One Basenji or Two?

[Flash]

Hi
We have a gorgeous Basenji bitch. She?s 11 months old and behaves well (apart from wanting to be with us all the time ? except when she?s called to come!@#@!!). Her wanting to be with us is sometimes so desperate when she sees us inside the house that she pounds on the glass doors. She knows that we disapprove of this so if she catches our eye she will sit down obediently hoping we will open the door for her. if we do - well you know what mischief a Basenji can get up to in a house if not supervised! We thought that it might be helpful to get another Basenji pup for her to play with. she LOVES other dogs and we have noticed that she adjusts her behavior to the particular dog she is playing with. with old frail dogs and young dogs she is gentle and not too vigorous and with rowdy youngsters she's exuberant. I'd be interested to know what you think. My main concern is that 2 Basenjis might be double the trouble?

[tanza]

They will be "double" the trouble…. but also double the fun, I have always thought that two are better then one. Curious however on her being left outdoors when you are indoors? Basenjis want to be part and with the family and so of course she wants to be were you are and they are pretty easy to keep track of in the house? And they can and will get in just as much trouble as one...

[RedVelvetLynx]

I agree with Pat. They are easy to keep track of in the house - when you don't hear anything, you something's up! I limit where mine are allowed to roam - I close every single door to them, which leaves them the kitchen & the great room. I was unsure of getting my female a playmate, but I think that's the best thing I could have done for her. If you are ready to commit yourself to another of what you already have, then you will see how happy your current dog will be with a buddy. I suggest a male for the companion & a spay for your female, if you aren't planning on breeding. I was lucky in that my male behaves much better than my female.

[ComicDom1]

@Flash:

Hi
We have a gorgeous Basenji bitch. She?s 11 months old and behaves well (apart from wanting to be with us all the time ? except when she?s called to come!@#@!!). Her wanting to be with us is sometimes so desperate when she sees us inside the house that she pounds on the glass doors. She knows that we disapprove of this so if she catches our eye she will sit down obediently hoping we will open the door for her. if we do - well you know what mischief a Basenji can get up to in a house if not supervised! We thought that it might be helpful to get another Basenji pup for her to play with. she LOVES other dogs and we have noticed that she adjusts her behavior to the particular dog she is playing with. with old frail dogs and young dogs she is gentle and not too vigorous and with rowdy youngsters she's exuberant. I'd be interested to know what you think. My main concern is that 2 Basenjis might be double the trouble?

Just out of curiosity, how much time does your Basenji spend outside versus in? While we do not leave our Basenji run amok when we are not home, we do allow our Basenji free run of our home when we are present. Of course our Basenji prefers to be in the same room as us 98 % of the time. Ours at least is very nosey and wants to be in the middle of everything. Even when I get the mail he wants to smell it. If I work on a computer and open the case he wants to smell it. You kind of have to resign yourself to letting them help.

Of course when you are house breaking you do have to keep a close eye on them and contain them but in our experience they usually learn pretty fast.

We have another dog that was here prior to bringing our Basenji home and even though the other dog is around our Basenji still wants our attention most of the time. In fact Bonzo our Female Boston Terrier is more of a walking buddy than a playmate. So even when our Basenji Roo gets all Revved up for the Basenji 500, Bonzo just wants out of the way and will continuously run Roo away from herself until he settles down. Other than that, they seem to get along well, but when Roo wants to play he prefers us. When Roo is outside he is happiest when we are there with him, and when Roo walks he is happiest when the whole pack, Bonzo, Miranda, and Myself are walking with him. So as Tanza has said, Basenji's want to be part of the family and are wired that way.

Jason

[Flash]

Thanks for your comments. We have our B bitch, Minke inside most of the time when we are there. She does however sleep outside in her kennel and we have her in our bed every morning for an hour or so before we get up. She loves her kennel and walks in sleepily at night to settle down on her goose down cushions. During the day she is left outside when we are at work and our neighbor has reported no crying or door pounding. Although often away from home during the day on business (my partner and I are both consultants) we also see clients from our home office. We will play with Minke before or after and I make sure I walk her every day for over an hour. I have taken her to school and we are learning to communicate with each other very well. She LOVES the other dogs and it?s a joy to watch her with her ears down and tail somewhat unraveled leading the case. She travels with us in the car as we go about and sits on my lap every evening after an energetic play - and yes she joins me in the bathroom and licks my legs dry after showering. We do very much regard her as part of the family.

[wizard]

Since she's only 11 months old, I'm not sure a second pup is the thing at this time (I'm sure breeders will weigh in). My two cents are that you need to bond more with her and perhaps work more on her in-house training. It sounds like she wants to be more a part of "your pack" instead of being outside by herself most of the time.
If you do decide to get a second beastie (whenever you do that), are you sure you will have enough time to spend with two dogs (it sounds like you are gone a lot).

[Craigh]

Back when I got my first B back in the early 90's, I thought she was lonely and needed a playmate. Looking back on it, I honestly don't know that getting another one helped at all. Sure, they played together some of the time but Alex (the 2nd turned out to be overly dominant and whipped up on her several times.

17 years later and starting all over again, this go'round we're going to just try it with just one.

[Woofless]

Kinda echoing what's been said….a second Basenji isn't necessarily a guaranteed "playmate", nor will it mean your dog will demand your attention any less!

My first Basenji, Jibini, grew up with my Boxer, Sweetie for the first 6 years of his life. The Boxer passed away at nearly 14 (Old for a Boxer, I think Jibini kept her on her toes :). Jibini was closely bonded with Sweetie and spent just as much time "pestering" her for attention as he did with me. He'd curl up with her to sleep and would whine if we took Sweetie and left Jibini behind.

After Sweetie passed on, I was in a career situation where I could be with Jibini all day, every day. He was never lacking in companionship or attention and he was incredibly bonded to me, but he still enjoyed playing with other dogs and I often wondered if he missed having the "extra" outlet of having a dog buddy.

So November '07 we adopted Tana, a playful little female. Tana is 3, Jibini is 8. They get along, but the "pack" dynamic is VERY different than it was for Jibini and Sweetie. Jibini is stoic and standoffish with Tana. Not to humanize, but in many ways he treats her the way an older brother treats a bratty kid sister. He hardly ever initiates play, and will entertain HER invitations to play with a sort of purposeful reluctance. If she jumps up on the bed or couch with him- she doesn't even have to be NEXT to him- he'll get up, sigh, and move to the OTHER couch or will leave the bedroom to resume his nap. Only occasionally, like when they're sharing a coveted warm spot, will Jibini swallow his pride and cuddle with Tana.

What's more, BOTH dogs still seek out my attention just as persistently....only now, it's a COMPETITION. If one's on my lap, the other one must follow, and then it's a gradual contest of nudging and mouthing and weight shifting to determine who can press themselves the closest to my body. The nighttime routine before bed often turns out the same way; a "dog shuffle" as both dogs try to secure a spot actually TOUCHING me. And if one dog is closer than the other, the shuffle continues until half the time Jibini gives up and goes out to sleep on the couch, just like a pouting CHILD. (Tana is a very small Basenji and has a knack for curling up practically UNDER me....so Jibini can't "win").

On the nights when Jibini sleeps on the couch, I feel really bad. Not that I ever regret adopting Tana- I adopted a 2nd dog because I WANTED a 2nd dog. But I thought maybe Jibini would want one too....sometimes, I wonder if he was happier being King of the Castle? If you end up getting a 2nd Basenji, make sure it's because YOU want to double your Daily Dose of Basenji....don't do it JUST for your dog!

[saba]

Hi Flash

Welcome to the Forum, fellow Aussie… Im almost as new as you are :)...

I was just curious as to where you got your B from. I have 2, one is 10 months, (Ochre, pronounced O'Kar, Aboriginal for Red, and of course she is red...), and the other about 23 months, (Saba, pronounced Sahbah), possibly getting another this year as well :D. Must be mad, thinking of getting another ;). They are just so adictive...

[Flash]

@saba:

Hi Flash

Welcome to the Forum, fellow Aussie… Im almost as new as you are :)...

I was just curious as to where you got your B from. I have 2, one is 10 months, (Ochre, pronounced O'Kar, Aboriginal for Red, and of course she is red...), and the other about 23 months, (Saba, pronounced Sahbah), possibly getting another this year as well :D. Must be mad, thinking of getting another ;). They are just so adictive...

Good to hear of another Aussie! The breeder I got my basenji bitch from and will get my second b from is: Kay and Ross Eldred from NSW - both lovely people and wonderful with basenjis. Where abouts are you? I'm in Canberra. I'd love to hear more about your expanding b family - particularly whether your 2 basenjis are working out well together.

[Flash]

@Woofless:

Kinda echoing what's been said….a second Basenji isn't necessarily a guaranteed "playmate", nor will it mean your dog will demand your attention any less!

My first Basenji, Jibini, grew up with my Boxer, Sweetie for the first 6 years of his life. The Boxer passed away at nearly 14 (Old for a Boxer, I think Jibini kept her on her toes :). Jibini was closely bonded with Sweetie and spent just as much time "pestering" her for attention as he did with me. He'd curl up with her to sleep and would whine if we took Sweetie and left Jibini behind.

After Sweetie passed on, I was in a career situation where I could be with Jibini all day, every day. He was never lacking in companionship or attention and he was incredibly bonded to me, but he still enjoyed playing with other dogs and I often wondered if he missed having the "extra" outlet of having a dog buddy.

So November '07 we adopted Tana, a playful little female. Tana is 3, Jibini is 8. They get along, but the "pack" dynamic is VERY different than it was for Jibini and Sweetie. Jibini is stoic and standoffish with Tana. Not to humanize, but in many ways he treats her the way an older brother treats a bratty kid sister. He hardly ever initiates play, and will entertain HER invitations to play with a sort of purposeful reluctance. If she jumps up on the bed or couch with him- she doesn't even have to be NEXT to him- he'll get up, sigh, and move to the OTHER couch or will leave the bedroom to resume his nap. Only occasionally, like when they're sharing a coveted warm spot, will Jibini swallow his pride and cuddle with Tana.

What's more, BOTH dogs still seek out my attention just as persistently....only now, it's a COMPETITION. If one's on my lap, the other one must follow, and then it's a gradual contest of nudging and mouthing and weight shifting to determine who can press themselves the closest to my body. The nighttime routine before bed often turns out the same way; a "dog shuffle" as both dogs try to secure a spot actually TOUCHING me. And if one dog is closer than the other, the shuffle continues until half the time Jibini gives up and goes out to sleep on the couch, just like a pouting CHILD. (Tana is a very small Basenji and has a knack for curling up practically UNDER me....so Jibini can't "win").

On the nights when Jibini sleeps on the couch, I feel really bad. Not that I ever regret adopting Tana- I adopted a 2nd dog because I WANTED a 2nd dog. But I thought maybe Jibini would want one too....sometimes, I wonder if he was happier being King of the Castle? If you end up getting a 2nd Basenji, make sure it's because YOU want to double your Daily Dose of Basenji....don't do it JUST for your dog!

Thanks for your wonderful story - it was so funny hearing about the 'dog shuffle' and the kind of indifferent distain a b can show when they have to put up with something that they don?t like. It?s the kind of look I get from Minke when I deign to feed the cat his chicken neck before her.

[saba]

@Flash:

Good to hear of another Aussie! The breeder I got my basenji bitch from and will get my second b from is: Kay and Ross Eldred from NSW - both lovely people and wonderful with basenjis. Where abouts are you? I'm in Canberra. I'd love to hear more about your expanding b family - particularly whether your 2 basenjis are working out well together.

Well, well, well, what a small world it is ??? :).

Saba is by Kay and Ross's gorgeous Zulu, out of a Wazazi bitch, and Ochre is by their stunning Rusty, also out of a different Wazazi bitch :). I think I like my Wazazi/Jebelmarra puppies…

I only just, (a couple of weeks ago), emailed Kay, after Rusty's fabulous win at Sydney Royal...

I am in Tassie, about 35 kms south of Hobart, on a wonderful 13 acres, with my hubby, and 2 daughters... The B's love it too, although no free running on the property, for them :p, but we have a large fully fenced, (9 feet high), off lead area, for them and the Cattle Dogs too....

I got Saba first, and really had no thoughts of getting another for a while, Yeah right !!! 12 months later, along came Ochre :D. (Im very glad they only come into season once a year, or Dog knows how many we would have by now...). Now another 12 months and I might be getting another, I must have rocks in my head !!! Perhaps you will do the same thing too, and get another one next year :D. They are very moorish, arent they ??? A bit like chippies, hey...

We had no problems at all with introducing Saba and Ochre. Saba was a touch put out, but he was soon playing very happily with his new pal... They get on very well together. Ochre takes everything in her stride, and I think Saba would love another little girl in his harem... I dont predict I will have any problems, if I do get another little girl, (thats what I am hoping for !!!), this year, either. Ochre is a very temperamentally stable little lass, who would adjust quickly to another girl, I think !!! Also, during the last 4-5 months, we have added another Cattle Dog as well. He currently lives in the house with the 2 B's, and he is about 6 months old now. Ochre gives him a hard time, and does get a little cranky with him at times, otherwise she is ok. Saba was being very dominant with him, in the house, so in the house they arent let out together, (either Nosh, the Cattle Dog, or Saba is loose, and the other is crated...), but they are happy to race around the off lead area we have, together, which Im pleased about... Saba isnt as tolerant with other dogs, particularly other males, but, we deal with that ;).

They are both our first Basenji show dogs, we show the Cattle Dogs, which we are enjoying. Saba is having a few issues on the table at the moment, and we are working on this, and Ochre is showing very well, with pleasing results so far :). She is going to be a very slow maturer, (thanks Rusty, and to a lesser degree, her Mum Electra :D), so her time will come later :).

My OH and I lived in Canberra, in the early 90's, both nursed at Woden Valley Hospital. Great memories of the place. First in Waniassa, (sp?), then Bungandore, (sp?), till we came back home to Tassie...

So what is the breeding of your first Jebelmarra dog ??? Then obviously the next question is, who is the potential parents of this years puppy ???

Looks like we will be able to pass the time away, firstly, hoping for our new puppy to be conceived, then "grown", then born, then the VERY long time waiting to get it at 8-10 weeks. I think I am ahead of you slightly, cos Electra was mated on the 16th April, your guys are "having fun", at the moment, I think... SORRY ;):p:)...

Gee, this has turned into a bit of an epic