Fostering a Basenji x Cattledog mix….have I lost my marbles?


  • I have Calli-who is cattledog and Basenji's. They are very similar in energy levels. Keep her busy. These dogs definitely need a purpose. Start with obedience and then agility. IMO helps her keep her focus. My Calli is also a frisbee dog, drug and weapons detection, therapy dog, etc. The more you can give her the more they like it!


  • As an owner of both these breeds, I am aghast that anyone in their right mind would deliberately/accidently put these 2 breeds together :eek:

    All I can say is Best of Luck, I think you are going to need it ;).

    Totally agree with nomrbddgs, tons of appropriate stimulation, mentally more than physical, IMHO :). Good luck…


  • Two of my favorite breeds! I can't wait to see pictures!


  • Whoa, those are two of the SMARTEST breeds I know! Look out, you WILL be outsmarted many a time!!! I bet this is a beautiful mix, though. Please post some pictures when you get a chance. Keep us posted on the progress, you are wonderful to help this dog! Kudos to you!!!:D:D:D


  • I am not 100% sure how to post pictures here, but let me try this:

    This is a pic from when she was initially pulled out of the shelter by the flaky foster-lady.

    If she's as smart as she LOOKS, I'm in trouble 🙂


  • She is adorable!


  • You are in for ONE BIG CHALLENGE. Look at her eyes. She was looking for direction already at that point-you've got your work cut out, and she's going to be a quick learner.


  • She's a beauty and real winner! I hope she goes to the right home.


  • I think she's gorgeous! Do you enjoy doing agility or herding?


  • Jeez Danielle, be prepared to fail 'fostering 101'! She really is pretty. Wonder how Jibini will like having 2 sisters? Good luck!

    Anne


  • LOL Anne, the girl who pestered me into fostering Chloe in the first place is making the same type of comments 😃

    I don't know what will happen; I am already planning to enroll her in Obedience classes. I figure that will help me get a very good idea of her temperament & potential so I can know exactly what kind of home she needs, and will also tell me whether or not this is a dog I want to commit to for the next 10-15 years.

    If I decide she is "too much" to be a permanent resident for me, I figure the Obedience classes will go a long way in reining in her behavior and helping her forever home realize her true potential. Aaaaand….if I am totally smitten with her from the get-go, well, the same club that holds the Obed classes also has Agility classes. And trials. And, well...you get the idea :).

    I used to compete in Obed and Agility with a Boxer I had for 14 years....so, yeah. I am already having fun thinking of the potential....sigh

    THIS is why I never signed up to foster for BRAT. If I fostered 5 dogs I'd be the OWNER of 5 dogs by now....


  • I think she'd be a great agility dog. The thing that would drive me crazy about many of the cattle dogs on the agility field is that many bark and spin like crazy. Hopefully the basenji genes would dampen that. Spinning is often due to the owner not getting commands out fast enough which causes frustration on the dog's part. But if you're lucky and got the best of both parents, the cattle dog's genes for working with a handler, toughness and drive would be passed on. Of course that's just from my view point and what I would want in a 'gility dog. Good luck! I think you have a superstar in the making. 😉


  • WoW!!! That is one beautiful little girl! Keep us posted on how things go for you…:D


  • you are in for a for a lot of lovin'. 'CAB' my basenji x kelpie x bordercollie is a real character. lots of quirky personality traits a very unique little guy. just make sure you run her alot and plenty of chew toys. they are very intelligent, super quick learners. photo attached
    attachment_p_71286_0_052.jpg


  • oxenburger, that's a beautiful dog you have there!!! i can"t wait to hear all about him!!! welcome to the forum! 🙂


  • what a cuttie, you can see the wheels turning. We have had both breeds ans have loved them.


  • I'm getting off work early today to go and pick up my first adopted pet–a Basenji/Cattle Dog mix. I was told that, though she will require lots of activity, apartment dwelling would suit her just fine. From what I've read, this pooch may need more room to spread her wings (so to speak). 😕

    We're fairly active, so she wouldn't be cooped up all day. However, M-F, we do have work and school. We both go to work/school (respectively) very close to home, so we already have a schedule worked out to take her out at least 3 times per day (for no less than 20 mins each time). Do you think that's enough? Weekends would be far better of course. I want to make sure she's completely happy with us.

    My daughter fell in love with her the moment she saw her, so we're in this for the long run, whatever happens. I'm sure she'll have lots to teach us. :p


  • Sounds like you are committed… Do you have a yard at your house? Do you mean you will have her outside only three times a day or is that how often during work/school??? I wish you good vibes with your new pup. Please keep us posted... I would love to see some pictures when you get a chance!!!:D


  • You may find you need to exercise her a bit more when you get home from work. But every dog is different.


  • We don't have our own yard, but there are grassy areas around the apartment complex. We ended up taking her outside for most of the day yesterday. She definitely loves being outdoors! My daughter and I have been alternating the privilege. 🙂 My daughter took her out first this morning, and I took her out a second time after taking my daughter to school. It was rather exhilarating. Until she gets used to her new surroundings, I don't want to take her out of the complex yet. The street we live on is a main street, and she seems a bit nervous around moving vehicles (which is probably a good thing). Once she's settled in, we'll start taking her out around the whole neigborhood. Is this a good strategy?

    She absolutely loves people, great with all the kids in the complex, and adores the attention. However, she does NOT like other animals. I think that's the 'Cattle Dog' side in her. :p We took her to Petco yesteray after we picked her up, and we had to hold her back from the other dogs. She also nearly got away from me this morning when she saw a cat. Sheesh! I couldn't help giggling. I had a good grip on her leash, since she's pretty strong for her size (39 lbs.). She is perfect with people though. All the kids in the neighborhood have already fallen in love with her.

    OH, and just like Chloe, she's very intelligent. You can't get anything past this one. LOL. I'm already amazed by this. I look forward to getting home to see her on my lunch break. I'll send pictures as soon as I can.

    By the way, my daughter named her Chowder–after some cartoon character she loves. Apparently, this Chowder character has a lot of energy just like our Chowder. I think it's fitting. 🙂

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