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2009 Chicago Basenji Specialty

Basenji Meetups & Events

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  • Basenji meet up in CT!

    Basenji Meetups & Events
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    @bbuzzell I’ll definitely let you know if we plan another!
  • Meeting a Basenji

    Moved Basenji Meetups & Events
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    I must agree that naive, first-time wanne-be owners need to do deep, extensive research. Basenjis are supremely unique and definitely not a good choice for a "beginner." I adopted an 18-month old 3/4 Basenji (other 1/4 is Min Pin, yet another quirky little breed, with some "bad" similarities to B's). I was somewhat familiar with B's, but not even a little bit of "enough!!" Gosh, Izzy-Bella was a piperoo!! A little 18 pound bundle of energy, destruction, and escapism. BUT, I have always loved bad boys (9 years working in a high school), so a little bad girl was a sort of delight. But, again, it takes many years before these dogs mellow out and mature and maximize their amazing intelligence. Izzy is SO SO smart: her early unbridled destructiveness has pretty much ended, and now, at ten years old, she amazes us every day with her intelligence, innate understanding, observational skills, language acumen, and comedic skills. And at ten years old, she acts like a three year old! I hope this means she will live forever. Once you have bonded with a Basenji, you are probably done and gone. But first-timers REALLY need to do their research and homework. Someone referred to entrusting their dog to a family member. I would entrust my B to nobody except a bona fide Vet hospital/kennel, with big-time fences and enclosures, B's are exceptional diggers-under-fences and escape artists. And a Number One cause of death for them is traffic. Their prey instinct sends them careening into traffic. Dumber than deer. But, bottom line: do your due diligence Basenji research, and understand early on that these dogs are singularly unique: indescribably destructive; escape artists; independent thinkers and behaviorists; smarter than you can even begin to imagine (I swear my Izzy understands everything I say and reads my mind!); and prepare to have lots of tissues on hand as auxiliary food, because apparently, Basenjis require wood pulp projects to prosper!! I don't get it.
  • Any ny basenjis?

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    Lisa67L
    I'm so sorry. I didn't realize you had responded. I thought I'd get an email. Zoey is definately NOT good off leash. It would be great to find a fenced area…I know there is a dog park (with a small dog area) near me, but I don't know how you feel about driving. (I've commuted for years, so I'm used to it). I could probably call Bear Mountian the park to see if they allow dogs. I'm working tomorrow, but I'll try to find out on Tuesday. Also, there is some sort of an event in Woodstock, NY (beautiful town), sponsored by the Rip Van Winkle Basenji Club. I am totally new to all of this stuff, so I'm not sure what goes on there, but here is a link....I thought you might be interested. If I'm not working I may go just to check it out. http://www.rvwbasenjiclub.org/June.24th.Match.html
  • Any Basenji Owners in Austin?

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    lisastewartL
    Find a good positive reinforcement puppy class, like clicker training and you will both have fun. All of mine have earned at least a rally novice obedience title and love the training. There are some things that you should not expect of a basenji such as being outside off lead. They are sighthounds and must be on a lead or in a fenced area at all times. The biggest issue with a house with children is that the children must understand the door can never be left open. My inlaws have a terrible habit of wanting to stand in the doorway and talk as people leave. I have to shoo them outside so the dogs do not try to dart outside given the opportunity. We have had ten basenjis since our son was two, he is now 27 and the basenjis raised him.
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  • 2009 BCOA National Specialty

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    Anubis's MommyA
    I haven't managed to find any Basenji's in my area and Id like to get together with some other Basenji owners and their dogs and let our dogs socialize and let us human's get to know each other. I love Basenji's and I figured it would be awesome to get them all together at a dog park or something and let them play. I figured this would be a great place to throw this idea out there since SO many members are on this site :)