Skip to content

The Power of Animals - basenji reference

Basenji Talk
  • I've been reading an ethnography called The Power of Animals by Brian Morris for a paper that I'm writing. The book is about the the relationships between Malawi cultures and the animal world. In the section on hunting, it says that all serious hunters have a hunting dog. He describes the dogs as basenji-like. They aren't aggressive, but are loyal, tenacious, and have great endurance. The physical descriptions he gives are spot on, from size, coat, and colors to curly tail, wrinkled forehead, and barklessness while hunting. He does say that they bark when threatened or disturbed. They consider their dogs to be friends and part of their household.

    I thought this was interesting, especially since I just happened to come across it.

  • Interesting. Griff barks when disturbed, excited, or he's trying to get our attention.

  • Sounds like a fascinating book! I'm going to try to track it down.

  • It's a coincidence that you should mention this Crystal. Yesterday i was writing to a young child who lives in Northern Malawi and was unsure whether to mention our Basenji.
    When corresponding you are asked to be careful about mentioning certain subjects in case you cause offence.
    However when i emailed for advice i have been told it will be ok to mention Malaika.

Suggested Topics

  • Basenji

    Basenji Talk
    4
    -1 Votes
    4 Posts
    9k Views
    D
    Where I am it costs about $2K+ for a dog from a breeder for just about any breed. Goldens may be less because the litters are so large. That may seem like a lot, but, as Debra mentions, dogs cost money to care for. After vet bills and boarding fees and food, it matters little what the dog cost to acquire. Leaving true puppy mills out of the discussion, given the costs of being a responsible breeder -- testing, vet bills, feeding -- and how much work breeding is, I can't imagine anyone doing it for the money. That leads to two problems for people looking for dogs. One is that since breeding isn't really lucrative, there aren't a ton of breeders, which means the supply of pups is low. Second is that most Basenji breeders want to place their pups in the best possible homes -- remember they aren't doing it for the money -- which means they're looking for people who have had Basenjis before. Something of a Catch-22.
  • Basenji or...not?

    Basenji Talk
    26
    1 Votes
    26 Posts
    22k Views
    HeidiAceH
    @debradownsouth Thanks you so much. We'll give it a try.
  • A basenji

    Basenji Talk
    19
    0 Votes
    19 Posts
    18k Views
    Chealsie508C
    There's nothing like a basenji in the works, from the way they instinctively lay with their had on the bum looking the other way ( I've never met a B that doesn't) to the way you KNOW they all rub on wet towels or play bow…it's all very endearing and in this breed you often identify traits that they all have, an insight into their genetics and their behaviors. I've never enjoyed a breed so much.
  • Is this a Basenji??

    Basenji Talk
    20
    0 Votes
    20 Posts
    15k Views
    G
    My Basenji Billy is quite undershot; he's a purebred, his bottom jaw just didn't stop growing when it was supposed to. That's okay, I'm a bit of a sucker for a dog with an underbite anyway.:) He was my first rescue Basenji.
  • Animal Planet Dogs 101: Basenji Video Clip

    Basenji Talk
    48
    0 Votes
    48 Posts
    28k Views
    P
    Me too. and I also wonder how these films can be a blessing as well as a boon for breeders? I do know that we have a major problem here in Border Collie Rescue which initially arose after the television series of Sheepdog trials. So many thought what a wonderful pet such clever dogs would be!
  • I think our Basenji is addicted to watching Animal Planet!

    Basenji Talk
    15
    0 Votes
    15 Posts
    5k Views
    ElscodobermannE
    Our dobes ignore the television, and so does Tilly mainly - unless she hears childrens voices - then she is over at it straight away. There was a popular yoghurt advert a few months ago featuring a young child talking - Tilly would wake up from a deep sleep and rush over to stand with her nose pressed against the screen! I dont tend to watch much TV, but Tilly likes to read books with me - well she sits beside me and pushes her head infront of whatever im reading to get attention. it usually works.