A basenji playmate?

[Markie]

What types of dogs do well with basenjis? I have an English bull terrier who can get rowdy at times, but isn't usually too bad. I am looking into basenjis right now, but have heard that sometimes they get upset with other dogs for acting too goofy. I just wanted ya'll's opinion on this matter.

I do have a bit of experience with basenjis. I work at a boarding place and we have a few that come through. There is one basenji that comes in literally every day for playcare. She plays well with the other dogs… when she wants to. Let me know your thoughts on this please.

Of course, I know each individual dog is different. Also, I'm not looking into getting a basenji anytime soon (maybe next year). Thanks!

[TikaLynn]

My Basenji will play with ANY dog that will play with her. She is always the most social dog at the dog park, and just wants to play, play, play. Her best friends are Labs, but she plays with Terriers, Pit Bulls (our next door neighbor has a Rottweiller and she LOVES her), she just met a St. Bernard and thought she was so cool… I think mostly it will depend on the OTHER dog. Some breeds just do not like to play with other dogs because they are so dominant. For instance, one of my best friends has a Corgi. Tika likes to try to play with the Corgi, but the Corgi will not have anything to do with her. If you get a dog which is known to be friendly and social, such as a Lab, I would not think you would have any problem socializing it with a Basenji. Of course, it will depend on your Bsenji as well!

[Markie]

Thanks so much for the reply!

My bull terrier is VERY social and friendly. She can also be submissive with other dogs, so I don't think she'd have a problem with a dominant basenji.

[dcmclcm4]

When my Arnie was younger, he loved to play with the Jack Russell/Parson Terriers at the dogparks. It was one of the few breeds that could keep up with him when running. He gets along with all dogs though and has not met a dog he did not like.

I think much smaller breeds could be a problem as Bs might look at them as prey. I also think it depends on the age of the dogs as a much younger active B who always wants to play might not suit an older dog who is less active.

[TikaLynn]

Once our new house is built, my husband and I want to get a playmate for Tika. We want a large dog, because she seems to play with them better, and we want one who will swim with us, because Tika will not be caught near a lake - and, it would give me some peace of mind knowing Tika has a 'protector' with her in the back yard when we may not be outside. Tika runs in and out of her doggy door all day and night. While the yard is fenced in, and she usually stays with us, I do still worry about coyotes, mountain lions, bobcats, etc… It is not unusual for any of those three to walk around our house at night.

Any suggestions on what dog may be a good choice to just be a protective presence for her? I am okay with getting a "mut" as well!

[lvoss]

@TikaLynn:

Tika runs in and out of her doggy door all day and night. While the yard is fenced in, and she usually stays with us, I do still worry about coyotes, mountain lions, bobcats, etc… It is not unusual for any of those three to walk around our house at night.

Any suggestions on what dog may be a good choice to just be a protective presence for her? I am okay with getting a "mut" as well!

With the wildlife you describe in your area, I think it would be a far better plan to keep the dog door closed at night and leash walk her in the backyard after dark if she needs to potty rather than rely on a larger dog who may itself be hurt or killed trying to protect her.

[TikaLynn]

I cannot imagine the wild animals would come into the yard and brave human territory, but you never know. We are getting a motion sensor light on the side of the house she goes in and out of, because the Humane Society locally told me that is the best way to scare them off. I just thought a bigger dog, with the ability to bark may be a little more security. It's not like I would expect the dog to fight them off! I have lived in this area my whole life, and have never had a problem with the wildlife, but neighbors with chickens and rabbits have had the mountain lions get in their pins.

When Tika acts timid going out her doggy door, I will go outside with her and walk around while she goes to the bathroom, because usually that means the coyotes are near by. I do not think on those nights she goes outside on her own. She is very aware of anything going on outside.

[Kipawa]

In the lower mainland of British Columbia near the mountains, bears try to get into garbage containers. Boy are they bold. They will scavenger around for food in the broad daylight. Sadly, many of them are shot rather than relocated. What has happened in these areas is development has run rampant - trees and brush cut down to build condos and townhouses.

If I lived around there, I would certainly keep a basenji on a leash.

[lvoss]

I have a friend who was out on well trafficked beach at Lake Tahoe with her two whippets. The dogs were attacked by coyotes and one was killed. I know another woman up in Washington state who nearly lost her dog when a raccoon entered her dog room at night through a dog door and one of her dogs fought it off to keep it from harming the others. That dog is very lucky to be alive and is only alive because of excellent vet care. So wildlife will come into human areas and will attack.

[TikaLynn]

Sorry to hear about the dogs who were attacked, and one killed. That is horrible. I do walk Tika on a leash anytime we are out and about. The only time she is unleashed is in the office or the fenced yard. I have picked her up a few times on a walk when she has acted nervous - I usually take that as a sign that there is something out there, such as a coyote. I live in a fairly developed area, but my property is on about 5 acres of open land, with a creek running through it. The creek comes down from the mountains, and often times the wildlife will follow the creek down. I will just close the doggy door late and night and open it again at 5 AM each day.

[Markie]

Just so we're clear… I already have "another dog" (English bull terrier) and am looking into getting a basenji.. not the other way around. Thanks!

[lvoss]

Markie, I think when adding a basenji to an existing household, it is most important to just get out and visit with lots of breeders and meet their dogs. Some families of basenjis get along great with other dogs and others are not as good. You really just need to be up front about your expectations and do some visits to see how the dogs are. That way you find a breeder with the temperaments you like and they know what you need in a pup and can match the pup with your household.