Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Basenji Talk
  3. Thinking of getting a Basenji

Thinking of getting a Basenji

Basenji Talk
  • C

    Hello, after doing lots of research I have decided I would like a Basenji.

    I already have two jack Russell's and have the time to train and keep a new puppy company. I trained my JRT's since they were five weeks old and I do agility and Obiedence with them and would like to do agility with the Basenji.

    Ask me whatever you need to know.

    Thank you.

    0
  • P

    Welcome to the Forum. What part of England do you live?

    I've always found that Basenjis love Agility but not so fond of obedience although they are very good at that too. Clicker Training is ideal. They don't respond as well to formal training.

    Well done for researching the breed first. Have you visited with Basenjis in their own homes yet?

    0
  • C

    Thanks for the reply!

    We live in the South of England, haven't visited any yet but will soon as just contacted a breeder to ask when the next litter is due and then will ask if I can visit beforehand.

    Thanks for the tips. Do you think they will get on fine with the new puppy? Or I should say the new puppy with them?

    0
  • thunderbird8588T

    Hello, welcome to the forum from another UK member
    It would be hard for anyone to say whether your dogs would get on with a new puppy. It all depends on temperaments and circumstances.
    Obviously you will know that there are things you can do to help the dogs get on such as making sure non of them have reason to be jealous.
    I'm sure if you search the forum there will be plenty of info re introducing dogs and your breeder will be able to advise too

    Shelley

    Basenji Malaika

    Basenji Malaika
    Basenji Kwame

    0
  • agilebasenjiA

    re agility and basenjis

    I find my basenjis are much more aware and sensitive to the environment than my friends' terriers. Otherwise, I think you'll find many similarities, but the basenjis have their own twist on things. ;-)
    good luck!

    0
  • C

    Thanks both, I think the first thing I will teach will be recall. Even though I know it's hard for a Basenji. Hopefully my JRT's will keep her active.

    Just chosen a name for whenever I get her :)

    0
  • agilebasenjiA

    Recall requires a LOT of maintenance. I'd guess the terrors, er terriers, are the same, just basenjis can run faster.

    Are you telling people the name? I picked out Zest!'s name before I got her, then had to find the dog that fit the name. I said to myself, "I want an agility dog named Zest!" And so, the rest is history.

    Are your Jack's long legged? Seems like on this side of the pond what was the JRT is suddenly 3 breeds - Parson's, JRT, and Russels. I can't keep them straight.

    0
  • C

    Thanks for the reply!

    I can tell you guys the name lol

    Not sure when I'm getting her so not telling people yet.

    All I know is long-legged JRT's are called Parsons and are recognised by our kennel club and any other JRT's are not and just called JRT's.

    Mine are not long-legged :)

    Queta \qu(e)-ta\ as a girl's name is pronounced KAY-tah. It is of Spanish origin.

    0
  • Shaye's MomS

    Your JRT's will have the energy to keep up (sort of) with the basenji, but be sure to give it a little time before you commit - some JRT's (like my sister's) absolutely have no liking for basenjis, because the B will immediately assume he or she is top dog. My sister's JRT is also the short-legged type. He hates Shaye, but it may just be those two particular dogs ?

    0
  • C

    Thanks for the reply.

    We have one Basenji round here and mine get on fine with her :)

    0
  • C

    I have a general question. Does anybody elses Basenji not like to be picked up. Ours sometimes loves it, and sometimes not. Also
    sometimes she runs up to dogs as quiet as can be and plays, and than other times she makes a squeeling noise, and people
    are afraid she is picking a fight with their dog. But I think shes just talking. She squeels at our new Whippet puppy, and loves to
    play with her and is as gentle as can be, considering the Whippet puppy is really rough on my poor Basenji baby girl. does anyone
    know what the squeeling means. The baroo I get she does that all the time. The squeeling is confusing.

    0

Suggested Topics

  • J

    Looking at getting a Basenji.

    Basenji Talk
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    1k Views
    tanzaT
    @jordandwilly - Thanks for clearing that up.... 9-5 is just fine, IMO.... I work and have always had to leave mine when I was at work, never an issue. That said, we were able to set up the house that access to the backyard (with 10 to 12' privacy fences) with a doggy door and a dog room in the house for them, Locks on the gates so there is NO access for anyone. Dogs sleep 90% of the day so being at work doesn't bother them... never have mine even when I had a litter in the house (And have been in the breed as owner/breeder for 35+ years). You can hire a dog walker to take them out mid day..which is a good solution. and give them a mid day meal depending on their age. I do not and never have used free feeding, period. Especially if you have more that one... you never know what/who is eating what. And you can set up camera's on line to watch them from "afar".... LOL. Keep in mind people that many of us need to work and have day jobs. The most important thing is the time you need to spend with them when you are home. Example would be, if you have young children and you work... when you get home you are going to spend your time with your human children... NO dog would be happy if left out... they need their time also because they are a family member and need as much time as a human child. Again in my opinion
  • ?

    When to get another Basenji

    Basenji Talk
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    13k Views
    ?
    Wow! Somehow, I never got emails letting me know I had responses to this thread and just assumed there weren't any. But now that I'm back in the loop, I did want to thank everyone for their feedback and provide some thoughts of my own. That makes me laugh about the rescue person who wouldn't let young families or lawyers adopt her dogs. :-D I can understand her rationale from both perspectives. It's a compelling argument on her part about lawyers, but not all lawyers are the same, of course. I know a lot of extremely busy lawyers in large firms who struggle to hit their billable hour requirement each month. They're machines instead of people, and I wouldn't even let them dogsit my babies for fear of neglect. That's not my situation, fortunately. The young family part will be, but I've been thinking really carefully on how I'll balance this when the time comes. My dogs are my first children, and I would hire as many trainers as needed and try as many alternatives as I could before I would give them up. Unfortunately, I don't think a lot of people have that mindset about their dogs. :( I would absolutely be open to the idea of having the breeder choose a puppy for us based on their experience and prediction as to personality. All basenjis are gorgeous to me, and as long as the markings aren't completely off-base and I can get a tightly-curled tail (I've seen that the Avongaras can be lacking in this area, and I need a cinnamon bun in my life), personality is the most important thing. I wouldn't nitpick it to death. I'll have to decide on a breeder at some point, and I'd love one who's relatively local so I could visit. The man I got Penny from had great pet Basenjis that he bred… I'd like to go with a more reputable breeder this time around. At the very least, he tested for Fanconi. I can be grateful for that, as all is well so far and I more than likely dodged a bullet when I ended up with such a fantastic dog. My plan would be to decide and get on a waiting list far enough in advance that if there were a couple litters that just didn't produce what my family and I were looking for, we wouldn't be waiting forever. In short, what I'm banking on is that the right pup with the right personality will fit in pretty flawlessly. I know what sets my basenji off in other dogs, and I'm hopeful that I could find one that would suit her and suit our home. Daisy certainly worked out well for her, and I'd love to have that same success again. I've done three puppies in my lifetime, and all of them have grown up to be well-adjusted adults. I know what it takes, and I know it's hard work. I would never go the route of having an infant and a puppy at the same time (isn't THAT actually the definition of insanity?? ;) ), but I am still trying to shoot somewhere in the next 3-4 year range so my two aren't past ten and too old to handle a puppy.
  • eoyE

    Considering getting a Basenji

    Basenji Talk
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    1k Views
    lvossL
    Yes, early socialization and positive experiences is the best way to go. I think the most important thing about puppy kindergarten is that it is positive based and focuses on socialization with both people and dogs. Some basenji don't necessarily do well with the small dogs and other love them. Sophie was always the best with the new pups of any size in her puppy class, she just had phenomenal dog language and would make herself as small as possible and go at their speed. What you want to be careful about is people who have already formed a preconceived notion of basenji behavior. My mom's first puppy class instructor always expected her boy to be aggressive even though he never showed any aggression and was always very appropriate in his interactions. I crate puppies next to the bed while housebreaking and it works fine. I have always used a large stuffed toy in the crate and this year used SnugglePuppies, they were wonderful. The pup snuggled right up to warmth and fell asleep, provided we did a good job of tiring him out for the night. I got my first basenji while I was in Grad school and lived in an apartment. It is doable as long as you are willing to make sure they get enough exercise and mental stimulation.
  • C

    Thinking about a Basenji

    Basenji Talk
    59
    0 Votes
    59 Posts
    19k Views
    MacPackM
    Although my DH gets yearly "puppy lust", my personal rule is "I don't take any basenji under 2". By 2, their brains have developed and their attention span is longer than a nanaosecond (where you are concerned). They still have plenty of youthful energy but are not uncontrollable maniacs bent on destruction. That said, I confess I get puppy-lust myself, they are just so cute and funny and adorable. That is how they live to adulthood! Anne in Tampa
  • AlexA

    Poll: Where Did You Get Your Basenji?

    Basenji Talk
    19
    0 Votes
    19 Posts
    6k Views
    youngandtiredY
    Well, it started when I was out with my 22yr. old son at the mall. He said, "Hey, Mom lets look at the dogs in the petstore ", I replied, "I don't have time besides your Dad has too many ideas what a dog has to be like for us to get one", I'll never find a dog like he wants". That was 3 yrs. ago this Jan., and I had never heard of a Basenji. I called DH about 3 times the night I found Sahara to persuade him we needed this dog, but she was very expensive so it took some work talking him into me buying her. She is owned by my son, me and my husband, she lives with my husband and I. She is the best dog I have ever owned, and I have had many through my lifetime. I would never get another dog from a pet store (didn't know about puppy mills)but I would have not known of this breed if I hadn't stopped and looked that night. My husband loves this dog so very much, he buys her whatever she wants or needs. I love her also, she is my joy and I can't stand to be from her for very long, we just got back from a trip and it was so hard missing her. My son said that she didn't eat very good while we were gone and was very destructive in the house. Guess she missed us as well!
  • K

    Thinking about getting a basenji…

    Basenji Talk
    32
    0 Votes
    32 Posts
    26k Views
    tanzaT
    @JazzysMom: Well, it's a good thing we went straight to a breeder! I'd considered BRAT, but decided to get a puppy instead. Good thing, because with six kids at home and lots of other kids in and out, we'd have never gotten a dog! Sad isn't it….