My first Basenji!!

[vickilb]

Welcome! I will echo everyone's comments that this forum is a plethora of information.

Don't think of Cairo as your first basenji, but the only dog you might own from now on!

Heloise's hint of the day: don't let the sweet face fool you, they can shred anything in a matter of seconds! I bet your furniture could use a good de-stuffing!!!!

[thunderbird8588]

Heath and Cairo, welcome to the forum. You are so right when you say they are unique.
A people have suggested study the threads on the forum, this is a wonderful but challenging breed.
We have just got our second Basenji Malaika, she is 13 weeks old. Keep reading, posting and above all have fun!

[Patty]

Welcome from the UK . You possibly don't know yet how privileged you are to have a Basenji! He will take over your life I'm sure. Enjoy him. Any problems you encounter will find answers on this forum - there are many knowledgeable people here.

He is a very handsome boy!

[BlacChev]

@MacPack:

Welcome, Cairo is a very pretty boy! I know you will enjoy him and all his antics! It is very good that he is warming up to you all so fast. Please know that folks here that post are trying to look out for your best interests, and any criticism will be "constructive"!
There is a DNA test for a disease that some basenjis get, Fanconi, it is not a terribly expensive test, and will give you years of peace of mind.

Work with him, if there is a "puppy kindergarten" near you by all means go and socialize him and get him used to working with you. Basenjis respond best to positive reinforcement training, not negative training.

Go through the old posts on training, health, and you will get a lot of good information. Good for you for wanting to learn all about his very special breed.

@sharronhurlbut:

I would strongly suggest you get the fanoni testing done. It will let you know what to expect in the future.
Glad you found us. We are here to help you.

Thank you for all the information and the warm welcomes, I am here to learn about the breed so my family and the new member (Cairo) can be as happy as possible.

@Kipawa:

hi Heath -

I am sorry if my post came across as anything nasty or brusk. It wasn't meant to be. To you, your family and Cairo, please accept my apology.

No apology needed, I wasn't offended. Thank you anyway. I am a member to forums of a couple of my hobbies, so, I know that the search button is my friend instead of cluttering the forum with re-posted questions. Again, thanks for the warm welcomes and information on the DNA test for Fanconi, because I didnt know there was a test available.

[sharronhurlbut]

All of us are just happy basenji folks have found this site.
Its such a support system when it comes to so many basenji "things".
Don't be surprised if you decide you have to get a second b…
Its is addictive you know!

[BlacChev]

A little bit of an update, Cairo turned 5 months on May 3rd. He is a handful, but we wouldn't trade him for anything. Hes sharp as a tack too, already house broken. Goes to the door when he wants out and real easy to take on walks.

[sharronhurlbut]

Did you get the fanoni test kit yet?

[tanza]

I was just going to suggest the same thing, you really do want to have the DNA test for Fanconi done unless his sire and dam have already been tested. You can check and see if they have at www.offa.org. and the DNA test is very easy, you just order it from OFA and it is a cheek swab, get the kit, swab the pup, send it in… done! Again for your own peace of mind, best 65.00 you will ever spend.

It really is too bad that all breeders do not test before breeding so that another Fanconi affected Basenji will never be born.

To learn about Fanconi go to www.basenjihealth.org

[MacPack]

He is growing so fast! What a handsome boy he is, I love his face.

[agilebasenji]

He's very cute! Sounds like you are turning into a real basenji-convert.

[BlacChev]

Thanks a lot, he is a pretty boy. He's gettin' big fast, solid and his head is fiiling out too. Got his little eye liner thing goin' on, haha. I'll look to see if his sire and dam have been tested. I'm gonna check on that kit also, I'll post back and on my findings.

[Patty]

Thank you for posting more pictures of Cairo - he looks a mischief!

[BlacChev]

@Patty:

Thank you for posting more pictures of Cairo - he looks a mischief!

Pleasure is all mine, I like to show off my boy as well as seeing everyone else's B's. And yes, he is very mischievous.

[thunderbird8588]

Cairo is growing well, he's lovely. I know what you mean about the black eyeliner job, Malaika has it too.