This lady has a Facebook page with lots of other gorgeous pictures too. We're fans. 🙂
https://www.facebook.com/AnubisTheBarklessDog
EDIT: LOL, I see they've just posted their own intro! All the better!
Researching Basenjis
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Thanks to you both for the excellent replies. I actually would like a rescue B but getting one that meets all my requirements might be tough. A pattern I seem to be picking up is that they are often raised in pairs. Is that a general trend?
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Just keep looking.
There are many people I know that have 2 or more.
We found it is double the fun for the same amount of energy/time etc.
You can also check out https://www.facebook.com/groups/basenji.international/?ref=bookmarks -
I've had five Basenjis over the years. I did have two at a time more than once, but it was an overlap rather than raising two together. I have never routinely crated a Basenji past the puppy stage, or in the case of two mature boys that I adopted, past the "get to know you" stage. My Basenjis have never been particularly destructive, but yes, they do like to get into the garbage. And chew the crotch out of underwear if they get the chance. You can't trust a puppy alone, and getting to the point where they are reliable in the house can be a process. Confining to a specific area works well as an intermediary step, and some will never be totally trustworthy with the run of the house. My current boy is just fine, and doesn't even rip up tissue, but he is unusual.
Lots of exercise is a good idea, particularly with a young dog, and mental exercise is recommended as well.
Basenjis can learn many commands, and be reasonably reliable if you are careful to be consistent, i.e. do not issue a command unless you have a reasonable expectation it will be carried out or that you will be able to ensure it is carried out. Too many people inadvertently "teach" their dogs to ignore commands. If you say "come" and he/she doesn't, go and get the dog and bring it to the place where you were standing when you asked him to come. If you don't care whether he comes or not this time, use a different term, e.g. his name, or "here" or whatever, but do not poison your "come" command by letting him ignore it. Don't get suckered into a game of "keep away", either. In the early stages it may help to let him drag a long line that you can get hold of. And don't trust a Basenji loose in an unconfined area unless or until you are very sure of him. Proof it with distractions…...lots of them! Puppies are often good about recall because they aren't very sure of themselves. Watch out when they mature and gain confidence!
This page is worth reading, and also good for a smile. Yes, the description is typical!
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Not true… there are many, many that have single Basenjis... however we all will admit that Basenjis are like potato chips, you can't just have one
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I only have one basenji, but she does have a "sister". I got my mini aussie when Penny was about a year and a half old because Penny enjoyed the company of other dogs so much; I knew she would benefit from having a friend. She took her right under her wing, and it really helped that Daisy is quite submissive, as Penny has a strong personality. They've been best friends for 5 years. Penny grooms her, they have a nightly play session, Daisy pre-chews Penny's rawhide for her (gross), they patrol the yard for squirrels together… the whole deal.
If you get a puppy, you'll be able to determine whether he/she is the kind of Basenji who would prefer a playmate. Some don't. If you go through BRAT and rescue, they'll be able to tell you about each B's preferences.
And while you may not be able to find a Basenji who fits your every criteria through rescue, Basenjis are very smart. Despite being a little more sensitive at times, from my experience, Penny has always adjusted well to new people and new homes (when we would go to stay with my parents or in-laws, she got used to the rules of the house very quickly). With consistency, you'd be able to ensure a smooth transition to a new home with new rules.
(By the way, with my previous post, I wasn't trying to paint Basenjis to be terrors! They're special dogs, and forewarning was appreciated seven years ago when I was looking for my first Basenji. It's always nice to know the worst case; your experience will be great no matter what if you can smile at THOSE antics!!
)I'm so interested to hear of everyone who doesn't crate their adult Basenjis. I wish.
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We don't crate our dogs. Not when we leave them during the day (for a few hours maximum), not during the night (they sleep on the coach or on the bed). It works well for us.
When we leave, we always tell them aloud that we are going and when we'll be back. They seem to understand, and they will go right back to sleep. Usually they are in the same place/position when we return, lazy bums! -
There are many adults with breeders who are placed in homes after they finish their championship, especially males as a breeder only needs to keep so many males to continue the lines. These dogs are used to traveling in cars to shows, being quiet in crates and adapt well to a single dog house. And they are fully health tested which is VERY IMPORTANT.
My basenjis scream at the top of thier lungs when I at at training class with them and I am working one , the other is very unhappy to be crated. Rescues come with thier own set of troubles, key of which is that many rescues have not been health tested for Fanconi using the direct DNA test. Do not get a dog unless that test is done first, you want to know if there is a possiblity of your dog developing fanconi later in life, I would also say the PRA test for blindness is a must as there are so many blind basenjis out there too. Basenjis will live to 16 years or more, you need to be prepared to support them that long, and knowing health issues down the road is important. too many people get rescues, then find out they cannot financially handle the many health issues that crop up, many of which could have been avoided by getting a dog from a reputable breeder.
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Well said Lisa!
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What Lisa said.
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You may want to volunteer as a foster for BRAT, they are always getting dogs in that need to be homed. I saw a post of three that need immediate pickup from Amarillo TX today. I was a whippet foster a few months ago and adopted her despite her severe PTSD. Could not bear to see her go through more trauma being shuttled to another home after the horrific upbringing she had.
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All good advice. My first instinct from your thread was that a rescue would be an excellent idea for you. If you are patient, and persistent, the right one that needs you and vice versa will come your way. I learned this very recent in my search for an AKC breeder (was looking for a yellow lab) got burnt, and decided on a rescue and got some mix….but a beauty and great temperament for my Uzi tricolor B-boy. Got a call yesterday from a yellow lab breeder that lives a few blocks away.....go figure. the cards were piled up for me to adopt a rescue for sure!!!
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I don't think I could ever actually just buy a dog anymore. Sometimes I think I'd like a dog that I can show again… but no, I couldn't buy from a breeder, not after knowing how many dogs are out there without homes (purebreds too). Someone's got to give them a home, might as well be me. Rescues make good dogs too, and out of the 5 rescued purebreds I've had, 3 originated from "show" breeders. And I'm not necessarily maligning breeders (though the term IS used rather loosely) nor people who choose to buy from them, I'm simply stating that I couldn't.
And regarding crating Basenjis, I'm on #6, 3 show and 3 rescue, and all 6 could eventually be left loose in the house.
-Joanne -
Well breed with proper conformation, well temperment, healthy Basenjis come from breeders… Not sure what you mean per say "show breeders"... there are many, many breeders that while they show, they also do other things with their Basenjis along with them being family members first.. While I do show, I also do course... not many show homes and if I think they "need" to be shown, I keep them (unless someone is really really interested)... and 80% of the time, my pups are placed in wonderful companion homes... So responsible breeders will take offense to your statement about breeders.
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Oh, I agree with you about the merits of buying from a GOOD breeder, and yeah, if you want to buy from a good breeder, go ahead, I don't have a problem with it. I just mentioned the fact that I couldn't do it anymore. There is nothing I said that should cause a good breeder to take offense. By "show breeder" I meant a breeder whose puppies are meant for the show ring… or obedience ring, agility ring, coursing field, etc. Compared to a breeder whose stock is intended for a pet store, or buddy whose stuff is sold out of the trunk of a car. The term "breeder " covers those people too.
And the "show breeder" I got my rescues from... one dumped the dog when the dogs' bottom jaw wouldn't quit growing, the other breeder turned into a hoarder and over a hundred crated Basenjis were removed from her property.
-Joanne -
Ya know, I know this chick who refers to people who have biological children as breeders. She is adamant that no one should produce, doing so it selfish, should only adopt. Never mind that then leaves "breeding" to people who are not ready/able/responsible enough to raise the children necessary to make adoptions possible.
I am not a breeder now and I take offense. It is one thing to say you choose to get rescues because that is what you feel is right for you. Quite another to lump breeders together, or indicate that show means represents all show. It would be like me talking about people who rescue and give an example of someone too lazy to take the time to research and too tight to spend the money on a well bred dog. It insults breeders, it insults rescuers, who do either for the RIGHT reasons.
I sit here with one insane rescue basenji. I have her on prozac and a use thundershirt because frankly, many of the group are very fearful and unstable. They also have very high rate of fanconi in the pack (lots of carriers too but since spayed/neutered not an issue) and several have digestion issues resulting in a lot of ruptured anal sack issues/vomiting bile, etc. (and btw, my first and 2nd basenji from a (fill in the blank) breeder who produced 2 litters with massive issues including serious autoimmune problems– which I didn't know til I got the 2nd one)
I have spent my freaking entire adult life working in rescue, adopting as many rescues as I have had well bred. And I can promise you that IF I got another dog, it would be one from a responsible breeder with generations of the best health testing out there. I'd like the odds, at least, of getting a really healthy dog. My choice. With my health, it won't be happening, but I have absolutely advised my daughter to go that route when she is through with school. Work in rescue, get one later, but start with the best bet for a healthy sane dog.
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But I wasn't lumping breeders together at all, and I certainly wasn't insulting breeders, and I don't know how you figured I was insulting rescuers . If you notice I had "show breeder" italicized meaning the particular breeders I was referring to, bred for the showring and beyond that they probably didn't give a sh*t. And I don't exactly have the lunatic, Peta type attitude of the person you know, I fully realize that there is a very legitimate place out there for GOOD breeders (and just because a breeder shows, that by itself doesn't necessarily mean they're good).
Rescue rescue dogs DO make totally good pets, It's unfortunate that yours didn't work out for you. All 5 of the dogs I have now are rescues, a few more have passed on, and I'm sure I'll have rescues in the future. All of them have been good dogs, both health and temperament wise.
-Joanne -
But I wasn't lumping breeders together at all, and I certainly wasn't insulting breeders, and I don't know how you figured I was insulting rescuers . If you notice I had "show breeder" italicized meaning the particular breeders I was referring to, bred for the showring and beyond that they probably didn't give a sh*t. And I don't exactly have the lunatic, Peta type attitude of the person you know, I fully realize that there is a very legitimate place out there for GOOD breeders (and just because a breeder shows, that by itself doesn't necessarily mean they're good).
Rescue rescue dogs DO make totally good pets, It's unfortunate that yours didn't work out for you. All 5 of the dogs I have now are rescues, a few more have passed on, and I'm sure I'll have rescues in the future. All of them have been good dogs, both health and temperament wise.
-JoanneOkay let me try again.. I didn't say YOU insulted rescues, I said your comment on breeding was like ME lumping rescues.
And for the record.. you might want to not make assumptions. I am 58 yrs old. I have had probably 4x as many rescues if not more than well bred dogs. And I sure as hell have done more rescues and helping rescues and transporting and fostering than I have ever bred.. about 10 x more actually.
MOST of my own rescues have been fantastic. And to say "not work out for you"… no dog is more loved than this crazy dog. She will never have another home, she will never have a day in her life that everyone here doesn't love and adore her. She has "worked out." But she also has health, stability and other issues. I've dealt with a lot of dogs with a lot of health issues from rescues and desiring to have one with much better odds of health doesn't mean anything other than I'd like to own a healthy dog next time and want to up my chances.
However, not meaning to gang up on you. I have yet to own a well bred chow because there's always another rescue in need every time I thought about it. And I am certainly, as someone who has spent decades in rescue, happy for people who adopt.
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And I wasn't assuming anything when I said "not work out for you", you yourself mentioned that you've dealt with fanconi, anxiety issues and immune problems, I never implied that you didn't love any of the dogs that had these issues. Maybe I've been relatively lucky with the rescues that came through here. But the odd well-bred dog can have issues.
My heart dog was a purebred, bred by myself, his parents had all the appropriate testing, nothing sinister in their backgrounds… this dog was born with the majority of his pancreas missing (which wasn't discovered until his necropsy at age 8). He was my unhealthiest dog of all, but I loved him the most.
And for the record, I'm only a half dozen years behind you.
-Joanne -
Rescue rescue dogs DO make totally good pets, It's unfortunate that yours didn't work out for you. -Joanne
And I wasn't assuming anything when I said "not work out for you", you yourself mentioned that you've dealt with fanconi, anxiety issues and immune problems,
You are assuming they "didn't work out" for me. Having issues doesn't mean they didn't work out. It doesn't mean not good pets. It MEANS health and other issues. As you pointed out, you have a chance of problems even with the best bred. But research has consistently proven that testing sure as shootin' gives you a lot better odds.
So yes, you assumed that because they had issues it "didn't work out." That's a huge reach from having problems. I don't consider issues as "didn't work out."
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Well, if you go back to your first post on this topic, the way you were writing about the rescues you're had gave (me) the impression that you were disappointed with them, and in my mind, if you are disappointed with your dogs, "they didn't work out" for you. So that's not really a huge reach.
That's the trouble with the written word, if you don't chose your words carefully, what one is trying to communicate doesn't necessarily come across, and may give the wrong impression. And no, I am not accusing you of incorrect word usage.
-Joanne
