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Looking into Basenjis

Basenji Talk
  • L

    Aw, she's gorgeous!!! Thank you so much for replying, it helps do much to hear from someone who has had a breed similar to Pugs and can tell me how they are similar and how they differ! I really think more and more that Basenji's could be a really good fit for me! :)

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  • wizardW

    I've had basenjis for almost 20 years. Here's my 2 cents worth: they are wonderful creatures (and beautiful) and like people each has his/her own personality. I had one male who was very cuddly and learned to stay near me when I sat out on the deck or worked in the garden. I have one now that won't cuddle at all except in bed when it's cold. None have been destructive (other than tissue pieces all over the place and squeeky toys that are shredded as soon as they arrive) but they are always always always crated/penned when I go to work or the store or whatever. Walks can be an issue as my female wants to go only on a certain route and not necessarily where I want to go. Fetching a ball, tugging or other typical play activities are non-existent. All mine as is typical of the breed have been serious hunters - rabbits, chipmunks, birds don't stand a chance in my yard. A fenced yard is almost a 100% requirement as once they get on a rabbit or squirrel or whatever, running out into the road after creatures is soon to lead to disaster (I lost my first one that way). Meet as many as you can before you decide.

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  • wizardW

    I forgot to mention that they can also be extreme houdinis. My female has learned how to manipulate the latch on her crate so I have to use a lock and she taught herself how to open the screen door. My friend had a male that could climb an 8 foot fence and escape. Be sure to check about such things when you talk with breeders or BRAT.

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  • K

    Basenji

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    D
    Where I am it costs about $2K+ for a dog from a breeder for just about any breed. Goldens may be less because the litters are so large. That may seem like a lot, but, as Debra mentions, dogs cost money to care for. After vet bills and boarding fees and food, it matters little what the dog cost to acquire. Leaving true puppy mills out of the discussion, given the costs of being a responsible breeder -- testing, vet bills, feeding -- and how much work breeding is, I can't imagine anyone doing it for the money. That leads to two problems for people looking for dogs. One is that since breeding isn't really lucrative, there aren't a ton of breeders, which means the supply of pups is low. Second is that most Basenji breeders want to place their pups in the best possible homes -- remember they aren't doing it for the money -- which means they're looking for people who have had Basenjis before. Something of a Catch-22.
  • MDSPHOTOM

    Basenji Song-Moon Over Basenji

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    DebraDownSouthD
    Oh Barklessdog, you are a brave person. I must now stand with you in insane-solidarity and admit I bought it too. It is awful but when you get the line "we couldn't say goodbye so we took him home" part, you know you got to help support the woman. lol
  • J

    Looking into a Basenji

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    DebraDownSouthD
    @jdido09: I am looking into getting a Basenji and am really excited. I am a college student and am interested in getting a dog to train as a service dog (Canine Good Citizen). I want to get my dog involved in the Pet friend program at the local Children's Hospital, I know more people with therapy dogs of all breeds that came from rescue than from breeder… maybe because many of the people I know doing therapy are also involved in rescue, but please consider that a GOOD rescue keeps a dog a couple of months before placing. A GOOD rescue can help you evaluate and find a dog with the temperament. That said, sorry... I don't think a dog, particularly a Basenji, is probably a good choice for you right now. Why rush? Finish college, find out for SURE if you are maybe going to grad school or maybe ending up with some super job that demands many hours work or travel. I know you are excited... but think of being fair to the dog. How about fostering basenjis for a while. A win/win. You get to truly know the breed AND it gives you time to finish school and determine what your "grownup" life style is going to be. Rescues are full of dogs from people who were young and in college and THOUGHT they knew because it is hard to imagine the changes coming your way soon.
  • J

    Looking for Mississippi basenji

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    M
    Hi, we live in Northeast Arkansas and have two basenjis. We would be happy for you to come up sometime and play with our two favorite kids. When I go to google maps it looks like you are about four and a half hours away from us. If you are really interested please feel free to contact me and we can set it up. We love to share our experiences with our basenjis. We were even on the front page of a newspaper recently because of our b's. Wherever we go we always get to talk about our basenjis and we LOVE it.
  • D

    Looking at a Basenjis puppy

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    agilebasenjiA
    I think invis fencing is a bad idea for any dog. I've heard the Blaze story about an Aussie too. And in this day and age, with this economy, I've heard stories about people stealing dogs for ransom or worse things.
  • L

    I don't own a basenji, but I'm looking for info…

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    L
    Oh WOW, you guys are sooooo helpful. Thanks DDS for the link, that was especially helpful. I'm just intrigued with this breed for some reason, and I'm not sure why. Reading what all of you have to say is better that the typical things that you read on the computer. They all just repeat the same thing over and over where as all of you can give me personal experiances. I know all puppies are a lot of hard work, but compared to other dog (which I see some of you have had other breeds) are they actually a lot tougher? All pups like to chew and get into trouble but are they especially hard to train. Lets say with housebreaking and such? Oh and for all of you that have cats too, do they stay out of the kitty box or are the prone to make there way there, if you catch what I'm saying. I read they they are very clean and often times will clean themselves like a cat does. Really? And they are aloof like cats? Soooo much info and I would rather hear all of this from you than get false info. HELP!!