Welcome! And I agree with Tanza, actually meeting basenjis is important, especially if you are planning on getting a puppy. (Often, getting an adult as a first-basenji is a good thing)
We have had potential BRAT adopter change her mind after meeting a bunch of nice, well mannered basenjis at our dog park…they were just so much more active and larger than she had visualized, even after reading lots about them. Meeting them first is a good thing!
To the OP - take Terry up on her offer and go for a visit. The breed is much different in person than what you read about. I've gone to a breeder's house when people are doing their first visit with basenjis and have, more than once, seen a person change their minds - basenjis might not be their perfect dog after all. They definitely aren't for everyone…
Even my friends are like - you like these dogs why? Sometimes I even ask myself that...hahahaha
Let me chime in. Experienced dog person (mostly Rottweilers and Chows as an adult). Breeder, show, sheep herding, carting– yes heavy into dogs.
My daughter wanted a dog to show. We looked at breeds for about a year, basenjis were not in the group at all. Decided on powderpuff Chinese Crested. Were on breeder list for 2 upcoming litters from their bitches just shown at Westminster. Then one of the breeders (they were partners) got cancer, they cancelled one breeding which would have bumped us to the next year.
Okay so another person had a litter, offered me pick-- Basenjis. I had never met one, I had seen at shows, watched the movie. I read, read, read, talked to breeders (oddly have 3 friends with Rottie/Chow/Basenji, Rottie/Basenji, Chow/Basenji homes). THOUGHT I knew what I was getting into. I was mistaken.
I can't imagine my life without them, but I know the breeder laughed nightly for many years knowing that I only thought I knew.
Got meet them, spend some time. As Spock from Star Trek once said:
You may find that having is not so pleasing a thing as wanting. This is not logical, but it is often true. – Spock (Amok Time)
Second, I would have to offer this as well. Most breeders have puppies during this time, as fall through early winter heats are most common. But many also have every puppy spoken for. If you must have one NOW, you may be out of luck finding a GOOD breeder. You might also want to consider BRAT rescue, or taking an older puppy/dog that is a year or 2 from a breeder who has found the dog does not fit their breeding program.
Good luck.
odd double posts sorry
Even my friends are like - you like these dogs why? Sometimes I even ask myself that…hahahaha
ROFLMAO, mine too. My best friend says "PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ME THE BASENJIS!"
I think of that commercial with the visiting grandparents and the people throw the babies at them and jump in the cab and the grandparents are begging "DON'T LEAVE US WITH THE BABIES." http://youtu.be/ASg9dlhrjEc
OMG that commercial is hilarious. I have a hard time leaving my B's with anyone to puppy-sit. I don't wish that upon my worst enemy. My boss said he would dog sit the one weekend we were going to be gone and I thought I wouldn't have a job when I came back, so I took her to a kennel.
I never had a chance to go see a basenji home before I got my first B. I have always had dogs and I researched for ages and finally convinced my hubby that this was the dog for us. I had only seen them at dog shows before and well seeing them well mannered there has nothing on living with one!
Look for a responsible breeder…...go to a home with a B and see what they are like to live with. Do your research. Ask questions. Look for the proper health testing done. Don't buy from just anyone.
I love my dogs and now have 2 B's, one female and one male. I would never trade this breed for anything but they are not for everyone.
After I got married I acquired my second Basenji. The only thing my husband agrees with is what I told him to sell him on the dog. "There is nothing like a Basenji!" Too true…...and I said it like it was a "good thing". After thirty plus years together with constant Basenji company, we both agree we would have nothing else as a house companion......does that make us masochists?
Definitely go and visit someone who has them......and even then you won't know what you are in for until it's too late. 
Make sure the breeder is doing health testing! Research the breed thoroughly in regards to genetic problems and know what questions to ask the breeder!
Jennifer
To find a good/responsible breeder here is something you can use as a guide.
Wow, thanks so much for the replies everyone! I must admit that all this talk about how "different" (difficult, haha) Basenjis are than other breeds, only has me more interested in meeting them, and finally getting to experience what all the talk is about!
Terry,
Thank you so much for offering us the chance to meet some Basenjis! I am in Cypress now, but grew up in Magnolia, so I am definitely familiar with the Lake Conroe area. I will PM you for further details. Thanks again!
Everyone Else,
Thanks for all the replies…we are definitely going to meet some Basenjis before making any decisions. We are just excited at the thought of adding a loving dog to our family, and these Basenjis seem perfect! I am an absolute animal lover, so I am pretty sure I can handle these crazy Basenjis...and my wife runs around chasing 25 kindergartners as a teacher, so I am guessing she will be as prepared as anyone to take care of a rambunctious little puppy...we will see. I will update how our visit with some Basenjis goes, and how our puppy search progresses!
Thanks again!
David
I'm no expert, but I think it's good to find a dog that shares some of your own characteristics. If you're high-energy, active, smart, tenacious, determined, witty and adventurous, then you might love having a Basenji, since the dog will be a lot like you. The trick is, you have to show your Basenji that you're more of these things than s(h)e is. And sometimes, you just have to laugh. (Being able to transcend the material is useful, too.)
Good luck in your search!
One thing that every Basenji owner MUST have is a sense of humor…. if you don't, this is not the breed for you!
One thing that every Basenji owner MUST have is a sense of humor…. if you don't, this is not the breed for you!
Perhaps this is why I have only met cool basenji people?
A good sense of humor is necessary. And also good if you are not attached to material things (shoes, sofas, clothes, carpets, purses)
I will say this, I wasn't known for my sense of humor before getting Oakley (1yr old male). I have always been a very serious child and adult who likes order and organization. Oakley has truly taught me the softer side of life, he has taught me to laugh, not only at him and whatever serious destruction he has caused but to laugh at myself. A chewed arm on the couch or trash strewn about my kitchen floor is nothing to get so angry about but to take a deep breath, sigh, relax and clean up the mess laughing all the while at the basenji sitting next tO me with his head tilted sideways saying "what!? , you didn't like the redecorating I did?"
Oakley has given me a gift, he really has; and for that I will always be grateful
I'm hooked for life on basenjis
I will say this, I wasn't known for my sense of humor before getting Oakley (1yr old male). I have always been a very serious child and adult who likes order and organization. Oakley has truly taught me the softer side of life, he has taught me to laugh, not only at him and whatever serious destruction he has caused but to laugh at myself. A chewed arm on the couch or trash strewn about my kitchen floor is nothing to get so angry about but to take a deep breath, sigh, relax and clean up the mess laughing all the while at the basenji sitting next tO me with his head tilted sideways saying "what!? , you didn't like the redecorating I did?"
Oakley has given me a gift, he really has; and for that I will always be grateful
I'm hooked for life on basenjis
LOL…. A great response!!!
It's the truest statement I can make, everyone who knew me and knew about the breed told me it wasn't the dog for me, and I even I had my doubts. Oakley came into my life at a very difficult life transition and I owe him immensely; it is so true that you never get the dog you want but the dog you need. As I began to fall for him, I changed myself to make me into the basenji owner you have to be to live with them. I agree they are not for the faint of heart but even stiffs like me can be made believers if the right dog fills your heart. I wish you both luck in your research, I commend you for your strong convictions this is the dog for you. It works out if you truly want it to but make no mistake that with a basenji it is never a paved road but rather a bumpy road with a lot of one way streets ( if you catch my drift)
Spent a very enjoyable afternoon with David and Mindy. All of the Basenjis were, of course, on their best behavior! They did get to see the extremely pregnant Amina, and had a chance to see Dude playing for all he was worth with Luna.
Terry
Spent a very enjoyable afternoon with David and Mindy. All of the Basenjis were, of course, on their best behavior! They did get to see the extremely pregnant Amina, and had a chance to see Dude playing for all he was worth with Luna.
Terry
How Fun!!!!
Where to start?!?
Well, thanks again for the replies…it is great to see that the Basenji community is so passionate about their dogs!
Mindy and I had an awesome afternoon with Bob & Terry! (I emailed you this morning) They not only have an amazing family of beautiful Basenjis, but they are very warm & welcoming people, so thank you!
The visit could NOT have gone any better! My main concern was Mindy's allergies, and I was pumped to see that she had ZERO reaction to all the dogs.
My second concern going in was the breeders operation as a whole (the people, surroundings, cages, etc) and like I said, we could not have asked for better people, or a better facility! Bob & Terry were very inviting, and have an awesome home for their beautiful Basenjis! We were planning on spending maybe an hour meeting them & getting to know the dogs...and before we knew it, 4 hours had gone by! Haha, needless to say, we had a great time! (hope we didn't stay too long)
My third concern was the Basenji breed itself (temperament, size, etc). We have never been around Basenjis, but of course have heard from all of you (and countless internet postings) that they are definitely "different" than other breeds (to say the least)! Once again, could NOT be happier with how our time with the Basenjis went! They were definitely full of energy & excitement, but were also very loving, playful, and cuddly!
So we are definitely moving forward with adding a Basenji puppy to our family! Will update when we finally have her/him in our arms!
David & Mindy
