Skip to content

Seriously considering a Basenji!!!

Member Introductions
  • Hi guys, My name is David, i live in Winnipeg, Canada. My girlfriend and I are strongly considering getting one of these amazing dogs.

    Any encouraging words and advice would be greatly appreciated!

    great to know there is a forum to go to for support!

  • By all means read the forum topics on health, funny stories, and breeders. Look at the BRAT (Basenji rescue and transport) site and read the 'horror stories' too. Find responsible breeders near you and see if you can visit them and their dogs, look for health testing and pups raised in the home. That is for starters.

    Welcome, I have been owned by basenjis since 1973, almost all rescues. Puppies of any breed can be a challenge so starting with a 2 or 3 year old rescue or 're-homed' show dog is a great way to learn the breed.

  • Hello and Welcome from Canada!
    Please read ALL the stories-good and bad before you consider a Basenji

  • Hello…

    ...nice of you to come and check out the good, the bad, and the ugly :D

    I just got my first basenji this year and I adore him.

  • Welcome to you and to your future Basenji. Keep doing plenty of research and visit as many basenjis in their homes as you can.

  • Basenji's are wonderful little dogs…but they are not for everyone. Make sure you do your research on them, know what you are getting yourself into. Do breeder research and find one that you trust and will help you with your first B. Make sure they do ALL the health testing, if you have done much research you will know that they are prone to certain conditions especially fanconi. There is no reason for not testing for this disease anymore. They will be your couch potatoe as well as your active partner. Know this...a TIRED BASENJI is a GOOD BASENJI!!. The more exercise they get the less bored they are and less destructive. Have fun with your new companion!

  • You would be shocked at what these wonderful dogs can do! BUT they are also the smartest, most fun loving companions you will ever have in your life. I can't imagine my life without my b's. But the above advice is right on. Know what your getting, listen to quality breeders who have done the health testing, and keep us informed. We do want to help you if we can. Welcome!

  • We got our first basenji this year, after researching, going to dog shows, meeting breeders and being well aware of this wonderful breed and all of their characteristics. We continue to learn every day, now that we have an active puppy who is almost 10 months old. At this age, he is testing his boundaries, so we start our 2nd set of training classes the beginning of August. Consistancy in training is so important with this breed. Our goal is to have Kipawa work as a therapy dog - which means we would be taking him to a rehab hospital that works with people rehabilitating with spinal cord injuries.

    We love Kipawa like there is no tomorrow. We knew 'the challenges' of owning a basenji and decided we could accept all of them. Both my husband and I are home all day, which makes it easy to set up a great schedule for walks, training, meal times, potty times, etc. You will read that a good basenji is a tired basenji. This is very true. Therefore, IMO, if you think your basenji would be crated for 8+ hours a day and also at night, this breed might not be the best for you.

    As basenjis often only breed once a year, with pups ready to go to their new homes in January, now is the time to learn as much as you can. As there might not be many Canadian breeders close to you, you might want to be in touch with those in the U.S. who are listed on the Basenji Club of America website and are within a reasonable driving distance away. We are in the Vancouver, British Columbia area, and we got Kipawa from a wonderful breeder in Washington state.

    Do not hesitate to ask questions. There are so many knowledgeable breeders and basenji lovers on this forum who are more than happy to help you make an informed decision. Oh, and did I say 'welcome'? :)

  • And you should try and find either a breeder to visit or other Basenji owners. Meet them and observe what they are like in a family situation.

    Just a note, most Basenji litters are born Nov/Dec. Some depending when they come in season could be earlier or some later. I think that Kipawa was an "early" litter then the norm, so most puppies are ready for their new homes Feb/March. Or when they are 10 to 12wks (for most breeders)

  • We got our girl in January this year and loved her and the breed so much we got her a boy companion 2 months later, and love them both unconditionally. We did research on the breed from many websites and had committed to buying her but were a little nervous cuz of the stories we read about them being little loony hounds. But, they work for us.

Suggested Topics

  • Basenji mix?

    Member Introductions
    7
    1 Votes
    7 Posts
    2k Views
    ZandeZ
    @allyn said in Basenji mix?: Meanwhile I know that like a Basenji, he should never be off leash, and we always need to make sure the gate is securely shut, I have had Basenjis for a long, long time now. I have always let them run off lead in the woods away from traffic. They have all been taught - and I have had up to eight at a time although am now down to one, soon to be two (!) - to return to me if I whistle. Basenjis CAN be taught to run free and to obey commands. Yes, gates should be kept shut, tightly, at all times. But away from traffic, they can be trained to behave and allowed to run free. I have bought a puppy sling for my new boy so I can take him to the woods with Hoover, and let him meet lots of people and thoroughly socialise until he has had his shots. I don't intend to deprive Hoover of her freedom just because of the puppy. He will learn to walk on a leash but mostly he'll be the hunter nature intended him to be.
  • Basenji

    Member Introductions
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    3k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    If you click on the last icon with the arrow up icon, you can upload photos. They need to be in JPG format I think.
  • Seriously Considering a Basenji … BUT:

    Member Introductions
    36
    0 Votes
    36 Posts
    13k Views
    Shaye's MomS
    @Vintinck: If you are interested in Toys, I would highly recommended a Papillon. They are extremely intelligent and easily trained. They are also quite athletic/agile for a toy breed. They do well in agility and I've even seen some large Paps in flyball. My pap was never super "yippy" but I have met a few who are. They are in the toy group but are from the spaniel family. Yes, the Papillon is is a great little dog - my sister had one once and he was the joy of her life. They are loyal, and intelligent, and the right size for somebody looking for a toy, but not a tiny dog. Her dog was not yappy - he barked if someone was coming into the house, but as soon as she "sshhh'd" him, he quited right down. That's not a bad thing, he was protecting his house and his people until he was given the sign it was all okay.
  • Roscoe the basenji

    Member Introductions
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    2k Views
    KitKatK
    welcome to both of you. You chose a great dog for years of entertainment and love. :)
  • Considering adopting a Basenji/Shiba Inu mix

    Member Introductions
    26
    0 Votes
    26 Posts
    25k Views
    curlytailsC
    You guys, Mambo's owner already posted pictures of his pup's parents in his intro thread here. He is a confirmed shiba/basenji mix. Perhaps, for obvious reasons, I remember this one pretty well. ;) Hope Mambo's doing well!
  • Michigan Basenjis

    Member Introductions
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    2k Views
    Tayda_LennyT
    I would love to get some Bs together for a play date. I'm starting to think Lenny may only be dog aggressive with non B's. He and Tayda spent a month with 6 other B's and it was fine! Anyone near the Ann ARbor, Michigan area? Michelle