I went to visit Erika and the GA rescue Basenjis today. As I entered the backyard I was greeted by very familiar Basenji sounds. The pups were in a small kennel run inside the fenced back yard. Due to the parvo quarantine I was not able to enter the enclosure nor to handle the dogs.
All 5 pups seemed curious about me and approached the front of the enclosure. Some were leaning into the fence and wagging their tails slowly as if hoping for some petting. Others checked me out then lay down. There were two distinct types leading me to believe that this is one litter with 2 different sires or, more likely, two different litters. I estimate their ages to be between 6 and 8 months, leaning towards the latter.
Chocolate (F) and Chip (M) are the two larger pups. They are slightly larger than average in size with heavy bone. Their body type is heavier and coarser than what you would normally see in the show ring. Their heads are atypical due to their ears being low set and not fully erect. Though a bit large, when the ears are physically held into place, the heads become typical of a (poorly bred) Basenji.
Jelly (F), Butter (F), and Cookie (M) are smaller than average and refinely built. Their body type is very Basenji. Their ears are set a bit low and are not completely erect. (The ears of two pups are more erect than the third.) When physically held into place the head becomes typical of the breed.
All 5 have loose curls in their tails. Both males have 2 (small) testicles when sitting or standing. When Erika lifted Chip, one testicle retracted. When she lifted Cookie, both of his testicles retracted. Color and markings typical of the breed though Jelly does have some black sabling in her coat. All pups have dewclaws and their toenails have not been trimmed in some time.
Although I can't explain the ears, everything else about these dogs says "Basenji".
Despite feeling bad from the parvo, all 5 pups appear to have friendly dispositions. None of them gave Erika any problems handling them in any way. They behave like typical Basenji puppies chewing on everything they can get their mouths on and climbing the crates inside the pen.
These pups were obviously well fed and socialized prior to being picked up by animal control. Could they be unsold BYB pups that simply escaped and no one came looking for? I guess we will never know.
The pups must remain in quarantine until they are all free of parvo. The enclosure that they are in is too small and Erika needs some help with this. Something portable such as a 10' x 10' x 6' kennel run would be ideal. If anyone can help her obtain something like this it sure would help a lot. She is located in Lawrenceville, Georgia.
Please contact me if you need any help.
