My parents have two pekingse whom they adore. My husband and I drove from NY where we live, to GA (where they retired) for a visit. We brought our wonderful 5 month old basenji girl, Zoey. It was nearly a disaster.

My parents dogs aren't allowed to play, because, according to my father, "they might get their eyes scratched out"….Zoey wasn't allowed to be in the kitchen when their dogs' dinner was served, because it was a distraction, etc. We are SOOO happy to be heading home (how crazy is it that we are happy to be in the car for the next 15 hours). They just couldn't appreciate Zoey...she's the best, despite my ruined couch and all of our chewed up underware!

We have had a similar experience with my inlaws… It takes special people to appreciate our basenjis

Thank God we aren't the only ones. And she was on her best behavior!

That's because these aren't Robot dogs, and you guys have a sick sense of humor! No offense intended, but you have to be a little weird, in my opinion, to own one!

But, how sad for your parents dogs that they don't play.

LOL Arlene, my sister said this weekend, what is wrong with you people to want those dogs? And I said, we are crazy and proud of it.

LOL - you must remember that pekinese aren't real dogs (think back to the Westminster show) they're just waddling caterpillars disguised in fur

oh my gosh, i hate that! Basenjis are just special. they're just not like other dogs haha. they're awesome. my parents were totally against my boy Congo at first when i had to move back home they didn't want him to come so my friend offered to house him. after 3 weeks of sucking up to them i finally convinced him to be able to come home for "the weekend". yeah, he never left. once my parents really got to know Congo and realized he's not some demon dog and is actually the sweetest, quiet, and easy going dog ever.. they loved him! but it takes time. you can't judge someone/dog by how they look or what you've heard. you need to give them time and see for yourself. Basenjis have their quirks. but they're worth it! Congo has separation anxiety, car anxiety (sometimes), and always thinks he's going to get stepped on.. so he screams. total drama queen! but he makes up for it!

Most of my friends aren't big fans of my basenjis - although both Ozzy and Brando have admirers who tell me they would take either in a minute. The girls on the other hand…no one has offered to take them off my hands...hahahaha. Most of the time I get...you like these dogs why?

My inlaws love Trog. He climbs into my 85 yr old father in laws lap and does not move for our entire visit, but I leave the other 5 in the RV when we visit, because they are neurotic about the possibility that one of them might pee or get footprints on their biege carpet. It always amuses me when they catch their yorkie having left a wet spot, when no other dogs were visiting to blame.

People always tell me I am nuts for owning both a basenji and a shar pei. When we made the decision to get the pei many of my dog savvy friends asked me why I would want dogs that are so hard to work with.

I love dogs that can think for themselves

My friends don't get it either…..they don't understand what I love about these dogs and prefer not to be around them if they can help it. They aren't for a lot of people and I get that, and they don't understand the community behind it either...I guess I prefer it that way

@Moth:

I love dogs that can think for themselves

I'd say that's a big factor with this breed. They think for themselves, and you really have to appreciate that and not hate it.

They are an ambitious breed, are they not? You tell them they can't do something, they will have to figure out "why" they cannot before they listen.

Catipillars disguised in fur describes them exactly! It isn't just that Zoey is a basenji, they would have had a problem with any dog. I can not even begin to describe how dememted my parents are when it comes to their dogs. I'd tell you a few stories but I'd be embarrassed that I'm related to them! Zoey didn't really act crazy…she was extremely well behaved. And yes, it is sad their dogs aren't allowed to play. The younger of the two really wanted to, but you know, "they can get their eyes scratched out"! OMG

The good news it that I'm sure zoey could care less what your parents think about her and her basenji was!

@renaultf1:

Most of my friends aren't big fans of my basenjis - although both Ozzy and Brando have admirers who tell me they would take either in a minute. The girls on the other hand…no one has offered to take them off my hands...hahahaha. Most of the time I get...you like these dogs why?

I think you need new friends.
Actually most of my friends are agility people and while they wouldn't go get a basenji, most of them absolutely adore Zest! Ugh, she can work a crowd better than any crooked politician. And many just sort of automatically call her "the Princess", as in "How did the Princess do today?" I don't know how they just know. Could it have anything to do with the gold sparkly collar?

OMG, Nemo could work a room too of non dog people. He would have someone petting him within 5 seconds of sitting on the couch. He could eat one of their shoes and they'd be happy to give him the other one, lol. I miss that little guy. Guests like Zoni too, but maybe not the same extent, she isn't as much of a cuddlebug. Everyone loves Hubble, of course, because he is a cute tri puppy.

@Kananga:

I'd say that's a big factor with this breed. They think for themselves, and you really have to appreciate that and not hate it.

They are an ambitious breed, are they not? You tell them they can't do something, they will have to figure out "why" they cannot before they listen.

I have discussions with Watson… and it helps that I have had prior experience with having a dog that was brilliant (a c.o.c.k.er spaniel). I have learned to pick my battles and have a sense of humor

Lisa, your parents have listened to bad advice and while you may be embarrassed at their extreme care/protection/paranoia– my you find comfort in their being on that extreme. I just spent the weekend with my sisters. The older gets and gets rid of pets like flicking the remote control on tv shows. The other believes she loves her pets, but their care is minimal, their food crap and she believes their happiness in running FREE is more important than the fact that she loses dog after dog after dog to coyote, other dogs, theft and cars (she lives in fairly isolated area on the mt but still within a mile of the highway where they manage to make it).

My sister does not like Bs because they do not listen and obey! She likes the Herding Breeds as she has had Shelties and Collies and presently has two Smooth Coated Collies. She liked Shelties but was not fond of all the grooming and since she could handle a larger dog, she decided on the Collie. She does like other Sighthound breeds like Greyhound and Borzoi. Her Shelties would run a lure course during practice and they also loved to chase Squirrels!

Jennifer

my friend also has shelties, and she thinks they are the Best breed in he world. after spending the entire day at a basenji specialty champ show, i met up with this friend to tell how all about how they day went, and i told her that some breeders have very nice dogs with flawless temperaments, and others were aggressive. one dog went to bite the judge. well i knew that that was a mistake! she immediately said 'colleen i just dont understand how you could like them! they are such a nasty breed, i mean you just cant go past a sheltie" pointing to her two over weight, boring, lazy fluff balls on the ground….. i find shelties far too boring! So i proceed to remind her of a sheltie we both knew well that has such a shocking temperament and fear aggression toward people that she had bitten Many unsuspecting people, and had even sent one woman to the hospital to get her face stitched up...... NOW tell me which breed is better!