We see a lot of bulldogs at the parks, and though they are darling as puppies, they grow up into, well…., bulldogs. They have trouble breathing and make wretched noises, they rarely run and play, can't take the heat, most can't swim, they are very heavy and sink like a rock, you really have to keep them relatively slim to keep them active.
If you want a sleek, active dog to run with you or snooze with you, be clean and nice smelling and intelligent, basenji is the way to go
I think as long as you are a person who doesn't mind keeping things picked up, and you have the dedication to keep her occupied/supervised when you are home, I think you'll be fine. The biggest adjustment for me was just having to CONSTANTLY watch her…when we visit others' houses people think I am nuts cause I am constantly worried about where she is/what she is doing, but I have to be. If I don't she will get into trouble and either hurt herself/belongings of others, or both 
This can get VERY annoying at times, but other than that I love owning a basenji.
I think 750 a year is more than enough...again, provided you have no disasters/unforseen circumstances.
As for finding one that is crate trained, the person/organization you are getting your basenji from should be able to tell you if yours is, I did no crate training, she already came that way so I don't have much advice there...I would just take your time, not get the first one you find available, but look for one that has the mood/temperment/quality you are looking for. Some are loud, some are quiet, some are destructive, some are not...you get the picture. Think of what is important to you, and find a basenji that has those things.
As for spending time with one, that seems like a great idea! Look for owners/breeders in your area and try to make a visit. I don't know what part of Michigan you are in, but if you are in the UP, I am in eastern WI (hr south of Green Bay) and if you'd ever be in the area you'd always be welcome to visit...unlikely you are in my area, but just thought I'd throw it out there.
Good luck, let us know how it turns out!
Gosh a bulldog vs. a basenji, quite the difference there as far as athleticism. I really like being able to take my dogs on hikes…The forum member "andrew" and I used to take our four basenjis on a five mile hike pretty regularly and I loved that. We'll hopefully start that up again once it warms up.
As far as crating goes, we have been pretty lucky. Now that we have a pup that can't be trusted to be alone, we crate them together in a huge wire crate when we're gone. We try to make it reasonably comfy in there, without breaking the bank. At some point Liz and I realized that we had transitioned to the dogs crating very willingly on command. I think a big part of that was we had 1/2 consciously gotten into a routine of giving them a particular treat for crating and only crating. The crate treat. So we were sort of like we don't know when or how exactly that happened but it's pretty awesome. They just sleep and sleep in there. As long as they're together they're fine (not being so fine alone is another issue, but we rarely need to crate just one of them alone). But I highly recommend the crate treat. Some other members have mentioned hiding the treats in the crate in the bedding so that the dogs couldn't wait to get in and find them.
Let us your know how your search goes.
Jylly18… I WANT YOUR DOG lol
but how often can i fine a basenji with the ability to stay in their crate all day?
Actually, I don't think it is a hard as it may sound. It is nice if you can provide them with a bigger space when you are gone but really for the most part all they do when your not home is sleep. Mine were crated from about 8am to 5pm, sometimes I could go home for lunch and sometimes I couldn't, when I was living in the duplex we rented when I finished school. The real key to keeping them happy is that they are getting lots of quality time with us when we are home. Mine were getting 20 minute walks every morning and 1 - 1.5 hour walks every evening when they were crated during the day. They also sleep in bed with us so they aren't getting any additional crate time. Now that we own our home we don't crate as much.
I would also echo a previous comment about contacting a breeder in your area. Even if you end up with a rescue dog instead, a good breeder is a font of unending knowledge and will help give you tips.
I would also echo this comment. Several breeders I have contacted regarding puppies have been extremely helpful. A few have even offered to help me get more involved with the breed (lure coursing, etc.) even if I didn't get a dog from them. So I would encourage you to talk to several breeders.
Yes talking to breeders would be the key… from what ive seen.
Thanks again everyone for the advice... now my plan is to investigate the money spent a year... (being i am in college)
and i need to find plans for when im in season for football... Family, friends, girlfriend, brother, cousins all in the area and likely willing to help
Thank you and from what ive seen a read this is the dog that i want!
This is funny… We got a bulldog at first, but within the first week, the vet said it would need $3K laser eye surgery and it also bit through it's lip because of it's underbite. What a health wreck! The breeder accepted the dog back... so sad. 
But good for me, Basenji's definitely suit me better!!
Yeah i dont like the bulldog's i need something more active…
Have you thought about maybe looking at a rescue since you'd prefer a older dog? With this you could also try the foster route for a bit to see how a basenji would work with you for a bit.
Here's the link to BRAT (Basenji Rescue and Transport); they often have many dogs that are also not listed on the site.
http://www.basenjirescue.org/
Best of luck on your searchfor a basenji 
Fostering might get you in to the reality of owning a b.
I think going to BRAT and asking to foster would be the way to go.
If you like the dog you foster, you can always adopt it.
