SO, YOU THINK YOU WANT A BASENJI?

You are interested in owning a Basenji?
You have heard a lot of good things about them, and have decided they are the dog for you?
Well.....we think there are a few more things you should know about Basenjis
BEFORE
you take one home!

I WANT A BASENJI BECAUSE	*BUT...*
They don't bark...	They can and do make a lot of noise. They scream, they howl, cry, growl, and yodel. They definitely do have a voice.
They are small...	They are a big dog in a small package. They are fast and strong.
They are unusual...	There are more around than you think. Most owners love them too much to let them run loose, and since they do not bark, they can go unnoticed.
They are intelligent...	Basenjis are hounds and were bred to be independent, resourceful and efficient hunters. Very intelligent, they get bored very easily. While entertaining themselves, they can and do get into lots of trouble.
I saw "Goodbye My Lady" and...	While this movie is very enjoyable, it is not a good representation of normal Basenji home-life.

**IF YOU HAVE READ THIS FAR, AND STILL WANT A BASENJI...**

YOU SHOULD CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING POINTS:

Basenjis are an active, intelligent, demanding dog, requiring your attention most of the time, and your love all of the time. If you are not willing to spend the time and effort to train and enjoy them, then YOU DO NOT WANT A BASENJI!
Basenjis are affectionate, loving dogs, who will build a strong bond with you and your family. They will, in most cases, be friendly with strangers, and follow children anywhere. If you want a one-person dog, then YOU DO NOT WANT A BASENJI!
Basenjis are not guard dogs. However, they are very alert, and will give warning if strangers are around. Though they do not bark, you know by their actions when something is wrong. If you are looking for a guard or great protection dog, then YOU DO NOT WANT A BASENJI!
Basenjis are mischievous and easily bored. It can be a big mistake to leave an untrained Basenji alone in a house. They can be extremely destructive if left to entertain themselves. They should be trained or contained in a suitable crate. If you are not prepared to do this, then YOU DO NOT WANT A BASENJI!
Basenjis love to run and unfortunately they believe they can out-run any danger. They can jump over, or climb out of any fence if they so desire. They are very inquisitive, and the grass is always greener, etc., so if you like a free-running dog, unsupervised, then PLEASE DO NOT GET A BASENJI!
Basenjis are habit-forming. Once you have been owned and loved by this intelligent, mischievous, active, independent, loving breed, you may not ever want to be without at least one. When you buy a Basenji, you are making a 10 - 15 year commitment to him. If you are not ready for this commitment, then PLEASE DO NOT BUY A BASENJI!
Basenji owners believe that all dogs should be contained in a yard or kennel run rather than running loose. Yes, the dog that is contained misses a lot of life's little pleasures...like being hit by a car; being dirty and full of burrs; covered with fleas and ticks; loaded with worms; the joy of fighting with other strays; the pleasure of being sick on garbage and picking up diseases; and best of all, the thrill of being shot trespassing. If you want a dog that is offlead in unenclosed areas, then A BASENJI IS NOT FOR YOU!

IF, after reading this, you still believe you want a Basenji and are qualified to be owned by one of these unique little dogs, then welcome to the club! We Basenji owners will take great pleasure in welcoming you into a select company of true believers that we own the best, most nearly ideal dog that ever lived...

THE BASENJI!

Courtesy of the Mid-Atlantic Basenji Club,Inc., and used with permission

{HOME} {SO YOU THINK YOU WANT A BASENJI?} {WHAT IS A BASENJI?} {LINKS} {FAMILY ALBUM 1} {FAMILY ALBUM 2} {ANNOUNCEMENTS} {PLANNED LITTERS} {FANCONI TESTING} {LOST/FOUND/STOLEN} {EMAIL US}