Advice for potential first-time basenji owners

[eeeefarm]

I like the "hound" martingale collars. If they are fitted correctly there is no way your dog is going to back out of it, plus they are wide enough that he isn't going to injure himself if he pulls, but it does give you an advantage over a flat collar (which certainly can be backed out of unless it is tight!) I'm not a big fan of harnesses, although certainly some people are. IMO, stay away from "gentle leaders" because of the potential for neck damage.

You didn't ask, but I'm also not a fan of flexy leads because an excited dog can damage himself, other dogs, or humans for that matter if he manages to wind it around someone, and also because of the potential for the dog to run out on the road. They are also technically illegal to use in any city that restricts leashes to 6 feet, which many do.

Also, some Basenjis are known for releasing themselves from a leash by chomping through it! Certainly not all will do this, but the ones that do spot an opportunity (when you are distracted) and they are quick!

[DebraDownSouth]

@wizard
Good points. I don't do dog parks. If you have one and have had luck, fine... but dogs are children who need a wide variety of playmates. Much safer to find a group if you want socialization with owners you know you can trust.

I'd add on the dog walker... I use a chain between collar and leash so the little darlings can't cut the leash. Never had a breed before that could or would cut a leash in the blink of an eye.

[dogelover]

@eeeefarm Thanks! A martingale sounds perfect. I've used harnesses for my beagles, because they are such pullers when they get on a scent. I will never use a flexy lead -- I saw a dog run in front of a car once when on one (thankfully, no one was hurt).

[dogelover]

@DebraDownSouth I'll have to see if there is a basenji meet-up group in DC! Great idea about the chain between collar and leash - I wouldn't have thought of it! Sounds like their teeth must be very sharp.

[wizard]

Yes martingale's are fine as is the harness you found on Amazon - never use step-in harnesses (because too easy to step out).
And I never never use the gentle leader - I tried it on my female but she would walk with her head turned sideways until one time she saw a squirrel and then lunged after - not good on the neck. My vet said no no. The gentle leader was designed to keep golden retrievers and such to keep attention on the handler (and thus to walk slowly) but it can cause neck problems in breeds that are not people oriented.
The chain between collar/leash is a great idea (make sure links are much smaller than tooth so cant get caught) - alternatively I put pvc pipe on the leash instead of using the chain. I had a previous male who bit through a nylon leash in the time it took the vet to turn around to get something off his counter. And my current male chewed through his leather leash in the time it took me to put on my coat - hence why I use pvc pipe pieces (I use 3 pieces cut to about 3 inches so it can be somewhat flexible).

[DebraDownSouth]

@dogelover said in Advice for potential first-time basenji owners:

@DebraDownSouth I'll have to see if there is a basenji meet-up group in DC! Great idea about the chain between collar and leash - I wouldn't have thought of it! Sounds like their teeth must be very sharp.

I believe they have razor blades that pop out of their gums. Until we learned better, we had a variety of slips, bras and even pocketbook straps cut so neatly you'd swear it was with scissors.
This is one I made... simple get thin chain, about 18 inches, from Home Depot type place and 2 links to connect to collar and leash.

[dogelover]

@DebraDownSouth Wow, that leash is heavy-duty! Love it! It looks like something I'd be able to create - thanks for sharing the photo!

In other news, my husband and I made plans to spend time with our neighbor's basenji (Mojo - great name) this weekend. Fingers crossed for his allergies!!!

If all goes well, we plan to meet with the potential Bs in the next few weeks

[DebraDownSouth]

Make sure the neighbors dog isn't around cats or other dogs as cross contamination could be a problem. If they have other pets, wiping him down might help so you are just exposed to him. GOOD LUCK!

[dogelover]

@DebraDownSouth great news!! We just tested my husband's allergies with Mojo, our neighbor's B. He had no reaction besides some small bumps on his skin where Mojo's fur rubbed a lot. No breathing difficulties or eye burning!

[Nancy Berry]

@dogelover The neighbors B is beautiful & the wrinkles in the fore head!! I just love rubbing B wrinkles!!

[DebraDownSouth]

WOHOOO, hopefully things will go as well at home!

[dogelover]

Update: We will only be meeting the 1 year old now. Unfortunately, the 4 year old is not adjusting well to being returned to the breeder (having some behavioral issues) and is unable to be adopted out.

But we are meeting the 1 year old boy in 2 weeks! Hoping it goes well.

[Nancy Berry]

@dogelover I'm sorry to hear that you'll only be meeting the 1 yr. old but if the breeder of the older one has made the decision that the B needs to stay with him/her, it's for the best. The breeder knows their dogs better than anyone else. And you might find that the 1 yr. old keeps you busy enough, for now anyway! There's still a chance that you might find another B close to the age of the 1 yr. old! I'm happy that you're going to get at least one B for the time being!

[dogelover]

@Nancy-Berry Yes, it's for the best! I'll attach a photo of the B we are meeting (he is so gorgeous!)

I have contacted many breeders in the states around DC, but most do not have any adults available (which I guess is to be expected).

[Nancy Berry]

@dogelover He is a handsome little fella' for sure!! He's a retired show dog? My 1st. B looked a lot like him & she was a retired little show girl.

[dogelover]

@Nancy-Berry Yes, he is soon to be retired after this show season, I think. We wouldn't be able to get him until June.

[Nancy Berry]

@dogelover Gives you time to get ready for him! Put things that you highly value.. up high where he can't get to them. Both of my B's came from the same breeder. The 1st, retired show girl, was just turning 4 when I got her. She was born in July ~ one of those oddities I guess. She took about 3 days to settle down when I got her home. By the end of the 1st day, I was wondering if maybe I didn't do enough research on the breed & that I'd made a mistake!!! I swear....she was FLYING like a wild bird!! But I hung in there & she settled down & she never tore any of my things up! Sometimes, she'd get close to me & take that perfect set of teeth & pinch the living crap out of me!! As soon as she did it, she'd go ricky-racing thru the apartment 5 or 6 times!! Then I'd put her collar on & take her out to the bathroom & a walk. A lot of people say that she was nipping playfully! BULL!! lol She was pinching me & it usually left a little bruise! But she was awesome! I got her neice when she passed. She was a great dog too! I just lost her Aug. 24, 2016. Been doing some dog fostering since, keeps me occupied. Just found out a little bit ago that I'll be taking this B towards her forever home next month. Not to sure I want to do this anymore, it's taking a lot out of me ~ emotionally but, as everyone says, "It is what it is." But you're going to have such a great time with your youngster! Take loads of pictures!!

[dogelover]

@Nancy-Berry Hahaha! Your first sounds like such a mischievous (and awesome) dog! Our neighbor's B who we played with a week ago also pinches me with his teeth! I had bruises on my legs and feet. He wanted me to play with him, but then he would run away from me really fast. Such a clown! I'm sorry about the loss of your second girl - I'm still not over my beagle who passed in July 2013, I think about him every day. I see you are in Indiana - I am from Ohio (but live in DC now) - midwest is the best!!! my brother is currently studying at DePauw in Greencastle, IN.

[Nancy Berry]

@dogelover I'm originally from Kansas. I might head out that way to see my Dad (91 yrs. old) & brother, after I hand off the B I'm taking care of right now. My Dad's old but still has his wits about him! Went there last yr. & that was the 1st. time in 31 yrs. since I'd seen him. I didn't get there before my Mother passed in 2015 so I hadn't seen her for 30 yrs. And I hadn't seen my brother since I was home last in 1975. It was really a nice visit but I had a dog sitter staying with my dog, so I knew when I got home... my Dorie would be waiting! That was in June & then she passed in Aug. They seem to stay really healthy, for the most part, until the very last day or two. But once you've been loved by a Basenji.... it's like a love you never had before!! Bcoz they're so ... special!!

[dogelover]

@Nancy-Berry I've never been to Kansas - Hope you have a good trip there! One more photo to share (who doesn't love puppy pictures!!!) This is our potential B at 8 weeks...