I must agree that naive, first-time wanne-be owners need to do deep, extensive research. Basenjis are supremely unique and definitely not a good choice for a "beginner."
I adopted an 18-month old 3/4 Basenji (other 1/4 is Min Pin, yet another quirky little breed, with some "bad" similarities to B's). I was somewhat familiar with B's, but not even a little bit of "enough!!" Gosh, Izzy-Bella was a piperoo!! A little 18 pound bundle of energy, destruction, and escapism. BUT, I have always loved bad boys (9 years working in a high school), so a little bad girl was a sort of delight. But, again, it takes many years before these dogs mellow out and mature and maximize their amazing intelligence. Izzy is SO SO smart: her early unbridled destructiveness has pretty much ended, and now, at ten years old, she amazes us every day with her intelligence, innate understanding, observational skills, language acumen, and comedic skills. And at ten years old, she acts like a three year old! I hope this means she will live forever.
Once you have bonded with a Basenji, you are probably done and gone. But
first-timers REALLY need to do their research and homework.
Someone referred to entrusting their dog
to a family member. I would entrust my B to nobody except a bona fide Vet hospital/kennel, with big-time fences and enclosures, B's are exceptional diggers-under-fences and escape artists. And a Number One cause of
death for them is traffic. Their prey instinct sends them careening into
traffic. Dumber than deer.
But, bottom line: do your due diligence Basenji research, and understand early on that these dogs are singularly unique: indescribably destructive; escape artists; independent thinkers and behaviorists; smarter than you can even begin to imagine (I swear my Izzy understands everything I say and reads my mind!); and prepare to have lots of tissues on hand as auxiliary food, because apparently, Basenjis require wood pulp
projects to prosper!! I don't get it.
Austin Basenji Meet and Greet!
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Hello all! My wife and I live in Austin and are very interested in getting a Basenji but would love to meet one (some?) first. Are there any owners here in Austin (or nearby) who would be willing to meet up with your Basenji? Maybe a play date in Zilker Park or another local park so we can meet you and your doggo to learn more about what they are like? We've done lots of reading on the Internet, seen videos, etc but that's all a poor substitute for meeting one in person (in dogsen?). If you are up for meeting with me and my wife then please email me at tony@treynolds.com. Thanks, and looking forward to it!
Tony
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Contact the Austin Basenji Club, call breeders, attend a dog show or 2 and find out if you can visit breeders.
https://www.basenji.org/index.php/about-bcoa/affiliated-clubs/6-austin-basenji-club
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@tony_in_atx
If you have not done so, check with your vet, if he knows of a Basenji owner, then met with the. Get all the info from the vet on Basenji's.Stafford-Ames Morse
[removed email address]
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My husband & I live near College station, we don’t get out of our comfor zone much, Austin is kinda far for us, we welcome you to visits us on our five acres, to meet our pack, we live in Iola, Texas, if interested , my number is 713 927 6540, I answer Natural Awakenings, so identify yourself so I don’t think your a robo call.
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Lovely invitation ! That's what we have always done and what I still do. Get wannabe owners to visit Basenjis, come to the woods on walks, see the pack at home.
Shows are OK for making contacts but you need to experience Basenjis in a home environment to get an idea if they are for you.
And read the Zande Put Off on my website !!!
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I think meeting "a pack" is worth the effort and immeasurably better than meeting a Basenji. While Basenji's share many behaviors they are not all alike. If you met one of ours you'd think Basenjis were calm sweet and people oriented dogs. Another not so much! LOL Also, if you're thinking about getting a dog from a particular breeder, best to scope them out. Like Basenjis, not all Basenji breeders are the same.
I don't know any breeders in Austin but I do know one who has a ranch near Johnson City. If you're interested, PM me and I'll see if she's willing to meet with you. She's not planning on breeding this year AFAIK but she'd be a great resource on many fronts if you decide to proceed, and you could see a good but representational pack in an outdoor environment.
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You can also go to www.basenji.org and search for breeders by state. While the breeder might not be close to you, they may have placed pups that would be interested in having you meet their Basenji
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Thanks everyone for the information and good advice!
Should my wife and I feel guilty for spending 2 hours yesterday looking at Basenji photos online and watching Basenji (and Basenjis with cats) videos on Youtube?
Tony
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@tony_in_atx Once you are hooked, there is no going back. I could never make it through the withdrawal stage lol.
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Have you visited the Brat site, Basenji Rescue and Transport. We live in Thorndale Tx and have 2 bennies. We have had 4 of them, they have given us so much joy.
Nout Van West
