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.
2010 Basenji Club of Southeastern Wisconsin Lure Coursing Fundraiser.
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Hi All,
BCOSW will be having a lure coursing fundraiser on May 15, 2010 at Lurecoursing Fanatics in Caledonia, WI. All breeds and mixed-breeds are welcome!
If you ever wanted to try coursing your dog but were afraid of it running away, this location is great as it is completely fenced. You can even let your puppies do a short puppy run or two (typically a straight-line down and back) to get used to the lure.
There will also be a small rummage sale, bake sale (I think I gained 10 lbs after the last one.
) and simple lunch served.Check out http://www.bcosw.org/events.htm or www.facebook.com/bcosw (events tab) for details.
Come join the fun!
Hope to see you there!
Clay -
i wish we could attend. Unfortunatley I will be working this upcoming weekend. Please keep us informed on future events. I live quite a bit a way (springfield, IL) but it would be a fun trip. THanks…..
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Though in the Vancouver, British Columbia area, I do appreciate hearing about various meet ups, such as those in Washington state, Vancouver Island - places not too far from me. So thanks for posting the event because I am sure there are people that don't mind the drive (I don't) to see and be a part of various get-togethers and competitions.
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oohh, I wish I was closer…Texas is a bit far though..have fun for me!!
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Oh please keep me posted of future events. I'm in Minnesota and Kenosha wouldn't be that far to go. But this weekend I'm leaving on a camping trip otherwise we'd probably come.
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Here are some photos from the event. Everyone had a blast. The weather was almost perfect.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=223877&id=229601021286&l=2e2f1e32cd
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Wanted to come to this event and we ARE close (Hillsboro, WI) but had camping and school event with our children. We are hoping to make it to the FUN DAY in Rockford, IL on June 12th.
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We're thinking about having another lure coursing fundraiser in November. It was so much fun this last time. Here is the photo album from the photographer. Lots of different breeds of dogs.
http://www.allcreaturesphoto.com/GroupOrg-Events/BCOSW
And just to toot my own horn, here is a pic or two of my dogs from the album.
Zoni - she's a natural, can't wait to run her for real. She has laser focus on the lure.
http://www.allcreaturesphoto.com/GroupOrg-Events/BCOSW/BCSOW-Fundraiser-May-15-2010/BCOSWFundRaiser201005150858/875537175_bhDBE-S.jpgNemo - can't believe he actually coursed. He's a bit of a goof (and looks like a kangaroo in the pic
). I was more thrilled to watch him run than Zoni. He zoned out the second time to sniff some flowers and didn't complete the course. 
