'It's a race-dog!'

[Janneke]

I think you all have this: people (strangers) giving comments on your dog. I have had the weirdes thinks happen.. people cycling by.. stopping.. turning.. and asking what kind of dog THAT is. Or just calling: 'It looks like a little deer!' or 'Is his name Bambi??' When you want to go for a short walk.. it's just not going to happen..

The funniest thing happened last week. I was walking our normal route and suddenly there was a little boy that came running out of his house, calling to his mom: Mom, Mom, LOOK!! It's a RACE-DOG!!!! It was sooooo sweet. So everytime we see him now, he's like: ooooh.. the racedog.. And then I let him and Mirtillo run a couple of meters. Lovely to watch

[Andrew]

That is sooooo cute!!!! I LOVE having the type of dog that illicits so many comments. We get constant compliments, loads of questions, and every little kid just loves their curly tails. Its fun having such a unique & gorgeous dog.

[sharronhurlbut]

Your never alone when you walk a basenji.
No one is a stranger.

[Duke]

They do look a bit like little race dogs (grey hound) with long neck, legs and muscular agility. I imagining at times - ballet dancers - sure footed, graceful and confident.

[torchsong]

The wife had a fun trip to PetSmart recently that I wish I'd been in on:

• A little girl saw She-Ra and knew it was "those dogs that don't bark" and kissed her on the head. Our dog ROCKS with strangers and she took the kiss in stride.

• Some older guy asked what the breed was and when my wife said Basenji, he said "Those are those Brazillian dogs." When my wife explained they're actually African, he started asking questions: Do they bark? No. And they're like cats, right? Yes. And they have that weird yodelling noise? Yes. After hearing this the guy's like "Yeah, that's those Brazillian dogs. From South America." My wife said she REALLY wanted me there - whenever people ask about the breed, I go into my Time-Life announcer spiel about the breed - good and bad points, history, etc. - usually longer than people want to hear.

• After a bit longer some baby (walking but barely) saw her and screamed (happily) then came over and thumped her on the head (as a baby would try to pet a dog…not hard or anything). The parents seemed a bit worried, but again, our dog rocks with strangers...particularly kids.

So it was a full day for She-Ra. I wish I'd met the "Brazillian" guy.

[Andrew]

Got it love it when complete strangers know more about your own dog than you.

[Schouiffy]

Well I mean, when you look at Bs in comparison to other dogs, they carry so much grace in those little bodies.. (as well as strength, ppl never believe me that my 5 month old B has PULLED me down to the ground before) They are just stunning dogs - Lycia always catches ppls attention because no one has seen them before.
One thing i love about Europe, especially in small villages like mine, politeness still reigns. Lycia and I were out for an afternoon stroll through the vineyards, and on returning run into the little bicycle gang that troops around this little town. A very important eight year old stops his ride with a firm right foot and stares at me for a moment… “Elle est trop belle, votre petite cheinne.” trans: "Your little dog is absolutely beautiful" I’m pretty sure my mouth did a cartoon-like drop, I followed with a thank you.. all the boys road away cool as could be. He isn't the first, little children in droves come up to my girl, compliment her on her form and ask ever so properly "May I please pet your dog Miss?"

Alas, I have yet to encounter someone who actually knows what a Basenji is…. always think its a JR terrier (ahhhh!)

[Janneke]

@Schouiffy:

One thing i love about Europe, especially in small villages like mine, politeness still reigns. Lycia and I were out for an afternoon stroll through the vineyards, and on returning run into the little bicycle gang that troops around this little town. A very important eight year old stops his ride with a firm right foot and stares at me for a moment… “Elle est trop belle, votre petite cheinne.” trans: "Your little dog is absolutely beautiful" I’m pretty sure my mouth did a cartoon-like drop, I followed with a thank you.. all the boys road away cool as could be. He isn't the first, little children in droves come up to my girl, compliment her on her form and ask ever so properly "May I please pet your dog Miss?"

Alas, I have yet to encounter someone who actually knows what a Basenji is…. always think its a JR terrier (ahhhh!)

The little children are always very interested. They just stop and stare.. I had the same thing yesterday.. just walking and suddenly a little boy staring at Mirtillo. He stood behind his garden fence and said: pretty dog you have! Just so sweet!

And I actually met someone last weekend who knew that it was a basenji!!(third time already, pretty amazing ;)) She even guessed his age right! But I hear the 'JR Terrier' also a lot! A couple of days ago I met someone who said: Wow! I never got my JR's that skinny! Haha, LOL!

Ps. You live in Switzerland. Have you seen how orange Bern is/was??

[Schouiffy]

Hehe. I know…

Well I don't live very close to Bern at all - but YES!! Thank you for owning the Italians last night. !! Orange is such a nice colour.

[Janneke]

@Schouiffy:

Hehe. I know…

Well I don't live very close to Bern at all - but YES!! Thank you for owning the Italians last night. !! Orange is such a nice colour.

Orange is a great colour