Does anyone here have, or had, a basenji?

I have one - and he's the first dog I've ever had. I've always been a cat person. I'd heard basenjis are "cat-like" so that's why I got him. Well, he's not at all like a cat! Basenjis are....hmmm....different! Anyway I'm open to basenji comments, good or bad. I have a pcture of him, and the cats on my 360 site.

Basenjis are more like cats than other dogs are - independent and don't usually care what you think they should be doing. They are also a lot like terriers - bright, inquisitive and very difficult to train if you're not very experienced and up to the challenge. In twenty years of going to obedience competitions, I saw only ONE basenji entered - and he didn't pass. The main reason people get them is that they don't bark, but they can have every other bad habit in the book. I have never recommended one to anyone looking for a dog, unless they're already in love with the breed. We had one when I was a kid and he drove my mother nuts! Tearing around all over the furniture and knocking the kids flying. She finally gave him back to the breeder.

Please research Basenji's before you get one. These dogs are not for everyone. They can not be trained or disiplined like other dogs.They are very destructive and letting a Basenji think is never to your advantage. Report It

My basenji is not like a cat. That is a strange comparison. She is very much a dog. She's not "bad." It took me 4 months to train her but now she's absolutely a joy. If you love dogs and are willing to invest the time, basenjis are great. Report It

I've never had a Basenji, but I would love to get one. They seem to be good show dogs, and pet dogs, as a I see them quite often in the ring. Unfortunatley, I can't get another dog right now...

Hmmm, no first hand experience with a basenji, but my sister has one and has shared all sorts of amusing stories about her's. Apparently he's a "serious" dog, whatever that means.