One other note about chest 'dropping' (and why did dog people start using that term - it sort of conjurs up visions of dog parts falling off in the yard) One the the biggest problems in basenjis fronts right now is those that are too narrow and have a concave area between the front legs. I'm NOT advocating a front like a bull terrier but there needs to be some 'fill' there to have a good front but it's not the fill it is the actual structure of the bones in the shoulder and upper arm that - if not correct- actally pull the 'front' too far forward. A quick visual scan from the side - if the deepest part of the brisket is well behind the legs - the front is too far forward. We need to pay attention to the actual shoulder structure to make sure we are not continuing to double up on dogs with a short upper arm. That limits front reach, and creates a not efficient side gait. So go catch your dogs and do a quick check - measure from the top of the wither to the point of shoulder (the most prominant bone in the chest.) then from that point to the point of the elbow. They should be the same. if they are not - stand up your dog and put your hand between the front legs - if you hand is IN FRONT OF THE FRONT LEGS - great - if your hand is between the front legs the front on your dog is too far foward.
More than you ever wanted to know probably - LOL
Elder B's and sleep
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Ziggy is now 12 years old, closing in on 13. I think I know the answer to this question (but I'll ask anyway). Do elder B's tend to sleep most of the time? Ziggy is either lightly dozing or sound asleep whenever he's not eating or walking outside. I've noticed more instances when he sleeps through sounds that usually wake him up (leash jingling, door opening).
Thoughts?
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Jup, they tend to sleep more and deeper when they get older. Have a 12 year old sheltie here, and notice the same things. Besides walks and dinner, he is sound asleep 90% of the time.
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And could be some hearing loss going on also, which would account for the lack of hearing noices that usually they have heard in the past
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Yes older dogs sleep a lot more. Jewel at 17 spends most of her time asleep when not going for her walk or playing. She also sleeps very soundly which means we have to monitor her closely should she sleep in the sun or else she gets overheated.
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I have a 16 1/2 year old border collie mix and she sleeps so soundly (and ALL day long) that we can literally life her head up off the pillow, let it gently fall back down, and she won't wake up. If we need her to wake up (she's deaf, so calling her is no good) we have to either stomp on the floor near her bed or physically nudge her until she awakens!
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I think losing the hearing and some vision makes sleeping in a nice warm area, something they enjoy. My old boy is all about comfort now.
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Nicky is almost 14, 95% deaf, and seems to only wake up to raid the trash or chew up a purse. Ed is 11, almost 12, and likewise he sleeps a lot. They do still enjoy long walks and last night were racing around the park like pups…for a few minutes only, though. But at home, they resemble cats, getting lots of beauty rest.
Ziggy's extra sleeping is fairly normal for the age.
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Is it typical for basenjis to lose their hearing with age? Again, Oakley is my first basenji and the Other breeds I grew up with typically didn't.
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Is it typical for basenjis to lose their hearing with age? Again, Oakley is my first basenji and the Other breeds I grew up with typically didn't.
I'd say it's hard to know because the darn basenjis have such selective hearing even when they can hear.
Digital the brindlewonderkid, at 14.5 years, sleeps very soundly and really has lost some (most?) hearing. Oddly some sounds, like the sound of opening a can of coke, spook him, and he's never been spooky about things before. So now I try to muffle that sound by using oven mitts if he's around.
Jet the trying, who is 13.5, seems to still have good hearing, but because he's trying, it's sort of hard to tell. Cookies in the pocket seem to improve his hearing for whatever reason.
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Muffling the sound of opening a can, lmao- the thing we do! I have a very long way to go and have a feeling I'll never know. Oakley is as selective as I've ever seen! It's amazing the things he chooses to hear
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We have had them maintain great hearing up to age 17!
And yes, with selective hearing it's hard to be sure, but when they no longer react to the crinkle of the treat bag or the 'fridge door opening, it isn't just 'selective'!
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Is it typical for basenjis to lose their hearing with age? Again, Oakley is my first basenji and the Other breeds I grew up with typically didn't.
All of my elders lost some or all of their hearing by 14.
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Bless all of these aging angels
