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.
2009 Chicago Basenji Specialty
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This image is of a Handler from the Champaign IL area. I probably should be spanked for this because I cannot ever remember his name.
http://www.pbase.com/comicdom1/image/113793619
Jason
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I thought I would throw in one more of the Veteran who is 15 years old with the owner.
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This image is of a Handler from the Champaign IL area. I probably should be spanked for this because I cannot ever remember his name.
http://www.pbase.com/comicdom1/image/113793619
Jason
That would be Lou Dibello and Ally!
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Glad everyone had fun, wish I could have been there!
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I think I might have spoken to Andrea. I do remember a very muscular Red and White I was very impressed with near a lady in Blue. His name was Max I think.
Jason
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Were you the one in the light blue jacket with the flowers on her dress with the Red and White?
Jason
Nope, just a plain blue dress…no flowers
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This image is of a Handler from the Champaign IL area. I probably should be spanked for this because I cannot ever remember his name.
http://www.pbase.com/comicdom1/image/113793619
Jason
That is Lou DiBello (I think that is his last name?) and his bitch is a Meisterhaus dog (lots of relatives here on the fourms)
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I thought I would throw in one more of the Veteran who is 15 years old with the owner.
Great pic!
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I think I might have spoken to Andrea. I do remember a very muscular Red and White I was very impressed with near a lady in Blue. His name was Max I think.
Jason
Oh, I think I remember, because you commented on his muscle! But that is Hippo…his dad is named Max...so you might have heard people talking about him
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We had a great time, Hippo managed to not be too much of a turd!! He won his class (he was the only one in it!)
It was really fun meeting Nemo, and Nicole also from the forum. Hopefully we will be able to meet more of you at other shows this year!!!
I just found this thread! It was great meeting you too. Hippo was such a sweet dog. He is a nice looking boy too.
-Nicole
