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Is my basenji dangerous?

Behavioral Issues
  • Some people never learn responsible dog ownership. Just this morning there was a story in our paper about a 15 year old Boy Scout bitten by dog that jumped out of an SUV when the boy was helping load a Christmas tree for the owner. He had to get several stitches. The dog could have stayed home and this would never have happened.

  • My Basenji is very selective about the dogs she gets along with. She doesn't get along with any dogs that would give her attitude or tried to one up her. She was the target of some off lesh attacks in her time and once where a pitbull drew blood on her forehead and neckline when we were at the beach. It really shakes you up badly to see a member of your family hurt that way – proudly told though she held her own despite her size until we could get her out of the dogs reach!

    It disgusts me how some dog owners would let their dogs off lesh if they cant be 100 certain that no incidents like that will happen.

  • Basenji people are dedicated to our breed, and we all seem to be very responsible. Basenjis don't like all other dogs, so we socialize them the best we can and keep them on the leash so they can't attack other dogs or sprint off after a squirrel and get killed by a car. But there are still dog owners out there who just don't understand the principles of responsible dog ownership. You don't just worry about dogs attacking each other but people as well. I posted the story about how I was attacked by a doberman and nearly killed several years ago. If not for the mailman I wouldn't even be here to talk about it. The owner said he didn't think Raggs would ever attack anybody, so he would just open the door and let him out on his own to go potty. I'm so glad we basenji owners are more responsible than some folks out there who just don't seem to get it.

Suggested Topics

  • Steralisation of Male Basenji

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    CollStarC
    Hi Dawn, my names Colleen and i'm from Melbourne! I'm really interested to hear peoples thoughts on this as my 6 almost 7 month old male basenji who isnt desex as yet is displaying quite a lot of seemingly random aggression toward my other dog who he lives with. Food is the main trigger, but more and more i think it's his testosterone really kicking in, i think hes trying to test out my other dog too see how much he can get away with and how much he can boss him around. Its making life a bit edgy for myself and my dog who cops the outbursts! I'm a vet nurse and it is well know that desexing a male will definitely drop hormone levels significantly and therefore any hormonal aggression along with it. It usually calms them and dog/territorial related aggression can be helped by neutering. I think that if you really want to keep Cougar the best way to go is to desex him. If it becomes unbearable, then its not going to harm anyone by getting him desexed. And to be honest i think the breeder should think twice about breeding from a basenji who has bitten people… but basenjis will be basenjis. No doubt desexing will help, but no doubt the aggression wont be 'cured'... i think then you need to do your bit by training him in conjunction. Best of luck, sounds like we both need it!
  • Basenjis that can't stand other basenjis

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    wizardW
    My previous males never had an opportunity to meet other basenjis (outside their breeder kennel) so don't know if the experience with my current female is "typical" or not. The first time she encountered another, it was a tri-color older female that was a real bitch and instantly got aggressive (now whenever they see each other its "hackles up"). The first time I took her to a lure coursing event, mine was friendly enough until a little blind female came up and bit her. The second time I took her to a LGRA event, a lady came up behind us (while mine was trying to potty) with her tricolor female and her dog attacked mine. So now hackles go up any time another female comes within shouting distance.
  • Basenji = healthy baby

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    Rita JeanR
    I grew up with birds, hamsters, cats, dog, rabbits and we had hives of honey bees. Never anything wrong with me all my life even got lucky never stepped on a bee. My kids have cats, dogs, bird and my daughter never worn pretty little dress cause she would go right under a car with her dad and get grease all over her. Dirt and my son go hand in hand. They have been healthy. Now as far as walking to school I could not do that. Been far to many kids never got to school to many out there take kids. So my kids have never been allowed to walk to school. One mile there but anything could happen. People that usually do not want animals have there little fancy house and do not want the hair or the dirt. We have a friend who has three children just got a puppy about month ago poor puppy. Puppy got over gate in wash room and well had fun while they were at work. She just about lost it aniamls are better off without being that kind of home I told her so. Sad news her husband just went to work for Science Diet and they have a animal day once a month and they told him it was important they had a animal. He lied when got job and said he did. Now there is a puppy my heart really goes out to. Rita Jean
  • Basenji Bevhaviorist

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    NemoN
    You can check out this site. It might help. http://ccpdt.org/rstr/OH.html
  • My basenji turned on me :(

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    ldortonL
    Makes sense. Thanks.
  • My Basenji is only aggressive towards other basenjis

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    agilebasenjiA
    You know, my boyz like dogs the same color as they are. Jet LOVES tri colored dogs - Berners, tri Aussies, etc. And last time they were at Anne's dog park, poor Digital was the only brindle basenji. Jet played with the basenjis and Diggie went and hung out with a brindle greyhound. Remember that Anne?