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.
Washington, DC Metro Area Basenji Meetup
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Here are some pics from our meetup today…
Running of the hounds:
JR getting the dogs moving:
Attempting a group shot:
Who invited the Beagle??
Got B's?
How many can you count??
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It was really great to meet up with everyone!
Wish more of my pics had turned out! Did anyone else get any? -
I think it may be worth the drive to meet with everyone next time!
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While I take my own pack to a small off-leash park in DC every weekend morning about 10am, we can plan Meetup playdates anywhere in the region. If folks know of a nice completely enclosed off-leash park in your area, please let me know and we'll move the location around each month to make it easier for more people to participate without having to drive quite as far every time.
JR
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If you all ever want to meet up at Baron Cameron – or there's one in Sterling but I can't remember the name of it... Let me know. We have a lot of plans this fall so the more heads up, the better. But I'd love to meet up again- I just adore seeing all the dogs together.
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Where will it be this Saturday because Dallas & I are definitely coming!
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anymore dc meet ups? altho my amber is sick
saw one basenji walkin near the zoo one day, was that one of u guys? black one looked just like one of mine
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Leesburg just opened a dog park… !!
(Northern Virginia) -
Here's a link to the park information (scroll down, it's item 13):
http://www.leesburgva.gov/index.aspx?page=111
Olde Izaak Walton Park
850 Davis Court, SE 20175
(21 acres) The park, once owned by the Izaak Walton League, includes a 3 ? acre
pond, stream, trails, and a 7500 square foot building, which is available for rentals
An off leash three quarter acre dog park has recently been completed at the park. Future plans may include passive uses such as a nature center, fishing pier, picnic facilities, and a playground.
Would LOVE to have the 'senji's get together out our way at some point!!
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Hi Folks,
Sorry, but I don't check the Forums here too often these days … too much else going on. But, yes, the Metro Area Basenji Meetup Group is still active. I usually post information via the meetup website (http://www.meetup.com/basenjis-DC/). We haven't organized a large meetup yet this year, but I'm happy to do so, and as I mentioned before, we are willing to move the location around the area. I can send out a post to the group re: the 3/4 acre dog park in Leesburg to see if we can get up some interest to arrange a meetup there. If there are other dog parks around the area, feel free to pass along that info as well to me (via the meetup page would be best). We should definitely try to arrange a big group outing while we have good weather.
J.R. Key
Basenji Rescue And Transport
www.basenjirescue.org
Adoption Coordinator
jrinlogan@gmail.com
202.270.8447
(f) 202.355.6484 -
Where can I find similar meet ups in Arizona?
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might be down for a leesburg meetup, thats actually where the neurologist that i went to is. bout an 45 -1 hr away, im over in arlington area, crystal city
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Do you guys still meet up in the DC area? We just moved to Alexandria a few months ago and I'd love to join you all!
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We do still meet up in Arlington, VA at the Shirlington Dog Park. You can keep up with our group on Meetup.org.
