Skip to content

Advice on Basenjis

Basenji Talk
  • Hey all,

    My wife and I have decided we'd like to get a puppy and have filled in every form of breed quiz available and have watched enough youtube dog videos to last a lifetime in order to try and find the right breed. Basenjis look like an amazing breed, but I wanted to get some advice from existing owners before comitting.

    My wife and I live in a 2 bed apartment in the heart of London, no garden. We do have a big park right next to us, like literally a 1 minute walk.

    I own a small design studio of about 10 people and I would take the dog with me to work each day (20 min single journey). At the office we would have plent of people to give him attention, but people would need to be able to get on with their jobs without the little guy being too needy... Otherwise I would have to leave him at home, which I dont really want to do. At lunch we could walk him as well as there is a park right next to the studio as well.

    My main concerns are, is it possible to have a basenji as an office dog and that he can entertain himself for the full day in a 1600 sq ft office, without being to distracting / mental.

    Also will the Basenji cope in our gardenless apartment?

    Thanks guys,
    All advice is gladly accepted!

    Marvin

  • Hello!
    Basenjis are not needy dogs. Some would call them cold. They like their pack (family) and are cordial to others. Of course there are exceptions to every rule. We had Basenjis in a 1 bedroom Condo in the heart of the city. 3 good walks a day and they were fine.
    I think if you crate train your dog and take some time during office hours for a walk and play time you should have no problems. Special toys and chewies that are only used at the office would be a good idea.

  • I think a Basenji would be much happier at the office with you than home alone. That said, a puppy of any breed will be a bit needy and possibly disruptive until they learn the rules and adjust to settling down at "work". A mature Basenji would likely enjoy the arrangement, but you need to have a strategy to get through the puppy stage. You also have to take precautions to ensure your pup doesn't get out the door at the office, so people would have to be clued in and careful. Some Basenjis are escape artists!

  • An apartment would not be a problem if you give your B plenty of exercise and nose time. Also, the office would be great, but do realise that dogs need a lot of sleep, not only puppies. Our 2 sisters (7 and 6) sleep all night and most of the day. So your B would need a quiet space in the office to retreat and sleep. Agree with eeeefarm: puppy time is extra intensive, but so much fun. Try to be with your B as much as possible. Enjoy!

4/4

27 Feb 2017, 13:30

Suggested Topics

  • Basenji for me or not ?

    Moved Basenji Talk 14 Oct 2021, 22:03
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    1k Views
    @planetsaver said in Basenji for me or not ?: Will be a problem to leave him alone, let's say 10 days / month an average of 9 hours a day. Also I do not want to have to much trouble with the neighbours, but I understand he can make some noise sometimes, maybe he can be trained to stay alone and not to bark that much. Why would you even think about training a hunting hound to stay home alone ? I would never let my Basenjis alone for more than 4 hours, and even that is very rare. 3 hours is absolute maximum. Like @tanza, I have sold puppies into apartment environments as long as all other boxes ticked positive. Someone there all the time, proper attention to training, not just leaving the dog alone, especially not as a puppy. btw, he won't bark at all. As you would know if you had really researched the breed. He will cry and scream but not bark ! No. At least you are asking questions but I really think you should find another breed.
  • basenji

    Basenji Talk 22 Feb 2020, 16:13
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    2k Views
    Last I heard, the Breed Club secretaries had more people waiting or wanting pups than were available . You could get on a list for a Basenji next winter but I very much doubt you will find one still unsold. Go to the website of the BCGB, or the Northern Basenji Society as you are in the North and you will find email addresses of the secretaries. They will put you in touch with breeders who may be planning a litter for puppies to become ready to leave the nest in about a year's time. Its a long wait I know, but you have most probably missed the boat for now. You are welcome to post me privately. Good luck!
  • 0 Votes
    32 Posts
    17k Views
    @donc Hi, I decide to have girl. But not yet find right one! I am trying to be careful for choose breeders. I think December is best time for new puppy.
  • 0 Votes
    10 Posts
    16k Views
    @EMurata said in Advice for potential basenji owner: The "weather permitting" part of your statement wont work with a Basenji. My dog doesnt care if its 100 degrees out or 10, she needs constant exercise. If outside exercise isn't available for whatever reason, mental exercise is a good substitute. Basenjis are very clever and if you keep their minds busy it often serves to minimize or avoid destructive behaviour. You are not going to wear a fit Basenji out by walking him or her a couple of hours a day, but I have seen them perfectly content to kick back and relax after half an hour of demanding mental exercise! Clicker training can be useful here.....
  • 0 Votes
    67 Posts
    57k Views
    @Cafu LOL on cutting leash.. I am certain they have retractable scissors in their gums. I have had mine cut leashes and cut straps to clothing that were so smooth, nothing else but scissors explains it (okay or razor blades). Which is why I put these on the collars... snap/ o ring, chain, o ring, leash [image: 1508253202524-leash.jpg]
  • 0 Votes
    11 Posts
    6k Views
    I got 2 females, looks like already they get well along, but sometimes not so well. Be safe and get the opposite..