| A basenji sight hound. That means they chase things that run, nearly ALL things that run. This also means they are not trustworthy off lead. Once into the chase a Basenji become oblivious to everything but the "prey" in front of them. THIS MEANS THEY WILL NOT BREAK OFF AND COME TO YOU IF CALLED. Prey drive is a common canine psychological factor and it is highly developed in the Basenji. It is how they made their living in the jungle. Like most sight hounds, they are challenging obedience animals. Their intelligence and independence makes them learn quickly, bore quickly, thus begin to devise their own routines quickly. They also resent what they consider unwarranted correction and do not do well with the old "Jerk & Praise" type training. They do respond to positive reinforcement (clicker) training and have made great strides with that method, proving themselves particularly talented in agility. Of course, their forte is the sight hound sport of lure coursing. Basenjis do not do well isolated from human companionship; plan on sharing your home with them, at least when someone is at home. Also you might as well plan on sharing your bed as well. Most will insist on it. The following is a "must read" for a any prospective Basenji owner. It also happens to include a hilarious and graphic description of the average Basenji in bed. http://bleedingeyeballs.com/basenjiart/index.htm Click on the first menu item, "The Basenji." As alluded to in the opening paragraph, Basenjis can be destructive when left to their own devices and an outdoor run with adequate shelter from rain and cold (remember, they are jungle animals) is perfectly acceptable when the family is gone. For shorter periods of time a crate is an excellent answer. Most responsible breeders will strongly recommend early crate training as "preventive medicine" for future situations. Many people find a fenced yard with a doggy door allowing access to a limited part of the home to be the perfect compromise. And speaking of fenced yards, most Basenjis do require a fair amount of exercise. They are an active breed, but not nervous or "hyper." A large yard is perfect, provided it has been thoroughly examined for any little cracks or crevices that a bored or curious Basenji could work on with tooth or paw to enlarge to an escape hatch. Occasionally one encounters a Basenji with extraordinary climbing skills as well. A "hot wire" or slant-in piece of floppy wire attached to the top of the fence may be necessary. Additionally, Basenjis are not usually considered good candidates for "invisible fencing" as they generally have a high pain tolerance and consider the shock a fair price to pay in order to go see what is "on the other side of the mountain." Apartment dwellers, prepare to take long walks morning and evening. A tired Basenji is a good Basenji. If you live in a progressive neighborhood or city, perhaps there are dog parks where your little friend can let off steam without putting you in a weight reduction plan. Also, please note that barkless does not mean silent! An unhappy Basenji can result in a nervous neighbor calling out the riot squad. Most Basenjis are born in December as they are a feral breed with the vast majority of the females coming into season only once a year in the fall. The obvious ramification of this is that late summer and early fall is the time for action if you are serious about a puppy. Contact breeders quickly as many have reservations long in advance of the litters even being born. Question the breeders carefully, make sure they understand you are an "educated" buyer and want to know temperament and health backgrounds. Many responsible breeders will also ask you to sign contracts regarding spaying, neutering, showing (if applicable) etc. This is not unusual and you should read them carefully and understand what is expected of you as a guardian of one of nature�s more fascinating creatures. If you are unwilling to wait and determined that nothing but a Basenji will do, there are older dogs looking for their forever homes at any time of year. There are purebred basenji rescues available year round through BRAT (Basenji Rescue And Transport). These dogs are fully evaluated, spayed/neutered, and up to date on their shots. There is usually a variety of ages, sexes and colors. For many people, a "broken in" Basenji is the perfect fit. The BRAT web page is found at: www.basenjirescue.org. Pay particular attention to the FAQ section. . Many times there are even champions listed that don't fit the breeder's current breeding program, frequently because of duplication of pedigree. It is certainly worth looking to see what is available. Even if you are looking for a puppy but just might consider an older dog, by all means let the breeders know that a mature dog could be an option. Who knows, your next pet could be a retired show champion! Prices vary greatly, from a donation to cover vet expenses to BRAT to perhaps $750 - $1200 for a pup from a top bred litter. Prices also vary greatly with the time of year, part of the country and how much value a particular breeder puts on any particular breeding. I would expect to pay a minimum of $600 for a well-bred pup from a responsible breeder, and it could well be more. One note of caution here; more is not always better. Pet shops routinely get big prices, frequently in excess of $1000, for Basenjis that are not well bred and often poor examples of the breed. A first time Basenji owner needs the information and support supplied by a responsible and knowledgeable breeder. This is simply not possible from a pet shop. Good luck on your quest! Sandy Beaudoin Celebrating 46 years with the curly-tailed devils. BCOA Breeder Referral [email protected] |