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Our Wonderful Basenji

Member Introductions
  • Hello to our Basenji family!

    We adopted our little man from an AKC breeder almost two years ago when he was only seven weeks old. He is a tri-color/brindle (trindle, as it were) with a tail that curls almost two times around. His name is Anubis. He is our first Basenji. We did a lot of research when we decided to get a dog. In the past we've had larger breed dogs (Chesapeake Bay retriever, Shepard) and wanted to adopt a dog that is smaller (not an ankle-biter) and doesn't bark alot as we are both retired and lead a rather quiet life. Our little Anu (which is what we call him), was a handful when he was little. His puppy teeth were like needles (he loves to play-bite), tons of energy, disobedient, and yodeled a lot. Now that he has grown, he has become a treasured member of our family. He doesn't yodel anymore and he has calmed down tremendously. Most of the time he'll be standing right beside you and you didn't even hear him approach.

    Anu knows a lot of commands … doesn't necessarily obey them each time, but you can tell that he knows what they mean. He was once very aloof, but now he prefers to be near us all the time. He can be very mischievous at times when he takes something that does not belong to him. He knows the item is not his, per say, and will run all over the house with it until we get from him. We have a large, fenced back yard and he loves, loves, loves to run around chasing squirrels (his arch nemesis) and any other creature that happens to get into the yard. His favorite animal is deer. When a deer (or several deer) come up to the fence, Anu goes nuts. He runs up and down the fence line. We've seen, on many occassions, an adult doe come up to the fence where Anu is at and almost touch noses. But, alas, before the doe can get close enough, Anu takes off, running amuck in the yard and it frightens the doe. He's a character.

    He gets along well with all dogs...at least so far. We have several neighbors that bring their dogs over for a visit and Anu does great. Although he does seem to demonstrate a type of "herding" behavior with other dogs...and small children (our grandchildren). If they run around in the yard together, Anu takes wide loops around them and appears to be trying to "herd" them in another direction. He definitely tries to be the dominate member in a group (be it human or animal), even in an area that is not his territory.

    Anu really enjoys playing catch...with anything. He'll bring a toy or sock or anything to you and want you to first play tug, then throw the item. He'll fetch it and return immediately for another tug-of-war and throw.

    He doesn't walk that great on a leash. We have him harnessed trained and will pull like a sled dog if given the chance. It was recommended that we use a muzzle harness. This has worked out very well. We do hope that maybe he'll be able to walk without it at some point. We've been practicing.

    Well, there's lots more to share, but we are slowly growing into a novel here. So I'll post a photo and share more later.

    Thanks for having this great site to read up on other Basenji families and their experiences.

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    @himalayangypsy Hi there, she looks like a B. I too have a basenji mixie, probably part IG as well and also a Velcro dog with some separation anxiety, but a very lovey dog and a very happy dog. I laughed when reading "she had other ideas" about it being temporary. Yep, not surprising! Enjoy your new friend!
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    Please contact the BRAT Admin staff at http://www.basenjirescue.org/asp/contactus.asp . Debbi J.
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    Welcome Adam and Tenji to our Basenji community. We are due to get our Pup next Sat.
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    she is called Khani?s Santa Lucia, the girl going to Hungary - and if I at the same time may draw your attention to the site with import/exported basenjis 2009 http://www.fallohide.dk/imports_2009.htm I would very much appreciate info and link to sites when possible - thank you :-))
  • Basenjis in India!!!!!

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    @ChristyRutherford: When I went to Thailand, the dogs there looked very basenji like. It was hard to see them in the shape they were. Definitly not spoiled as dogs are here. Very thin and most had mange. They are wild there, and you dont pet them, they just kinda run around like squirrles or raccoons. It was very hard for me to see them. I took some pictures, of the healthier ones. I will try and find them. They tended to stay at the temples "temple dogs" because the Monks would care, somewhat, for them. The ones running in towns and villages were much worse looking, some. I would have taken them all home. Goes to show what how different people (not just "us/them) but all of us are different form each other. The guide and I had a wonderful time comparing and contrasting our cultures. I let her know how I treat my dog, and although she said it was nice and she liked dogs, I knew she thought I was crazy. I know what you mean. I was in there a couple of summers ago. Some of the dogs at the temple had mange so bad that they were missing a good portion of their fur not mention the number of dogs wondering around with limps and crooked limbs from being hit by bikes and cars. Funny story…before I went with UT the students from the University there came and two of them stayed with my parents. I brought them over to my apartment to hang out one evening and they went wild for Manning. I mean they took picture after picture and didn't want to put him down. Poor Rascal, my mutt, was sitting there like "hey what about me?" Finally, they explained how the King in Thailand has basenjis and has made them very popular. They were even wearing polo shirts with little stitched pictures of the King's dog on them. Here is a link about the King's dog Tongdaeng, a basenji mix. There is a great book called The Story of Tongdaeng. Inside the book are pictures of the king surrounded by Tongdaeng and his other basenjis. Here is a link that tells some of the story. http://www.bangkokpost.com/60yrsthrone/litterary/index.html I have to say…the Thai monarchy has gained my respect!:D
  • We love our Basenji!

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    J
    Can't wait to see the new puppy! Welcome to the forum.