Basenji and Larger Dogs

Basenji Talk

  • I have 3 basenjis and a malinois. It makes for a nice pack. The malinois loves to be chased; basenjis love to chase.


  • We had 2 dogs in our family before we brought Bitty home, Sami, our Jindo female, 45lbs, and Sable, our Shiba female, 23lbs. When we walked in the door with Bitty the 2 of them sniffed her all over and she just stood there and let them. After the initial introduction they all ignored each other for about a day and a half until Bitty couldnt stand it any longer and began to attempt to get Sable to play. It took her almost a month to get Sami to accept the fact that she was here to stay and begin to play with her. Now they are just one big happy pack.


  • @Vanessa:

    I don't think the size of the dog matters as long as they are properly introduced :)
    I've seen large dogs with Basenji's and even small dogs.

    I agree Vanessa. It is really about how the other dog interprets Basenji body language and then reacts to it…Bs are very subtle, and get peeved when other dogs ignore their subtleties ;)


  • We have a german shepard and a golden retriever and our basenji loves them both. They are one happy pack!


  • I have a Basenji mix, not a full blood, but she's still pretty small- she gets along AWESOME with my Greyhound/Husky mix. She's also done well with a Mastiff, a Great Dane and an Akita. She HATES small dogs. She sees them as prey, and tries to hunt them down and eat them.


  • We have an 83 pound mix that Trixie has grown up with since we brought her home. They love each other! At the dog park Trixie has to go with the big dogs! She does not seem to do as well with the little dogs. We went again last Sat. and she ran with 4 German Sheperds and 1 Great Dane. Everyone was commenting on what an awesome dog Trixie was and they could not believe how fast she could run! It was GREAT!!!!


  • My girl has gotten along with a lot of big dogs. The only dogs she has issues with are dogs that bark at her. She doesn't like dogs who are constantly barking at her whether big or small. Her favorite dogs are a german shepard and a greyhound, both who rarely bark.


  • Haven't put our B's with small dogs but they seem to love bigger dogs. We have a old elkhound that the tri girl loves to boss around. Perhaps because she is a tri, or a girl or just the plain fact that she can. . Our neighbors have a mix breed puppy about 45 lb s that when they let him out our male basenji will run the fence line playing with the dog. He will actually look for the puppy when he goes out. So our kids put 8 paws up for bigger dogs. Our elkie has CDS (doggie alzheimers) so they will help him out when they realize he is having trouble . Most of the time as long as they are the boss everything is great


  • Oh yeah - the barking dog thing really irritates EL D regardless of the size.


  • I haven't had a chance to get Zaire with many of the big dogs at the park. Charlie is VERY particular about what dogs he will tolerate. When it comes to big dogs with flatter snouts (Ie. Bulldogs and boxers) he does not really get along well. So Zaire has been in the small dog area at the park with him. I am hoping to take them soon to see Charlie's friend Sugar (a 75 lb. Golden Retriever) so Zaire can meet her and play around as Sugar LOVES smaller dogs.


  • i dont have more than 1 dog but on the park kip has always been fine with other larger dogs, though this could be different if its another dog in there territry


  • @Knipper:

    Blaze hates small furry dogs. He catches them, pins them down and rips out their fur… if I'm not quick enough.
    He loves big dogs! Rotties, Dobbies, german shepards, great danes, golden retrievers, and one 1/4 wolf. He tires them out, then pees on them triumphantly... You might have to watch out for that...

    Tucker is the same way. Smaller dogs are 'prey', larger dogs are his choice with regard to playmates, it seems. We've only recently begun his dog socialization regime but all of his bestest dog pals are labs, a boxer, a rottie and some larger mixes. Whenever he sees a small terrier or the like, he just wants to eat them.


  • You know- I hadn't thought about it, but there is a new standard poodle in our complex that everytime Jack sees him he goes crazy- hackles raised, growling, baring teeth. That is the only big dog he has ever had an issue with.

    I think it might be because the owner doesn't pick up the poop like she is supposed to, so maybe he catches on to the fact that I'm not really their biggest fan.

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    R
    First, thank you for the honest evaluation of your situation. Basenjis are dogs that consider who they live wit, to be part of their pack - family. They only chew or destroy things when they are bored, or mad at you. (Yes, I know people will disagree, but I have had basenjis for 25 years and have witnessed this activity. This included one dog jumping on the table, with me sitting 3 feet away, and peeing in a circle, as if saying, "There, take that!”) A young basenji, under say, 8 years, will do this when left alone for so long. (Yes, I know people will disagree, but I have had basenjis for 25 years and have witnessed this activity. This included one dog jumping on the table, with me sitting 3 feet away, and peeing in a circle, as if saying, "There, take that!) You write that you live with 3 roommates. You do not mention if this will change, so I will assume it will not. Personally, I think it is very unkind (to them AND the dog) of you to bring a basenji into this living arrangement. Unless ALL the roommates understand, and agree, to sharing their lives with a dog that will require so much of their time. The tiniest thing left on the floor could be destroyed, and could even harm the dog. Bathroom doors left open? A basenji might not be able to find anything as much fun, grab the toilet paper, and run. Fun, fun, fun!!! For the dog. You are researching enough to show that you are checking really well to see if a basenji will fit into your life. In my opinion, not just yet. Maybe later when your life has settled a bit. Oh, just remembered you mentioning you studying, the dog doing its thing. It might happen, but if the dog thinks your attention should be on him/her, you may not like that something. Best of luck in your studies, and with where ever your life leads you!
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    DebraDownSouthD
    @mvdperez We run the air all the time, keeping it under 70. It's cooling off some so he's fine. She is under the covers because we keep it cold. He goes out early morning, quick midday, then longer in the evening. We keep his coat stripped down. I have no idea if it will get cold enough to get a winter coat. It's not generally COLD here.
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    In the video, I do see a lot of basenji traits, but who know... some mixes look like nothing they are really related to. Some basenjis, espec mixes, can be quite large.
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    Yes Aglie, I remember meeting you and Dig, Jet and family! Dig thought the basenjis were all ruffians, but Jet joined them in a huge wet puddle. Funny about tris liking other tris, we have noticed that occasionally at the park, the reds will all be lying together and the tris will all be together as well. Silly dogs!
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    My mum has one of these, though a bit different.A good friend of hers, sadly no longer with us of the Taysenji Basenjis brought it back for her when she spent time living in Zambia many years ago. It will be passed down to me when my mum is no longer here as it has sentimental values and I will never be parted with it.