Basenji Talk

Registration papers should be proof, but without DNA confirmation one can never be positive. I know a breeder (in another breed) who was getting old and a bit confused and I am sure some of her pups' parents were not accurately attributed, but the pups were purebred, just possibly from different sire. Coat colour can vary tremendously and it's more likely when it isn't a disqualification in the breed. If you are buying a dog described as purebred then there should be registration papers given to you. A DNA test should tell you whether the dog is Basenji or mixed with something else, if you really want to know.

@zande "After you", as my English husband says, politely.

I was referring to spaying of females - but yes, you have the right of it across the board.

Looks can be so deceiving- here is an article of a woman who adopted a rescue dog in N.J. Dog looks like a basenji - even her vet thought it might be basenji. She did an Embark DNA test - no basenji. Turned out the dog was a mixture of Mountain Cur, Rat Terrier, Beagle, and Boston Terrier. link text

Agree with @elbrant and I'd like to add, when you return be very matter of fact, do not make a big fuss, particularly if she is excited and effusive in her greeting to you. Sure, acknowledge her if you must but don't make any sort of big deal out of it. Go about your business, e.g. if you've been shopping, put your things away before spending any time with her. Your goal is to make your absence just part of a normal routine, nothing to be excited about. I've had two separation anxiety dogs, and you know you have won the battle when the dog just glances at you in an "oh, you're back" way and doesn't bother getting off the couch! Yes, people like it when their dog greets them and makes a big fuss, but if you feed that behaviour you give too much emphasis to your absence and that can grow into anxiety in your dog.

As I have said before, I work on the principle that I am bigger than they are and it is MY house. Make a tremendous song and dance about unimportant misdeamours and pretend to ignore the serious infringements. Then when the pack wants to punish me they do something which they know will get them the most attention - screaming and tears from me. But a bored Basenji will tend to destruction if there is nothing else to do. It needs plenty to hold its interest. Toys, bones, a companion.

You were pretty much right DonC, I showed the vets office the picture I had taken and they believed it could very well been a bug bite that had caused the baggy skin. Sorry I haven't downloaded the pic I have really been under the weather. Maybe I will upload the picture sometime in the future.

@beth314 They do get too heavy, even for the sling !

My old man did not deal with Boise winters. I went to the the salvation army and bought him a little kids hoodie. He liked it and was never bothered by the hood occasionally falling over his head. He learned to flip it back.

@tanza I'll PM ya. :winking_face: :thumbs_up:

@eeeefarm In all these years and with lots and lots of hernias (Basenji Moms have a tendency to take the cord in their mouth, paw in the stomach of the neonate and WRENCH so they are understandable) I have never known (or heard of for that matter) one strangulate. But as @tanza says, careful observation - is the lump changing colour, for instance - will show you if things ARE going wrong.

@kembe thank you for that!

I am big fan of cooking for my dog. I used to make big pots of food and freeze the portions. Lately she has been eating what I eat, I set a portion aside in her bowl (which sits on the table while I eat my dinner and then is put on the floor for her). I have to say that I do think I'm eating healthier because of concerns for her "diet". We are both a bit overweight, but conscious of it and exercising (i.e, going on long walks) as much as possible.

@elbrant Yes - over here, humidity is normally very high, so it is a prickly, not a dry heat.

You might reach out to BRAT and ask if they have any foster's in your area that would dog-sit for you. They seem to have Basenji foster parents in every city, so they are experienced with Basenji's and would be able to adapt to short stays. Offer a "donation" of sorts and make it very clear that you are not surrendering your little lady. (worth a shot)

I know that frustration! Training with high value treats helps. Sanji loves salmon.

I found the transcript from the documentary. If the age part is true, the rest is not (unless there's difference between our European bred Basenjis and those in Africa): NARRATOR: Sharing the same curly-tailed trait [as the Akita] is the venerable African Basenji. DEBBYE TURNER: Basenji is the granddad of ancient dogs. However, they’re not that trainable. They will not do obedience tricks like other breeds. Come back here. And here’s an example! NARRATOR: There is something else very wolf-like about a Basenji… SOUND OF DOGS HOWLING NARRATOR: …its yodel. These breeds reveal much about how dogs may have appeared and acted after they first transitioned from pack hunters to scavengers and provide clues as to why they may have first appealed to humans. DEBBYE TURNER: You won’t see Basenjis doing tricks, but because of their closeness to their wolf ancestors, they are considered very adept hunters. Here's the video link. Basenjis mentioned 25 min. into it. https://www.pbs.org/video/dog-tales-vskr2y/

@sanjibasenji Marvin brought a couple of Resco clippers over from the States when he married me and moved this side of the Pond. Although that was 45 years ago now and Marvin joined his huge pack of departed Basenjis a while back, the clippers are still going strong and I haven't needed to look for others - Probably there are better ones around these days, but my old ones still do a good job.

Seems the modern versions all have a rubber palm with with protruding nibs for removing loose hair, but lack the chamois for polishing. Can't seem to find a Chamois Hound Glove anywhere. After googling them, the search returned returned links to other dog forums that discussed them as well. Like here, people seem to know what they are, but no one knows where to get one. If you have one take care of it. Its seems you are in possession of a unicorn. :unicorn_face:

I don't like harnesses. I read something recently that putting them on too young a puppy can do nasty things to their shoulder formation as they grow. MUCH better to use a Gentle Leader as a training tool or as @eeeefarm suggests, a martingale collar. That way you control the head of your dog and can train it properly.