Looking at a Basenjis puppy

[dogless]

I am looking at a Basenjis puppy. I would like some owners to help me decide if it is the correct breed for my husband and I. Concerns we have are chewing and I would like to let the dog come in the house as he or she would like using an underground electric fence to contain the dog while outside. Will this work for this breed or not? A regular fence will not work in my neighborhood. I have talked to a couple of local owners about the breed I love some of their qualities. I would like to make the correct choice for our new companion. Thanks for any help you can give me. Dogless

[tanza]

I would never trust a Basenji (or any dog for that matter) with an underground fence… I know there is or was at least a couple of people that use them on Basenjis... but regardless, I would never ever trust a Basenji with one. Not only would I not trust them to "run" through the "pain" to get to whatever they are interested in... but it doesn't keep people/dogs/cats/critters from entering your yard....

All dogs chew, especially puppies... you have to be consistant in training and teaching them what is or is not appropriate for them to chew on.... also they are an indoor dog, they do not do well locked out outside...

[Knipper]

We tried the underground fence. Blaze would sit on the edge, shocking himself until the battery died, and run off. Or he'd see something, chase it through the 'fence-line' then sit outside of the fence when he wanted to return because it wasn't worth the shock to come back into the yard. They do not work. A four foot chain link fence is a possibility, but a six foot wooden fence is the best.
I think you should tell us why you are interested in the breed, because a lot of people like the fact that they are hypo-allergetic and barkless. Huge myths!

[sharronhurlbut]

I agree, I believe electric fences give the owners a sense of security that is not in fact valid.
Other animals can get in and hurt the dog in the fence.
Dogs take the shock to get out but won't to get back in.
Folks can steal dogs from this yard, with no effort.
IMO, this is a product that should not be sold.

[MacPack]

Basenjis are hunters, and if a cat, rabbit or dog is outside the electric fence, they will usually "take the hit" and run right through it, and not come back. They are also without defense for any big dog/critter that comes into your yard. I think the people that use them successfully are always out with the basenji when it is in the yard. Not left in the yard alone with just an electric 'sting' to keep them safe

Basenjis love to be outside to lie in the sun, but not all the time. They need to be family members, in the house with your family, cuddling and sitting with you on the couch, probably sleeping in your bed. They are pack animals and you become their pack. They need lots of stimulation and interaction to be happy. They are not "yard dogs", they are thinking, feeling beings who love to interact with their pack.

If this is not the way you want a dog to be, a basenji may not be the best dog for you.

[tanza]

@Knipper:

We tried the underground fence. Blaze would sit on the edge, shocking himself until the battery died, and run off. Or he'd see something, chase it through the 'fence-line' then sit outside of the fence when he wanted to return because it wasn't worth the shock to come back into the yard. They do not work. A four foot chain link fence is a possibility, but a six foot wooden fence is the best.
I think you should tell us why you are interested in the breed, because a lot of people like the fact that they are hypo-allergetic and barkless. Huge myths!

Oh my goodness… that is the "best" story I have heard about the underground fence... Leave it to a Basenji... LOL... thanks for posting about Blaze....

And if you do a chain link, consider a "hot wire" at the top... because Basenjis are really good at climbing something like a chain link fence...

I agree... six foot wooden fence is best... and if you can't put a fence in your home.. then you need to be resigned to walking your pet... period.. IMO

[renaultf1]

I have friends that have expensive invisible fence for their german shepherd and the spent a day looking for their dog. He ran thru the pain to chase something. He wanted to come back but was afraid of getting another shock, so he spent the night in the woods on perimeter of their property running around because he couldn't come safely back to the house.

I agree with Pat, I wouldn't trust an electric fence…on any dog. The other thing I would really worry about (because I live in the country) is a wild animal coming onto the property and the b-kids not being able to get away from it.

[nomrbddgs]

Even with a chain link with a hot wire, I wouldn't trust them. These dogs are thinkers and will figure a way around it. I never leave mine unsupervised. If they are outside longer than a few minutes, I'm looking out the window to locate all of them. And my fenced area is right outside my front door with little obstruction of the view.

[renaultf1]

@nomrbddgs:

I never leave mine unsupervised. If they are outside longer than a few minutes, I'm looking out the window to locate all of them. And my fenced area is right outside my front door with little obstruction of the view.

Same…I don't trust that something or someone would come into the yard without them figuring a way out.

[agilebasenji]

I think invis fencing is a bad idea for any dog. I've heard the Blaze story about an Aussie too. And in this day and age, with this economy, I've heard stories about people stealing dogs for ransom or worse things.