Thank you all for your opinions/suggestions. I will consider what i want to do going forward. If i just accept the fact that i will be using walkers/doggy daycare on an everyday basis that does open up the available options of dog breeds to me as well. Traits like 'independent' might become less important relative to 'train ability' or 'people pleasing' since the issue of time by themselves would be largely negated I think? So perhaps i should go do some more research.

If I were to get a puppy vs. an older dog I would obviously treat that situation drastically different. I have plenty of family/friends help I could get in the area along with professional services as needed and also have plenty of vacation time to burn. That, even if it lasts for a year, I still view as something temporary vs. a permanent lifestyle change.

Hi,

I’m interested in a Basenji, but I want to make sure it is the right dog for me. I am looking for a dog that would be willing to run on most days and would do well in an apartment and could potentially be left alone for a full work day (9 hours including drive time) M-F. I live in the city in southern California so I have plenty of access to dog walkers and doggy daycare as necessary, but ideally I would like it if those were more the exception rather than the rule. I have seen information that says Basenjis due to their independence are very good being alone for a time and other anecdotes saying they would be quite destructive. I would be able to devote most of my time when not at work to it. I have also read some horror stories of Basenjis attacking other dogs/people. I would probably prefer getting a puppy in the future so I would have a chance to socialize it at a young age and spend lots of time working on obedience with it. Do you think a Basenji could thrive given the limitations of time and space it would have during the weekdays?