For thoes with Basenji EXPERIENCE?

I am looking into getting a Basenji. From what research I have done, they sound like the perfect dog for me. Now, I am constaintly warned that they are difficult dogs. I do not want a dog for show, just companionship. So, those with experience- why are they so difficult? It dosent seem so hard to teach sit, laydown, and go for walks. Thanks a ton

Also- would a Basenji mix be easier to work with?

They prefer to go for runs not walks. Laydown is not a common command in their vocabulary. You need to be more prepared than just companionship. Get involved with an agility class ( a must) not a petsmart training a real trainer.

I really hope the "non-barking" myth isn't what got your attention. They may not "bark" but the noise they come up with is deafening.

Very smart agile dogs that are meant to keep busy. You should be prepared to be very active.

Thre is no such thing a a whole breed of dogs which are ALL ALIKE in disposition and nature. This is an individual characteristic.

My very close friend had the most wonderful Basenji dog. I'm sure you know they are called the barkless dog. She was a FANTASTIC dog, sweet, loveable, intelligent. But then, I'll warn you, she got vicious after my friend had a baby. The dog's personality just changed, i mean over night. So I would say if you live by yourself or don't plan on having another small thing (baby OR other puppy, cat, etc.) then GO FOR IT. They are FABULOUS dogs. But jealous. I hope you get one. They are so sweet :)

A dog is a dog. I believe that a dog acts the way it is treated so treat the dog fair and he will be fair back.

I would think about it a little more carefully if I were you, as there are many other breeds of dogs that would probably be much better than a Basenji for companionship. We owned one for 12 years and they do have their good points--they are a nice size, clean (as far as dogs go), and they do not bark. However, they are incredibly stupid and it is almost impossible to train them or teach them anything--some dog obedience schools will not take them. They are also very nervous and likely to run away if they have the chance, and can turn vicious for no reason. Incidentally, they are rated very low on any list I have ever seen for intelligence, right near the bottom. Although we loved our dog, we would never again get a Basenji.

If you have never owned a dog before (and I don't mean your family had one when you were 8, I mean owned and were entirely responsible for raising and training all on your own) and you aren't willing to learn how to become a decent dog trainer very quickly, then a basenji isn't for you. If you want a dog to greet you at the door and be your shadow and be an easy keeper who takes little effort on your part to train, then a basenji isn't for you. If you want a dog that will constantly challenge you by coming up with new and creative interpretations of every command known to man, then a basenji might be just about right.

Basenjis are difficult because they are extremely independent and are generally free thinkers. They are also VERY high energy. These two traits combined are often more than first time or inexperienced dog owners can handle. They do not act like what people typically think of when they think of dogs...in fact, they can be rather "catty" in their behavior. They can be taught to do pretty much anything any other breed can be taught, but it is usually on *their* terms. I think this is the reason they tend to score low on "canine intelligence" tests. It's not that they aren't smart, on the contrary many are too smart for their own good, it's just that they don't see the point of most of the exercises on the test (almost all of these tests are geared towards breeds that enjoy working for their people). They are very much a "what's in it for me?" kind of breed and if you are not more interesting than whatever their distraction is, then you may as well not exist. Sit, lay down, etc really aren't hard to teach, even to a basenji....at least as long as the only place you expect those commands to be followed is your living room with no real life distractions what-so-ever. Out on the street is another story.

Another thing to watch out for in basenjis is health problems. There are a fairly limited number of animals in the gene pool and they are becoming a pretty popular breed. As a result, they are often plagued with health problems. For example, nearly every basenji in my area has severe allergies, intestinal ailments, and/or an autoimmune disease of some kind. The limited gene pool also means that it is easy for poor temperaments to become imbedded in the breed.

A basenji mix may or may not be easier to work with than a basenji. The thing about mixed breeds is that it is impossible to predict what they're going to be like even if you know all of the breeds in the mix. You just never know which genes will express themselves. But, generally speaking, a basenji mix is most likely going to be more difficult to work with than what I would recommend for a first time dog owner.

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　　Belgian Tervuren 　　Belgian Sheepdog 　　Belgian Malinois 　　Bedlington Terrier 　　Beagle 　　Basset Hound 　　Basenji 　　Australian Terrier 　　Australian Shepherd 　　Australian Cattle Dog 　　Anatolian Shepherd 　　American Water Spaniel

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