Basenji Rescue and Transport, Inc.
REALITY STORIES
This is one of the most popular pages on our site. On
this page is a commentary by the late Jennie Taylor, basenji owner for over 30
years. She attempts to answer the frequently-asked question: Can I
adopt a calm and obedient basenji?
At the bottom of this page is a link to a commentary
from Eric Higgins of Tulsa, Oklahoma, who lived for a year in a small
village in rural eastern Zaire, in central Africa, in the midst of
native basenjis.
Or, click one of these options to read stories from
Basenji owners:
Calm and obedient are not qualities normally
associated with Basenjis. A calm manner may be seen in an adult Basenji,
but obedience is rarely demonstrated. An indigenous dog of Africa,
Basenjis inherently lack the domestic qualities we see in other breeds.
They are not motivated to serve man. They think independently and need a
reason to pay attention to a human command.
You might ask: If these dogs are so hard to handle and
so uncontrollable why do people want them?
Basenji owners make a wide range of comments about
their behavior and personality. One person will say, “They are very
energetic but not especially destructive,” while another will wail, “He
ate his way out of the bathroom!”
While the adoption postings certainly make them sound
sweet and loving enough, Basenjis can range from highly destructive and
aggressive to perfect angels—like every breed. The closest truth is that
Basenjis need positive training. If they are in a household where a
heavy hand is used for training, they are more likely be aggressive and
mean.
Basenjis are curious, active and self-directed by
nature. If they are bored or anxious, they can get into a lot of trouble
emptying trash cans, chewing furniture, eating shoes and clothing,
exploring the cat box, and destroying a wide variety of things that
would absolutely amaze you! Never underestimate the wily nature of a
Basenji. These activities give them great pleasure and using force or
severe discipline will not change their predisposition to do them. The
best strategy is to remove the temptations. Put shoes away and waste
baskets out of reach. Close doors and crate or kennel them if they will
be unsupervised for any long period of time—at least until they can be
trusted.
Basenjis are not easily trainable. They respond well
to clicker training
and lots of positive reinforcement (hot dog bits don't hurt either) but,
generally, they are self-determined and will comply only when they want
to. When you get to know your Basenji you can watch him “thinking about”
whether to do what you have asked or not. This is not a trait everybody
can live with.
In addition, the Basenji is a sighthound with a high
prey-drive. (Don't even think about training thousands of years
of nature out of them!) They like to hunt anything and everything that
moves and will tear after all things that interest them, with complete
reckless abandon. Sadly, this is the behavior that gets them killed most
often—they will run into the path of cars without being cognizant of
what they are doing. Their natural instinct also makes them bolt through
open doors. No amount of calling and commanding will bring them back
until they have satisfied their curiosity. These are traits shared by
all sighthounds, including the Greyhound, Whippet, Borzoi, Saluki and
Afghan hounds.
In 30 years of living with Basenjis I have had some
that are more compliant than others. Some have been more destructive
than others and some more aloof than others. I've not had one that could
pass by a tissue without ripping it up. Nor have I had one that would
come every time I called—although some were more obedient than others.
So, getting back to the question, “If these dogs are
so hard to handle and so uncontrollable why do people want them?” For me
it is because when they love you, you know it is completely their idea.
There is no blind following or genetic predisposition to respect humans.
You have earned their respect and affection. They challenge me and I
find myself asking, “How can I outwit this dog?”—and enjoying it!
On a more surface level, they are clean and odor-free
and they don't bark. They are a wonderfully portable size but still big
enough for a good cuddle. Finally, they are simply magnificent to look
at and watch.
The descriptions given with our BRAT listings are
accurate. We represent the dogs truthfully and will not accept a dog for
re-homing if its temperament is determined to be unsavory. We have
placed dogs that have reportedly bitten, but we have discovered that
often (not always) the temperament problems are caused by an
inappropriate home, not a bad dog.
Basenjis are not for everyone. If blind obedience is a
desired quality in a dog, a Basenji should never be considered. But if a
wonderful companion is wanted—and a relationship where on-going
negotiations are the norm—and you have time to give your Basenji lots of
loving attention, then this might be the dog for you.
Jennie Taylor (July 22, 1950-September 16,
2005)
North Carolina
▪ Read
another commentary about the basenji by Eric Higgins,
exploration geologist from Tulsa, Oklahoma.
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