WBL:

Do you have trouble with your boxer in the heat? I was advised on the boxer board to not even think about getting one, because they have heat exhaustion starting in the 80 degree temp range> because of their short snouts. We live in Texas. Usually not the high humidity, although the weather has been changing over the last several years to more humidity during the summer, usually its a dry heat. We do get hot. By August it is 100 deg. every day.

Tanza, on breeders that advertise, and the club breeders:
That would be nice. So far I have not found any listed within several hundred miles. Like I said, I will know when I see the dogs.

I think dogs come into our lives for a reason. The Dobe came and taught me how to be a leader, even through disabilites. He pulled me through a rough time in my life, as he was going through his. He will always be with me. The beagle taught us, well, the hound mind, and pulled my son through hard time. I love watching the beagle work through the scents and mentally "categorize" what he smells. He has taught me to take in life, that there is a place for everything. IF I get a basenji, or similar breed, I know it will be to teach me independence. To stand on my own 2 feet and be more sure of myself. Because I know that is a stage I have to enter in this time of my life.
Please don't lecture me about how to pick a puppy. I understand about the backyard breeders… I have done my reading. I have raised numerous types of animals my whole life. They have all been my teachers. I will find the best breeder I can.

I have found that I really don't enjoy the ball throwing as much. The dobe wants to play 2-3 times a day. But we can't go for walks right now because of the weather, and a houseful down with the flu.
Yes, I will call on a breeder that advertises, because I want to see the dogs. Then I will know more how I want to proceed and where, IF the breed seems right for me. I will go with the best breeder that I can find, if this is the right breed. I am taking my time. I have to think 10 years + down the line.
Does anyone use a pack on their basenji?

As soon as I see some advertised, I will talk with some of the breeders. I will know more when I see the dogs. I always go by what my gut tells me. I will know then. But aside from the negative factors, the more positive ones mentioned are what I want in my next dog. I want a companion, snuggle bunny, something to go with me everywhere, and hiking, as I am getting out in the field more this year to study my herbs in the wild. And it would be nice not to turn around and have him/her beaming his little thoughts of "play ball now" into my head several times a day. My Dobe does that. He is fun though.

wow. They sound like such a neat dog. I will keep all this in mind as look around. Thanks for all the replies.

ok, so the B.'s are independent, do what they want etc…. So what is it about the breed that outweighs all the negative factors. What is it about them that makes you put up with them. ??

All very good replies. I can see how independent this breed is, and in a way, that's what I want in a dog–one that can think for himself. I think I'm afraid that if it runs off it won't come back. I keep thinking about what I read on how the bushmen used the dog, to push the game into nets. It can obviously be trained to work as a team also, instead of just deciding on its own what to do all the time. Does anyone have any info on how they were trained in Africa? That would be very interesting. I really like the trainability of my Doberman. He has spoiled me. He can figure things out. The beagle doesn't bug me to go play. He is more laid back. The Dobe needs me to play on a schedule every day. He has energy to burn and knows he needs to run around. Then he is a happy dog. I enjoy both of them.

I am getting this response in other forums also. It is certain dogs in the breed that do this. Some are easier to train than others. One said he trained his dog not to climb the fence, and I am waiting for a reply as to how he did that. Does anyone here know how to train them not to climb a fence? One said that hers didn't respond well to corrections, but more treat training. My Dobe just likes to please, and will work for treats, except when we play ball, and then its down to business. The beagle looks at you like, so, what's in it for me. You show him the treat, and he's the brightest student in class. So these are the extremes I'm living with. Where in between does the basenji fit??

Well, most of the time I leave my dogs inside. I like leaving the Dobe inside while I'm gone. We feel much safer with him around. So what kind of fencing does everyone have?
My son has a beagle. Definately understand the "what's in it for me?" attitude. But he's loveable. Much more loveable than the Dobe. The Dobe is more regal and aloof. And then he can turn around and be a complete galloping jackrabbit.

Thanks for the replies. I believe a tired dog of any breed is a good dog. My doberman is much happier after we have played ball, and he has his tongue hanging out. Then he is relaxed. (this is a short session every day, just enough to burn some of his energy)
I just wanted to know that if I took a B. off leash, that it would return shortly. My doberman can't stand to not have us in sight. Always doing a perimeter check, then back to us to check in. I like that. I don't want a dog to go off and stay off for a long time.
What are the differences in training a B. compared to a Doberman? The dobe is so easy to train. He figures things out. I've never had a dog that was intelligent, til him. Smart yes, like shelties, but intelligently figure out things is neat. Are the B.'s this way?
On the prey drive: will the B. naturally bring in his kills (quail, rabbits) back to you? Or do you have to spend a lot of time training him to? Or does he just keep it and eat? Just wondering how to go about that if I want to use him to hunt small game?
I read several web sites, and the escaping part was on them, that if you left a door open, out goes the dog. So can I let him out in the yard to go potty without supervision, or do I have to have him leashed at all times? I just let my Dobe out, and he noses the door when he's ready to come in. How different is the B? If I'm gone for the day, do I have to keep him tied (which I don't like) or will he stay happily in the yard with my other dog? We have a large yard, half in 6ft metal fencing, the other half in chain link.

We have the rattlesnakes and the coyotes. Will have to learn how to teach them to avoid snakes. I always figured my schnauzer would die from a snake bite, but she never got bit once. I don't know how she avoided them, because when she got hot on the trail, she backed up to the yucca and sit in the shade.

hello, I am new here. I have been researching dog breeds for a few years now for a nice companion and trail dog. This will be my 3rd dog in my pack, but will be my main traveling/hiking companion. My other trail dog of 14 years just passed away. She was a mini schnauzer, and loved the trail. She went many miles with me and we had many adventures. I wanted something bigger than her, but definately a lot smaller than my doberman. I have looked at fox terriers and jack russels, and liked what I saw, but nothing really tugged at me (except boxers, but they are prone to heat exhaustion) until I saw the basenji. I remembered we took care of one for an aquaintance when i was a child, but other than remembering it didn't bark, and the tan color, I don't remember much about him. i think we only had him for a few days. Anyway, I would like to know more about this breed. I have enjoyed working with my doberman, he is such a smart dog. I want a dog that likes to snuggle in bed, likes to sit with me, and loves to go. Because of deformed back legs, my doberman can not go with me. It sounds like the basenji likes to snuggle and is active. But what about the escaping part? Is that only when they are bored and have not been exercised? Is it loyal? I want to learn more.