So this question was posed in the Lenny's family photo thread. I figured I'd start a thread of its own as I have been wondering myself.
Do you think basenjis know when they are related?
In my case, I have Ruby and her granddaughter Aaliyah. Ruby absolutely loves Aaliyah - she waits by Liyah's crate and gives her whippet ears and sings to her when Aaliyah is let out of her crate. She has been Liyah's teacher since she was a pup - and Liyah in return has ultimate respect and love for Ruby.
When Liyah went on her road trip to the National, she was gone from our house for a month. I had to do a complete re-introduction to Ruby as Ruby seemed to have forgotten Liyah while she was gone - the night I came home, Ruby might have killed her if I had just let them into the pen together, it was that bad - granted it was night so she probably couldn't see that it was Aaliyah. Anyway, once the re-introduction was done and they were back together, it seems like they are now closer than ever.
I'm sure Liyah's puppy license ran out a long time ago, but Ruby lets Liyah get away with murder - she is so patient with her. Ruby rolls on her back to let her play - she'd NEVER do that with Brando. If Ruby is sleeping in a chair, she lets Liyah jump up on her and lie down with her - she might make an initial small grumble, but again, nothing like she does if Brando even comes near her when she is resting. Ruby also comes to her rescue if Liyah ever has a tiff with Brando. And since Liyah has been in heat, she cleans up after Liyah when she is out in the house.
So do you think Ruby knows that Liyah is related?
Oh, and once again Liyah is living up to her registered name "The Chosen One"…when she was a baby Liyah was her dam's favourite, her breeder's favourite and my favourite - now she is Ruby's favourite.
All i can say is that the only male basenjis that Tilly doesnt get on with are her two brothers - and she doesnt like her sister much either - mind you i know human families like that too!
I do not believe that they know, unless ones in a litter remain social with each other…. all of my puppy bitches that I have placed do not remember or like their Mothers and it works both ways..... now boy puppies, different story... but only because they are males....
I'd imagine they would know if they had spent time with their siblings for an extended period of time. I got Kananga when he was about 7-8 months old, so he was around some of his family for quite awhile.
I don't know, but it sure makes for interesting conversation. I would like to think they know, but only they know the truth about that I guess.
Elsa dosen't like her sister, or her sisters owner that much either (obviousley she can smell her) and concequently has earned herself the nickname 'Evil Edna'.
She was judging us at a show a couple of years ago and Elsa grumbled at her the whole time she was in the ring, and out of the ring too. It was sooooo embarassing :o
I think they do know they are related. That doesn't mean they will like each other but I think they know. Nicky acted very differently around his son than he has acted with any of Rally's sons.
Even living in the house their whole lives, you will see differences in how they each interact. Rally treats her two daughters that live with me differently. Rio is her pick, she allows Rio to sleep next to her, she plays with her more often, and in general is more affectionate with her. She pretty much gave Sophie to Rio at about 5 weeks old and then basically ignored her until she a little over a year old. Rio and Sophie are very bonded to each other because of this.
When our Shibu had babies she had (3) she was good and loving through week 4 after that it was like she did not know them and wanted nothing to do with them. As they even got older Spice wanted nothing do with them like who are you and go away she never hurt them but would growl.
Elscodobermann your correct about some famlies not really caring for each other.
Rita Jean
Fijis mum doesn't like her very much, I think she was glad to be rid of her 
(Partial quote)@Elscodobermann:
– mind you i know human families like that too!
OMG! You know 1 of my sisters???
Zoni appears to remember sister and does the "whippet ears" (I love that description by the way, spot on) and gets really excited whenever they see each other. Her sister could care less and is a bit "bitchy" to her most of the time. But I'm kind of wondering if its just the color she is responding too since the entire litter was black/white, as Zoni doesn't see that many black/whites on a regular basis. She has acted similarly when she sees Gracie (another b/w bitch) but not typically with other red/whites and tris at shows. (That's another interesting discussion point for a thread…do they have color preferences?) Anyhoo, Nemo did appear to remember his sire whenever we would visit but they didn't get along that well after Nemo had left for a period of time. So no family benefit there either.
This is so interesting to me…I wish we knew what they are thinking...in this case and maybe a few more, in other cases I don't think I really want to know what they are thinking...
This is so interesting to me…I wish we knew what they are thinking...in this case and maybe a few more, in other cases I don't think I really want to know what they are thinking...
I'm not sure that it would necessarily be conscious thinking as much as a instinctual response to say a familiar smell, etc. But, I get your point….
Edit: or even a "conditioned response", perhaps to a familiar smell, etc.
Zoni appears to remember sister and does the "whippet ears" (I love that description by the way, spot on) and gets really excited whenever they see each other. Her sister could care less and is a bit "bitchy" to her most of the time. But I'm kind of wondering if its just the color she is responding too since the entire litter was black/white, as Zoni doesn't see that many black/whites on a regular basis. She has acted similarly when she sees Gracie (another b/w bitch) but not typically with other red/whites and tris at shows. (That's another interesting discussion point for a thread…do they have color preferences?) Anyhoo, Nemo did appear to remember his sire whenever we would visit but they didn't get along that well after Nemo had left for a period of time. So no family benefit there either.
I believe for sure they have color preference.. my Maggii could spot a B&W a mile away and her hackles would go up…. and when I had OJ's Brother for a show circuit... she would have "eaten" him alive regardless of the fact that he was male... And if you ever watch pups in a litter that are different colors, even before their eyes open you will find them in "color" packs....
And if you ever watch pups in a litter that are different colors, even before their eyes open you will find them in "color" packs….
I've seen that…when Ruby had her pups she had 2 r/w & 4 b/w. They would always be in little groups split by colour. When they were older and out playing once in a while the reds would go after the blacks and vice versa, but it was typical that the b/w played with the b/w and the r/w played with the r/w.
Now Aaliyah, she was the only red brindle - all her siblings in her litter were b/w. If the b/w sibs were playing together and she wasn't included, she would force her way in as she is such a player. When other colours (r/w & brindles) were in the mix to play - she would more often be seen playing with them.
At shows, she wants to play with everyone and every dog - doesn't seem to have a colour preference at all now. 
I only have one boy of unknown parentage as he is an adoption but my guess is that they probably do "know" family by scent if not sight. Their differing reactions to "family" probably relates back to the "pack" mentality. A female may have two daughters that she treats completely differently due to her perception of their ability to challenge her as "alpha" female in the future. I would guess it is similar for males. Time together as a "family", as with humans, is probably also a factor. Just my thoughts.
