Hi all! Update time. We met our potential B today and we are going to get him! He is an absolute love bug - Loves people and giving kisses. We won't be getting him until this summer because he is finishing his show season. Here are some photos of the darling:!!
@DebraDownSouth great news!! We just tested my husband's allergies with Mojo, our neighbor's B. He had no reaction besides some small bumps on his skin where Mojo's fur rubbed a lot. No breathing difficulties or eye burning! 
She is too cute!! How is training going? What is her personality like? I can't resist those soulful eyes 
Hello all,
I have been reading the forums on this site for months and have learned a ton! My husband and I are young professionals living in DC and have been researching and preparing for welcoming a young adult basenji into our home. I welcome any advice from those on here who have experience with the breed. I have owned dogs from a young age (several stubborn beagles and a black lab). However, my husband has allergies to those breeds and has not yet shown an allergic reaction to basenjis he has been around.
We will be meeting two potential red and white male Bs - one is a 1 year old and the other is a young adult. They are both currently at their breeders (each is from a different breeder). Does anyone have any advice about the pros and cons of a 1 year old versus one several years older, or would it entirely depend on their individual personalities?
The main area in which I would like some advice is how to smoothly transition the little B into our household and schedule. We live in an apartment (next door to another male B!) with a dog park and lots of areas for walks and outside time. My husband and I work full-time but would be hiring a dog-walker to stop by at lunchtime every day. I work 4 days a week and telework a couple times a month, so I would have 3 full days at least each week to be with my B. We also are very active and often take long hikes and runs, which we would love to take our B on. Does anyone have tips about (1) transitioning a young adult into this type of household? and (2) advice on crating (or not crating) during the workday? Does anyone have problems with excessive howling when away during the workday?
Thank you all in advance for any advice or information!
@DebraDownSouth Thank you!! Our plan is to have my husband spend a couple hours with our neighbor's basenji in their apartment (which should have a good amount of basenji dander in it) to test his reaction. We also told both breeders that we need to test how my husband reacts when we meet the dogs in person. We certainly don't want a situation where we take a dog home unsure if his allergies would cooperate.
Other precautions we have heard are to take a daily allergy med (such as Claritin) and he is open to doing long-term allergy shots. His dog allergies are moderate, not severe (he has severe reactions to cats). He is mostly okay around beagles but worse around Labradors and golden retrievers.
We absolutely would have a "zone" in our apartment that is dog-free. We were thinking the bedroom and bathroom would be off-limits, with free reign of the living room and kitchen.
@DebraDownSouth Wow, that leash is heavy-duty! Love it! It looks like something I'd be able to create - thanks for sharing the photo!
In other news, my husband and I made plans to spend time with our neighbor's basenji (Mojo - great name) this weekend. Fingers crossed for his allergies!!!
If all goes well, we plan to meet with the potential Bs in the next few weeks
@Nancy-Berry Yes, it's for the best! I'll attach a photo of the B we are meeting (he is so gorgeous!)
I have contacted many breeders in the states around DC, but most do not have any adults available (which I guess is to be expected).
@Nancy-Berry I've never been to Kansas - Hope you have a good trip there! One more photo to share (who doesn't love puppy pictures!!!) This is our potential B at 8 weeks...
Happy update - this little dude just got his championship this past weekend. Here he is looking adorable ringside!
@DebraDownSouth I'm coming home for my lunch hour each day. We just moved to a new apartment very close to my work - so that I can give him enough exercise during the workday. I'll post some more photos!!!
Not new to the forum, but I felt Lincoln deserved an introductory post as he has now arrived home!!
Born Feb. 2016 (he is almost 1 year 7 months old)
Shares his birthday with President Abraham Lincoln
AKC Champion (now retired)
27 lbs, 17.5 inches tall
His favorite things to do are: nap for hours under a warm blanket; watch me from another room by swiveling his head around 180 degrees; running around in circles when he is antsy; and sprinting at full speed around the park.
@wizard Those are very good points. Our dog park is fenced and usually does not have more than 3-4 dogs in it, total. I agree that constant supervision is necessary! I have heard similar stories of dogs getting badly injured. The main appeal of the dog park for me is for the dog to have a chance to socialize each day - but I've had dogs in the past who absolutely would not enjoy or benefit from a dog park. Since I have not met these two Bs yet, I haven't been able to tell how they interact with other dogs.
What is the best type of harness (in your opinion) that won't allow a B to escape? I have been recommended martingale collars, and I've seen some Bs that wear a Ruffwear adventure harness.(https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LHY0PJY/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1LVP7CDG2ADA4&coliid=I2I8A7CXDS2NRD&psc=1)
@eeeefarm Thanks! A martingale sounds perfect. I've used harnesses for my beagles, because they are such pullers when they get on a scent. I will never use a flexy lead -- I saw a dog run in front of a car once when on one (thankfully, no one was hurt).
@Nancy-Berry Yes, he is soon to be retired after this show season, I think. We wouldn't be able to get him until June.
@Nancy-Berry Hahaha! Your first sounds like such a mischievous (and awesome) dog! Our neighbor's B who we played with a week ago also pinches me with his teeth! I had bruises on my legs and feet. He wanted me to play with him, but then he would run away from me really fast. Such a clown! I'm sorry about the loss of your second girl - I'm still not over my beagle who passed in July 2013, I think about him every day. I see you are in Indiana - I am from Ohio (but live in DC now) - midwest is the best!!! my brother is currently studying at DePauw in Greencastle, IN.
@DebraDownSouth They think he will take at least a couple months if not more. He is biting when they try to put a leash on or put him in the crate. They are thinking of sending him away for intensive training 
@wizard Thank you for the advice! I think his main problem is a fear of being handled. He doesn't mind his crate or leash per se, but he growls and bites when he is handled to be put into either one. The breeder isn't sure what happened in his previous home to make him this way - she doesn't have the full story.
@wizard He was smiling the whole time we were with him. He loves people - his tail goes crazy when he sees someone coming. He also gives lots of kisses!
@tanza His breeder is Marjani Basenji in Purcellville, Virginia (Julie Hartigan). He is Fanconi clear and PRA normal. 