I take Blaze into the senior's lodge to go visit Grandma (in a town of less than 300), sure enough, there's a gentleman there that knew what Blaze was. He was an archeologist back in his day. His last dig was in 1976 deep in the Congo, and he stayed with villagers and witnessed the hunts and the lives of the basenjis in the village.
He told me about one hunt.
The basenjis chase antelope into huge nets that are strung up in the forest like barriers. The nets are handmade with ropes and vines. Some of the hunters stay near the net and hide, the majority of the hunters take the basenjis to the water hole and wait. When the antelope arrived, they release the basenjis and chase behind almost soundlessly. You can really hear the gourd bells, which are mostly around the loins. The antelope hit the net and are shot with arrows. The basenjis have to get beaten off… they get a little too excited.
He has some amazing pictures. I'm trying to borrow his album to scan, but he's not comfortable with that idea.
He loves Blaze though and he knows the african word for the breed which I can never remember or pronounce.
Possible Basenji Mix?
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We lost our sweet 15-year-old rat terrier this week and our hearts are broken, of course. He was such a perfect friend. We got him when he was 9 1/2 months old from a backyard breeder who claimed he was full rat terrier. I met his dad, and he was a small guy, definitely a rat terrier. I didn't meet his mom, but saw a photo and she looked much bigger and much more like a basenji. He loved to snuggle under blankets, was a little grumpy on waking, somewhat aloof, but very affectionate, groomed himself like a cat each night. We eventually want another dog, and would love another whatever he was. Do the experts here think he could have some basenji in him, or is he most likely full rat terrier? I'll post a few pictures.
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Looks like a lot of basenji to me. BRAT (Basenji Rescue and Transport) is an excellent place to find one that needs rehoming. You could also contact the Basenji Club of America to find a breeder near you. Be aware that the new one won't be the same personality as the one you lost (how many times I've heard "well our old one was so ... why isn't this one the same"). Also read up on both breeds (rat terrier and basenji) to see if their characteristics really match what kind of companion you want.
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Looks very basenji to me! I am sorry for your loss.
You might contact CampBasenji or Brat for a rescue when you are ready. -
Thank you, Debra. He was such a wonderful guy and I'm so grateful I had so much time with him.
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Your baby looks exactly like my "Harry" who I had to put down this past Monday. He had all characteristics of a Basenji, tho I am pretty sure he was a rat terrier/basenji mix. (I wrote about him a few years back on this link:
https://basenjiforums.com/topic/15001/more-tales-about-harry-the-autistic-basenji-mix
We had him from about 8 weeks old until may 15th at 7:30 am.
What a crazy guy. Handsome as all get out. (I always told him that if there was such a magazine as "Handsome Dog magazine", he would be on every cover. I think the reason I am so heartbroken is that he was so hard to bond with and my wife and I took care of him almost like one takes care of an autistic child.
Well, I know this is 4 years late...but I am sorry for your loss and hope you found another like your beloved baby.
This is a pic of Harry after he lost over 20 lbs because of kidney disease.
![0_1621655159949_20210504_092729[1] (2).jpg](/assets/uploads/files/1621652933667-20210504_092729-1-2.jpg)
