A funny story

[Vanessa]

This morning a girlfriend emailed me telling me that she wanted to get a dog. Her roommate and her were discussing this and the roommate suggested a Basenji due to its size. She emailed me asking me where to get one and I wanted to post what I said in response to her wanting a Basenji.
I found it funny with the fact that I sounded like I was telling her NOT to get a Basenji. I was just being honest and trying to prepare her for what is in store with owning one. :p

"Just a word of caution…Does your roommate know about the breed?
The majority of people who adopt one end up returning it due to its personality. They can scream when left unattended and bored. The scream sounds like a human and your neighbors will contact the cops.

We had huge problems in the beginning when we would go to work. Our male, Chance would scream in his crate and our neighbors were pissed. We soon after let him roam the house and he quieted down.

They also destroy everything if you do not exercise em. Trust me....we have had our new dining room chairs destroyed within a week. They chewed the wood and ripped the leather off the chair! You can not train them...they train you.
Don't get me wrong...We love our dogs but we had to make huge sacrifices and ended up having to get another because if you only have 1, it will be bored and go crazy. After getting 2 they have calmed down and are not destructive anymore. Thank god!

This is the way the breed is. Everyone who owns a Basenji goes though this. Don't leave anything out...it will be gone when you return

If you are still interested, there is a Basenji Rescue group called BRAT. They are located all over the US and I can get you in contact with the local group.

Its funny...I am reading what I just typed and it sounds like I hate my dogs. LOL
Really...I don't try to push people away from the breed...I just try to warn them of what they are capable of doing."

[Janneke]

Funny story!
Sunday when we were at the show, we also got a LOT of question from people interested in the breed.. We were also not too positive.. haha.. But it's true.. the Basenji isn't the easiest breed.. I always say at the end that they are really funny and loving and… etc. Just to make it a little better

[tanza]

Hey Vanessa… I always start with the bad things...ggg.. and then if they are still interested, move onto the good things...

[mauigirl]

….Kind of like how some teachers make a class sound like HELL in the first few days so the faint of heart drop out.

[Vanessa]

That's exactly right!
From an outsiders prospective we sound crazy for even owning these dogs! Hahahahaha
Once you start telling them the "horror stories" people shake there heads in disbelief.
You know what though….I wouldn't change a thing. I love every moment of my torment. LOL

[bellabasenji]

I agree, we have to be crazy to own one of these beasties and still love them… right?!?!?:eek:

[sharronhurlbut]

I think b owners have a bit of a twisted sense of humor.

[Kebasmom]

I usually say - they can be a difficult breed and are not the dog for everyone…..I also tell the story about the cops coming to my house thinking a woman was being beaten when they ask me if they are really mute.....

[tanza]

@Kebasmom:

I usually say - they can be a difficult breed and are not the dog for everyone…..I also tell the story about the cops coming to my house thinking a woman was being beaten when they ask me if they are really mute.....

And that happens often…. it is so true and always one of my favorite stories...

We have one of the few "bench" shows out here in No. California. That means that dogs must be on the grounds in a certain area for the entire hours of the show and be available for the public to see... (it is a zoo, believe me)... but you can't image how many people say "Oh the dogs that are mute".... So years ago one breeder had her dog Zack there... Zack would "scream" on command... LOL... so when people asked about being mute, Susan would say "Zack, talk to me"..... the result.... PRICELESS!!!!!!!!!!!

[wizard]

I'd in that school - tell that bad stuff first.The neighbor across the street from me has always said how nicely behaved my dogs always have been. Then when Luny came, she said how she thought she'd like to have one like him. !!!!! I told her I didn't think that was such a good idea - she had two little girls (one just started school) who demanded as much attention as a basenji would; she had one little girl that absolutely screamed (in delight) whenever my dog would smell her which would then make the dog very nervous; she had no fenced yard. Just because the dog was small, with no smell, and rather quiet was not a good reason. Of course I said all this in a nice way.

[Duke]

One criticism I get - with my dogs, are "they too hyper". For me can be challenging (making life interesing), they also have a lazy side that most don't see. They're half-n-half, hyper-n-lazy. The B500 strikes every evening (like now as I type), hyper for food and then again for attention with visitors. During the day - they relish in their beauty sleep - lazy, quiet time - it's great! They are definitly not at my every beckon call (at your service type) as labs. But in all, it seems we have purpose together. They keep me on my toes - so I don't get lazy, for sure.

[ChaseandZahrasmom]

@sharronhurlbut:

I think b owners have a bit of a twisted sense of humor.

Amen to that! All I can do is laugh when I run to the ATM and Zahra is left in the car with Chase and she starts screaming, really all you can do is sigh and shrug it off.

[renaultf1]

For me, this pretty much says it all…

I told a story to a co-worker of how Ruby chewed off the cord of my laptop power supply and snapped at the pastor that came to visit my 86yo. father last week...:rolleyes::rolleyes:

The co-worker's response: "your dogs sound like hoodlums."

My response, "Ruby didn't have her best week, but that pretty much sums up basenjis."

[kiroja]

@tanza:

We have one of the few "bench" shows out here in No. California. That means that dogs must be on the grounds in a certain area for the entire hours of the show and be available for the public to see… (it is a zoo, believe me)... but you can't image how many people say "Oh the dogs that are mute".... So years ago one breeder had her dog Zack there... Zack would "scream" on command... LOL... so when people asked about being mute, Susan would say "Zack, talk to me"..... the result.... PRICELESS!!!!!!!!!!!

Me too Pat! We have one out here as well and it's the perfect time to tell people they really DON'T want the breed. lol They always come up and say "look how cute, it's nice and small, doesn't shed, and they don't make noise." Then I talk to Mojo and he belts out the fire truck siren howl. And then the people say "OH, I don't want that!"

[tanza]

@kiroja:

Me too Pat! We have one out here as well and it's the perfect time to tell people they really DON'T want the breed. lol They always come up and say "look how cute, it's nice and small, doesn't shed, and they don't make noise." Then I talk to Mojo and he belts out the fire truck siren howl. And then the people say "OH, I don't want that!"

Amen to that Kellie…. and thank you for having one that will "tell the world we are not mute"....ggggg.... I smile every time I hear that... go for it Mojo, sing your song for people... and let the world know that Basenjis are NOT mute.... LOL... and put them in your lap and then show people.. sorry... they do shed.. but that it is not as much as many other breeds... gggg
And for the few times that it brings a smile to someone face.. you know that you hook a real dog person that can appreciate this breed....

[kiroja]

You're right Pat, there are definitely a few good smiles in the crowd every now and then that can appreciate it. And yes, Mojo is usually shedding at Cobo so I just pluck a few hairs. lol He has a longer coat so it shows a lot.

[bellabasenji]

@tanza:

Amen to that Kellie…. and put them in your lap and then show people.. sorry... they do shed.. but that it is not as much as many other breeds... gggg....

And of course, most Basenjis are not "lap dogs" so… when you put this noisy, somewhat shedding dog in their laps they quickly find that it is wiggling and squirming to get down...:eek: