@WBL:
Okay, slight change. The basenji may be a little vocal/snappy when he meets your dogs, it's something very common to the breed, the basenji snappy is not the same as a normal dog, they are also VERY vocal and may be when meeting your dogs.
Yes, I am assuming he will be this way. I'm not sure how my 2 will interpet it though. The male always views high pitched vocals as a distress call, and will come to the rescue … attempting to cleans and groom the animal he thinks is crying. (I got him a squeaky toy to take care of because of this side of his nature.;) )
My female loves to sniff all animals, cats included. She found a friend's cat in the house while we were visiting, and was tickled pink that she found a new friend. The cat of course was hissing and ready to pounce (probably scared to death). After getting her sniff in, my girl turned to leave, and the cat attacked her hindquarters as she was walking away. She immediately turned to face the cat, laid down, apparently to be more on it's level, and whimpered these high pitched barks as if to say, "I just want to be your friend! Why did you do that?"
Another time, a jack russell attacked her 4 times within a 10 minute period. He kept going for her densly fur covered throat. (He may have weighed all of 20 lbs.) She final gave hime a warning growl ... which scared me! Fortunately that was the end of it.
It may be best to allow him to approach without being on a lease ... and keep mine leashed (maybe two seperate walks with just one of my beasts at first, then one with both). That way he can sniff when he's ready. Mine are huge, and because of that, can be rather intimidating to a smaller dog if they approach to smell before he is ready.
Thank you for the walk posts ... good thoughts ... and I will look into the muzzle thing.
Blessings!