Skip to content

Considering a Basenji.

Basenji Talk
  • Hello, I am considering rescuing a Basenji. I am concerned about a few things, because I really like this breed, but I don't want a mismatch.

    I live alone in a medium sized apartment, which is very pet friendly, plenty of places to walk and explore for the dog, and walking and exercise is not a problem at all. What I am concerned about is leaving the dog at home while I am at work. I am sure I don't want a pup, which helps, but I know from researching that Basenjis need to be active. I plan on taking the dog out for long walks a few times a day (for my exercise too) and I think the dog will get plenty of time out and about when I am home. Other than work during the day I have plenty of time to be with my pet.

    I am a long time dog owner, and grew up taking on most of the dog training in my household. I have also helped rescue dogs before.

    Does the work day prove to be a certain mismatch with a Basenji?

  • @DennisH:

    Hello, I am considering rescuing a Basenji. I am concerned about a few things, because I really like this breed, but I don't want a mismatch.

    I live alone in a medium sized apartment, which is very pet friendly, plenty of places to walk and explore for the dog, and walking and exercise is not a problem at all. What I am concerned about is leaving the dog at home while I am at work. I am sure I don't want a pup, which helps, but I know from researching that Basenjis need to be active. I plan on taking the dog out for long walks a few times a day (for my exercise too) and I think the dog will get plenty of time out and about when I am home. Other than work during the day I have plenty of time to be with my pet.

    I am a long time dog owner, and grew up taking on most of the dog training in my household. I have also helped rescue dogs before.

    Does the work day prove to be a certain mismatch with a Basenji?

    I don't think it does… and I would bet that 90% of us on this list works.... And honestly, 99% of the time when you are at work, your dog/Basenji sleeps... So as long as you are planning exercise daily, you should do just fine... also there are a number of people on the list that live in apartments too... and do just fine with their B's

  • I'm not working right now, but I go to school, live in a small apartment, and have trouble getting outside exercise in the winter, but my Basenji seems to love it here just fine. Luckily I will be moving to a larger house in a warmer climate with a yard in a few months.

    Being that you are experienced with rescues and training, you shouldn't really have any trouble at all with a rescue. There is probably a local basenji rescue, or club with rescue contacts, otherwise there is BRAT which is national. You should be able to find plenty of help, information, and advice through this forum.

  • I've got just under 1000sqft for my Basenji in my Condo. Granted the layout is far more open than most floor plans, he has plenty of room to run around. Like others have said, they usually sleep during the day while you are away, but every dog has a different personality. My B doesn't seem to have any severe separation anxiety and is not house destructive. Thus making the situation very easy.

    I find that my Basenji gets more exercise with my building layout because everytime he needs to go outside he gets a solid 5-10 minute walk. Most dog owners simply let their dog go in their yard and they come right back in. Something to keep in mind. There are a lot of dogs in my building (hi-rise) and they all seem to get a long very well. The social atmosphere is simply fantastic for these dogs. A lot more dog owners a close proximity than you'd get in a suburban neighborhood.

    My B has made a lot of friends just in the last couple months. I love seeing that smile on his face after he's had the chance to meet a new friend.

  • Rescue has some wonderful b to rehome, also, check with your local basenji breed club.
    They can share basenji info, share playdays and lurecouring they might be doing..

1/5

3 Feb 2009, 20:38

Suggested Topics

  • basenji

    Basenji Talk 22 Feb 2020, 16:13
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    1k Views
    Last I heard, the Breed Club secretaries had more people waiting or wanting pups than were available . You could get on a list for a Basenji next winter but I very much doubt you will find one still unsold. Go to the website of the BCGB, or the Northern Basenji Society as you are in the North and you will find email addresses of the secretaries. They will put you in touch with breeders who may be planning a litter for puppies to become ready to leave the nest in about a year's time. Its a long wait I know, but you have most probably missed the boat for now. You are welcome to post me privately. Good luck!
  • Basenji or...not?

    Basenji Talk 7 Mar 2018, 03:36
    1 Votes
    26 Posts
    12k Views
    @debradownsouth Thanks you so much. We'll give it a try.
  • Could she be a basenji?

    Basenji Talk 12 Jan 2011, 22:14
    0 Votes
    27 Posts
    10k Views
    @Thana: she does have basenji characteristics then apart from her colours and looks.- i also think she must have some basenji blood! She is lovely and lucky no matter what! adorable little face:))))) Having read about the characteristics I think she does. The lady with the basenji that we met also commented on some of the things she was doing as "very basenji" (eg. standing on her back legs so she could see what was going on). Has a lovely wrinkly forehead too. Got very frustrated with me earlier and did her funny bark, more of a wierd howl really. She is def one of a kind. Its a shame we have to have her spayed (not that I could ever justify letting her have a litter).
  • 0 Votes
    4 Posts
    2k Views
    Yes, early socialization and positive experiences is the best way to go. I think the most important thing about puppy kindergarten is that it is positive based and focuses on socialization with both people and dogs. Some basenji don't necessarily do well with the small dogs and other love them. Sophie was always the best with the new pups of any size in her puppy class, she just had phenomenal dog language and would make herself as small as possible and go at their speed. What you want to be careful about is people who have already formed a preconceived notion of basenji behavior. My mom's first puppy class instructor always expected her boy to be aggressive even though he never showed any aggression and was always very appropriate in his interactions. I crate puppies next to the bed while housebreaking and it works fine. I have always used a large stuffed toy in the crate and this year used SnugglePuppies, they were wonderful. The pup snuggled right up to warmth and fell asleep, provided we did a good job of tiring him out for the night. I got my first basenji while I was in Grad school and lived in an apartment. It is doable as long as you are willing to make sure they get enough exercise and mental stimulation.
  • Is this a basenji?

    Basenji Talk 4 Sept 2007, 21:48
    0 Votes
    37 Posts
    10k Views
    @phoenix3: Looks like a B to me but i think more of a B mix he looks like he has corse hair Maybe be has the size of a cattledog body and a basenji head :) My Aspen is a cattledog/ terrier mix he has the body of a cattledog {the colors} and the height and face of a terrier heres a pic so u can see the colors of the cattledog well one color anyways :D :D phoenix3 - this is Aspen? I'm so amazed at her spots, because my Daisy has spots like Aspens. We know her mother is pure R/W Basenji and she is thought her other half Beagle. One of her other litter mate moms thought Blue Healer (cattledog). But I subscribed to the Beagle. Daisy could be … Cattle Dog I suppose. She's bigger than Duke now at almost 9 months old. I will show her off soon on "Show Off" forum soon.
  • 0 Votes
    32 Posts
    17k Views
    My Rue is pretty perfect. She is mixed with something (I don't know what) so she doesn't look like a real B… and she isn't interested in anything in our house (chewing wise), doesn't bolt out the door, and licks like CRAZY! She also doesn't really like to play with other dogs at the dog park, she just smells them, occasionally chases them, then comes back and lays down by me (EXERCISE DANG IT!). The only normal B behaviors that I see in her are the little noises that she makes (she makes a lot of them for different reasons) and her BAROOOOOOO (which is fitting because we named her Rue before we even knew she was a Basenji) and it seems like she is stubborn about sitting. It's like she is saying, "yeah I know you want me to sit, but first I'm gonna spin around in a circle. Then maybe I'll sit if I feel like it." Haha! She is a character!