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Questions from potential new owner

Basenji Talk
  • KanangaK

    I think it greatly depends on the dog. I've read many differences here of Basenjis. I expected my B to be destructive, noisy, not wanting to go outside while raining/snowing, etc. But I found the exact opposite.

    He only makes noises briefly at times. Usually when he wants attention or when he's nervous (in the car). It's a yawn with a quick howl/baroo at the end. Hard to explain but it's the cutest thing. Other than that he's 100% silent. Not all B's are alike from how i've gathered things. I found my B to have 0 destructive habits. The breeder actually gave me a heads up on this before I picked him up originally, and it was true. I can leave him at home while i'm gone during the day and he doesn't move a single thing. Of course we know not all B's are like that.

    Just do your research and understand that it all depends on the dog, but use the information about the breed as a base.

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  • snorky998S

    My 2 are polar opposites in the house. Ty is a laid back couch potato that lives to be petted. Katie is a gung-ho, pester you to the end of the earth, come play with me or I'll destroy something, kind of gal.

    They both shed. And by shed I mean as soon as the Vernal Equinox hits they blow coat. I vacuum up what seems to be the equivalent of a 5 dog household worth of hair on a daily basis (and yes, I do brush on a daily basis–that's just what's left on the floor and furniture in between brushings)

    Guard dogs? Not in the typical sense. I don't have the bark differentiation that you might get with other breeds; friendly bark for a welcomed guest, alert bark for a stranger, notifying bark for the postman, etc.. I get a "get off my front porch" scream with the back burred up, or the "back off my fence a$$'ole" snarl with teeth bared and back burred up, or perhaps the quiet grumbling tail wagging with the back burred up "welcome friend" signal followed by the big baroo!! (The "back up" on this breed (IMHO) signals to strangers as aggression. I found my 2 use it to signal excitement–they even burr up when chasing small critters in the back yard!!)

    From dog to dog, my 'sengis are VERY individual in personalities.

    The discussion between nature vs nurture should never be discussed when it comes to this breed. It would be a moot point. Even Darwin would be confused and probably throw his note books in the air in frustration and sail away to Key West to spend some 'normal' with Hemingway:D

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  • wizardW

    And don't be fooled when someone says "oh he's a little angel". EL D came to me with a reputation as being very destructive but never did any damage once I got him home and my current Luny had a reputation for being very nice in the house and turns out he has a severe anxiety problem and will destroy anything by the door if I leave with him loose.

    So be sure to watch the pup/dog for awhile to see how s/he acts on its own and with other dogs and also pay attention to how a dog reacts to you, a stranger.

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  • C

    Advice for potential basenji owner

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    eeeefarmE
    @EMurata said in Advice for potential basenji owner: The "weather permitting" part of your statement wont work with a Basenji. My dog doesnt care if its 100 degrees out or 10, she needs constant exercise. If outside exercise isn't available for whatever reason, mental exercise is a good substitute. Basenjis are very clever and if you keep their minds busy it often serves to minimize or avoid destructive behaviour. You are not going to wear a fit Basenji out by walking him or her a couple of hours a day, but I have seen them perfectly content to kick back and relax after half an hour of demanding mental exercise! Clicker training can be useful here.....
  • N

    Crating Question

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    T
    it's such a blessing on the weekends!
  • C

    New Baenji owner

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    She was just spayed saturday..she's having trouble holding it for more than 30 minutes or so at a time…this evening she has seemed to have done better..2 hrs without having a problem..i take her out every 4 hrs..and she does her business..both..she's only lived here for 2 days..so it's really hard to get any real data yet..if it continues after a few days i will be taking her to the vet to see if it's UTI related. we're getting a crate this evening so i can see if it's a matter of her needing to be housebroken..or if she really is still having pressure from the surgery. Auriaya..our cat..seems to be in an ok mood today..she has kept to her larger part of the house..and i have been keeping Cambria to a smaller area until the two have had enough encounters on their own and ours to attempt putting them together..she's not marking in front of me. she's due for a vet visit anyway so i have scheduled it as well..we'll see if there is anything major wrong with her
  • MayaM

    Question

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    tanzaT
    @saralars: This is off the subject of crate escape… I was told growing up that turkey and chicken bones were very dangerous for dogs. Are Basenjis different in this way too? Or am I missing something... Raw, uncooked bones are fine for any dog, not just Basenjis… it is "cooked" bones that are the problems
  • J

    Question…

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    @Jylly18: THanks everyone for the advice, she ended up being fine, I fed her this morning and no throw-up when we got home :) I was just worried cause she has never done it more than once before. Its funny about how you said you put her over the toilet, my husband managed to hold her over the garbage when she threw up, so she looked ridiculous but at least it made no mess! HaHaHa! That conjures up a picture!
  • tlbuddyT

    Questions?

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    On tv this morning they showed some dogs that were to be adopted at Petsmart from the Humane Society. One of them they said was a basenji/terrier mix. That dog was huge and he didn't look anything like a basenji to me. No batwing ears but the tail was curled.