Hi All :)

I am new to this forum. I have had my Hemi for about three years and I had some general behavior questions and wanted to see if anyone had any of the same issues.

1. Severe anxiety, to the point of aggression during any grooming or vet activities. Whenever I take her to the vet she has such severe anxiety even if I am in the room. She will not let the vet touch her, and if he tries she snaps. I have to muzzle her (which BREAKS MY HEART) to get any kind of an examination done. The last time I took her in for her booster shots she uh.. expressed her anal glands all over me - which I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. I have tried the homeopathic remedies, like calming chews but she is like a tank. I have fed her triple the amount suggested for her weight (25lbs) with no change. The same with grooming. Getting her nails clipped leaves me (and the groomer) with severe scratches because I physically have to hold her down. I know this sounds terrible, but her nails get SO LONG that I have to do something. She is never, ever aggressive towards strangers unless she is in a grooming/vet environment. I don't understand. People will come up and pet her on walks and she never has a single issue.

2. She LOVES to lick feet, hands, and legs. Not to the point of obsession, and if I tell her "no" she stops and finds something else to do. But if I were to let her she would spend hours licking my feet and legs. I have been told it's a sign of affection - but it just seems so strange.

3. Leash pulling. I know this probably isn't Basenji specific, because all dogs pull - but she is out of control. I stop walking until she stops pulling, and tell her no. But aside from those spiky collars (which I think is cruel) does anyone have any suggestions on how to get her to stop pulling. I understand that she is excited, but her an her 25lbs have pulled me (7x her body weight) so hard out the front door that I nearly fall down the stairs. I know she is STUBBORN (oh my word, is she stubborn) but she generally knows I am the boss in the house. Once we hit that front door, all bets are off!

I am so happy to hear that I am probably right! The DNA test would be fun, maybe I will try and see. Basenji's are definitely a special breed. Not for someone that wants a low maintenance dog. How smart she is amazes me, and anyone that comes into contact with her. It makes me laugh everytime someone calls a basenji the "barkless" dog.

Hello all :)

This is Hemi, I adopted her about 3 years ago from a family member that could no longer keep her. She was about 5 months old when I got her, and was originally adopted from the pound.

The pound classified her as a heeler mix, but she did not display any of the characteristic heeler behaviors that I am familiar with. After doing some research I came across an article about Basenji's and everything finally made sense! We have always joked that she is more of a cat than a dog, and I have so many videos of her special "singing." She is INSANELY smart, stubborn, and the love of my life! :)

I have asked my vet about her breed with no luck, so I was hoping for some sort of "confirmation" that I am right about her being a Basenji. I know that she isn't pure bred, but I think she has a good amount of Basenji in her. Any opinions are welcome!