She's adorable! Her behaviour/movement sure sounds basenji, her weight Isn't that far off either...she also has white on all 4 legs, and her color is right--I'd say mix! Don't listen to Tanza, She's a breeder so she can't admit a mix can be the best of both worlds : D
Thank you for that. It made me smile.
@yodelma said in Basenji or...not?:
Don't listen to Tanza, She's a breeder so she can't admit a mix can be the best of both worlds : D<<
That's an insult, however jokingly said, to Tanza and all breeders. Yes, breeders can see a mix as being a superb dog. That doesn't mean we don't look at them sadly knowing the irresponsible owners that created them. Tanza has seen a basenji mix at times I didn't and vice versa. Sometimes an opinion is just an opinion.
Debra
@yodelma - Seriously? This could certainly be a mix with lots of different breeds.. Portuguese Podengo comes to mind, http://www.podengos.com, especially the smooth Medio. This is a hound just like Basenjis and a sighthound... so behaviors would certainly be simular
Hi. I truly appreciate your input and I never intended my inquiry to cause a fuss. As I said before, we adopted Addie from our local animal shelter and know full well she isn't full bred anything, but a big bundle of joy. She just has so many Basenji type quirks, I wanted to ask. I will check into the possibility of a DNA test just to cure my curiosity as well as check out the other breed you mentioned. She's only my second dog ever and our 8 year old son who has mild Asperger's with severe ADHD picked her out. They've been a perfect match for each other and in the end, for our purposes, she's perfect no matter how many breeds may be mixed in there. Thank you everyone, truly. This is a wonderfully helpful site with terrific people.
@heidiace Glad to hear that she has worked out so well for your son and your entire family. That is what matters most
@debradownsouth I apologize, but as a rescue advocate I've never once met a breeder who didn't treat "poor-bred' rescues and mixes with polite but palpable disdain. In my old age, I'm becoming less willing to watch breeders be curt and dismissive to newcomers. @ Tanza's comment says it all: She doesn't "see" basenji. Basenjis--and this forum--are about a lot more than looks.
@yodelma - Guess you have been meeting the wrong breeders, sad
@tanza Yes, she could be. Then again, she could also be part basenji. The OP wasn't looking for your Holy Basenji-Breeder Annointment of her dog as a purebred! She merely asked if, based on her dog's appearance and behaviour, she might have basenji blood. Is your self-image as a basenji breeder so fragile that you have to shoot down every newbie who wants info? This is a basenji forum--I thought all basenji lovers were welcome. You, ma'am, are a basenji snob!
@yodelma said in Basenji or...not?:
@tanza Yes, she could be. Then again, she could also be part basenji. The OP wasn't looking for your Holy Basenji-Breeder Annointment of her dog as a purebred! She merely asked if, based on her dog's appearance and behaviour, she might have basenji blood. Is your self-image as a basenji breeder so fragile that you have to shoot down every newbie who wants info? This is a basenji forum--I thought all basenji lovers were welcome. You, ma'am, are a basenji snob!<<<
You are abusive and certainly the one with a massive ego. Your entire spewing venom above and your sick attack on breeders indicate we've got an animal rights lunatic or simply someone so full of hate they are incapable of seeing how totally unacceptable their behavior is.
She gave her freaking opinion. How condescending you are to suggest the poster needs people to lie to her. "Shoot down?" She asked for opinions. She wants honest opinions, and how dare you make her sound like some mentally unstable person who will be crushed by someone saying they don't see basenji.
Talk about someone making a mt out of a mole hill! You and your blatant abuse and attacks on Pat and breeders is what is sickening . You don't give a rats rear end about the original poster! You just wanted the chance to twist anything into an excuse for your tirade.
You are one of the most willfully ignorant people ever to come here. Many breeders are the foundation of their breed rescues. Many of them provide funds to help rescue...even though they are not part of the problem. Responsible breeders will take their puppies back no matter how old they are. We had a local breeder offer to take back or totally fund the care for a grand puppy she didn't own that hit rescue. (The breeder was out of the country.) Get you blinders off. There are many good breeders who help rescues...and there are many rescues that are hoarders or scammers or abusive.
I am reporting you for harassment. 3 messages make it clear you are violating forum policy
@yodelma As a rescue advocate you should be very glad that there are so many caring and responsible breeders. My first B came from a pet shop, developed diabetes and had a very hard life health wise. He died of cancer at eleven years. My second and third are from a reputable breeder and the eldest is now eleven with very few health issues. If there were more responsible breeders and owners, the shelters would not be full of suffering animals who are caged.
@heidiace Sounds like your son is very smart and a basenji is the perfect match. The saying that in order to own a basenji you need to be at least half as smart as the dog is very true. Which is why people either love them or hate them.
Please don't think you have anything to do with the drama. Some people just wait for an excuse to pet their peeves.
We have some wonderful breeders here, many who do help rescue and none that look down on mixes. While those who rescue and/or breed hate the irresponsible folks who create badly bred dogs or mixed, that has nothing to do with the dogs or with the wonderful people who adopt them. It sounds like you found a wonderful addition to your family. If I can help in any way, let me know. I have friends who train therapy dogs and if there are things your dog could do that would help your son, let me know and I'll ask or put you in touch. My daughter got her Samoyed with a goal of teaching him to be a therapy dog to visit with the elderly or programs for special needs kids. Right now he's a wild year old boy but we hope he'll soon mellow. He already is very gentle with children.
Debra
With that description, and that photo, I'd say definitely a BASENJI mix.
Addie is very fortunate she gets to live with you!
Does she smell like a dog when wet? If not, that's some basenji DNA making its appearance.
Vickie Perrine
@dagodingo I'm sorry I have not responded sooner. Since getting Addie, I feel like I have a new full time job. 
I wholeheartedly agree with having to be at least half as smart...and one step ahead. I'm exhausted at the end of the day... sometimes, the middle of the day. I do feel more and more that she HAS to have some Basenji in there. She's so incredibly smart at what she wants to be smart at and VERY stubborn on things she has no interest in. To answer your question, she doesn't seem to smell like a dog, but I may be biased. Lol. Thank you so much for your time. It means a lot.
@rugosa Thanks so much for your input. I accidentally answered your question in a different response, but I don't think Addie smells like dog at all, but I may be biased. Lol.
We are very blessed to have found her regardless of what she is or isn't. She's been a great fit for our son. They're cuddled up together right now watching the Avengers together. That's all we wanted or could hope for. I appreciate everyone's opinions and encouragement. Thank you.
@debradownsouth Hi Debra. Thank you so much for the offer. I may take you up on it if our progress slows down or stops. Addie was jumping and puppy nipping/biting at our son for the first few weeks we had her. We tried ignoring and turning away and praising when she had 4 on the floor, "no jump", keeping her leash on so he could step on it to keep her down, etc. Nothing was working. One day about a week ago, I had enough and taught her "time out" to go to her crate as soon as she started. And she did. It took 5-6 tries and I think she's broken of the persistent, insistent need to clobber him. Now, do you or anyone else have suggestions, about how to get her to walk nicely? This is another challenge area. If we can get that under control, I feel life with 2 ADHD family members will drastically improve.
Thanks again for the offer to help with therapy training. That's very sweet of you.
@yodelma IMHO, I don't really "see" a Basenji either... now, a German Shepard Mix - definately! But, like I said, "in my honest opinion".
@heidiace said in Basenji or...not?:
@debradownsouth
Now, do you or anyone else have suggestions, about how to get her to walk nicely? This is another challenge area.
Teaching loose leash isn't hard, it just takes persistence. Having worked with feral dogs who had never been on a leash, I promise you can do it. The other things on her page can help your son. 
Clickers are remarkable for anyone who has issues with timing rewards to mark a behavior. But with you and a clicker, he can teach her most of these. Teaching helps to bond. Mary is wonderful and her instructions very clear. You can do the exercises with or without a clicker, but your son really may love the clicker part.
http://www.clickerlessons.com/index.htm
Lessons on left; behavior things on the right
Debra
@debradownsouth Thanks you so much. We'll give it a try.
