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I think I have a Basenji!

Member Introductions
  • We adopted our dog Ziggy from a shelter about 7 months ago, and we adore him to bits! His breed(s) has always been shrouded in mystery. The vets, shelter volunteers, and I guessed Aussie Shep X with maybe Beagle or Corgi?
    Today I was just browsing around the internet as people do, and came across a Basenji picture randomly, and had a bit of a Eureka moment. I feel kind of silly, because I should have known better. I worked at a busy dog daycare for several years, and have come across Basenji's before, but just never put two and two together until today.
    I've spent an hour or two this morning looking up Basenji characteristics, temperament, etc. and I'm becoming more sure by the moment. He is obviously mixed, with something bigger, heavier, and slightly longer haired; perhaps some kind of Shepherd or Lab? He is about 55lbs. He has a deeper 'baroo', and seldom barks, preferring to do his howly sounding noise. He has the forehead wrinkles, high prey drive for little creatures like lizards (but is good with our cats), despises water, and his front two toes are fused.

    As far as an introduction, my name is Melanie. I'm a stay-at-home mom and have two beautiful daughters aged 6 years and 5months, two cats including a Manx, and of course the aforementioned Ziggy! We live in New Mexico currently (but I'm Canadian).

    So what do you guys think? Do I have a Basenji (mix)?

    0_1485635346708_ziggyshelter1.jpg
    (Ignore the dirtiness. This is his picture from the shelter.)

    0_1485635408346_ziggyshelter.jpg

    0_1485635426746_ziggypark.jpg

    0_1485635435482_ziggycache.jpg

    0_1485635448451_ziggycone.jpg

    I have far more pictures... but I just got a new phone and need to upload from my old one.

  • What an adorable dog! I am not seen much basenji, but you could find out more by doing a Wisdom panel. They aren't cheap, but rated as pretty much the best out there.

    The cloven toes has teen a topic here before. Consensus being many of us have seen them, but not the standard nor on all of them.
    https://basenjiforums.com/topic/1787/cloven-paws/2

    Nothing in the basenji standard about it, but 2 of my 3 had them.
    https://www.basenji.org/BasenjiU/Breeder/TheStandard/Forequarters.html

  • Cute, but I don't see Basenji

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    WynetteW
    @eeeefarm Yea. My phone auto corrected and I didn't catch it. 😆
  • Basenji or not ????

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    DebraDownSouthD
    I have to go read your link, but having been called to the shelter to see a chow that was an overweigh pomeranian, a rottweiler that was a lovely hound dog (Rottie rescue in FL told me keep quiet, they knew it wasn't a rottie but had a good home so just get it. I expected a LITTLE Rottweiler looking... bahahaha, no.)... vets who thought our basenjis were so many other things, not much surprises me.
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    thunderbird8588T
    Welcome to the forum Basenji2000 and Bassi
  • Basenjis in India!!!!!

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    achandl2A
    @ChristyRutherford: When I went to Thailand, the dogs there looked very basenji like. It was hard to see them in the shape they were. Definitly not spoiled as dogs are here. Very thin and most had mange. They are wild there, and you dont pet them, they just kinda run around like squirrles or raccoons. It was very hard for me to see them. I took some pictures, of the healthier ones. I will try and find them. They tended to stay at the temples "temple dogs" because the Monks would care, somewhat, for them. The ones running in towns and villages were much worse looking, some. I would have taken them all home. Goes to show what how different people (not just "us/them) but all of us are different form each other. The guide and I had a wonderful time comparing and contrasting our cultures. I let her know how I treat my dog, and although she said it was nice and she liked dogs, I knew she thought I was crazy. I know what you mean. I was in there a couple of summers ago. Some of the dogs at the temple had mange so bad that they were missing a good portion of their fur not mention the number of dogs wondering around with limps and crooked limbs from being hit by bikes and cars. Funny story…before I went with UT the students from the University there came and two of them stayed with my parents. I brought them over to my apartment to hang out one evening and they went wild for Manning. I mean they took picture after picture and didn't want to put him down. Poor Rascal, my mutt, was sitting there like "hey what about me?" Finally, they explained how the King in Thailand has basenjis and has made them very popular. They were even wearing polo shirts with little stitched pictures of the King's dog on them. Here is a link about the King's dog Tongdaeng, a basenji mix. There is a great book called The Story of Tongdaeng. Inside the book are pictures of the king surrounded by Tongdaeng and his other basenjis. Here is a link that tells some of the story. http://www.bangkokpost.com/60yrsthrone/litterary/index.html I have to say…the Thai monarchy has gained my respect!:D
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    scarlettsmommaS
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    nala121498N
    I'm sorry for the loss of your dear Basenjis. Losing a pet is so difficult. I hope this site helps you through the transition. Welcome.