Basenjis in Costa Rica

[morgansc]

Hi, My name is Sarah. My husband Alan and I are American expatriates who live on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. We just purchased male and female Basenji pups from the only breeder in Costa Rica.

I was so glad to find this forum as I have never owned Basenjis before. But, I can tell I am going to love love love these dogs.

This picture was taken when they first came home with us, about ten days ago. They are four months old. The tri-color is the female, named Bibi, African for Lady, and the tan and white is the male, named Chacho, shortened Spanish for Muchacho, or friend.

They are very bright and it helps that I carry ity bity dried bits of cooked beef liver in my pocket. They are learning "Come!" and "Sit!" already. They are very happy in this hot and humid climate, but I know I am going to run into problems with the "Leave it!" command. Ours is a jungle environment and there will be lots of things they'd like to chase and kill. Any advice as to how to accomplish this command would be greatly appreciated.

[tanza]

Congrats on your pups…. Who are the Sire and Dam if you don't mind sharing

[dash]

Welcome.

I have never been to Costa Rica. My husband spent 6 weeks there in college studying capuchin monkeys.

I am studying Dole foods and and the banana trade there and am researching the country as well. Very interesting.

[basi]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

[Janneke]

Welcome to the forum! Cute pic, they look pretty comfortable

[morgansc]

Thanks for the big welcome, everyone. I should clarify that the dam and sire of my pups are "puro" only according to the owners. Apparently, the old North American who left the dogs in Costa Rica did not supply the papers to the current owners.

I am not into breeding; just wanted a couple of wild-child pets, so it wasn't important to me. My two will be neutered before you can say: i-n-c-e-s-t.

I look forward to all the forum threads. There have been several that have already answered questions I've had.

[tanza]

You should consider having them DNA tested for Fanconi. Go to www.basenjihealth.org

[morgansc]

Thanks for the link, Pat. I will look into having them tested. From all I've read, catching it early, if they are affected, is the best. s

[tanza]

@morgansc:

Thanks for the link, Pat. I will look into having them tested. From all I've read, catching it early, if they are affected, is the best. s

Yes that is quite correct… but if you test now, then you might not have to worry about monthly testing...

[gneigum]

Hello & welcome from from Canada. Nice looking dogs you have.

G

[dmcarty]

Welcome - where in Costa Rica are you?

[Buana]

Welcome from Holland!

[YodelDogs]

Welcome to the forum!

[morgansc]

We live on the Caribbean side of the country in a little community called Punta Uva. On a map, it would be about half way between Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo.

If you visit my blog, http://www.scmorgan.com there is a map that clicks in and out to orient you. Also, more pictures of Bibi and Chacho, as well as our little zaguate (mix) stray we adopted.

[PiaMerete]

hi Sarah - welcome to the forum - not that I post a lot, only read and learn :-)) I have tried to email the breeder of your pups but have had no reply as of yet - hope all is well and the little ones are behaving …......

[dmcarty]

Thanks - I asked where in Costa Rica because my father had some weeks at a resort on the Pacific side and I wondered if you were near there - going to try to visit sometime next year I hope.

[ssolanocoto]

I have a basenji, looking forward to get a female for him, any ideas?

[Kipawa]

Both lovely looking dogs, who will obviously love the heat of Costa Rica. Where on the east coast are you. My husband and I visited Limon and Tortuguero many years ago. Despite all the bad press about the east coast, we actually liked it more than the west coast. The humidity was really something else, though. T-shirts were soaked almost before we put them on.

[morgansc]

@ssolanocoto:

I have a basenji, looking forward to get a female for him, any ideas?

As you probably already know, B's are very rare in Costa Rica. I have had both my male and female neutered. I am no help. Sorry.

[morgansc]

@Kipawa:

Both lovely looking dogs, who will obviously love the heat of Costa Rica. Where on the east coast are you. My husband and I visited Limon and Tortuguero many years ago. Despite all the bad press about the east coast, we actually liked it more than the west coast. The humidity was really something else, though. T-shirts were soaked almost before we put them on.

Hi Fran,

We live just south of Puerto Viejo which is south of Lim?n central. Actually we are about as far south as Torteguero is north. We are actually only a few kilometers north of the Panama border. So, yes, it's hot and humid. Only place you will see basenjis panting.

They LOVE the heat, and our little male still gets cold at night. Can you believe it? I have no idea what he will do if we ever relocate. I'll have to buy him an entire wardrobe of woolies.