TWICE today! Grrrrr!
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When I was taking my boy to obediance class the trainer who is a certified animal behaviorialist and trains therapy dogs. She was using my dog to demonstrate something and she dropped the treat she was going to use as a reward. Cody remained in the stay position she had put him in as she bent down to get the treat. She told me she was amazed b/c every other basenji she knew would have bitten her to get the treat. I was thinking WOW what had these poor basenji's been through to make them act that way. She then told me that basenji's have a reputation for being mean. I've never seen it with my two.
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Note the other thread on temperament. It was a known fact many years ago that Basenjis would bite first, ask questions later. Even today in the show ring, many judges feel the same way.
Just a couple of weeks ago, I was at a show in OR with a Canadian Judge. I had gone in and put Franie stacked on the table, as the judge approached she ask "Is she OK?", when I looked at her a bit funny and responded "She is fine, might kiss you however", the judge responded with, well not like the Basenjis in Canada, they bite first.
I was a bit surprised at the comment. I do have to say however that at least she approached the dogs with confidence, nothing bothers a Basenji more then a judge pussing footing around with the air of being scared to death of the dog.
And many behaviorists really only see the "bad" dogs, the ones that come from BYB that are not well bred, not socialized as pups, not raised by dog savy owners (and a dog savy owner can be one that is new to dogs or the breed, IMO… it is all what they learn and how it is applied).
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There are many people who have had bad experiences with basenjis and many who like to tell everyone they know how horrid they are.
My mom was staying with my aunt recently who was having her house painted. She had 3 of her basenjis out with her to take a walk. The painter came up and asked if he could say hi to the dogs. My mom said no problem, though they might be distracted since they knew they were going for a walk soon. The dogs all eagerly greeted him and basked in the attention. The painter asked what kind of dogs and she told him they were basenjis. The painter then said, "Really, my brother in law insists basenjis would rather eat than look at you and you could never have more than one because they would kill each other." So the painter took lots of pics of the dogs behaving politely and lounging about with each other so he could show his brother in law the "viscious beasts" he met. He visited them each day he came to paint and thoroughly enjoyed them and said his brother in law simply refused to believe him and the photos.
As for behaviorists and trainers, I have found it really depends just like with vets. Some have had horrible experience that make it so they cannot think of anything but the bad and others who really understand dogs and love the unique traits and challenges each breed possess and each individual possess.
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The flip side of this thread is that there are several agility people in this area who don't believe me when I say basenjis (badsenjis) have a bad reputation because all they've ever met are my basenjis. :p
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I had a dozen people come over to us ringside today and ask to hold Tempest because she wAs being so cute playing with her half sister who she met for the first time today. She was quite happy to give out kisses and snuggles to all. I think a great deal of their temperament has to do with how well socialized a dog is. A dog who is only taken out of it's crate to show, and yes I know some people , where that is the only time their dog is out in public, is more likely to be frightened and snarky
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I had a dozen people come over to us ringside today and ask to hold Tempest because she wAs being so cute playing with her half sister who she met for the first time today. She was quite happy to give out kisses and snuggles to all. I think a great deal of their temperament has to do with how well socialized a dog is. A dog who is only taken out of it's crate to show, and yes I know some people , where that is the only time their dog is out in public, is more likely to be frightened and snarky
Agreed Lisa…. for sure! I think that is why that Basenjis really do not do well with many handlers... they need personal attention from birth..ggg
I know one handler with a Tri that the owner/breeder is from the Mid West, he shows out here many times on the West Coast. He bitches all the time about how "needy" the bitch is... and how she screams in an xpen, crate, etc... my response... she wants to be "special" and not share time with others... she needs attention between shows, not just when you drag her out and put her in the show ring.
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Well, take this comfort. My other breeds are Chows and Rotties.
I get more grief and ignorance over Chows than I will ever get for Rotties and Basenji's combined and multiplied by 1000000.Chows, who bless their hearts simply do not want to be abused and make the greatest of pets in the right home, guardians of children and utter loves. But most people only meet the poorly bred, stupidly owned. Well even poorly bred… honest I have done hundreds of shelter evaluations on Rotties and Chows. Stability wise, the chows are almost always okay, the rotties not so much. But it doesn't matter... we have homes for 10 rotties before one chow. Which is why there are so few chow rescues and why the massive rescue here in GA of nearly 100 chows were transported to a rescue in NY.
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Well, on my fifth "B" and only one was mean, not by nature but seems like the treatment he got from his first owner, I ended up being the third thanks to Wanda. She knew I could handle him and it did take some time before he trusted me. He did end up be really a social critter. The people at the kennel never had anything but kind words about any of them. This last one I got six weeks ago is a real sweet heart, most gentle one I've had.
DaMac -
Well, take this comfort. My other breeds are Chows and Rotties.
I get more grief and ignorance over Chows than I will ever get for Rotties and Basenji's combined and multiplied by 1000000.Chows, who bless their hearts simply do not want to be abused and make the greatest of pets in the right home, guardians of children and utter loves. But most people only meet the poorly bred, stupidly owned. Well even poorly bred… honest I have done hundreds of shelter evaluations on Rotties and Chows. Stability wise, the chows are almost always okay, the rotties not so much. But it doesn't matter... we have homes for 10 rotties before one chow. Which is why there are so few chow rescues and why the massive rescue here in GA of nearly 100 chows were transported to a rescue in NY.
My sis has had 2 male chows (those have passed away) and is now on their 3rd chow, a blue female. She is 6 years old now, and she has never been anything but a delight (same as the 2 males were). People are always surprised when they meet Beatrice - comments like "wow, what a mellow chow'. I totally agree about 'poorly bred' and 'stupidly owned', and that applies to any dog, really.
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Well said Fran!
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**B's are just like people when it comes to personalities. Some are happy all the time and some aren't. My Peanut was the happiest, most fun lovin rascal ever, but now my Zander is a grouch. Been that way since the start and it's not something any of us can change.
As for what that person has heard in the past. Just like when someone has a bad experience at a business, 10x as many people hear about it as do when they have a good experience.**
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I wish those folks could have met my Black Magic. She was such a love. She lived to be 17 1/2 before crossing the bridge. She grew up with my kids. My son used her as a walking aid when he started to pull up on furniture, if she was closer her would pull up on her, pull on her collar and even her ears occasionally, we corrected that quickly. She never growled or grumped at a child. When Duane was home she would lay in a spot and an electrician or plumber could come in do their thing and then leave. But, if Duane was not in the house and I was crazy enough to allow a stranger into her house with her kids, I had to hold onto her collar and then onto her, she wanted them out and made certain they knew it. Learned to let my hubby schedule people into the house while he was there, if I was gone and he was there, no problem, guess I did not rate high on being protective enough in her eyes. She was mine and I still miss her.
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Note the other thread on temperament. It was a known fact many years ago that Basenjis would bite first, ask questions later.
I hear this from time to time and smile. My first Basenji that I had in 1966 had the best temperament of any of them. She was absolutely fine with anyone and everyone, loved children, was aloof but not snarky with adults, and I could take her anywhere. My Mom took her on a Humane Society tag day, lots of strangers patting her and when one picked her up she yodeled! If I disturbed her when she was sleeping, she would grumble, and if I picked her up when she was comfortable she would snarl…...sounded like a fire engine.....but she would never nip or bite.
I have never known a Basenji that wouldn't snark if you disturb them when they are comfortable, but most of mine were all noise, no action.
Like most breeds, there are good and bad. I think one reason people get the impression they are nasty is that most Basenjis will stand on their dignity and don't suffer personal disrespect gladly. You generally can't take liberties with one that doesn't know you.
