Ah yeah though the site that I saw clearly had a picture of a Basenji representing the breed! Your link, they look nothing like Bs
According to Wikipedia…
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In my humble unsolicited opinion
It looks like the basenji does not meet 5 out of your 6 criteria…I would say they are a hunting dog & is very focused on it's prey but this is of course...small prey (squirrels, rabbits, birds...) and in my opinion I don't think they know when to hunt & when NOT to hunt. If you're just taking a leisurely walk they may bolt for a squirrel or rabbit! 
Do the research..there's lots of other type of hounds that would give you more of what you're looking for...like a Pharoah Hound or Rhodesian (they are beautiful dogs!) etc. the list goes on & on.
Have you checked out books into finding the right dog...www.dogwise.com Here's some of my favs..
I followed this book to the letter!! The Perfect Match by Chris Walkowicz and he also wrote the Choosing A Dog for Dummies
Chosing A Dog for Life by Andrew De Prisco
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A friend of mine had a Rottweiller a number of years back that is the prime example of what I'm looking for in a dog. A brick s**thouse of a dog, willing and able to snap someone's neck at the proper command… But only at the proper command... The dog wasn't just smart, he was wise and intelligent... You could almost say he was literate... He knew what you were talking about when you were talking... Not just, "come, Thor! Get toy! Sit! Stay!"
- CK
I'd say you're definitely looking at the wrong breed. You're looking for a dog that you want to be a guard dog. This breed and most breeds are not reliable enough for this and furthermore should be tested by a behaviourist and protection trainer to make sure the dog is sound enough to focus on the commands and not the act. I don't believe you know what this involves-I'm talking months and years of training to achieve this properly. If you're wondering about my credentials, I've trained numerous security canines for this purpose-so I'm not talking out of my hat.
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Are Basenjis really like the "temperament" section located here?
Yes.
Are they really so intelligent that they "[are] not above testing the limits of its environment and owner just for sport?" and "[find] few creatures a Basenji is likely to encounter (including its owner!) that it does not believe it can outwit or outrun?" (Kinda sums myself up… )Yes
I also wonder… What are their personalities like when it comes to obedience? Can they be trained/raised into one that observes the "golden rule" so to speak? I've always wanted a dog that would be obedient not out of fear or out of food motivation, but out of respect for its owners... I have only seen a handful of dogs actually behave this way... Is it possible with a Basenji?
No…if this is what you want, a Basenji is not for you. A Basenji that behaves the way you want to please you is about 1 in a billion.
I've only had one dog in my life that behaved this way. The pup was more of a friend or a brother to me than it was a pet. I've found that if one raises the pup from the time it is old enough to leave its mother, that the pup will learn this kind of behavior. However, it's not guaranteed, and only one or two out of a litter will have this personality…
![😕](https://basenjiforums.com/assets/plugins/nodebb-plugin-emoji/emoji/emoji-one/1f615.png?v=dd0ek6p7usa ":\")
Again, if this is what you want, I think you will be very disappointed with a Basenji. Most of us who love them, love them despite the fact that they have very little interest in pleasing humans. They are all about pleasing themselves. Some are a little more biddable than others, but the best description is still "cat like"…how many cats do you know that want to please humans?A
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<<-A hunting-driven dog, not afraid to take something down if need be.
-A protective dog, something that is loyal and will attack only if need be.
-An intimidating dog, because I'd like people to know that the dog is the security force of the household, and will keep you from harming someone or stealing something.
-An intelligent dog, one that knows who is doing what, and knows enough to not attack the UPS guy, just because he's not a regular visitor to the house.
-A loyal dog, one that is a friend or brother, not a servant or slave. They realize that they are on the same level of authority as I am.
-A trusted dog, one that won't go dashing out the door just because it's open.>>A basenji is soooo not the dog for you. You will be disappointed. Try a Kelpie, or a Australian Cattle Dog.
Most Basenjis are HORRIBLE guard dogs…for one thing, they don't bark, of course! And secondly....if they think they are in danger...most will run behind you, or for the hills. They are primative bush dogs...would it make much sense for them to confront danger?
And door dashing? I think it has a picture of a Basenji in the dictionary for that.
Please believe us...it isn't that we don't know how to train dogs here. I do it for a living...Basenjis ARE different.....
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I agree that this is not the breed of dog that would suit you… hunting is part of this dogs makeup.. it is bred into them... so chances of them "hunting your cats" is about 90%.. at some point... Also your comment about "tearing someone's throat out" is (will in my opinon) not a good "knee jerk" reaction for any breed of dog... and pick on a Basenji.... not a good idea, you would be introducing behaviors many of us work to correct.. (the picking on you back).
I would say that NO breed of sighthound would work for your situation... many a terrier? Not that they are any more trainable, as they too were bred to do a job and it comes natural
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K, so the basenji is not for me.
Thanks guys.
I wish more people would ask questions like I have about future pets… Every so often, I'll hear of some 15 year-old girl that wants a pet snake, and then a week later after feeding it once, she decides that it's "too disgusting" (as she cleans the mouse blood off the tank walls) and gets rid of it.People like that irk me, which is why I came here asking questions. I'd rather come here and have people tell me flat-out that this breed isn't what I'm looking for than to spend $300+ on trial and error.
Certain breeds are for certain people, and the Basenji isn't for me.
I still like their attitude, though. :p
- CK
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K, so the basenji is not for me.
Thanks guys.
I wish more people would ask questions like I have about future pets… Every so often, I'll hear of some 15 year-old girl that wants a pet snake, and then a week later after feeding it once, she decides that it's "too disgusting" (as she cleans the mouse blood off the tank walls) and gets rid of it.People like that irk me, which is why I came here asking questions. I'd rather come here and have people tell me flat-out that this breed isn't what I'm looking for than to spend $300+ on a dog that wouldn't work out anyway.
Certain breeds are for certain people, and the Basenji isn't for me.
I still like their attitude, though. :p
- CK
Absolutely happy to help. I agree, knowledge is power! And, yes some dogs just aren't for some people. I LOVE Siberian Huskies….I would love to have one...but I just can't commit to keeping my home cool enough for the dog to be comfortable, and to spending enough time outside with the dog in the winter, and providing the kind of exercise that a dog like that needs...so I will never have one. But I sure love to look at them, and admire other people's
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CeeKay, if you are still coming to check this thread, may I encourage you to think about the Austrailain Cattle Dog, which someone else mentioned? The dog of my life was a Cattle Dog (NOT an Australian Sheep Dog). They have some wildness in them from dingo in the background and even look a tad like a basenji, especially the red variety, but they are truly loyal, obedient on their own just for you and not food, protective, not too large. I loved Rex and Rex loved me. He was friendly to people, but nothing could keep him from wanting to be with me at any time. He won first places in obedience trials, and I trained him without food treats or meanness, just basic kindness and firmness. He had a sense of humor, too, and loved to pick up old tires and carry them around for fun. Anyway, these little working herding dogs are very much like your list of needs for a dog friend. Hope you find the best fit soon.
That is basicly the type of dog I've always had and wanted, but I also loved the idea of a basenji, and now I have a basenji. We are still getting to know each other, but I think the people here have basenjis down to a t.
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I don't believe a Basenji is what you are looking for. My Basenji, Sahara, will bite, chase and guard my house from my cat that I have had for 18 yrs. She will try to put her mouth around my cat's neck, I have had to intervenue to keep my B from hurting her. I have underground fencing in my yard so my cat will mostly stay in my neighbors yard just beyond the line of the fence. The Basenji likes to be in charge, and they do things to please themselves, if they don't want to do something they won't. Sahara was easy to housebreak, fetch a ball, sit and stay, lay but she won't fetch or stay unless she really wants to. I can call her and she will just turn her head and look at me as if to say, "What'? Can't you see I am doing something!!!!! haha!!!!! You might want to think about a Golden Retriever, or lab.
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If you are looking for something more to guard-try a beauceron, australian cattle dog (they have a tail the australian shepherd has no tail), or a Belgian Malinois (45-60 lbs usually),or even believe it or not a boxer. These are more loyal, have the guard background, are bred more for what you are looking for.
Please don't take offense to what I said in my earlier post. I kind of get upset when people try to take a dog and do something they're not designed for.
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You may be interested in a Visla or a Pharoah hound. They are sleek, strong, ancient and short haired. They bark and can be trained like any dog. Both are medium sized but have that doberman physique in a smaller dog.
Vislas are very good if you want a dog that wont dash once you establish your rules. I dont know much about the Pharoah hound other than it is an ancient breed, nice size, and can bark.
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No offense taken. Like I said, it's the same in the reptile world… People think snakes are such cool pets, then after they feed it, it's suddenly not so cool.
I was thinking I'd get a pit bull maybe. I'm one of those people who stand behind the breed. I know a few people who have pits, and they are the lovingest dogs I've ever seen! My friend's pit loves me, even though it's seen me a total of twice in its year or so that it has been alive. Also, the dog lives with a cat and a chihuahua, and they have no problems together.
Pits are outstanding companions.
I did some research on the Pharaoh Hound, and it is very similar in nature to the Basenji, without the wildness... Yet, most places I looked said that they should not be housed with cats, as they are sight/scent hounds and hunting dogs as well, same with the Basenji. Also, they "should not be trusted off the leash in an unconfined area," according to www.dogbreedinfo.com.
I haven't really looked into the Viszla much, but I think I will.
Again, I thank you guys for telling me what's up. Like I said, I'd rather come here and gain some knowledge than go to a pet store and waste 300+ bucks on a dog that I'd end up giving away in the end.
- CK
To bring the fun back into this post a bit… Who else agrees that cropped ears (especially super-cropped or fighting-crop) are lame? :p
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I did it once many, many years ago to a Schnauzer-never, EVER again. Poor thing cried and cried. Have never done it to my boxer's and never will-I'm glad the rules are changing in favour of not doing it!
Oh, and about the reptile thing-my daughter has had a spider (tarantuala-rose-haired mexican) for at least 10 years-she's 22 now and has always taken care of it. It's a thing for some people and for others it's not.
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I prefer natural ears….
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I had a Doberman years ago whose ears had not been cropped. She was ADORABLE….. the non-cropped ears sure took away from the serious guard dog look they usually have. LOL She looked {and was} harmless!
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I agree, I love the look on a Dobie with natural ears…. and a Dane too!!!...
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Oh, and about the reptile thing-my daughter has had a spider (tarantuala-rose-haired mexican) for at least 10 years-she's 22 now and has always taken care of it. It's a thing for some people and for others it's not.
Exactly my point.
Same goes with dog breeds… You couldn't see Gen. George Patton having a Toy Poodle, could ya!? You couldn't see Paris Hilton with a Mastiff or a Rottie!
I'm just not a Basenji guy. Pits, on the other hand, I think are more what I'm looking for. Obedient, loving, great companions, and a whole lot of fun at dog sporting events like weight pulling and obedience courses... I might just have to get into this!
Anyone have any information about dog sports organizations?
- CK
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Check out the www.akc.org website..it'll give you info on breeds & various events for different types of dogs.
And if you're interested in a hound of sorts…checkout the www.asfa.org website!
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CeeKay,
with your interest in Pits, you may want to look at http://www.wpbtca.com/ and for a really cool and useful "sport" check out
http://www.finographics.com/schutzhund/sport.htmlAlso, just for another point of interest for someone interested in defending the breed, check out http://www.lawdogsusa.org/hemi.html
