I must agree that naive, first-time wanne-be owners need to do deep, extensive research. Basenjis are supremely unique and definitely not a good choice for a "beginner."
I adopted an 18-month old 3/4 Basenji (other 1/4 is Min Pin, yet another quirky little breed, with some "bad" similarities to B's). I was somewhat familiar with B's, but not even a little bit of "enough!!" Gosh, Izzy-Bella was a piperoo!! A little 18 pound bundle of energy, destruction, and escapism. BUT, I have always loved bad boys (9 years working in a high school), so a little bad girl was a sort of delight. But, again, it takes many years before these dogs mellow out and mature and maximize their amazing intelligence. Izzy is SO SO smart: her early unbridled destructiveness has pretty much ended, and now, at ten years old, she amazes us every day with her intelligence, innate understanding, observational skills, language acumen, and comedic skills. And at ten years old, she acts like a three year old! I hope this means she will live forever.
Once you have bonded with a Basenji, you are probably done and gone. But
first-timers REALLY need to do their research and homework.
Someone referred to entrusting their dog
to a family member. I would entrust my B to nobody except a bona fide Vet hospital/kennel, with big-time fences and enclosures, B's are exceptional diggers-under-fences and escape artists. And a Number One cause of
death for them is traffic. Their prey instinct sends them careening into
traffic. Dumber than deer.
But, bottom line: do your due diligence Basenji research, and understand early on that these dogs are singularly unique: indescribably destructive; escape artists; independent thinkers and behaviorists; smarter than you can even begin to imagine (I swear my Izzy understands everything I say and reads my mind!); and prepare to have lots of tissues on hand as auxiliary food, because apparently, Basenjis require wood pulp
projects to prosper!! I don't get it.
Los Angeles / Orange County Basenji Meet up
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Hello,
I'm Micah and I want my 7 month old basenji to meet "his people" I'm located in Long Beach. We have a great grass top dog park in Eldorado Park. Anyone in the local area want to meet up for basenji play time?
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Welcome Micah. I'd suggest that you do some obedience first, then use obedience classes to help get your dog used to other dogs in a controlled situation first. Unless your dog already goes and you know he's fine with other dogs! If so, you might look for the local basenji club and ask if they have meet ups.
You might start here, they seem to have some fun meet ups!
https://www.basenji.org/joomla/index.php?option=com_contact&view=contact&id=4%3Asouth-coast-basenji-fanciers&catid=74%3Aaffiliate-clubs&Itemid=339 -
Try this Facebook group " Southern California Basenji Meetups"
https://www.facebook.com/groups/942444349188499/ -
Hey I adopted a basenji and we go to El Dorado dog park!!!! I can't believe this. I looked up basenji groups and this popped up. I see it's an old post but did you set up a basenji time?
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@laurieannechen There is a SoCal Basenji meetup this Saturday, June 20, 2020 from 9 AM- 12 noon, Laguna Beach Dog Park www.lagunabeachdogpark.com
Here is a link to the Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/359744554994753/
Join the Facebook group "Orange County (CA) Basenji Meet Ups" https://www.facebook.com/groups/942444349188499/
They are trying to set up meetups at least once a month. With the COVID-19 virus meetups were on hiatus but now that some dog parks are opening up meetups for Basenjis are starting up again. I live in San Diego so I really have to think about driving 1.5 hours with 2 senior Basenjis.
Have fun!
Lynn Bilotta
