I've had two boys and would again. Depends on the characters of the boys. Later I had three entire boys and five nubile ladies. In the season season the boys lived together in the outside des res (a large kennel with heating, light and a dog door onto a large orchard) very harmoniously.

I don't have any experience of dog parks, but from what I read - I would avoid them like the plague, unless they are like the ones frequented by a young friend of mine (with a Basenji and another breed) who lives just outside London. Lovely meadow-like venues, grass, trees and a large area.

Even they can be hazardous - but at least they mirror the countryside and are big enough not to get crowded.

Are you making a fuss when he pees ? Could he be doing it for attention ? That he does it when the kids are around, certainly sounds as though he is jealous of attention you are giving them and wants some for himself. So your reaction is key. Don't make a song and dance about it. Just tend to ignore it - of course clean it up but without saying anything to him and even totally ignoring him so he learns this is NOT the way to attract your notice.

Of course get him checked for an infection, but this would seem to be more of a behavioural issue.

A loosely strung chain link fence will keep even the most avid Basenji climber in. If it sways they have no confidence in scaling it. I protect my vegetable garden from marauding Basenjis with a mere 3 foot fence. But I've had them go over 6 foot of tightly strung fencing.

With regard to crates - oh how I wish all breeders would at least feed pups in them a few times to accustom them. I took one down to Mku's breeder who left it open near the litter who all used it as a playpen, a getaway for a sleep area and regarded it as part of their world. Nothing to be scared of. The size and constitution of the crate is important. Best a wire crate so the pup (or adult dog) can see out on all sides, big enough to be able to sit up straight or lie full out in, and with comfy bedding and a bone or a favorite toy. Enclosed 'varikennel' crates are not good for Basenjis - you need a folding wire cage.

Well done, Doodle !

Strangely, I can't find him on the AKC website under this name ? Could you give us his registration number or his parents ? (for the database, where else ?)

Again, I agree totally with DonC. As one who, through the database, has many hundreds of contacts, possibly thousands over the years, with Basenji owners, breeders and vets throughout the world, I dispute you'd find a 'world-wide concensus' in favour of early neutering of our breed.

I don't know any responsible Basenjis breeders who would advocate routinely neutering a six month old.

And I go along with Joan's question - just why are you even contemplating such a procedure ? Unless it is for your own convenience, which might be marginally more excusable iin the case of a bitch, what possible reason can you have for potentially harming this wee boy ?

There is a heavy weight of reasoned opinion against it.

Sal and Laura - lovely people who responsibly breed and rear super Basenjis - your adorable Max being one of them. Very good choice !

But on the trial pedigree, copy-pasted from my database website, there are not many photos - PLEASE email me a photo of Max and see if you can get Laura to send one of Dad too ? Or I will email her, once I get a pic of Max to include - with his registered name. I do need that too so the program knows which picture is which dog !

You can visit the on-line pedigree website from my signature block and will find my email address there.

As regards to Elizabethan collars - there is almost no wound on a Basenji that can't be protected by imaginative use of a pair of panty hose. The legs, the body, all can be cut and contrived to fit over that part of the dog which needs protection !

@donc said in 6 month neuter:

I have a great suggestion that will be 100% effective: DON'T NEUTER HIM!

Amen to THAT ! WHY neuter him ? Even if you are not going to breed him, there is no need to, effectively, mutilate him before age decrees it necessary for his quality of life. Certainly you should not even consider castrating him before hormonal and structural maturity. You will never know what harm you are doing - you might be shortening his life.

Get a vet who knows the breed. And browse this forum for Liz McCargo (Bellator Basenjis) excellent article on why NOT to neuter.
In fact, in case you don't look for it, I will append it here. Again.

The final paragraph are the words of the person who spoke to Liz.

“For the most part, I recommend delayed spaying and neutering in nearly all cases. For my puppy buyers I recommend waiting until 12-18 months old at the very least, ideally around 24 months old. For a majority of cases, this is best and best for the dogs. Although it means a little more management for the owners, it’s better in the long run for the lifetime of the dog.
“The best resource regarding spaying/neutering is the spay neuter booklet from puppy culture. It goes into all the nuances of why, from a scientific standpoint, and explains things a ton better than I ever could. What it boils down to is it’s better physically, emotionally, mentally, and psychologically for dogs to be allowed to fully mature before removing their sexual organs.
“The sexual organs help regulate the endocrine system which controls growth of joints, bones, organs, and the regulation of the thyroid. This is why many pets become fat after being fixed, the thyroid is negatively impacted by altering pets, and weight control becomes a bit more difficult. So with earlier spay/neuter, a dog can essentially grow disproportionately to what it was genetically designed since early removal of the sexual organs alters the dog genetically.
“So physically you may see no difference but their organs may be smaller or larger than originally designed which may lead to complications in the long run. So your dog may live to 10-12 years old, but had the potential to live to 15. We never really know the full impact as we cannot see into the future. Delayed altering can also reduce risks of many different types of cancers. The issues cited that support altering your pet are still there once you alter at a later age, so you’re not missing out on any of the benefits by waiting, but adding to the ultimate life long benefits by waiting.
“As long as a family can reasonably and responsibly contain their female when in season and contain their male apart from females in season, there’s no need for early altering. Many vets push it because it came from an era of pets breeding at their own will and resulted in many unwanted litters. In today’s day and of age of more fences and less farms, I don’t know any responsible owners who have unwanted litters.
“Most of Europe doesn’t alter their pets ever, but are able to responsibly contain them and prevent unwanted breedings. Anyway, that’s my two cents on it, the puppy culture book is a wealth of knowledge and the more educated you are, the better a standing up to pushy veterinarians.”

https://shoppuppyculture.com/products/puppy-culture-spay-neuter-booklet

So a) I will be buying the puppy culture booklet and b) will do everything in my power to keep my girl from being spayed until she is at least a year old and preferably two. Where I live is rampant with unneutered mutts but I have a secure house for her and am with her 100% of the time, so...we should do fine.

@sandy-hovis .Nothing yet. But I will look in SPAM later when I am at my computer