I must agree that naive, first-time wanne-be owners need to do deep, extensive research. Basenjis are supremely unique and definitely not a good choice for a "beginner."
I adopted an 18-month old 3/4 Basenji (other 1/4 is Min Pin, yet another quirky little breed, with some "bad" similarities to B's). I was somewhat familiar with B's, but not even a little bit of "enough!!" Gosh, Izzy-Bella was a piperoo!! A little 18 pound bundle of energy, destruction, and escapism. BUT, I have always loved bad boys (9 years working in a high school), so a little bad girl was a sort of delight. But, again, it takes many years before these dogs mellow out and mature and maximize their amazing intelligence. Izzy is SO SO smart: her early unbridled destructiveness has pretty much ended, and now, at ten years old, she amazes us every day with her intelligence, innate understanding, observational skills, language acumen, and comedic skills. And at ten years old, she acts like a three year old! I hope this means she will live forever.
Once you have bonded with a Basenji, you are probably done and gone. But
first-timers REALLY need to do their research and homework.
Someone referred to entrusting their dog
to a family member. I would entrust my B to nobody except a bona fide Vet hospital/kennel, with big-time fences and enclosures, B's are exceptional diggers-under-fences and escape artists. And a Number One cause of
death for them is traffic. Their prey instinct sends them careening into
traffic. Dumber than deer.
But, bottom line: do your due diligence Basenji research, and understand early on that these dogs are singularly unique: indescribably destructive; escape artists; independent thinkers and behaviorists; smarter than you can even begin to imagine (I swear my Izzy understands everything I say and reads my mind!); and prepare to have lots of tissues on hand as auxiliary food, because apparently, Basenjis require wood pulp
projects to prosper!! I don't get it.
Any Basenji Owners in Austin?
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Hello!
I would love to get a Basenji, but would be fun to get to know someone that already owns one
I am currently in Europe, but moving to Texas. Hopefully I will find a breeder there -
There are quite a few in the Austin area (including one of our pups in Round Rock!) We're about 2 1/2 hours from Austin in Montgomery.
Terry
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Hello Terry! Cool! I was actually checking out the Animal Defense Leauge in San Antonio, but you don't know of any experienced breeders you have used or your friends have been in contact with? How many Basenjis do you have? Are Basenjis good with children?
-Ine
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When raised by a responsible breeder, Basenjis are good with children as long as the children are respectful of dogs. There is another breeder in Tx not too far from Austin, Adventureland Basenjis, Wanda Pooley. http://www.adventurelandbasenjis.com/
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Thanks Tanza, i'll check it out!
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Also: Mike Graves - Mardi Gras Basenjis
Denise Vertrees - Briden Basenjis
Cindy Griswold - Fly'n Hi BasenjisAnd in answer to your question, we have 10 Basenjis at this time, ranging in age from 10 months to almost 13 years.
If you are interested in a rescue, please check with BRAT, Basenji Rescue and Transport!!Terry
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Find a good positive reinforcement puppy class, like clicker training and you will both have fun. All of mine have earned at least a rally novice obedience title and love the training. There are some things that you should not expect of a basenji such as being outside off lead. They are sighthounds and must be on a lead or in a fenced area at all times. The biggest issue with a house with children is that the children must understand the door can never be left open. My inlaws have a terrible habit of wanting to stand in the doorway and talk as people leave. I have to shoo them outside so the dogs do not try to dart outside given the opportunity. We have had ten basenjis since our son was two, he is now 27 and the basenjis raised him.
