We rescued an 11 mo old (she is now 4) Basenji / Pointer mix that was confiscated in a Pit raid. From the moment we got her home I could see she was going to be very different from all the other dogs we have had. She was very cautious, without prompting and by her choice, stayed in the dog bed for the next 6 hours. She then got up walked around in front of us and the coffee table. For the next several minutes she just stared at us. We asked her what she wanted but she didn't respond. After waiting about ten minutes "without" taking her eyes off us, she squatted and began to pee. She quickly stopped and walked to the door to be let out. We just had our first training session.
She is a bit larger than the pure breeds at about 40+lbs with color and stature appearing normal but has speckling in her white. When excited or preying her tail tends to curl up about 45 degrees but not all the way. She also seems to have unusual control of it, being able to move just sections of it at a time. She grooms herself frequently. Didn't bark at first but made yodel sounds like she was talking. After several months of barking at her she began to mimic me but will usually only bark when startled or excited. Her prey drive and speed are fantastic, fun to observe. She even plays by herself like a cat, sometimes tossing toys in the air just to catch them and even shows creativity. She likes to take a racket ball, squeezing it in her teeth over and over getting right to the edge of her mouth and having it pop out scooting across the floor with her chasing it. She remembers where all her toys are even if we can't find them. Her sense of smell and eyesight are amazing. When spotting prey she first points like a pointer and then stealthily sneaks up like a cat, unless I say "go" and she's off like a bullet.
Pros: Trained very easily and even elaborates on her own. Loves all the kids in the neighborhood. Plays everything that any dog might do, fetch (for anything), swimming, chasing (squirrels, cats, lizards) but doesn't hurt them when caught (pointer traits). She even plays by herself like a cat and even shows creativity.
Cons: Sometimes just doesn't want to do it! You can give a request but she'll just stand there and look at you, defiantly, like a teenage girl. Wants to constantly be doing something but will relax when it's rest time. Her intensity when playing have caused her several injuries which have been expensive but other than that she has been completely healthy.
Overall: Her amazing personality draws other people's affection for which she returns in abundance. She has taken a hold of my heart far more than any other pet I've owned. I truly wish her mix could be a breed.
