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Getting a basenji, but...

Basenji Talk
  • A

    I’m planning on getting a basenji. I’ve done tons of research and I think I am prepared! I have discussed it with me whole family (mom, dad, and young brother of 10) about everything and we are all willing to pitch in and make sure that he gets his exercise. The only matter is that my mom does not want him inside ALL the time. During his first year, he will be living inside and we will take him outside for potty training every hour or so. Once he gets older, he CAN still be inside when we are home, but he will be outside when we have family over or when we are out and cannot bring him a long. He will sleep inside and outside, wherever he prefers. My dad is making him a house outside for him to chill in and it will have a fan/ac so that he does not over heat in the sun. What do you guys think? Is it ok for a basenji to be outside for about 6-7 hours a day?

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  • KembeK

    Basenjis want to be near “their people”. We become part of their pack. My basenji watches everything I do and wants to be “part of the family”. She knows EVERYTHING that goes on in this house. You might want to reconsider getting a basenji unless you are able to fully accommodate the dog. My basenji does have access to a doggie door - but I would NEVER leave her outside alone 6-7 hours even w/ the accommodations you mention. Having a basenji is like having a 3 year old CHILD - it’s a LIFETIME COMMITMENT! And it’s our responsibility to give the Basenji the BEST possible life it deserves. The basenjis will give back to you more than you’ll ever given them.

    A 1 Reply
    7
  • eeeefarmE

    As noted, Basenjis like to be with their people. Most I have known would not be happy to be stuck outside alone for hours at a time. What can work is to have two of them.....my girls would spend hours in the dog run, especially on sunny days, and wouldn't lobby to come in as long as the weather was good. But when I only had one, the dog run was never a solution and after the "necessary" was dealt with, the dog wanted back in the house with us. I don't think your plan is likely to work out unless the Basenji you get is unusually independent. A Basenji with access to a dog door might choose to be outside, but if the choice is taken away you have a whole new ballgame!

    "In order to get along with a Basenji, you have to be at least half as smart as the dog!"

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  • A

    @kembe Thank you so much for the feedback. I think you are right, I might just wait until I have my own place and I am able to provide him the space and company he needs!!

    KembeK 1 Reply
    6
  • tanzaT

    As noted this will not work for a Basenji. They need to be with the family... and honestly from a responsible breeder they would not place a pup with you and as a breeder I would not either. Yes that is harsh... but it is a fact... and again honestly... not dog would be happy outside like that... and as eeeefarm said, a home with a doggy door that they can come and go works...

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    6
  • A

    @tanza I agree! It is essential and I definitely look forward to installing one if I ever get a dog in the future! Thank you!

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  • KembeK

    @alicia-oro
    I commend you in asking the right questions and showing the responsibility to inquire about basenjis on this forum. It shows great maturity and responsibility. When the time is right - you will have a basenji and you will be a great basenji parent.Some things in life are all about timing. - you’ll know when the time is right. Best wishes in your future ownership of a basenji.🐾🐕❤️

    3
  • A

    @kembe Thank you! I believe that having a dog, more specifically a puppy, is a great responsibility and should not be some sort of impulse decision. Although I do hope that that day is not too far!😁

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  • ZandeZ

    @alicia-oro I panicked when I read your first post and was about the scream NO ! but I am behind (or in front of, whichever way you look at it) US time zones, and as I read further I see others have dissuaded you from having a Basenji and keeping him in the way your mother would have it.

    Wise and kind decision. That sort of life is not for one of this exciting and challenging breed and I am delighted you will wait till you can treat one as he/she deserves.

    May that time come soon - Good luck

    Sally Wallis

    Zande Basenjis

    www.zandebasenjis.com

    https://pedigrees.zandebasenjis.com

    SKYPE zandeuk

    4
  • M

    Basenjis are smart, just put in a doggy door and he can care for himself.

    1
  • M

    on the heat of the sun???? Basenji love the heat. If you had a fireplace, it will be within inches of the hot logs.

    1

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    @jordandwilly - Thanks for clearing that up.... 9-5 is just fine, IMO.... I work and have always had to leave mine when I was at work, never an issue. That said, we were able to set up the house that access to the backyard (with 10 to 12' privacy fences) with a doggy door and a dog room in the house for them, Locks on the gates so there is NO access for anyone. Dogs sleep 90% of the day so being at work doesn't bother them... never have mine even when I had a litter in the house (And have been in the breed as owner/breeder for 35+ years). You can hire a dog walker to take them out mid day..which is a good solution. and give them a mid day meal depending on their age. I do not and never have used free feeding, period. Especially if you have more that one... you never know what/who is eating what. And you can set up camera's on line to watch them from "afar".... LOL. Keep in mind people that many of us need to work and have day jobs. The most important thing is the time you need to spend with them when you are home. Example would be, if you have young children and you work... when you get home you are going to spend your time with your human children... NO dog would be happy if left out... they need their time also because they are a family member and need as much time as a human child. Again in my opinion
  • ?

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    ?
    Wow! Somehow, I never got emails letting me know I had responses to this thread and just assumed there weren't any. But now that I'm back in the loop, I did want to thank everyone for their feedback and provide some thoughts of my own. That makes me laugh about the rescue person who wouldn't let young families or lawyers adopt her dogs. :-D I can understand her rationale from both perspectives. It's a compelling argument on her part about lawyers, but not all lawyers are the same, of course. I know a lot of extremely busy lawyers in large firms who struggle to hit their billable hour requirement each month. They're machines instead of people, and I wouldn't even let them dogsit my babies for fear of neglect. That's not my situation, fortunately. The young family part will be, but I've been thinking really carefully on how I'll balance this when the time comes. My dogs are my first children, and I would hire as many trainers as needed and try as many alternatives as I could before I would give them up. Unfortunately, I don't think a lot of people have that mindset about their dogs. :( I would absolutely be open to the idea of having the breeder choose a puppy for us based on their experience and prediction as to personality. All basenjis are gorgeous to me, and as long as the markings aren't completely off-base and I can get a tightly-curled tail (I've seen that the Avongaras can be lacking in this area, and I need a cinnamon bun in my life), personality is the most important thing. I wouldn't nitpick it to death. I'll have to decide on a breeder at some point, and I'd love one who's relatively local so I could visit. The man I got Penny from had great pet Basenjis that he bred… I'd like to go with a more reputable breeder this time around. At the very least, he tested for Fanconi. I can be grateful for that, as all is well so far and I more than likely dodged a bullet when I ended up with such a fantastic dog. My plan would be to decide and get on a waiting list far enough in advance that if there were a couple litters that just didn't produce what my family and I were looking for, we wouldn't be waiting forever. In short, what I'm banking on is that the right pup with the right personality will fit in pretty flawlessly. I know what sets my basenji off in other dogs, and I'm hopeful that I could find one that would suit her and suit our home. Daisy certainly worked out well for her, and I'd love to have that same success again. I've done three puppies in my lifetime, and all of them have grown up to be well-adjusted adults. I know what it takes, and I know it's hard work. I would never go the route of having an infant and a puppy at the same time (isn't THAT actually the definition of insanity?? ;) ), but I am still trying to shoot somewhere in the next 3-4 year range so my two aren't past ten and too old to handle a puppy.
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