Chili is a handsome 5-year-old red male Basenji with a big personality and a lot of love to give. He is looking for a patient, Basenji-savvy adopter who understands this smart, independent, sensitive breed and can offer the structure that helps him feel secure.
Chili can be reserved when meeting new people, but once he decides you are his person, his affectionate side shines. He can be sweet, snuggly, and wonderfully loyal. He loves sunny spots, cozy blankets, fireplaces, and relaxing near his favorite people. True to his Basenji nature, he is clever, quick to learn, a little sassy, and full of charm, complete with occasional yodels, strong opinions, and the classic Basenji head whip when he wants attention.
Chili does best when his body and brain both get regular exercise. Chili has many wonderful home-ready qualities. He is housebroken, rides in the car harnessed to the back seat, and likes to watch the world go by with his front feet on the middle console. He is not picky about dog food and especially enjoys chicken, meat, fish, and the occasional pup cup. He has lived with several Basenjis in his foster home and has comfortably taken on the alpha role, perhaps helped by the fact that he is significantly taller than the other dogs in the pack. He has also done well with doggy daycare and boarding in the past, showing that he can succeed with thoughtful introductions and the right environment.
Chili will thrive with adopters who enjoy working with a smart dog and are willing to provide calm leadership, predictable routines, and positive training. Like many Basenjis, he can be startled by surprises and may react on leash, especially around motorcycles or reactive dogs. For his safety, he should only be off leash in a secure fenced area. A 6-foot fence is mandatory, though a 5-foot vinyl fence may work if there is nothing for him to grip. Because Chili is a springy leaper, he could likely get over a 5-foot chain-link fence or any fence with horizontal bars or slats. It has been observed that Chili is most likely to attempt a jump over a fence to get to his people who may be in a different location. Close supervision of Chili in a fenced area will be essential, and it is likely contraindicated to allow him access to a fenced yard without an adult human present.
Chili will need extra support as he settles into a new home. He had separation anxiety in his original home and was destructive when left loose in unfamiliar surroundings. In his foster home, he has not been left alone for more than 30 minutes. We believe that separation anxiety may still be a significant issue for Chili. A home where the family has experience helping other Basenjis overcome separation anxiety would be ideal for Chili. To help him succeed, he should not be left alone right away in a new home. He will benefit from time to decompress, a consistent routine, and gradual training around safe alone time. An escape-resistant crate was used in his original home, but he is not believed to be crate trained because he escaped from traditional crates used for containment. He has not been crated in his foster home.
Best Home For Chili
Chili’s best home will be calm, structured, and experienced with Basenjis, particularly Basenjis who have struggled with separation anxiety. He will likely do best in an adult-only home without cats, children, or frequent unfamiliar visitors. His adopter should enjoy building trust at Chili’s pace and be comfortable using positive, consistent training to support leash manners, startle responses, safe confinement, and gradual alone-time routines. A secure yard will be essential for Chili, especially with fencing designed for a springy Basenji who can jump and climb. He would enjoy living with other dogs who are comfortable with his alpha personality, but he could also be happy as an only dog if his people are home often and committed to helping him feel safe and settled. Chili is a special dog looking for a special match. He needs someone who will appreciate his intelligence, respect his boundaries, offer structure, and give him time to feel safe.
If you think you could provide Chili with love, activity, and evening cuddle time, please read the data sheet below carefully, complete the BRAT adoption form (if you have not previously done so) and contact the BRAT coordinator, Lois Krawczyk.
The coordinator's link will take you to a form that will ask you your name, email address, the city and state you live in, why this dog is perfect for your family, a typical day in your household, and, if applicable, how you plan to transport Chili.
There is an adoption fee of $375.00 for Chili. This fee is used for the extensive costs associated with vetting and otherwise caring for Chili and future Basenjis in rescue. BRAT adopters receive a dog that has been spayed or neutered, fully vaccinated, treated for fleas and internal worms if necessary, DNA tested for Fanconi syndrome (dogs under 10), and heartworm tested. Our dogs get recommended dental work. When indicated, we test our dogs for thyroid deficiencies. They are also temperament evaluated. In addition, BRAT provides free lifetime post-adoption counseling to help deal with behavioral or health issues. Finally, we provide a free lifetime identification tag connected to our "lost dog" toll free number.
ABOUT THIS BASENJI
Dog's name: Chili
Dog is currently in: Florida
Birth date: 12/18/2020
Gender: Male
Color: Red and White
Weight: 21 pounds
Neutered/Spayed: Yes
Tattooed: No
Micro-chipped: Yes
HEALTH INFORMATION
General health information: Chili is healthy. He consistently receives positive results on his checkups.
VACCINATIONS AND MEDICAL TESTS
DHLP: Yes, 02/13/2025, 3-year
Parvovirus: Yes, 02/13/2025, 3-year
Leptospirosis: Yes, 01/27/2026
Rabies: Yes, 09/05/2025, 3-year
Rabies certificate: Yes
Coronavirus: No
Bordetella: Yes, 01/27/2026
Lyme Disease: Yes, 01/27/2026
Fecal: Yes, 09/22/2025
Fecal test comments: Negative
Heartworm: Yes, 09/22/2025, Negative
Regular heartworm given: Yes, Interceptor Plus Green
Regular flea/tick prevention given: Yes, Credelio, orange box.
Urine tested for Fanconi: No
DNA test for Fanconi: No, however both parents are Clear/Normal in OFA registry database.
EATING HABITS
Eating schedule: Twice a day
Type of food: Dry
Brand(s) of food: Call of the Wild Grain-free
Begs for food: No
Food dislikes: Chili is not picky about dog food but has shown some pickiness for people foods.
Favorite foods: His absolute favorite is chicken. He also likes bacon, other meats, fish, and of course, a pup cup from Starbucks!
Feeding instructions: He is fed in the morning and at night, 1 third to 1 half cup at each feeding.
TEMPERAMENT
Temperament description: In general, Chili is aloof but can also be very sweet and snuggly. He is choosy about who he warms up to. He is very smart and learns new commands and tricks quickly, but ultimately, he decides when he wants to abide by those commands.
Lived with children: No
Likes children: No
Lived with cats: No
Likes cats: No
Lived with dogs: Yes
Likes dogs: Yes, but prefers to be the dominant one in a pack.
Prefers men or women: Either
Likes strangers: No
Nips (playfully): Yes
Bites (in anger): Leash reactivity and startle reactive with air snaps. May exhibit resource guarding of food and bones.
Crate trained: No. Chili will go into a crate when asked and will eventually calm down, but he does not go into a crate on his own to rest. He has a history of escaping from traditional crates. His original owner was using an Impact-brand crate. Chili has not been crated in his foster home.
House broken: Yes
Destructive indoors: Yes, when in a new place. In his original home and foster home, he has been able to have free reign of the home and is not destructive when humans are away. But this took time and training.
Destructive outdoors: No
Dog is a climber: Yes, and a jumper. He’ll jump, grab what he can and then climb over a fence.
Dog is an escape artist: Yes, he has found his way out of traditional crates and over 5-ft fences.
Easily startled: Yes
Wakes up grouchy: Yes
Rides well in car: Not especially
Gets carsick: No
Rides in crate: No. He rides on the backseat with harness tethered to the seatbelt. But he likes to stand on the center console. During the first part of car rides for as much as an hour or so, he is up and active, wanting to see what’s going on in the world outside the car.
Yodels: Yes, occasionally. Otherwise, he’s super quiet.
Screams: No, but may whimper and whine when left alone and may emit restless vocalizations on car rides.
Dog sleeps where: Chili slept on a raised dog bed in original owner’s bedroom. In his foster home he sleeps in one of the many dog beds scattered throughout the home. He puts himself to bed when he is ready for the night and doesn't usually stir until late morning.
Other information: Chili will need to be supervised and set up for success. He will do best with a Basenji-savvy owner who can work with him and help him to feel comfortable in a new home. No dog crate is included. The Impact Crate that he was using in his original owner’s home could not be dismantled for transport and was too large to fit in vehicles.
If you are interested in Chili, please use our coordinator contact form, to email our BRAT coordinator, Lois Krawczyk. Thank you!
There is an adoption fee of $375.00 for Chili. This fee is used for the extensive costs associated with vetting and otherwise caring for Chili and future Basenjis in rescue. BRAT adopters receive a dog that has been spayed or neutered, fully vaccinated, treated for fleas and internal worms if necessary, DNA tested for Fanconi syndrome (dogs under 10), and heartworm tested. Our dogs get recommended dental work. When indicated, we test our dogs for thyroid deficiencies. They are also temperament evaluated. In addition, BRAT provides free lifetime post-adoption counseling to help deal with behavioral or health issues. Finally, we provide a free lifetime identification tag connected to our "lost dog" toll free number.