Exercise Limits for Puppies
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@elbrant
I'm not sure I agree that it's too much, but I appreciate your caution and concern. I did not begin with 3 miles, but worked to it, after finding no evidence at shorter distances that there was any indication of excess. We don't go everyday, but as of now, once a week, but planning on twice a week. When we go, it's not non-stop, and it's pretty slow (not the pace at which I normally ride). I stop and assess every 1/4 mile or so to see if he's thirsty, tired, wants to stop and sit or laydown, etc. But he doesn't show any sign of wanting to stop. He starts going on his own. When we finish, he shows no sign of tiredness. I've taken him to the dog park after, and he still wants to play with other dogs for longer than we ride. -
I would assume that Basenji's, coming from Africa, Zaire or Congo, and being short-haired, tireless, doubles suspension trot, are genetically predisposed to handling heat better than most dogs, and this would be manifest in panting less, since panting is to dissipate heat. (Of course, as suggested, that doesn't mean this breed cannot get overheated, as indicated by those with experience seeing a "pinched" look when they appear hot.)
My cockapoo loved to run as we mountain biked, and of course, he panted up a storm. He loved to get into the creek or mudhole to cool off. Oddly, he would never drink a drop of water from a dish or bottle, only the creek (just a few laps), but drank mostly after getting home.
That basenji's would have higher tolerance for heat than most other breeds is an unsubstantiated assumption on my part based on info anyone can find on the internet, not from a peer-reviewed expert source. I can't seem to find any such books written specifically about the basenji. Suggestions?
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Most of my Basenjis had a high heat tolerance, the exception being the one I got when he was 3 years old and had lived in an air conditioned house. He didn't handle heat as well as the others, although he certainly could manage a hot day. But my girls, particularly, would lie in the sun on the hottest of days and almost never panted. They could and did run a long way on a hot day without showing signs of distress. I also think most Basenjis would look after themselves and let you know if they wanted to quit, unlike Border Collies, many of whom would work themselves to death if you aren't paying attention. Handlers at trials often have to send their dogs to water when they need it, although some dogs will head for the bathtub unbidden.
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@sanjibasenji Many years ago, a judge who thought he was being clever, had the bitch challenge class running around and around on the hottest day. He was surprised when someone, quite correctly, realised her Basenji was suffering and took her out of the ring.
Oh, laughed the stupid man, I thought Basenjis could stand the heat.
They can, retorted one exhibitor/handler, but they sunbathe in it, they are to sensible too race around in it.
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@zande said in Exercise Limits for Puppies:
@sanjibasenji Many years ago, a judge who thought he was being clever, had the bitch challenge class running around and around on the hottest day. He was surprised when someone, quite correctly, realised her Basenji was suffering and took her out of the ring.
Oh, laughed the stupid man, I thought Basenjis could stand the heat.
They can, retorted one exhibitor/handler, but they sunbathe in it, they are to sensible too race around in it.
Amusing anecdote, but could point to any evidence-based information that could be useful and reliable?
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@sanjibasenji Our first Basenji was a sun worshiper. He'd lay out on the concrete patio a good part of the day and just soak up the heat. As he got older, and especially after his stroke, I had to watch him closely. He became much more heat sensitive, but seemed unaware of it. The two newbies... can't quite tell just yet. They do sun, but not quite as much as the first. Might change. Who knows.
One thing I have heard, but have never bothered to fact check it is this: A Basenji's internal temperature runs about 2 degrees higher than most all other breeds. This adaptation allows them to tolerate hotter ambient temperatures better than most all other breeds; however, it's also responsible for their lower tolerance to colder ambient temperatures.
No idea if it's true. Can't recall if I heard it or read it.
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@eeeefarm said in Exercise Limits for Puppies:
But not tougher, trust me! My farm friend has had several Russells, they are tough as nails and punch way above their weight! Killing raccoons, for instance, and of course rats etc.
It's just size. We knew someone who almost lost their Jack Russel when a coyote grabbed him on the driveway (he got into the car, made chase, the dog fought, and the coyote dropped him). An adult Basenji, at maybe 10 more pounds, is too big for this.
Most of the coyotes where I am are around 30 pounds, too small to want to take on a medium dog directly, but they are pack animals and that's a different story. I've run into one or two greyhounds who had scars from when ambushed by coyotes while hunting them. (No comment on the judgement of their owners who thought hunting coyotes was a good idea).
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@donc We definitely have coyotes where I am. We hear them at night and occasionally see one or two on the trails in the early mornings. I read an article last week that said several SF Bay Area trails had been closed to all dogs because it's coyote pupping season and they didn't want pets killing the coyote pups. First time I've heard than one.
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@DonC, you may have noted that I wouldn't back either a JRT or a Basenji against a coyote. Apart from the likelihood of the coyote luring them into a pack ambush, even a solitary coyote can be a formidable opponent. I don't know where you live, but some of the ones I have seen are possible coyote/wolf or coyote/dog hybrids and go a bit heavier than what you indicated. Basenjis do best when they use their agility and speed but some are bloody minded and will take on an opponent in close combat before they realize their mistake. Our home grown Basenjis are a long way from the smarts of a village dog!
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@jengosmonkey
Interesting. I did notice that Sanji loves to hang out in the sun. Did not realize this was common to Basenji's. -
@sanjibasenji - I have Tri Basenjis along with Red/White, my Tris love to lay in the sun on hot concrete all hours of the day even in the heat of the day (90+ degress air Temp and the concrete is must hotters, as I would not walk on it without shoes)... When we course in 90+ weather, only at the end of the course they might be panting but that only lasts for about 2 or 3 minutes... and then it is over...
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That is sure evidence of their heat tolerance. My cockapoo would never have done that. Thank you for chiming in with this info.
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@sanjibasenji It was not funny at the time - the bitches in that Class were all suffering.
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@sanjibasenji said in Exercise Limits for Puppies:
That is sure evidence of their heat tolerance
Heat tolerance, perhaps. But be mindful that humidity will enter into the equation. Some of us live in rather arid conditions, and others in high humidity. And that will affect the dogs as well.
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@elbrant Yes - over here, humidity is normally very high, so it is a prickly, not a dry heat.
