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I think I have a Basenji!

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  • We adopted our dog Ziggy from a shelter about 7 months ago, and we adore him to bits! His breed(s) has always been shrouded in mystery. The vets, shelter volunteers, and I guessed Aussie Shep X with maybe Beagle or Corgi?
    Today I was just browsing around the internet as people do, and came across a Basenji picture randomly, and had a bit of a Eureka moment. I feel kind of silly, because I should have known better. I worked at a busy dog daycare for several years, and have come across Basenji's before, but just never put two and two together until today.
    I've spent an hour or two this morning looking up Basenji characteristics, temperament, etc. and I'm becoming more sure by the moment. He is obviously mixed, with something bigger, heavier, and slightly longer haired; perhaps some kind of Shepherd or Lab? He is about 55lbs. He has a deeper 'baroo', and seldom barks, preferring to do his howly sounding noise. He has the forehead wrinkles, high prey drive for little creatures like lizards (but is good with our cats), despises water, and his front two toes are fused.

    As far as an introduction, my name is Melanie. I'm a stay-at-home mom and have two beautiful daughters aged 6 years and 5months, two cats including a Manx, and of course the aforementioned Ziggy! We live in New Mexico currently (but I'm Canadian).

    So what do you guys think? Do I have a Basenji (mix)?

    0_1485635346708_ziggyshelter1.jpg
    (Ignore the dirtiness. This is his picture from the shelter.)

    0_1485635408346_ziggyshelter.jpg

    0_1485635426746_ziggypark.jpg

    0_1485635435482_ziggycache.jpg

    0_1485635448451_ziggycone.jpg

    I have far more pictures... but I just got a new phone and need to upload from my old one.

  • What an adorable dog! I am not seen much basenji, but you could find out more by doing a Wisdom panel. They aren't cheap, but rated as pretty much the best out there.

    The cloven toes has teen a topic here before. Consensus being many of us have seen them, but not the standard nor on all of them.
    https://basenjiforums.com/topic/1787/cloven-paws/2

    Nothing in the basenji standard about it, but 2 of my 3 had them.
    https://www.basenji.org/BasenjiU/Breeder/TheStandard/Forequarters.html

  • Cute, but I don't see Basenji

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  • Do you think my new girl is a Basenji mix??

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    Scarlet is a cutie whatever she is! If you have a real interest in learning what she is, I would recomment wisdompanel.com - there you will find a site that will send you swabs for her cheeks, then will later on send you a report showing everything that is in her, and how much of each - it goes back five generations and the reports are wonderful. I know I sound like a commercial, but we sent off to find out what our Gemma was mixed with, and found she is basenji all the way on one side, and sheltie on the other, with a little collie thrown in three generations back. Because the reports send along information about what the breeds personalities are, it's really easy now to see when Gemma is being sheltie-ish and when she's being basenji, which is mainly when she's interacting with her PB sister. Good luck with Scarlet, and welcome! I think you can also pick up the DNA kits from wisdompanel at PetSmart, or so someone told me.
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  • Basenjis in India!!!!!

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    I'm sorry for the loss of your dear Basenjis. Losing a pet is so difficult. I hope this site helps you through the transition. Welcome.