Thinking about adding to the family

[Kingsley1230]

Hello,
I have a B mix pup now(18 weeks), but in the next year or two I would love to add a Basenji to my home. So my biggest question: Is there a difference when taking care of two dogs, instead of just one?

[tanza]

Take what you do now, times two….

[MacPack]

but, they always have a playmate to keep them tired out. A good thing, unless they are playing with your sofa stuffing…..

[vickilb]

Double trouble and double love.

[Sanuye_Zonta]

We too want to adopt another Basenji at this time. Bisa, formerly Lucy from Rugosa Basenji's in OH, is now 3 yrs old.

We have had three dogs [different mixed breeds] before in our home and LOVED it!

Just be sure you are up to the work involved in having more than one!!!!

[Kingsley1230]

The work is nothing to me really, I go to work at 3pm and by boyfriend gets home at 5-530pm. I'm up with the pup now at like 9-10am and its no bother. I would love to wait until she gets older and then possibly adopt an older B from Eldorado's, as i'm not too far away from them. I think having two dogs would be great, Lilu would have a friend there all the time. Lilu is awesome with other dogs and kids. The only thing is that she is some what shy around bigger guys that come over to my house. But I tell them as long as they get down to her level, she will come right over and play and play and play.

[Basenjimamma]

I have 4 dogs, and yes that is a lot of work, excercise wise, making sure they all get their fair amount of one on one time and all that….but boy is it worth it..I have dogs that unconditionally loves me and my family and bring us so much joy and laughter...and a fair amount of anger and tears as well, but it is worth it.

Two dogs, I think, are great together..You will have a pet that has a buddy and you will have two buddies loving on you..

[sharronhurlbut]

IMO, 2 are better than one..they can play together like we humans can't…and they can learn good and bad things from each other.
Get your current dog into "good" things, and then add a second..the first can teach the second one.

[renaultf1]

I agree with Pat & Sharron - first thing is to make sure everything is going pretty well with the first one before adding the second. When I added my second, they became partners in crime - when one got into something, the other was only too happy to join in.

That said, I love having multiples. I actually found having 2 was easier than having 1. I didn't really find any extra work. I walked both together - pretty much they were a team. In my case, my kids breeder picked the perfect male (2nd basenji) match for my girl (1st basenji) and they knew each other well long before they came into my house - they came from the same breeder. The only time it was more work was when one was sick - then it took a little more management.

The added food cost was negligible, there is added cost for initial startup (dog, crate, bedding, toys) and vetting.

I now have 3 basenjis - I added a puppy (Aaliyah) last year. Having a 3rd hasn't always been the easiest and is definitely more work than 2. The times 3 have been a blessing was when Brando broke his leg this summer (Ruby had Liyah as a playmate) and when puppy Liyah was in heat this fall (I could run Ruby and Liyah together).

While I love having 3 - I honestly think having 2 is the perfect number (fun and really easy in general).

[sharronhurlbut]

I like 2 because you can have one on either side of you when your sitting on the couch!

[AJs Human]

They make excellent foot warmers under the blankets…you can have one for each foot.

[Quercus]

I have to agree, that I think two is the perfect number. With three, there is always the concern that somebody will be the odd one out. With more than that, it becomes a lot more work, and expense (especially vet care).

[Tayda_Lenny]

For me the transition from 1 B to 2 B's was not as "difficult" as the transition from 0 to 1. When you already have one, you are already limiting your time away from home, used to going on walks, aware of Basenji antics and (hopefully) not leaving things out to be chewed, shredded, destroyed. Cost wise and food wise… yes, it is double.

I love having 2. Watching the interaction between them is priceless.

[Kingsley1230]

Thanks for all the input guys! I will definitely get Lilu trained before I bring in a new B. But in the mean time I will be looking for a place to adopt an adult B, I heard eldorado is great. Is this correct?

[Kananga]

Very tempted to add one more Basenji this year. Still trying to get things settled with Kananga. He has built up a habit of unstuffing the couch again…

Although I think he may be happier with a friend, part of me worries it'll just be an accomplice for trouble.

[renaultf1]

@Kananga:

Although I think he may be happier with a friend, part of me worries it'll just be an accomplice for trouble.

Multiple basenjis are definitely accomplices for trouble. :D:D:D For instance, my boy Brando is always a little devil. Many times he'll nab something he shouldn't be chewing on (for instance a remote), Ruby will see him with it, he'll drop it and she will grab it. Now normally, I would 100% trust Ruby not to touch a remote - could leave it on the sofa next to her and she would ignore it. But if Brando has it, well it has a whole new attraction for her. I can't count the number of times I've walked in the room and found Ruby with the spoils of something (usually newspaper or napkins), but know it was Brando that had grabbed it initially.

Now if Liyah (1yo) does something she shouldn't, both Ruby and Brando punish her (pin her down, yell at her)…quite funny actually. :D:D I usually just let them handle it.

[Quercus]

@Kingsley1230:

Thanks for all the input guys! I will definitely get Lilu trained before I bring in a new B. But in the mean time I will be looking for a place to adopt an adult B, I heard eldorado is great. Is this correct?

Eldorado is great…but be aware that adding an adult to an adult can be challenging. It really depends on if the individuals are okay with living with another dog. It is always easier to introduce a puppy to an adult.

[tanza]

@Quercus:

Eldorado is great…but be aware that adding an adult to an adult can be challenging. It really depends on if the individuals are okay with living with another dog. It is always easier to introduce a puppy to an adult.

I agree Andrea… for sure and another tip is that you usually do best with the opposite sex, especially bringing in an adult

[renaultf1]

@Kingsley1230:

Thanks for all the input guys! I will definitely get Lilu trained before I bring in a new B. But in the mean time I will be looking for a place to adopt an adult B, I heard eldorado is great. Is this correct?

I have 2 Eldorado basenjis and also their male that they imported from Finland. 2 I adopted as adult show dogs retirees. I couldn't be happier with my basenjis. They have wonderful termperaments and Eldorado is big on health testing. The sisters are super helpful and always willing to answer my silly questions.