Opie from the West Coast

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  • CoastsiderC

    Hello everyone. I came to this forum after stumbling across that silly list of the 10 least intelligent dogs (we're number 2! We're number 2!) Obviously, any Basenji owner knows they're probably more stubborn than stupid, though my guy sometimes makes me wonder. This past weekend he got sprayed in the face (again) by a skunk, though this time I'm convinced he got ambushed..

    We've had Opie for 9 years and while I've had a number of different dogs in the past, I wouldn't trade for any other breed. A Basenji was a compromise with my wife - my parents have raised Greater Swiss Mountain dogs for years but my wife wanted something less hairy and dangerous looking. When we called around to breeders we learned about their crazy breeding cycle, we decided to visit one in Virginia to meet the potential dams. During our visit, the breeder decided we should meet one pup that she had been showing, and she opened a crate and out bounded the cutest and goofiest dog I'd ever met. We were smitten and gave up the idea of a puppy, and decided to take this nutty dog with the giant ears home.

    I had read up on Basenji's before we decided on one and I was convinced that when we got Opie home he'd be climbing the fence, jumping out windows, etc., but he hasn't been that bad. Other than keeping the door closed so he doesn't decide to jet out and tour the neighborhood, he's pretty well behaved. He's even starting to tolerate our two young girls and has stopped grumbling at them, now that he realizes that they're not going away!

    I love the breed and wanted to join the forum to share some stories and get peoples thoughts on things like skin issues and bad breath. Thanks for letting me say hello and I look forward to meeting some fellow Basenji fans!

    Brian
    attachment_t_9709_0_opie_on_beach2.jpg
    attachment_t_9709_1_giving-the-sleeper-hold.jpg

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  • tanzaT

    Welcome from a fellow Northern Cal person…. Who is Opie's breeder? Many of us are related by our Basenjis....

    Usually the cause of bad breath is a tooth or teeth problems. Has he been checked out by your Vet?

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • nobarkusN

    Hey Coastsider welcome to the forum. I'm right over the hill in Redwood City.

    Buddy, Paolo and Dan

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  • SchouiffyS

    Welcome to the forum, my parents are about an hour away from you. NorCal basenjis united !! :D

    Lauren - Lycia's Mum

    Wellington, New Zealand

    _

    I know they say dogs don't understand spite… but I swear Basenjis do._

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  • P

    Welcome to you and OPie. What sort of skin problems are you asking about?

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  • KipawaK

    Welcome to the forum. It looks like Opie is really enjoying that hug!

    Fran Harder, BAB

    With Barney in my heart

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    Howdy from West Texas, USA

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    So much going on, I've missed the forum. KD. and I have been taking classes together. Starting with puppy classes, KD has done well. Two weeks ago, we were walking home from class and suddenly confronted by a pitbull. I tried to pick up KD to protect her, but she wheeled around to face the charging dog and calmly sat down. I yelled "sit" at the pitbull, and "down" and every thing else I could think of, then I noticed KD's ears were trained backward. There were two pitbulls, one had circled through the field and was coming up behind us, while the first growled and barked at us to keep attention on him. Finally, as both dogs are circling us, the owner came out and yelled repeatedly to get them back in his pickup. He drove off immediately. These were 70 to 80 pound dogs to KD's 24 pounds. I called my trainer, Ed Nicks, a retired police K9 handler/trainer. He was amazed. KD and I both could have been shredded. The pitbulls were looking for a fight and KD simply sat down and ignored them. My older service dog, in spite of her training would have turned around ready to fight– and we both would have been mauled if not killed. I'm so thankful for KD's behavior, I don't know why she chose to sit quietly, but she stopped the attack. If the owner had not come out, I don't know what would have happened. The dogs might have attacked us anyway, but KD bought us critical time. Has anyone any ideas on how to deal with attacking dogs? Sarg. Nicks suggests a cattle prod/walking stick.