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.
Basenjis in Boston
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I was looking at that dog park in sharon- that looks great….I'm not too sure where Medway is. Jack does car rides really well, so we can drive wherever. I have seen a couple of Bs walking around near my work....along the somerville, medford line. Pretty cool, since Jack was the first purebred B I had ever seen before moving to MA.
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The dog park in sharon is nice but dogs and people seemed to not socialize much with one another. Maybe it was just the day we went. Rye has to meet and play with all the dogs! Medway is good and is near Franklin, Ma. Rye goes to an excellent daycare 1-2 days a week in Franklin. If Jack is looking for a play date let me know? We also will use Nahant beach and Plum Island but its not fenced in if decide to go. Need a good recall if you let your B of lease. Rye is good, when the treat is yummy enough:D
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Yeah, there isn't a treat yummy enough for Jack….."come here" starts his favorite game of all....you can chase, but you can't catch me! But, I've gone to non-fenced dog areas with my retractable leash with Jack. He can run around and play, but he knows he can't get too far.
We will probably be in need of a play date once we move....there isn't much free time until then- May 24th or so.
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Foschatt what's the name of the doggie day care you take Rye to? We are looking for a good one in the area and we're not far from Franklin. We go down there at least once a week for dog classes (at Master Peace). How often do you go to the Medway Park?
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The name is Happy Tails. They have a website. They break dogs up into different play styles (Rye is in the hard play group:D ). But FYI they do crate at lunch time to give dogs a break for 1-2 hrs. We heard great reviews from people at Medway and comparing it to others we won't go anywhere else. We drive very far to go there.
We don't go to Medway anymore because of the distance and 2 dogs wouldn't leave him alone. Always barking knocking him down and barking in his face! The owners did nothing to stop their dogs so we would felt we had to leave. He didn't seen to care too much but we were nervous of creating bad experinces since he places very well with other dogs. After driving all the way there, it always seem one of those 2 dogs were there:( . Although we did meet Gremlin a cute tri color basenji a few times just before we stopped going. -
We are in Worcester but would love to get together if you are interested. Email me rnasto@gmail.com if interested (anyone in fact)
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Hey all Massachusetts B owners. I just recently found this site and this thread. I would love to have Beegin have some playtime with other basenjis. One of my friends has a black lab, Lila, that he can sometimes play with but he wears her out!
I am down in New Bedford but Franklin is only about an hour 15 from me. I was considering signing up to do some agility stuff at the Master Peace place there as well. Nothing set yet. Oh and no dog parks nearby, but I am told there is a nice fenced one in Newport.
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Shannon,
There are some dog parks they just aren't official though. None that are fenced in. There is one in Framingham in Calahan State Park. If you go to the Millwood St., Framingham entrance park, walk along the trail that goes straight back about 1/4 of a mile there it is.
Usually there are a bunch of doggies there (about a dozen) and a huge field. Indi loves to go play there and we try to take him atleast once a week. Thats the only one I know of but I know there are other similar places you just have to ask around.
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sorry the computer barfed
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sorry the computer barfed
Ha! That sounds unpleasant.
I've been wanting to try the one in Sharon…anyone know- is it fenced? I'm willing to drive further (Jack doesn't mind car trips).
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Sharon dog park is fenced in and is a good size park. I'm up for a meet up also!! Name the time and place
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foschatt…up for a meet tomorrow or sunday? Anyone else for Sharon dog park?
Morning or afternoon is good with me
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I'm good for tomorrow. If others want to join, we can do anytime. I'll send you an email also.
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Just to let everyone know
The play date is tomorrow Saturday July 25, 2008 at 10:00am
Here is the site with directions.
Hope to see people there
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DARN! I can't make it tomorrow.
Well, Maybe…I will try....I have to go try on bridesmaid dresses tomorrow (blech)
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THAT WAS SO MUCH FUN! We have to do it again (and bring a camera)
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How about we get together August 9 at 1pm.
Here is the site with directions.
Hope to see people there
If anyone is interested in starting an email list for getting together please email me at
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PhocoenaGirl => we go to MasterPeace, we really like it. We too the summer off, but are looking at some classes to start up soon. Hope to see you there!
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Ahhh, we have family plans in NH on the 9th, we are not far from Sharron and would love to know when the next get together is.
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I am going to be there tomorrow with Jack. He is really looking forward to it.
