Thinking about getting a Basenji, need help!!
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I would add to the above that I got my first Basenji when I was young and in transition socially. I discovered I was in over my head, and I was fortunate to find her a loving home with three children (Val adored children), where she lived out her life happily. I kept in touch with them, and I never regretted my decision to give her up. Being an absentee owner is less than ideal, and Basenjis take a lot of time if you are going to do them justice. Believe me, I know what it's like to be young and impulsive. Been there, done that!!
I told Val's story on this forum a few years back: http://www.basenjiforums.com/showthread.php?11775-quot-You-can-t-do-that-with-a-Basenji!-quot&highlight=
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Sorry if I sound like the negative one, but you want the dog right now, you've chosen the breed based on looks, you're going away to college… this is a recipe for disaster.
I hate to dwell in cliches, but would you have a child right now? The commitment is very similar. Knowing what I know now about dog ownership (and about college!), I'm incredibly grateful I didn't have a dog to take care of when I was a student.
Basenjis - in my admittedly limited experience - like to get closely attached to one person. If that person is you, your dog will be depressed when you go away. If that person is your mum, or whoever you leave the dog with, the question is, does that person truly want a dog? and do you mind that your dog will be more closely bonded to someone else than you?
My girl is generally considered pretty well trained; she does tricks, agility, and has even done some film work. I 'worked' with her 1 to 3 hours a day from the day we brought her home for an entire year (and of course still train together daily since). Not 3 hours in one sitting, obviously, but little by little throughout the day, teaching her to come to me and ignore distractions, playing learning games, clicker training, exercising outdoors, socialising her, attending classes, and being consistent in her training and rewards. I chose to adopt her at a time I knew I'd be working from home. Despite all this, I still have to be careful where I let her off leash, she still whines a LOT when she wants something she's not getting, and she'll still start trashing the house if we're not out on our walk by noon every single day. Basenjis are said to be like cats, but don't let it fool you: they can be fantastically high maintenance. Having her also limited the amount of travelling I could do (although admittedly, I don't like travelling without her anyway) and at times has had an impact on my social life.
I understand your impatience, but I beg you to reconsider - or at the very least, to be very, very careful making this decision. It's easy to get sucked into the excitement of the arrival of a new puppy or dog, but the impact of this decision will last 15 years.
I concur, concur!!! please have respect for the breed's needs and long life span!!!!!
