Hi from Australia, no basenji yet :(
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Hi all my names Colleen, i live is Australia, Victoria and im hoping that in a few months i will own my very first basenji! im am extremely excited and nervous at the same time. although i have done years of research on the breed and have met many, Many basenjis, their owners and breeder, i just cant help but feel that i dont know what im about to get myself into!!! ;) so i thought it would be a great idea to join this forum to get as much advice as possible from experienced owners!
in saying this i am in no way a new dog owner, i currently own a 6 and a half-ish year old boy named Ben who is supposed to be half basenji (pic of him to come) if it wasn't for my family adopting Ben, my obsession for Basenjis would no doubt have never started!
Ben, i fear, is giving me a false sense of security when it comes to basnejis. As far as they come Ben is an easy dog to live with. easy to train, Fairly obedient (sometimes!) and doesnt often put a foot out of line, doesnt chew (he did a little when he was a puppy), or dig holes and generally does the right thing when i sound serious enough!!
In saying that he is a mean hunter, and will Not listen to anyone while tracking down a rabbit. He is a perpetual bin scavenger, and quite the escape artist. he Never goes on the furniture, unless everyone has gone to work all day then he will take it upon himself to reside on the couch for the day to sleep (but has never left a scratch on the leather) and if you cant see him then its time to worry that he may be up to no good. Compared to my friends shelties, he isnt as easy to live with. so maybe i do own Half a basenji after all? lol
I show dogs, Shelties and Basenjis mainly, also i competitively trial my dog Ben in obedience (but so far all he has managed to archive is GREATLY embarrassing him mum in front of lots of people!!!) and have trained him in agility.
Anyways i do have plenty of question, and surely more once i actually have a basenji, so im sure you will see my questions around the forum.
Colleen and Ben -
Sounds like you have a lot of experience dealing with all sorts of different dogs. If you have shown basenji's then you sort of know what you might be in for. I wouldn't be too nervous about it, you will do fine! They are so much fun, I love my two to bits. Good luck with your new B.
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Thanks for the reassurance Krunzer! no doubt there will be lots of differences between Ben and a basenji puppy.. i cant wait!
i think im expecting the worst, and hoping for the best :) and my little experience with friends basenjis will help im sure. the first time i tried to handle a basenji was a disaster, he knew straight away i wasnt confident and walked ALL over me!! the second time He wasn't so lucky ;) i got the upper hand, and he showed beautifully for me. we reach an understanding then :)
