are a family member and need as much time as a human child. Again in my opinion
Basenji Intelligence
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Jake is the first dog I've ever owned so I can't really compare his intelligence to other breads but I've come to be quite impressed with how smart he is. There are two specific areas that come to mind.
1. Pattern recognition.
He is very good at recognizing patterns. If I bring him into the garage with the overhead door closed he knows he's going in the crate and he resists moving forward. If the door is open, he knows we're going into the car and he walks just fine. Another example is that 2-3 blocks before we get to the dog park he starts to realize where we're going and he gets excited. If he sees me put on a jacket he'll go stand by the door.
2. Sound filtering.
It's interesting to see which sounds he'll pay attention to and which ones he ignores. One day I had a friend who was trying to get Jake's attention by clapping, shouting, and generally making a fool of himself. Nothing worked. Alternatively, I barely have to whisper his name and his head shoots up. In general, he's very good at figuring out which sounds are "important".
Are there any other forms of intelligence your basenjis seem to excel at?
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They are very intelligent dogs, regardless of what "rankings" are out there.
I think what's most unique with this breed is their natural instincts. Spend enough time with the breed and you can understand why they are one of the oldest breeds around. They have survived through many years of natural selection.
For example, I notice my B will refuse to be walking out in the open in certain areas. If we're walking through a parking lot, he will want to stick close to the parked cars, rather than walk in the middle of the lot. My theory is that it's just an instinct to not make yourself open to any possible prey and to always be on the outskirts of an environment for a stealth approach.
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We encountered much the same type of thing with Maxx. On one occasion, a hot air balloon was flying low and Maxx hid under a tree until it was gone (could have been a huge bird trying to get him, ya' know). He also liked to do his pottying in tall grass whenever possible and always walked a yard or more off any path we were on to do his business.
Blaze also goes off a path to do his business and, while we haven't encountered any low-flying hot air balloons yet, he does watch planes going over or large birds flying.
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Anubis is the same way…he will do his business on walks in taller grass or something. Its like he thinks he'll be vulnerable if he's pottying out in the open. He'll try to hide if a low flying plane or a helicopter goes over (I live near Ft. Sill so large low planes and other military aircrafts are a daily thing).
Just a side note for LindaH...Wonderful Memorial blog for Maxx. I just looked. He had a very wonderful life!
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Are those all of your dogs? Cute set! Yes, B's do stand out in a crowd! That is why we love 'em:)
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Lol no those aren't my dogs…I wish!! I found the pic online And just added my own caption. My Basenji is black and white. And I have a lab puppy.