| “I happened to visit your website—I was trying to tell
a friend at work about the Basenjis—and did a little searching on the Internet. Having lived for a year in a small village in rural
eastern Zaire (now Congo again) in central Africa, in the midst of
Basenjis, I would like to interject some thoughts concerning the
descriptions of the breed and its habits on your site and elsewhere.”
The description of basenjis as African
“wild dogs” is totally incorrect. There are wild dogs in Africa,
but they are not similar in the least to Basenjis. Basenjis are domestic
animals. Although not cared for in the manner we expect for pets here
(people there don't often live that well), they do live with families and
are fed and housed by them in their homes. They are prized as hunting dogs
and protective companions. They also keep the yard free of rats, snakes,
etc. The Basongye people that I lived with, and other Congolese people,
praised them for their bravery and intelligence. They hand craft various
sorts of soft bells for them to wear to keep track of their whereabouts.
They feed them from their own meals, although they must supplement their
diet with mice and other critters that frequent the property.
Basenjis in the small village I lived in were socialized
in the manner of domestic dogs elsewhere. Like all domestic animals there,
they are allowed to roam freely, but also know where home is and spend
much of their time there, including in the hut/house. They sleep at home.
They are bonded and loyal to particular individuals or families of people—not just general village dogs.
I did observe that Basenjis are highly intelligent,
curious, and physically coordinated dogs. The people in my village were
well aware of their clever and somewhat mischievous nature, but that
happens to be a quality that is more tolerated and actually somewhat
prized there, among both people and animals. I never once saw or heard of
a person bitten or otherwise terrorized by a Basenji, although it was
known to happen in the context of a burglary or assault against their
owner. I never observed a Basenji damage its owner's property, as seems to
be a problem for owners here.
I am suspicious that a fair amount of the problems
associated with basenjis in the U.S. have to do with the manner in which
they are being raised, handled and trained. They would certainly suffer in
behavior by being “spoiled” (let on the furniture, fed from the
table, too much silly attention), being trained too little and too lightly
and, especially, by not having enough challenging work and physical
activity. These are by nature, highly active, physically tough hunting
dogs that need the same sort of mentally and physically demanding work and
play that other sporting dogs need. Like other active, sporting breeds,
they are bound to cause trouble if they are expected to be couch potatoes,
lap dogs, yard dogs, etc. They should live in a home, but get lots of
serious brain and muscle work outdoors to match their abilities.
Based on my experience around Basenjis in their native
home, and by the sound of the comments I read from owners on your website
and other American owners that I've met, I suspect that what the Basenji
breed in this country needs is recognition of their fundamental character
and the chance to excel as field and working dogs. Attention to this
character should be paid by breeders, trainers and owners.
Please consider posting my comments on your site. I hope
that they might inspire some thought and discussion.
Regards,
Eric Higgins
Exploration Geologist, New Ventures
Vintage Petroleum, Inc.
110 West Seventh Street
Tulsa, OK 74119
eric.higgins@vintagetul.com
(918) 878-5456
(918) 878-5505 fax
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