Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Basenji Talk
  3. What reactions do you get?

What reactions do you get?

Basenji Talk
  • renaultf1R

    @lvoss:

    People can't help but unwind the tails. I unwind tail starting as pups because I know people will do it and I tell all my puppy buyers to do it so they get used to being touched that way. Nicky's reaction is the best though. When some unwinds his tail he just drops it like he is saying, "Oh look, your toy broke. Now you can leave me alone."

    Such good advice. I remember you writing this a while ago (before I had Liyah), and since I brought Liyah home as a baby I've been unrolling her tail. Both Ruby and Brando turn around and look right at you if you as much as touch their tails…they let you unroll them, but they look at you as if to say, "really, must you?" :D

    0
  • crystalncodyC

    Cody doesn't mind people uncurling his tail, mostly because he just likes to be petted by people he knows, but after a few minutes he gets grumbly.

    He was so cute yesterday, though. I took him for a walk to the river, and there was a man with two kids there. The little boy had to be about 2 years old and the girl was about 6, and since I've had Cody, he hasn't been around kids, so I wasn't sure how he'd react to them, and I was a little worried. After his initial sniff, he let the little boy pet him, hug him, and play with his tail, and he did the same with the little girl. He didn't even grmuble once. They were very gentle with him though. When it was time for them to leave, he wanted to follow the little girl into their car, lol.

    0
  • lvossL

    Mine have some permanent kinks in them but people don't try to force those they just unwind the majority of the curl.

    What is really funny is what people will believe if you can tell it with a straight face about why their tails are curly. My husband convinced one lady that Nicky was a genetically engineered dog with a pig gene inserted to curl his tail. Usually he just tells people we have to use curlers every morning to make sure they stay curly all day.

    0
  • ibi_n_saneI

    i hate it when people try to uncurl the tail!! and my basenjis dont like it either, I always have to watch out when strangers touch my basenjis and ask them stricktly not to touch the tail!

    about the african stories: we had this refugee camp here in our village and there were some refugees from africa, I only had my oldest basenji and my oldest ibizan at that time, and these africans recognized my basenji!! and they were so exited about it!
    that was something different then the people here thinking it is a boerenfox ( by now you know what that is hahahaha ), but actually when I think about it the basenji IS the boerenfox from africa…..

    If I call you names, please note that I am not suffering the Tourette syndrom.

    0
  • MayaM

    I've noticed a lot of people uncurl Maya's tail as well.. to be honest, its never bothered me as Maya doesnt mind in the slightest, i never even thought about it being an issue. I LOVE curly tails, and just like i do with my pugs, if we're on the sofa watching a movie in the evening with Maya on my lap i do tend to sit there uncurling her tail, i must be weird… I find it very relaxing lol!!

    Jess

    http://www.silverbriar.co.uk

    0
  • BasenjimammaB

    We like to "play" with Otis' tail as well, it just strikes me as weird when strangers go up and uncurl it before they even accknowledged Otis with a pat..I too, find uncurling the tail or scratching him above the tail very relaxing..

    Petra and Pippin

    with Otis in my heart…

    0
  • MayaM

    @Basenjimamma:

    We like to "play" with Otis' tail as well, it just strikes me as weird when strangers go up and uncurl it before they even accknowledged Otis with a pat..I too, find uncurling the tail or scratching him above the tail very relaxing..

    Oh, yeah, i wouldnt like someone just coming up and doing that, would probably scare Maya :D But most people in the course of making a fuss of her do uncurl the tail, usually if they're stroking her back or something and i dont mind that :)

    Glad im not the only weird tail uncurler :o :p

    Jess

    http://www.silverbriar.co.uk

    0
  • irenaI

    Usually people ask me "What kind of dog is that?" but more often people think that they are sibs :), it is really funny when I go for a walk with Geasy and Masai (Geasy over 8yrs and Masai 8mon) and someone stay and ask me "Are they brothers?". They didnt mind that every one of dogs were differently old and large :D But this folks are nonspecialist and I comprehend them :).

    PS: At this situation you can see how good Geasy looks at his age :D

    Asthenia Basenjis

    www.astheniabasenji.com

    0
  • BasenjimammaB

    I have to admit, the tail curl is one of the very many things I love about basenjis…it is so cool.

    Petra and Pippin

    with Otis in my heart…

    0
  • BuanaB

    Buana is a Jack Hussel (that's how we Dutch people call a non-pure bred Jack Russel)
    Even a mix Jack Russel x Shar pei, is asked a lot..

    Chafuko, is a pitbull mix… or a (american or English) Stafford puppy
    We hear that way too often.. It's because of his colour (many staffs are Brindle) with the combination of his mascular cheek..

    Look for yourselfe: We set them up for a photo shoot :D


    Woof!


    Is this really happening?!?! I'm not a Jack Hussel!!!!


    Staff puppy?


    You're crazy… really...


    Sigh:(

    Kim and my Basenji pack, Buana, Chafuko and Enya

    http://www.kwabandurus.com

    0
  • thunderbird8588T

    Once the window cleaner told me that they thought i had a fox in the house when they saw Benji.
    I have to confess that i like to stick my finger through the middle of their curled tails, but only once we're friends, lol.

    Shelley

    Basenji Malaika

    Basenji Malaika
    Basenji Kwame

    0
  • D

    Shelley,
    Tell me you don't mean the window cleaner????

    Alan

    0
  • J

    I don't get a lot of people thinking they know what breed Tosca is, but if people do attempt a guess it's usually some kind of terrier. They are definitely conversation starters, however, I've been asked about her many times! It's funny, though, cause even though she is 4 yrs old, everyone think she is a puppy, and don't believe it when I tell them otherwise. They are like, "Are you sure she is full grown?" I've had her for over two years, I think I am pretty certain :P
    I live in a small town of only about 4000 people, though, so I am impressed that two people have actually stopped me and known she was a basenji. That was funny, too, cause they didn't even really stop me…they kinda ran out of their houses freaking out asking "IS THAT A BASENJI!!?!?" They were so excited to see one :P One person had one whe he was younger, the other one had a late sister/friend/someone (I forgot) that used to breed them around here years ago. Either way, it's fun to watch people's reactions!

    0
  • thunderbird8588T

    Well Alan, we do have very friendly window cleaners around here :D

    Shelley

    Basenji Malaika

    Basenji Malaika
    Basenji Kwame

    0
  • Shaye's MomS

    The only time Shaye's tail is uncurled is when she's asleep and when she's scared. I don't play with it, and don't encourage others to do it - I know they won't "break" it, but I just feel like it shouldn't be messed with. No reason, just a feeling.

    0
  • lvossL

    Like anything if your dog is not used to having their tail uncurled then they will think it is something "odd" when it is done. If the first time it is done by a stranger and the dog overreacts it can end up being a bad situation. I don't encourage people to do it but people seem compelled to do it. I don't mean just people we meet on the street, I mean vets, vet techs, and even AKC judges have all uncurled my dogs tails. So I uncurl tails as part of their socialization so when it happens they think "whatever, people are weird." So it is no big deal.

    0
  • KitKatK

    My bs tail will go straight when she runs the faster she goes the straighter her tail is. it funny to watch.:)

    0
  • AndrewnShangoA

    I work at a dog bakery so I am surrounded by "dog people" as customers and very rarely will any of them know that Shango is a basenji.

    I've heard every guess in the book. The other day a man even tried to convince me that Shango was a Fox Terrier by comparing him to a dog one of his friend's had! I told him to hang out with Shango and then hang out with that Fox Terrier and he'd certainly know the difference!

    Andrew, Shango & Newsom

    0
  • noodleN

    It always takes me at least 3 times as long to do anything when I'm out with the pack! People on the street just have to stop, talk and ask questions. Most people haven't got a clue what they are. The most frequently asked question (apart from 'What is it??') from the people who have a little knowledge of them is if it's true that they don't bark. I tell them that they make up for it in other ways!
    I sometimes find people as a child have had an aunt or neighbour etc with one.

    Sometimes I laugh and tell people that they are Jack Russell's with novelty tails. :D
    And if I'm in a hurry, I DON'T take the dogs!

    0
  • wizardW

    People around here have a lot of hunting dogs (labs, retrievers, spaniels, etc.) so generally I get the "what kind of dog is that" question rather than guesses. Occasionally I'll come across someone who knows; not too often though.

    0

Suggested Topics

  • M

    Getting a new dog

    Basenji Talk
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    8k Views
    eeeefarmE
    Her face looks Basenji, maybe not the muzzle however. Are they destructive? Can be, don't have to be. I don't like to crate and I never have, beyond the initial puppy stage or with a rescue until I can get a handle on what to expect. I do restrict access to areas of the house that might be vulnerable until I am sure of the dog. Not all can be trusted to have free rein. Be consistent in what you expect or will tolerate, and be very watchful until you understand what behaviour is "normal" for your new dog. Are they really that active? I would say no. She is likely excited to be in a new place and curious about everything. She should settle down. Of course, with a rescue there may well be reasons someone gave up on her, and it's not always immediately apparent if a dog has problems. Hopefully she will fit in well with your family. Invisible fence......likely not a good choice for a Basenji, particularly if there are coyotes in your area. You need to protect her. Coyotes will go after a small dog, and sometimes even a not so small one. I know someone who lost a Jack Russell when he was lured by coyotes and then attacked once he was beyond his master's protection.....and Jack Russells are tough little dogs! However, invisible fence can be useful to back up a physical fence if your dog turns out to be an escape artist. Regarding landscaping.....there are some deer fences that blend well and become almost invisible. Perhaps combined with invisible fence that might be a good option. Otherwise, walks or biking your dog should help, and definitely challenge her mentally. Basenjis are clever and I believe they enjoy learning. I taught my boy to retrieve objects by name.....it was fun for both of us. Good luck with her.
  • P

    How do I get my basenji to talk???

    Basenji Talk
    24
    0 Votes
    24 Posts
    14k Views
    E
    My boy yodels when I say "I loooooovveee yooooooouuuuuuu" :D
  • Forever AmberF

    Who gets the computer chair

    Basenji Talk
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    1k Views
    P
    What a funny story. I can relate.
  • R

    Mistake getting a Basenji?

    Basenji Talk
    35
    0 Votes
    35 Posts
    13k Views
    PearlsMomP
    Hello! I wish to comment on my dog Pearl. She is Very quiet, hardly a sound. I try to encourage her to speak. She does a lot of nonverbal communication. About the child issue. Pearl came to us as a puppy. My kids (12 & 13 at the time) spent time with her, the neighbor kids played with her, and she loves kids. No problems socializing with young people. I guess the point is, your pup will love anyone who treats it well and cares for it. At 5 , I'm sure your child understands the importance of being gentle with dogs. Pearl has done her fair share of chewing. Interesting what she likes. She will be 2 in October, and is better, but she has lots of bones! I love Pearl, however, I am easy going, and enjoy taking her on walks, playing with her, and having her as a family member. Its up to you what you want from a dog. Pearl is pretty free, and thats what I like!
  • L

    When should we get him fixed?

    Basenji Talk
    2
    0 Votes
    2 Posts
    1k Views
    E
    we waited the full year. We thought we might want to do agility and lure coursing, and had read that early neutering could lead to thinner bones. Thinner bones means more chance of injury, so we figured we'd wait. He seemed to sail right through the surgery, recovery wasn't too bad. I say, why not wait, if there is no intact female in your household, and the dog is properly contained.
  • eoyE

    Considering getting a Basenji

    Basenji Talk
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    1k Views
    lvossL
    Yes, early socialization and positive experiences is the best way to go. I think the most important thing about puppy kindergarten is that it is positive based and focuses on socialization with both people and dogs. Some basenji don't necessarily do well with the small dogs and other love them. Sophie was always the best with the new pups of any size in her puppy class, she just had phenomenal dog language and would make herself as small as possible and go at their speed. What you want to be careful about is people who have already formed a preconceived notion of basenji behavior. My mom's first puppy class instructor always expected her boy to be aggressive even though he never showed any aggression and was always very appropriate in his interactions. I crate puppies next to the bed while housebreaking and it works fine. I have always used a large stuffed toy in the crate and this year used SnugglePuppies, they were wonderful. The pup snuggled right up to warmth and fell asleep, provided we did a good job of tiring him out for the night. I got my first basenji while I was in Grad school and lived in an apartment. It is doable as long as you are willing to make sure they get enough exercise and mental stimulation.