Basenji's and new dogs … the gentle giant type

[karenlm777]

I have a friend who has a basenji, he (the friend) will be caring for my two great pyerenese for a weekend at his house … a female at 115 lbs and a male at 170 lbs ... both very gentle with other animals (they instinctively care for small animals ... and animals that have been injured). My male has epilepsy and is on some heafty meds, which makes him a bit slow at times ... he has also recently injured his ACL ... so is limping at the moment. Both of mine are fixed ... but my friend's B. is not.

Do y'all have any tips on introducing the animals. I was thinking away from the B.'s home would be a good start ... then again on his own territory. I'm not sure how a typical B. will take to an invasion of 285 lbs of dog invading his territory.

Any feedback from y'all will be greatly appreciated.

[WBL]

I would say on neutral territory first, then at your dogs home and then another day at the basenji's home. Best thing (hopefully there is time) is get the dogs used to each other, since your dogs are calm there should not be an issue. I take my boxer everywhere my basenji goes, and often I have seen the other basenjis take to my boxer and not to my basenji, part might be because my boxer is neutered and my basenji isn't. I don't know but just with my experience basenjis seem to take bigger calm dogs quicker than another basenji.

[karenlm777]

@WBL:

I would say on neutral territory first, then at your dogs home and then another day at the basenji's home. Best thing (hopefully there is time) is get the dogs used to each other, since your dogs are calm there should not be an issue. I take my boxer everywhere my basenji goes, and often I have seen the other basenjis take to my boxer and not to my basenji, part might be because my boxer is neutered and my basenji isn't. I don't know but just with my experience basenjis seem to take bigger calm dogs quicker than another basenji.

This is good advice … unfortunately my friend lives on the way to my mom's ... which is three states away. :eek: I will be travelling with the dogs and spending a few hours at my friend's house. So they will be meeting the day they are left at my friend's home.

In lieu of that ... any other words of wisdom rom those of you familiar with the breed?

Thanks!

[WBL]

Okay, slight change. The basenji may be a little vocal/snappy when he meets your dogs, it's something very common to the breed, the basenji snappy is not the same as a normal dog, they are also VERY vocal and may be when meeting your dogs.

[agilebasenji]

My brindlewonderkid had a Gr8 Pyr friend that he absolutely loved! I always wanted to borrow the Pyr in the winter so my boy would have someone to cuddle with when it got cold. First think you could do is take everyone for a walk, even a short one. Have you read/seen any of Turid Rugaas' work?

[Quercus]

I would make sure that your friend has a plan in place in case the Basenji *doesn't want to share his home, also. He needs to be prepared to keep the dogs separately if need be.

[sharronhurlbut]

b's are very much like their people, some dogs they like, some they do not.
Slow intros and long walks with lots of pee sniffing does help the process.

[jys1011]

We use basket muzzles for introductions to see how they react. It gives them a chance to smell get "acquainted" safely. If all goes well meaning nice sniffing of butts & side hellos (never face to face) & some chasing around are all good signs. Stiffnes, face to face stares, growls are not good signs.

[karenlm777]

@WBL:

Okay, slight change. The basenji may be a little vocal/snappy when he meets your dogs, it's something very common to the breed, the basenji snappy is not the same as a normal dog, they are also VERY vocal and may be when meeting your dogs.

Yes, I am assuming he will be this way. I'm not sure how my 2 will interpet it though. The male always views high pitched vocals as a distress call, and will come to the rescue … attempting to cleans and groom the animal he thinks is crying. (I got him a squeaky toy to take care of because of this side of his nature.;) )

My female loves to sniff all animals, cats included. She found a friend's cat in the house while we were visiting, and was tickled pink that she found a new friend. The cat of course was hissing and ready to pounce (probably scared to death). After getting her sniff in, my girl turned to leave, and the cat attacked her hindquarters as she was walking away. She immediately turned to face the cat, laid down, apparently to be more on it's level, and whimpered these high pitched barks as if to say, "I just want to be your friend! Why did you do that?"

Another time, a jack russell attacked her 4 times within a 10 minute period. He kept going for her densly fur covered throat. (He may have weighed all of 20 lbs.) She final gave hime a warning growl ... which scared me! Fortunately that was the end of it.

It may be best to allow him to approach without being on a lease ... and keep mine leashed (maybe two seperate walks with just one of my beasts at first, then one with both). That way he can sniff when he's ready. Mine are huge, and because of that, can be rather intimidating to a smaller dog if they approach to smell before he is ready.

Thank you for the walk posts ... good thoughts ... and I will look into the muzzle thing.

Blessings!

[WBL]

My Boxer sounds like your female (well for small animals) he met a little Chi and it did the same thing you described about the JRT, Reggie didn't growl back at it he just kept looking at him like "WTF are you?"

I think the two separate walks idea is a good one. With your two being mellow it should be okay, GP's are pretty easy going dogs (I grew up around one)

[etzbseder]

My parents have a mutt mix with bernese mountain dog. Every time I go to their house and let Medjai out in the back yard, he growls and snaps at him. Medjai quickly warms up and I would simply recommend that you get the dogs outside, on leash in the front yard to meet the B. It's part of the neutral ground thing. Medjai simply tries to take control right away.