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.
For all Basenji owners\breeders!
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As you all know Basenjis are my passion and my goal is to own and breed the in Israel and become the first Basenji kennel in Israel.
Sadley they are no Basenjis in Israel except of a young male that didn't attend to shows.
So, because of all those reasons i want to get as much Basenjis to an International Dog Show here as i can so that i could meet Basenji breeders and owners,learn more about this amazing breed and to get the Israeli people to this breed.
The closest Int show will be at 24.10.09, in the city Afula wich is located in the north of Israel.
The judge of the Basenji breed(group 5 Spitz and Premitive dogs according to the FCI,Hound group according to the AKC) will be Mr.Tuominen Matti from FinlandTo get Israeli Chapionship the dog needs only 3CC and the winner of the Chapion class becomes an Israeli Champion.
In addition, Champions can get a Grand Champion title with only 3 G.CC.
The Juniors can get Junior Champion title with only 2 J.CCSo i would really like that as many Basenjis as possible will attend to the show and i would be more than happy that many breeders and owners will cooperate.
Fore more information:
E-mail: hila_345@walla.com
MSN: hila345@hotmail.com
Skype: hila-hadarThank you,
Hila
