Basenji - the second dumbest dog breed

[Alex]

Pat, you make a good point. We are better off keeping this breed unpopular, lot of people are not as nice and patient with animals when it comes to obedience.

[Ninabeana26]

Yea that does make sense. I know the first day in puppy kindergarten the other people looked at me & him like "wow that dog is crazy!" LOL. Although I must say, he got better & on our final exam had the highest markings with a 97%!!! The closest pup after him was a Golden with an 88%. Yea…my boy is a smarty pants & don't even TRY to tell me otherwise

[etzbseder]

Haha Nina, Medjai went through puppy and beginner training classes at Petsmart, and although he passed both of them, because he only wants to do things on his terms, most the other dogs did much better.

[agilebasenji]

I think it's best to keep our breed a secret. Lots of people want the "-est" (smallest, smartest, cutest, etc) in dogdom. Let 'em. I'll stick with my basenjis.

When people ask me if basenjis are smart, I always reply with "They're clever." That seems to explain it. My Zpuppy loves a good challenge. Other dogs in the house respect boundries, but to her they are just puzzles. And yes sirree bob, that's exactly what I wanted in my next agility dog. Smart? Oh yea, just not much bid-ability.

And, not that anyone has, but if anyone were to give me a hard time about my "dumb" dog, well, my dogs can stand on their own merits. I can sweetly (or smuggly) smile, point to Digital and say, "Well, he has over 20 titles to his name. How many does your dog have?"

[tanza]

@agilebasenji:

I think it's best to keep our breed a secret. Lots of people want the "-est" (smallest, smartest, cutest, etc) in dogdom. Let 'em. I'll stick with my basenjis.

When people ask me if basenjis are smart, I always reply with "They're clever." That seems to explain it. My Zpuppy loves a good challenge. Other dogs in the house respect boundries, but to her they are just puzzles. And yes sirree bob, that's exactly what I wanted in my next agility dog. Smart? Oh yea, just not much bid-ability.

And, not that anyone has, but if anyone were to give me a hard time about my "dumb" dog, well, my dogs can stand on their own merits. I can sweetly (or smuggly) smile, point to Digital and say, "Well, he has over 20 titles to his name. How many does your dog have?"

Amen… as they say.... Titles at both end of the name!!!!

[RockysWoman]

The Chicago Tribune did an article once about the most (and least) trainable dogs. Smartest article heading ever… IMO. And yes, Basenji's topped the least as one of the least trainable. But it is the only article where Basenji's were stated as often being too smart for their owners.

Oh how true. Let's keep this breed an unknown. At least then we know we have responsible breeders who are here to promote a healthy breed... and not in it for the fashionable money making aspects of this mis-understood dog.

[basenji3]

Agree with all. We have seen many of these surveys over the years and have really just laughed. My husband has said the same as many have said, they didn't get to be one of the oldest breeds by being stupid. Also we have always said don't let disney ever make a movie about them because everyone will then want one and that could be disaster to our beloved breed.
Our breed is just smarter than the the surveyors.

[elena86]

I know that I'm very protective of our breed. Maybe I'm just being an elitist, but I don't want "just anybody" getting a basenji. I'm often stopped on the street while walking Senji by people who comment how good looking he is. They ask me what kind of dog he is and if he's friendly. I immediately tell them that he's not friendly with strangers…I can see that these people are ready to reach over and pet him before I answer. Even if someone knows that they're a "barkless dog", I tell them that they are a lot of work and need frequent exercise, or else they become destructive. I also tell them that this isn't the type of dog you can leave tied out in the back yard all day.
It's really a shame that people don't research a dog breed before they go out and get one. They spend more time researching info on a new cell phone!

[agilebasenji]

@RockysWoman:

The Chicago Tribune did an article once about the most (and least) trainable dogs. Smartest article heading ever… IMO. And yes, Basenji's topped the least as one of the least trainable. But it is the only article where Basenji's were stated as often being too smart for their owners.

yes, that is what this list really boils down to - trainablity. But honestly, and I don't tell people this very often, I don't find my basenjis harder to train than my malinois. The basenjis are more distractable, but that's not really their fault, I view that as a challange for me. And I've found it harder to motivate the basenjis. The mal and our lab (RIP) were willing to work for lower value items (ball!!! or kibble or even just praise) but the basenjis need something more (meatballs, chicken, liverwurst). The other thing to take into account is that the Coren list was based on a survey he sent to trainers (and maybe others, I don't remember). And honestly, depending on the training methods used, it's no wonder the basenjis and Afghans ended up at the bottom of the list. I'd venture basenjis would be almost totally untrainable if the trainer were using harsher methods (old school methods) of training.

[tanza]

@elena86:

I know that I'm very protective of our breed. Maybe I'm just being an elitist, but I don't want "just anybody" getting a basenji. I'm often stopped on the street while walking Senji by people who comment how good looking he is. They ask me what kind of dog he is and if he's friendly. I immediately tell them that he's not friendly with strangers…I can see that these people are ready to reach over and pet him before I answer. Even if someone knows that they're a "barkless dog", I tell them that they are a lot of work and need frequent exercise, or else they become destructive. I also tell them that this isn't the type of dog you can leave tied out in the back yard all day.
It's really a shame that people don't research a dog breed before they go out and get one. They spend more time researching info on a new cell phone!

Yes, especially the "barkless" part… as tends to have people think they are mute... NOT... but the same goes for people with allergies that have the notion that they don't shed... again ... NOT

[Ninabeana26]

@tanza:

Yes, especially the "barkless" part… as tends to have people think they are mute... NOT... but the same goes for people with allergies that have the notion that they don't shed... again ... NOT

Yea I learned the allergy part the hard way!!! LOL. Not that I love the breed any less but they are certainly not as many try to describe them as. Whenever people recognize him they typically say "oh he doesn't bark!" My response is always "well no barks but certainly not mute by any means! he is a VERY verbal dog just take away the woofs!" When people say "oh they don't shed do they? I laugh & say, "see my clothes?" or "you should come into our house & say that….after sitting in doggy hair all over the sofa!" :p

I agree that we should keep our breed special because they are unique & certainly not for everyone. Dogs in the spotlight, for whatever reason, end up having way more problems with BYBs, puppymills, & having to be put down. I think this is the same discussion that was had when someone posted that bull dogs made it to the top of the 10 most popular dogs this year...?

[basenjishunt]

Personally. I hope most people think that Basenjis are dumb, hard to train, destructive, genetically "messed up"..etc etc. I hope to never see one on the cover of a dog magazine, or in one! This will keep the breed safe for us. Just being selfish.:D -Tim

[Robin_n_Jack]

I think both of the linked articles are talking about obedience and how long it takes them to get a command right. Irritating isn't it. I'd love to see one their "smartest" dogs unzip my lunch box, or pull a footstool over to get into my trash, or open my closet door to get at my fur lined boots (grrr about that one).

Plus, I am here to tell you, once my Jack has a commend, he doesn't forget it. He will sit 8 out of 10 times I ask him to. The other 2 times, well, there is probably something much more exciting to smell somewhere else. And how can I blame him for that?

I agree, I don't want basenji to be the next designer dog, but I don't want anyone saying my dog is stupid.

[Duke]

I have to think that if a Basenji is found and quickly identified as the breed it is, the animal would more likely have a better life, so the ones acquiring the found dog would be able to do a quicker search for the breed temperment and advisable training techniques. In my own experience having Duke for 4 months before I found out what he was, experiencing all the misbehaving, bad dog behavior - that if I wasn't a good dog person, he could have easily been discarded or worse - beaten into submission and starved for punnishment by someone else's lack of humane intelligence. We know it happens to innocent living creatures. :mad:

So, that is the reason I wish that the Basenji breed is more well known and identifiable. Let the informed make decisions about the challenges and rewards to own one of their own.

[basenjishunt]

Jill,
I respectfully disagree….More popularity means more uninformed people getting "b's" because "they're cool looking", or "cute". This will lead to more being given up when people realize they are not Golden Retrievers in temperment. Plus lots of new puppy mills would start up to meet "demand".
It would be a nightmare:eek:

[tanza]

@Duke:

I have to think that if a Basenji is found and quickly identified as the breed it is, the animal would more likely have a better life, so the ones acquiring the found dog would be able to do a quicker search for the breed temperment and advisable training techniques. In my own experience having Duke for 4 months before I found out what he was, experiencing all the misbehaving, bad dog behavior - that if I wasn't a good dog person, he could have easily been discarded or worse - beaten into submission and starved for punnishment by someone else's lack of humane intelligence. We know it happens to innocent living creatures. :mad:

So, that is the reason I wish that the Basenji breed is more well known and identifiable. Let the informed make decisions about the challenges and rewards to own one of their own.

Jill,
Isn't Duke a Jack(/Parson) Russell Terrier/B mix? And from my experience, Terriers can and are just as "demanding" and difficult as what a Basenji can be. Because Terriers are bred to do a job, as are sighthounds (and scent hounds) they are all very independent…. I know lots of Jack/Parson Terriers that are pretty over the top... and are way more work than a Basenji.... Again, both breeds (IMO) are a challenge.

Same with your other cutie... Beagle/B mix is just as much of a challenge as a Beagle and/or Basenji

[Duke]

@basenjishunt:

Jill,
I respectfully disagree….More popularity means more uninformed people getting "b's" because "they're cool looking", or "cute". This will lead to more being given up when people realize they are not Golden Retrievers in temperment. Plus lots of new puppy mills would start up to meet "demand".
It would be a nightmare:eek:

Well, not necessarily - because popularity brings to light information. People would then know Basenji's are not the docile, people pleasing Golden Retriever and instead know they are a stubborn handful, best for folks that love a challenge. But I do agree that if in fact an increase in puppy mills would result, then keeping it quiet is best.

I came upon Duke very quickly. If I knew he was a Basenji, had the opportunity to dive into researching this breed before I got him, I probably would have passed on him. I was more of the Retriever, Golden, Yellow, Black lab kind of person. The longer I had him, the more I loved him - even as mean as he was when a puppy. Thankfully - this forum brought me so much information and help in training him - I am now a Basenji gal.

[Duke]

@tanza:

Jill,
Isn't Duke a Jack(/Parson) Russell Terrier/B mix? And from my experience, Terriers can and are just as "demanding" and difficult as what a Basenji can be. Because Terriers are bred to do a job, as are sighthounds (and scent hounds) they are all very independent…. I know lots of Jack/Parson Terriers that are pretty over the top... and are way more work than a Basenji.... Again, both breeds (IMO) are a challenge.

Same with your other cutie... Beagle/B mix is just as much of a challenge as a Beagle and/or Basenji

Well - not positive about the Jack part of him - though I know he is a mix. He has been seen by reputable breeders who see his obvious Basenji blood. I am guessing he might have the Jack in his mix because he is an avid jumper with squatter legs than Basenji. And OMG - yes overwhelmed by his "over the top" awful behavior when we brough him home at appx 12 weeks old. He seemed so untrainable the 1st four months. Then once I was clued in on his breed type - training him was like magic. Before, like a lab, I thought he'd just learn from repetitive words. As I learned quickly from here it's that "treats-treats and more treats" positive reinforcement that is the absolute trick.

But again - I wished that he was a more identifiable breed. Would have helped me and probably others if I/we knew sooner.

[tanza]

IMO, dog people in general understand that any pup and especially a hound or terrier is work…. my feeling is that people in general that get a dog do not understand this and think they are all "Lassie" types and just come that way... I know from the pups I that I have placed that regardless of how many times you try and explain... it never "sinks in" till that pup is home with them and then it is like... "WOW, I didn't realize all that"?..... "now I see what you mean".. "I would have never guessed all that from reading about them"....
So I am not so sure that people would or do really listen, nor would they really read to understand... again why responsible breeders are so important...
For me, I am glad they are not popular..... and hope they never become the "dog of the month"

[Duke]

I wouldn't want Basenji's to be "popular" either. Known about enough so that veterinarians are educated and able to identify the breed. Duke was seen by 3 different vets in his first 2 months with me - all of them were clueless of his breed type. He was under anesthesia being neutered when I got confirmation from Basenji Companions of his breed type. I immediately called the vets office to find out what kind of anesthesia he was under. Thankfully, he was on Isoflorene. We had the vet record changed from Border Collie mix - to Basenji - to Basenji-mix in his first year.