@tuckerbesosa I’m on the East coast, but felt I needed to chime in here. The reason for the DNA testing is important to eventually stop the diseases from showing up in the line. It is VERY expensive to follow the protocols for a basenji afflicted with fanconi, which usually does not show up till later in life, but not always. Reputable breeders are in the business of making better basenjis, healthy basenjis. They care for their dogs till the day they pass away. They want to make sure their puppy/dog goes to a forever home, but will take their dog back for ANY reason it should fail in your home. This may not seem like a big deal, but it really is. Many breeders will offer, on occasion, adult dogs for a variety of reasons. A reputable breeder will do extensive interviews with a potential family. This is to get to know you, what you are looking for in a puppy, to ‘match’ you with the best basenji for your family. Our breeder had us fill out a questionnaire, e-mail, a telephone call, meet the breeder, before we ever saw a dog! We were looking for an older dog, they gave us several options, telling us which one they felt would fit best into our home. It’s an important relationship you have with your breeder. They will be there for questions, issues that may arise, offer advise, some will offer boarding (for a small fee) for their dogs, and most important, take back should the pup fail in your home for any reason. Buyer beware, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. If they are offering the dog at a low price, there is a reason, and NOT a good one. It means they are cutting corners. It’s an investment for 14-16 years (usually). You want those to be good healthy, quality years. If you are looking for a dog now, consider an adult dog. Most reputable breeders have waiting lists.

Our first basenji back in ‘96 lived with us in an apartment. I, too, used pee pads for those occasional ‘accidents’. BUT, she wasn’t getting potty trained, even though we were taking her outside. It was ME. I was sending mixed signals to her. I picked up the pee pads, and she was taken out, immediately upon waking, after eating, after naps, after play. She was trained within a week. I also had another female that when she got older, decided she hated the rain SO much, she did her business on the floor, BUT it was the bathroom floor. She was so smart she made the connection that, that’s where her pack ‘goes’.

This is a serious issue, because your dog is resource guarding you. Most people think that it’s because their dog is protecting them, it is not. That growl, it’s a warning, that if not corrected, will progress to teeth barring, and eventually a bite. I suggest you research resource guarding. I have a dog, that resource guards, we are his 4th home. We have had him for 7 1/2 years. My experience, when he first came to live with us, he and I bonded. I fed him, and was his principle care taker, the supplier of his resources. This led to problems. My husband could not come to bed without begging charged at by the dog. On 1 occasion, he got bitten. Your wife will need to work obedience with him, without you in the room. I suggest that she feed him. She should be the one that walks him. This will send the message that he needs to depend on her for his resources. Eventually you can share the duties, but for right now, she needs to be the one to do it. Also, I would suggest that your wife should come into the room, You make the dog get up OFF the couch. Have your wife sit down beside you, and have HER invite the dog back up onto the couch. Do this several times everyday. I have to keep treats in the bedroom so my husband can get into bed at night, he needs to pay a toll every night! I hope this helps.

There was no way the dog was EVER going to sleep in our bed. My resolve lasted 45 minutes. Rory climbed under the blankets at 12 weeks and slept there until her death at 16 years. With Tim, I didn't even pretend that the little guy wasn't going to sleep in the bed between us. I think if you took a poll of basenji owners you would find almost all of us allow the dogs to not only sleep with us but under the covers as well! I have 2 water-proof mattress cover/pads for the occasional accident (usually vomit), in case sheet changing is required during the night. But, it is a rare occurrence. And the best thing...Corn chip smell!

Indeed, why a basenji? I had a mental check list; hypo-allergenic, less than 40 pounds, personality...serval breeds fit this. I was doing research on other breeds when I came across this book about basenjis. In that moment, I was a goner. I LOVE the way they look. I didn't have dogs growing up, so I did a LOT of research. We got Rory, in March 1996, our very first basenji. She was such an easy basenji, so easy we decided lets get another! So in December of that same year we welcomed Tim her brother, who could not have been more different than night and day!! Honestly, had we gotten Tim first, I don't know that we would have been a 2 basenji home EVER, but for as much trouble as he was, he brought that much joy into our lives. We have 2 different basenjis now, 2 different personalities, and I wouldn't change any one of them. We adopted older dogs second time around, one with biting issues that were so bad we are his 4th home. Not everyone is equipped to deal with some issues. I'm not some miracle worker dog whisperer, it took years, of patience, reapatitve behavior modification on our part, some on his, and to be perfectly honest, my husband was afraid of the dog for the first 2 years we had him, but he didn't give up on him. We are now bonded as a pack. I would never not have 2 basenjis. I love how I feel when they are with me! Plus they are the coolest looking dogs!!

I have to agree with Tanza here, your dog is definitely resource guarding. This behavior is unwanted, and can be disastrous if left unaddressed, or not properly handled. I had the same issue with our Bolt when he first came to live with us at 6 1/2 y/o. We have had him now for 6 years. I have worked extensively with him, but it is an issue we have to continue to deal with on a daily basis with training. I believe he had to be rehomed because of this issue. When he first got here, he thought sleeping in bed with me was his right, not a privilege that I gave him. He would not allow my husband to get into bed without charging/snapping at him. Clearly this was not acceptable behavior. If we were in bed, Bolt and I, and my husband then came to bed a while later, Bolt and I got out of bed, let my husband get into bed. Husband would then call Bolt up onto the bed tapping the mattress saying 'big bed'. Once the dog was in the bed my husband would have a few small treats and would work a little obedience with him before bed. Now when Bolt sees my husband coming to bed, he knows he's going to get a treat and do a little obedience. BUT even after all this time, if I'm asleep and the light is off, Bolt will growl at my husband. If the light is on, however, and I'm asleep, there is much less chance that he will growl at my husband. My husband watches his body language very carefully.

As far as chewing things....our first pair of basenjis were crated until they were 8 years old when we left the house. I had to remove a chair to a back room because Tim liked the cherry wood! Our female does not like to be left alone, although she has Bolt with her, she wants us to stay home. She will show her displeasure by chewing something of mine, glasses, ear buds, or will move my shoes to the middle of the living room. I try to keep all items out of harms way. It comes with experience and training you. Don't leave stuff out that she can get into, or chew. They have no trouble finding stuff on their own. Some basenji owners will give cream cheese frozen in a Kong for their basenji to chew. Ours just thought it was this weird thing, licked out the yummy stuff and ignored the Kong. It's frustrating, we all know, we have all been there, but be patient, and above all consistent. They are independent thinkers, what works for one doesn't mean it will work for yours, sometimes you need to try different things. Hang in there, it's so worth the reward!

The reason the ‘Behavioral Problem‘ section is there, is to discourage just ‘anyone’ from getting a basenji. We encourage questions, research. We want to make sure you are prepared for your basenji, so he/she won’t have to be rehomed due to behavioral issues. BUT, to answer your question, here is my list: Independent thinker, makes me exercise (walking the dog), no doggie smell- even when wet, very little dog hair (unless it’s the change of season and they are blowing out their coat), no barking, basenji talk (not all do this), entertaining, a very unique bond. I’ve owned 4 since 1996, each with their own personality. Raised 2 from pups, and adopted the last 2. We wanted to adopt another after our female passed this past November, but our male resource guards me, and HE wanted no part of THAT. So we will be a single basenji home till he passes. Many of us are lucky to have what we call, a heart dog/bond, with our basenjis. I have never owned any other breed, so I don’t know how that compares, but a basenji is more than just a dog.

Definately basenji in there. You can have a DNA test done now for around $100 if you really want to know. Just make sure that they have basenji DNA in their data base. My Bolt, who is 3/4 African, has a square blocky head just like yours, although, I have to say he does have a slightly 'different' look than our others, but he is 100% basenji, he's just got a big blocky head!

She has the markings of a basenji. Our Bolt has a square blocky head like your Stella. He is 3/4 African, and all basenji. He is also rather large at 36 pounds. He is not over-weight either. He's just really big. The best way to tell is a DNA test. Make sure that the test includes basenji, at one time not all of them did.

@eaglet I feel compelled to share my experience with you as back in ‘96 when we got out first basenji female. I had done my research, so I knew what I was getting into. I had 1 rule, ‘no dogs on the bed’. I lasted 45 minutes that first night, before I placed her in the bed under the covers by my feet, a place she slept for 16 years. She was a joy, a little lady. So when the breeder had another litter we decided to get a little boy. I never even pretended he wasn’t sleeping in the bed between us. BUT and it’s a big BUT, they couldn’t have been more different in personality! He was an imp, monkey, thief, mischief seeker, a clown, and at times exasperating. But for ALL his shannigans, he was my heart dog. At 16 he stole the roasted chicken off the kitchen counter when my back was turned! We got a companion former show dog when our 1st female passed. She was 8 1/2 when we go her. She was sensitive and shy. She was no trouble at all. We got her a companion when our 1st male passed. We were his 4th home, due to biting issues at 6 1/2. He’s been with us for 7 years. He required a lot of desensitizing to several issues, especially touching his collar. We thought there was something wrong with him as he only wanted 1 walk a day. Had his thyroid checked, blood work done, nope, he’s just lazy. Here’s my point with basenjis, you don’t know if you are going to get a high or low maintenance personality. There are so many negatives out there because we don’t want to see them have to be rehomed due to issues like destruction, or biting. I had to reupholster my couch 2 times, thankfully I sew. I fell in love with the breed, and I’m willing to do ANYTHING my dog needs me to do for their health and well being. If you decide to get a basenji, you must have a sense of humor, waterproof mattress cover, patience, love, plus the willingness to accept sometimes they outsmart you. Yes, they can be frustratingly smart, but the rewards far out weigh the negatives, IMHO.

@tuckerbesosa I’m on the East coast, but felt I needed to chime in here. The reason for the DNA testing is important to eventually stop the diseases from showing up in the line. It is VERY expensive to follow the protocols for a basenji afflicted with fanconi, which usually does not show up till later in life, but not always. Reputable breeders are in the business of making better basenjis, healthy basenjis. They care for their dogs till the day they pass away. They want to make sure their puppy/dog goes to a forever home, but will take their dog back for ANY reason it should fail in your home. This may not seem like a big deal, but it really is. Many breeders will offer, on occasion, adult dogs for a variety of reasons. A reputable breeder will do extensive interviews with a potential family. This is to get to know you, what you are looking for in a puppy, to ‘match’ you with the best basenji for your family. Our breeder had us fill out a questionnaire, e-mail, a telephone call, meet the breeder, before we ever saw a dog! We were looking for an older dog, they gave us several options, telling us which one they felt would fit best into our home. It’s an important relationship you have with your breeder. They will be there for questions, issues that may arise, offer advise, some will offer boarding (for a small fee) for their dogs, and most important, take back should the pup fail in your home for any reason. Buyer beware, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. If they are offering the dog at a low price, there is a reason, and NOT a good one. It means they are cutting corners. It’s an investment for 14-16 years (usually). You want those to be good healthy, quality years. If you are looking for a dog now, consider an adult dog. Most reputable breeders have waiting lists.

@rgk9ruler sorry it’s spelled Feist. Here is a link about the breed. https://www.k9web.com/breeds/feist-dog/

He looks very similar to a breed of dog from the south here in the states called a Faust. They are bred as tree climbers to hunt mostly squirrels. He may be a mix. Only way to really tell is with a DNA test. Nonetheless, he is a very handsome fellow.

I think the whole collective just went ‘AWWWwwwww!’ She is so precious.

All these suggestions are great. What works for 1 dog may not work for another. Keep trying, don’t give up. A tired basenji is a good basenji. Our high energy boy that suffered from separation anxiety would go into destruction mode when we left him, even though he had his sister for company. I found that he needed to be throughly exhausted before we could leave him. Walking by itself was not enough. I gave him a job! He was very proud to do his ‘special’ job for Mummy. I backpacked him with 2 water bottles partially filled for weight. As his stamina increased, I added more water to the bottles. My husband thought I was ‘crazy’ and I’d never get the dog to go along with my ‘hairbrained’ idea. BUT because he was used to me putting him in a sweater/coat, the transition to the backpack was quite easy.

I understand your grief. It runs deep and you think every morning, ‘how am I going to face the day without my monkey?’ But you do, and think to yourself, ‘is this hole in my heart ever going to decrease in size?’ It’s been 7 years and although you can’t drive a Mac truck through the hole in my heart, it still remains. I like to think that my little guy ‘took’ that piece of my heart with him to heaven, so when my time comes he’ll easily find me. Some days it’s what keeps me going. This is the place to find kindred spirts that understand, he’s not just a dog!

This is a serious issue, because your dog is resource guarding you. Most people think that it’s because their dog is protecting them, it is not. That growl, it’s a warning, that if not corrected, will progress to teeth barring, and eventually a bite. I suggest you research resource guarding. I have a dog, that resource guards, we are his 4th home. We have had him for 7 1/2 years. My experience, when he first came to live with us, he and I bonded. I fed him, and was his principle care taker, the supplier of his resources. This led to problems. My husband could not come to bed without begging charged at by the dog. On 1 occasion, he got bitten. Your wife will need to work obedience with him, without you in the room. I suggest that she feed him. She should be the one that walks him. This will send the message that he needs to depend on her for his resources. Eventually you can share the duties, but for right now, she needs to be the one to do it. Also, I would suggest that your wife should come into the room, You make the dog get up OFF the couch. Have your wife sit down beside you, and have HER invite the dog back up onto the couch. Do this several times everyday. I have to keep treats in the bedroom so my husband can get into bed at night, he needs to pay a toll every night! I hope this helps.

Each basenji is different, and what works for one may not work on another. When Tim was a puppy, and he would bite too hard, whatever we were doing STOPPED immediately, I would stand up, fold my arms in front of me, AND turn my back on him, and in a very low voice say, ‘ohhh nooo puppy...’ Tim hated being ignored by me, more than anything in his world.

Each basenji is different. What works for 1 doesn’t necessarily mean it will work on another. HOWEVER, you can teach your dog to walk on a leash with LOT of patience, consistency, desensitizing, and positive reinforcement. My high energy basenji needed a job. I was very serious about his ‘job’, and he was very proud to do every day. I backpacked him with slightly filled water bottles. Adding a little at a time to equal tiring him out with his exercise fitness. Our current male that we adopted 7 years ago, is very dog reactive. I need to be very aware of the other dog’s body language to judge how mine will react. I made some basenji specific walking videos for a friend. They are private but I can message them to you if you would like. I’m not a trainer, but I made these as my friend didn’t quit understand what I was trying to convey. If you are interested let me know. But it took about 2 years before he became ‘good’ on the leash.

@eaglet I feel compelled to share my experience with you as back in ‘96 when we got out first basenji female. I had done my research, so I knew what I was getting into. I had 1 rule, ‘no dogs on the bed’. I lasted 45 minutes that first night, before I placed her in the bed under the covers by my feet, a place she slept for 16 years. She was a joy, a little lady. So when the breeder had another litter we decided to get a little boy. I never even pretended he wasn’t sleeping in the bed between us. BUT and it’s a big BUT, they couldn’t have been more different in personality! He was an imp, monkey, thief, mischief seeker, a clown, and at times exasperating. But for ALL his shannigans, he was my heart dog. At 16 he stole the roasted chicken off the kitchen counter when my back was turned! We got a companion former show dog when our 1st female passed. She was 8 1/2 when we go her. She was sensitive and shy. She was no trouble at all. We got her a companion when our 1st male passed. We were his 4th home, due to biting issues at 6 1/2. He’s been with us for 7 years. He required a lot of desensitizing to several issues, especially touching his collar. We thought there was something wrong with him as he only wanted 1 walk a day. Had his thyroid checked, blood work done, nope, he’s just lazy. Here’s my point with basenjis, you don’t know if you are going to get a high or low maintenance personality. There are so many negatives out there because we don’t want to see them have to be rehomed due to issues like destruction, or biting. I had to reupholster my couch 2 times, thankfully I sew. I fell in love with the breed, and I’m willing to do ANYTHING my dog needs me to do for their health and well being. If you decide to get a basenji, you must have a sense of humor, waterproof mattress cover, patience, love, plus the willingness to accept sometimes they outsmart you. Yes, they can be frustratingly smart, but the rewards far out weigh the negatives, IMHO.