Potential Basenji slaves
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I second that 2 are in many ways easier than 1. you are right, they are big dogs in small bodies, very bright and clever, mine will ride 12 hours in the car with stops only when we stop for gas. A friend just had a 2 week trip in their RV with their 9 month old basenji and she adapted wonderfully. They are so clean and odor-free that I think they would make excellent full time RV'rs!
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AJ loves the road. He was in a household for the first 5 years of his life, but took to the truck very well. He realizes that he gets to pee all over the place, not just in one spot. It was hilarious when he was introduced to prairie dogs for the first time. He's originally from Michigan, so he had no idea prairie dogs existed.
We were in Denver making a delivery. There was a large open field next door with a fence around it, so I let him off the lead for a romp. Inside the field, there was an active prairie dog town. AJ stuck his head down one of the holes and apparently came nose-to-nose with one of the residents. He jumped back, so startled he landed on his rear and got burrs in his butt for his trouble. He looked so pathetic with this "Now what do I do?" expression. Luckily, his hair is short, so the burrs came out really easily.
I love having AJ on the road with me because he makes for really great comic relief and he's relatively low maintenance. Whenever we get back to the company yard, he gets a bath in a tub the company set up just for dogs. When I get him to a vet (usually Banfield because there's parking behind PetSmart's for trucks) they trim his nails.
He's adequate protection for the truck because he's just big enough to be taken seriously and 99% of people will not go into a truck or RV with a dog in it. Nevermind that I have only seen him wrinkle his mouth at one person, and that person was acting aggressive toward me. He loves children and wants to greet every child he sees. (That's another story I'll have to share.) And he's very gentle with babies and puppies.
The only two issues I've had with him is his "Napoleon Complex" wherein he will try to pick a fight with dogs larger than himself and his propensity to get anxious when the truck has to go inside a building of some kind. I've replaced my CB microphone cord four times because of this.
Welcome to the bunch and good luck with your Basenji hunt. There are lots of beautiful, sweet and homeless dogs looking for a forever home out there.
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Thanks for the warm welcome! I got ahold of the Wash DC basenji club and they do get2gethers at a local dog park every weekend. Turns out the ring leader is also the local contact for BRAT! We plan on taking our two "kids" down this weekend and join the party.
Barney
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Sounds like a good plan..have fun..
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@AJs:
And everybody is right: "Basenji are like potato chips: It's hard to stop at just one." The only reason I did was because of space limitations.
Cheers.
I couldn't have said it better!
Welcome to the forum. I hope you enjoy the friendly people and wonderful information and support from Basenji owners, as well as well-informed breeders and rescue people.
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Basenjis are great little travelers - yes, little dog with a big dog mind - very smart, and very adaptable. We took ours on a 3000 RV trip in August - she very quickly adapted to knowing when the rig stops, she does her business, and she slept on the couch for long stretches of driving, getting up and looking out the windows at everything when we drove through towns or cities or where there was anything interesting to look at. We also took our cat, and Shaye, the Basenji, learned very quickly not to invade her space. But read very well all the background you can on the breed - off-leash is never a good thing unless there's a fence! They are escape artists. We have two now, and are planning another trip the end of this month - we have no doubt it will be another good experience. Good luck on your search, I do recommend the Basenji for fun and travel.
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Space restrictions?? I know my b's are either on my lap, or on each other…that doesn't take much space at all...lol.
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Mine had always love the RV.. it was their second home for show weekends, which was about every weekend… My Mickii's favorite thing was to steal the silverware out of the sink and hide it in the bed, my bed that is... nothing like climbing into your nice soft bed and sitting on a "FORK".... OR KNIFE!!!!!
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Yes, ma'am, space limitations.
Since I am the only driver in this truck, it would be awkward to have two Basenji jockeying for position while I'm trying to conduct 80,000 pounds down a two-lane road.:p
AJ is king of this castle. I doubt very much he would want to move over for someone else.
Besides, I'm keeping the last little bit of space open for Melody if it turns out she needs it. AJ always did love her. He helped raise her.Cheers:)
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Hi Guys I have a foster right now that is just came available for adoption and looking for his new home. He is right around 9-10 months old. He is a active pup, loves people and would make a great traveling companion. He just loves to go places and be out and about with his "humans"
You can check out his BRAT page here http://www.basenjirescue.org/DOGS/OK/OK-Teddy.asp
