Hello I am new. My name is Sean and I currently live in Carbondale, Illinois for college. I have two tibeten Spaniels at home in Maryland, and take care of my brothers Pitbull alot too. Am planning on getting a puppy for next year as I will be a senior and am moving into a single family home. Was originally going to rescue a pitbull but am thinking they will be too big for my living sitiuation at the moment.
The Basenji seems to be the prefect size dog that I am currently looking for. I am looking for a medium sized dog, that will be able to run with me every morning and is not extremly difficult to train. The dog will also need to get along with a Sheltie thats very laid back and nice to everything. So far the Basenji seems perfect but I will continue reading posts to learn more. Well just wanted to say welcome… here are some pics of my other dogs...
Welcome! There is certainly a lot of basenji info on this site so you've come to the right place 
What part of Maryland are you from? I was born & rasied in Maryland & went to college on the Eastern Shore.
Nice looking dogs.
B's are NOT easy to train..
There are a lots of books, manuals you can get to read up on these wonderful critters.
You need to be educated, as the dogs always think they know more than the human!
laugh.
Welcome! There is certainly a lot of basenji info on this site so you've come to the right place
I am born and raised in Germantown… just north of DC in Montgomery County
Nice looking dogs.
B's are NOT easy to train..
There are a lots of books, manuals you can get to read up on these wonderful critters.
You need to be educated, as the dogs always think they know more than the human!
laugh.
hmmm guess I havnt read enough about training, I heard about them being stubborn but as long as you show yourself as the leader they will respond to your commands
Umm, sorry, no. A few of us here are professional trainers and a few more are long time breeders. Basenji's are really not stubborn-they're highly intelligent. And they think extensively. So showing yourself as leader is a great way to make an enemy. IMO. You get more from honey with these dogs.
Umm, sorry, no. A few of us here are professional trainers and a few more are long time breeders. Basenji's are really not stubborn-they're highly intelligent. And they think extensively. So showing yourself as leader is a great way to make an enemy. IMO. You get more from honey with these dogs.
lol I guess I dont know anything yet haha, I got some reading to do 
Basenjis are very much about "what's in it for me?". Positive reinforcement works best because there is clearly something in it for them. There are times when what you are offering is not motivation enough for them to do what you are asking. There are also times when they just feel like goofing off, they can really be the class clown. They are highly intelligent and they can get bored easily just like a lot GATE students get bored in classes when they think it is going too slow.
Its good your here to ask questions and learn.
Then, when your ready, folks can suggest good breeders who do the work for the pups they place. Or if your thinking of a basenji who is not a puppy, we can help you get to good rescue place.
Remember, folks who are good breeders often charge less or the same as byb or puppymillers, who you see selling b's on the internet. Get out your credit card, get a puppy…a bad way to go usually!
We have a lot of folks who have had b's for years.
All of us are still learning as this dog is one tricky breed.
They have the BEST sense of humor of any dog I have ever had.
BUT they can be stubborn and distructive if your not set up properly.
However, you can learn here...
Welcome.
Its good your here to ask questions and learn.
Then, when your ready, folks can suggest good breeders who do the work for the pups they place. Or if your thinking of a basenji who is not a puppy, we can help you get to good rescue place.
Remember, folks who are good breeders often charge less or the same as byb or puppymillers, who you see selling b's on the internet. Get out your credit card, get a puppy…a bad way to go usually!We have a lot of folks who have had b's for years.
All of us are still learning as this dog is one tricky breed.
They have the BEST sense of humor of any dog I have ever had.
BUT they can be stubborn and distructive if your not set up properly.
However, you can learn here...
Welcome.
Destructive?? Nooooooooo! Is that why my house looks like a tornado hit it sideways??
My husband always says that basenji owners are twisted…other dog owners would be quiet about the "stuff" their dogs destroy...but basenji folks reach for the camera and the computer and SHARE it all with their b' owning friends.
Laugh.
He is soooooooo right!
Oh, yes Sharron-that describes us to a T!
Laugh, I really think most basenji owners have to have a good sense of humor.
I mean, we live with such "interesting" dogs!
Otherwise, they would drive you crazy.
laugh
Believe me Basenjis are so intelligent, it is scary sometimes. My B, Sahara has chewed up more than her share of stuff. Two years ago before I had her I would have thought someone "CRAZY" to just shrug off the chewing ordeal with her, or the things she has just destroyed. Personally I don't think a B is a good dog to have for jogging, you would have to have it on a leash at all times. If these dogs see a squirrel, cat, rabbit or anything that looks like a prey they will go after it, forget you and not even hear you when you call them. Sahara goes no where with me that she does not have a leash and tags just in case she gets the urge to run! Basenjis are easy to love and that is why we always forgive them for what they do, they give so much love back. I don't think I will ever have another dog that is more loving than my Sahara, she clearly loves her family and shows us everyday.:D 
I plan on getting one come August so I have plenty of time to learn. As fo getting one, I plan on rescuing one.
I've had dogs my whole life, and have never experienced anything quite like a Basenji. They are definitely different in every possible way except that they eat and poop. That's where the similarities end. LOL
I love them and couldn't imagine my life without them now. Dh loves them and probably wishes we'd brought home a cockapoo! LOL
Welcome to the forum - it would be nice if more people did research like you are about breeds before they acquired a dog.
Basenjis are also fantastic escape artists - if you'll be renting a house while going to school be sure to check for enclosed yards.
Frankly I think you would be better off with a different breed.
It takes a lot of training on your part and why bother with your situation?
Get an "easy" dog that is easier to train.
Sean, I'll give you an example of how intelligent these dogs can be. When I first moved back out to the country, I only had Shadow. Since he was such a good boy (or so we thought) we tied him out the back when we were outside on a chain with a latch. I told my DH never, NEVER show Shadow where the chickens were kept. Well, my SmartA took him out the back to the barn and showed him where the chickens were. When he came back with him I told him he was going to regret it. Shadow waited two weeks, sitting there thinking, licking his lips, staring at the chickens. Then, BAM. He undid the latch on his leash, ran out to the chicken pen, got inside the chicken pen and attacked the chickens. He only hurt one sortof badly, but this is what they are like. Single minded. At least IMO!
I think you should think about an older basenji, perhaps retired from a breeder or from a known home- ie not an unknown origin. The BRAT site has some great friendly b's that are a bit older, and as I have learned from Sol, it is great to get an older dog whose personality is set and known. For example, you need a basenji that will get along with your other dogs– and even with socialization some b's are not great with other dogs.
Kris
