Best posts made by Mosenji

Thank you everyone for your responses. Yes I did a whole panel for all kinds of diseases that could be born from tick and other insects and it was all negative or Inconclusive which is concerning. Going to an internal med doc this Saturday hoping to figure this all out and I will keep everyone posted. Thank you for your support and I'm so glad I'm on this forum.

Hello Basenji lovers who replied to me. My update about Kala.
Since neither the internal med vet, the opthamologist nor general vet could find out what is going on with Kala, she is diagnosed with autoimmune disorder. No real test for it, nor medicine. She has been on cyclosporine, prednisone pills and Durezol drops and her eyes seem to improve. Now we are tapering down the meds but I have added CBD to her meals twice a day and I think that has made the most positive affect. Her vision is improved but not back to normal. I am hopeful.

Update on Kala. She now can't see much but has been using her nose, hearing and amazing Basenji memory and instinct to get around. I am actually amazed at her but I am devastated to say the least. She picks up on my sadness and tears. She came close to me to smell my tears the other day. She is only 5 and 1/2 years old and it is sad not to see her zoom through the park and play being the Basenji she is. I am thankful to have this site and all the caring humans and furry ones to listen.

@tanza thank you and I agree with you as she didn't have night vision issues but good idea to rule out with a test.

Hello AnneJanine,

This is what I found online which is very interesting and I never knew myself. https://www.trendingbreeds.com/basenji-colors/

Cream And White
In place of the chestnut red coloration, cream and white Basenjis, as you might guess, have a light cream to pale yellow color.

In the earliest imported Basenjis, cream and white was a common color pattern but breeders did not care for either the color or the pale nose leather and greenish eyes that came with it and selectively bred to eliminate the color and indeed were nearly successful.

Would love to see a picture.

Is she interested in sleeping with you in bed? All my basenjis have slept with us. Some by our feet some in the middle. I'd also recommend putting a blanket on the crate to insulate it a bit.

Hi Lena,

I am wondering what research you have done to determine a Basenji may be the right companion for you? Basenjis are not like labs or goldens, they are not like any other dog you may have come to meet and enjoy. Even Though the wild has been taken out of most Basenjis unfortunately :(, they are still pretty wild and oftentimes not child friendly (mine have been and I was very lucky). I would spend a day with a Basenji household if at all possible or visit a reputable breeder to better understand this breed. Wish you the best.

Hi KiwiGirl, my first Basenji (a male, congo) was completely wild and untrainable. I don't want to be negative or hopeless here, so please take this as one person's experience. Congo was treat motivated but only when he wanted to do something. Super smart and understood hundreds of words in 3 languages as we are a tri-lingual household but would do things as he pleased. Anyway I tried the clicker and it worked indoors but outdoors he was super distracted and too many stimuli for a sight and scent hound.
My 4 year old girl (Kala) is a bit better and I think the breeders are changing the genetic of the Basenji to be less wild (good and bad). I have had better luck with her but if you are looking for a lab or a shepherd level submission and trainable dog, unfortunately a Basenji may not be your breed. They are amazing dogs but you have to outsmart them and keep them busy. You have to understand what motivates them and that takes time and trust. The human Basenji owner need the training to share a life with a Basenji and not the other way around. Good luck and I am confident you will have a lot of fun.