Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Basenji Talk
  3. The annual cost of owning a Dog

The annual cost of owning a Dog

Basenji Talk
  • khanisK

    Andrea…. are you sure the collar/leash part is accurate?

    As a puppy, Amy REGULARLY chewed Baby's collar off of her when they were crated... because I am a spendthrift, I buy them at the Dollar Tree... and because I know my dogs have the collar chewing gene [even those damned Hawaiians.. not sure how this keeps working out!]…
    I'd say in Amy's two years, I have probably spent $100 alone JUST on collars! lol

    I NEVER add up what it costs to take care of my dogs. It is my hobby, so it does not matter how much I spend.
    Luckily, I can write my travels off, as I incorporate business with each trip [gotta make it work somehow!].

    I have six current residents [until Hot Rod and Chrissy leave].
    Our licensing is $30 a year for an intact animal. $18 for altered.

    Okay.. back to making HB eggs for the kids… because I HAVE to feed them something... not because I want to feed them! Of course, I know feeding them correlates to growing and then new clothes... it is a never ending cycle... just like dogs!

    Kathy Britton

    Khani's Basenjis

    Portland, Oregon

    ….."You're just jealous because the voices only talk to me!"

    0
  • tanzaT

    The only time I had a problem with collar chewing was with Mickii's litter and Mickii chewing off each of her babies collars…ggg.... since Mickii had the collar chewing gene... I just never left collars on mine at home... not that I thought of doing doing so anyway. I don't believe in collars at home particularly when I have more then one. I have seen dogs play/fight and get caught up in a collar.. it is not pretty.. and when am not home, since I don't have to crate them, I don't put collars on them.

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    0
  • sabaS

    About 12 months ago, my MIL decided to work out for herself EXACTLY how much we would be spending on dog food ;). Why ???…............. I have no idea...

    She then told my hubby that she had worked it out and that each dog would cost us................................................................................................................................................. $9000, (Aussie Dollars...), in food alone, AND we had 6 dogs at the time, too :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

    I have NO idea what she thought we were feeding them, perhaps top quality rump/scotch steak, seafood, caviar etc, all washed down with Moet Chandon :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

    Home of -

    Wazazi Dressed To Dazzle (Saba).Australian Champion Wazazi High Expectations (Ochre). Wazazi Living Doll (Vanda). Langarni African Aluko (Java).

    www.langarni-rajacadoo.com

    0
  • khanisK

    @tanza:

    The only time I had a problem with collar chewing was with Mickii's litter and Mickii chewing off each of her babies collars…ggg.... since Mickii had the collar chewing gene... I just never left collars on mine at home... not that I thought of doing doing so anyway. I don't believe in collars at home particularly when I have more then one. I have seen dogs play/fight and get caught up in a collar.. it is not pretty.. and when am not home, since I don't have to crate them, I don't put collars on them.

    Ahhh Pat, you don't have children…. dogs MUST wear collars....
    one shot out the door by a neighbor kid and they are running down the busiest road in the neighborhood.

    I lost a half-AF bitch that way...
    so they all wear collars when loose.
    Naked in their crates.

    Kathy Britton

    Khani's Basenjis

    Portland, Oregon

    ….."You're just jealous because the voices only talk to me!"

    0
  • tanzaT

    @khanis:

    Ahhh Pat, you don't have children…. dogs MUST wear collars....
    one shot out the door by a neighbor kid and they are running down the busiest road in the neighborhood.

    I lost a half-AF bitch that way...
    so they all wear collars when loose.
    Naked in their crates.

    Exactly… if I did, I might have different ideas/thoughts... well unless you consider Ted as a "big" kid!!!! :D

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    0
  • nobarkusN

    @tanza:

    Exactly… if I did, I might have different ideas/thoughts... well unless you consider Ted as a "big" kid!!!! :D

    I never had the collars on my last 2 when in the house. If they got out they stayed in front. Now I left the collar off my new guy, Buddy and he got out an open gate. I got him back because of his chip and I got a lecture from Karen at Medfly that I should never have his collar off.

    Buddy, Paolo and Dan

    0
  • tanzaT

    @nobarkus:

    I never had the collars on my last 2 when in the house. If they got out they stayed in front. Now I left the collar off my new guy, Buddy and he got out an open gate. I got him back because of his chip and I got a lecture from Karen at Medfly that I should never have his collar off.

    Again, personal choice. If I had only one then I would "maybe" consider leaving the collar on… but when I have more then one, I worry way more about them getting caught in or on something when I am not home. Again, I do not have to crate when we are at work and they have access to the dog room and the back yard.

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    0
  • agilebasenjiA

    I had collars all the dogs at one time. Until Zest got her mouth caught on malinois #1's collar twice in the span of about 2 months. I thought it a fluke the first time, so I kept collars on dogs. Fortunately, I was right there and the mali had a quick release collar and no damage was done to anyone. Just a few days ago I found this:
    http://www.breakawaycollar.com/

    I may be getting a few new collars afterall.

    0
  • lvossL

    This product looks very similar to Premier's Keepsafe Collar.

    http://www.premier.com/View.aspx?page=dogs/products/collars/keepsafe/description

    0
  • renaultf1R

    @tanza:

    Again, personal choice. If I had only one then I would "maybe" consider leaving the collar on… but when I have more then one, I worry way more about them getting caught in or on something when I am not home. Again, I do not have to crate when we are at work and they have access to the dog room and the back yard.

    Pat, didn't you cross post something from Dr. Jo a while back about one of her dogs catching its mouth on a collar of another dog, or its mouth on its own collar (or something like that) - I seem to remember that.

    UPDATE: I found it, this was the thread:
    http://www.basenjiforums.com/showthread.php?t=5167&highlight=lukuru

    0
  • tanzaT

    Thanks for finding that thread… and yes that is a perfect example

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    0
  • BasenjimammaB

    Wow, that is scary.
    I am torn, I want them to be safe with their tags on, yet safe so they won't get hurt…I guess in the big scheme of things I rather them run away then die from strangulation...but I don't want them to run away either..
    Otis and Moses are chipped but my two smaller dogs aren't..and even if they were, I also want them to have their tags on, in case a person finds them, but doesn't want to take them to a vet to find out if they are chipped or not.

    Has anybody on here used those breakaway collars or the daycare setting collars? If so, speak up please and tell me what you think of them.

    Thanks

    Petra and Pippin

    with Otis in my heart…

    0
  • JarodkjvJ

    I have the premier keepsafe collar and I've been happy with it. Piper doesn't wear a collar in the house, just because I prefer her not to wear one, and the chance of escape is pretty low. But I use the breakaway collar when we're at field trials and she's in an expen, mostly to give me a handle when I'm taking her out. And with all the bouncing around she does in the expen I'm nervous leaving a regular collar on her since she could get it caught. I won't walk her on it though because she could slip it since it's not a martingale but it works well for just putting a tag on her safely. And if she was going to wear a collar all the time in the house it would definitely be the breakaway collar.

    The daycare collar is a little different in that it won't release by itself, you have to actually open the velcro yourself to free the dog. But the advantage is that you can grab the collar anywhere and restrain the dog with it whereas with the breakaway you have to grab around the buckle or it will open. That's why it's made for a daycare or dog park type setting where the dog is under supervision.

    0
  • NemoN

    @renaultf1:

    Pat, didn't you cross post something from Dr. Jo a while back about one of her dogs catching its mouth on a collar of another dog, or its mouth on its own collar (or something like that) - I seem to remember that.

    UPDATE: I found it, this was the thread:
    http://www.basenjiforums.com/showthread.php?t=5167&highlight=lukuru

    That thread pretty much convinced me not to have collars on my dogs, even though I'm torn about it in the instance that they could escape (happened one time with Nemo when part of my fence blew down in a windstorm)

    Even so, my dogs have the collar chewing "genes" too, so they don't last long if left on.

    Connect with the Basenji Club of America on Facebook

    http://www.facebook.com/basenji.org

    0
  • BasenjimammaB

    Thanks Jarodkjv for your knowledge and input on those collars. I guess I should check them out. The only reason, being that I have children other then my own that sometimes visit, and they are not vigilant to the signs and knowledge of the dogs getting out if front door is cracked open..

    To all of you with dog collar chewers, I purchased Lupine for Otis, in Martingale style (however they have regular styles as well, and harnesses and leashes). They have a 100% lifetime warranty on their products even if chewed.
    Otis had just chewed his in three large pices so I took the pices to the store where I got them and walked out with a brand new one..free.

    Petra and Pippin

    with Otis in my heart…

    0
  • renaultf1R

    @Nemo:

    That thread pretty much convinced me not to have collars on my dogs, even though I'm torn about it in the instance that they could escape (happened one time with Nemo when part of my fence blew down in a windstorm)

    Even so, my dogs have the collar chewing "genes" too, so they don't last long if left on.

    I had been warned about collars being left on in the house unsupervised. Then Pat posted the note from Dr. Jo - that was enough for me to not ever let them wear a collar out of my sight - inside or outdoors. They only have collars on when I walk them, the minute I'm inside or they are free to run in our yard, off they come.

    All 3 of mine have the "collar chewing gene" anyway, so I also don't want to take the chance they chew off a collar and swallow part of it creating a blockage. For me it isn't about the cost of replacing a collar - I get bored so they have many collars & leads, it is mainly about their safety.

    Again, my personal preference only!

    0
  • BasenjimammaB

    I do understand this

    For me it isn't about the cost of replacing a collar

    it is a safety thing more then anything..

    Petra and Pippin

    with Otis in my heart…

    0

Suggested Topics

  • KembeK

    Dog Tales

    Basenji Talk
    17
    2 Votes
    17 Posts
    4k Views
    sanjibasenjiS
    I found the transcript from the documentary. If the age part is true, the rest is not (unless there's difference between our European bred Basenjis and those in Africa): NARRATOR: Sharing the same curly-tailed trait [as the Akita] is the venerable African Basenji. DEBBYE TURNER: Basenji is the granddad of ancient dogs. However, they’re not that trainable. They will not do obedience tricks like other breeds. Come back here. And here’s an example! NARRATOR: There is something else very wolf-like about a Basenji… SOUND OF DOGS HOWLING NARRATOR: …its yodel. These breeds reveal much about how dogs may have appeared and acted after they first transitioned from pack hunters to scavengers and provide clues as to why they may have first appealed to humans. DEBBYE TURNER: You won’t see Basenjis doing tricks, but because of their closeness to their wolf ancestors, they are considered very adept hunters. Here's the video link. Basenjis mentioned 25 min. into it. https://www.pbs.org/video/dog-tales-vskr2y/
  • U

    One Week for a City Dog - How Many Dogs/People Does Your Dog See?

    Basenji Talk
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    5k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    In your position, where you really have to take her out a lot, I understand. And I hope her comfort continues. My point was it is situational need, not dog need to be that social. :) I have a slim chance of that having worked with my current 2, but with my incredibly dog aggressive first one, I'd have been out in a basket muzzle and warning everyone to keep their dogs away.
  • WooflessW

    Need a gift for a dog lover; customized dog art ideas??

    Basenji Talk
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    3k Views
    lisastewartL
    I have had a couple stained glass made, but there is normally a 3-4 month lead time as the artists are already booked up for Xmas this yr. Most of the artists on etsy will be booked this late in the yr, I had two quilts and a needle felt made a couple yrs ago and I placed my order in June in order to guarantee Xmas delivery. If you have a nice photo, there is a company called treasure knits that does wonderful woven afghans out of a photo with about a one week turn around. I have had both afghans and pillows made from photos as xmas gifts from them and they do great work.
  • KipawaK

    Bullying dogs - dog psychology questions

    Basenji Talk
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    2k Views
    KipawaK
    Well, the lab I mentioned (chocolate overweight one) almost took me out by slamming into my knee. I commented loudly " he better not insure my knee!" No comment from the owner. Others were keeping an eye on this over exhuberant dog too. Many peeps were standing behind a bench for protection. What really bugs me is that the park has very visible signs when you enter it that say you must have control of your dog.
  • boxman2572B

    Allergic to dogs who owns a basenji?

    Basenji Talk
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    2k Views
    etzbsederE
    my roommie is allergic to dogs, and he only has a problem with my B when he wears short sleeves and plays rough, he gets a little rash for 30 minutes. other than that, there is not one problem with sneezing or anything else.
  • BarklessdogB

    My dog is so dumb- My dog is so smart

    Basenji Talk
    14
    0 Votes
    14 Posts
    5k Views
    J
    Hollie will hide her treats and her dog food. Her favorite hiding place is under MY pillow in the bed. She has tried to hide her entire food bowl by pushing one of her plush toys with her nose in an attempt to get the toy on top of her food bowl. Why doesn't she just use her mouth to pick it up and place it on the bowl? Silly dog!