The Life of a Rugosa Basenji
As a breeder, and educator of all things basenji, I stress to people the importance of researching the breed, and doing their homework before deciding on a breeder.
Ideally, they would be able to meet with breeders, see their dogs, see how they live, and experience the basenjis first hand.
However, often this is not possible. Someone searching for a basenji to add to their family may have to travel quite a distance to get their puppy. This may mean meeting the breeder for the first time when the puppy is ready to go to its new home. Of course many phone calls and emails will have been made, but it's just not the same.
So, I have decided to give a:
Virtual tour of the Rugosa Basenji home
I am fortunate that I could be a 'stay-at-home' mom since my first son was born. (I still can't believe I have an adult son and daughter!) In fact, one of the main reasons I have my basenjis is because I know the 'empty nest syndrome' is going to hit me, and hit me hard. My dogs will help to fill my house as my kids move out.
I am also fortunate that all my dogs can be together. It is not uncommon for basenji owners/breeders to have to run 'groups' of dogs, as many times one will develop a dislike (or worse) for another.
Update:
Rosa and Ibis have decided they no longer like each other, so they are not allowed together unsupervised. This does not bother me. There are people I don't want to be around, so it makes sense that sometimes dogs have the same feelings.
We live in a large house, 3600 sq ft, that is in a constant state of remodeling. When we added on a few years ago, we put a 22' x 13' sunroom on the back, and added a deck and gazebo out the back door.
Then we started adding the basenjis to our family, and decided this room would make a perfect dog room if we added some supplemental heat. So, while I was at our National Specialty one year, dear hubby put in a gas fireplace. Though the thermostat in the rest of the house is turned down to 64 degrees at night in the winter, the dogs' room is kept at 68. Hmmmm.....
The dogs each have their own wire crate, the size recommended for collies. My thinking is, if I am ever gone during the day and away longer than I planned, the dogs can pee in their crate and since it's so big, they don't have to be in it. I have never had that happen, but it gives me some peace of mind. (whenever no one is home, the dogs are in their crates). Each crate at some time during the day, gets the almighty sunbeam. Though the dogs are not in the crates during the day when someone is home, I keep the doors open so they can move from crate to crate as the sunbeam travels down the row.
My basenjis sleep in their crates at night. When I travel, whoever goes with me gets to sleep in the hotel bed, and whoever stays home gets to play 'slumber party' with one of the kids on the sleeper sofa. Most of my adults would be fine loose in the house, but I like knowing where they are at night, and have included them in our family 'escape plan.'
The dogs have access to the bottom floor of the house, but there is a gate that prevents them from climbing the stairs to the second floor. That is where the bedrooms are, and it's just not basenji-proofed enough to let them up there. It would be dangerous for them, and our stuff : )
In the winter, my dogs go outside, but I do watch them. Cold Ohio winters can hurt thin basenji ears, so on days when it's really really cold, they spend most of their time inside. Usually sitting on top of a heat vent or snuggling on the sofa : )
But, when it's warmer, they have an acre to explore, surrounded by a 5 foot wooden privacy fence, dug into the ground 6-8 inches. It is an interesting yard for them, with lots of shrubs, berms, brush, etc where they search for any little critters that have been brave enough to enter.
Unfortunately, in the spring, they do catch a lot of rabbits. But a dog used for hunting for thousands of years cannot be expected to do any differently.
When our kids were young, my husband built a 10' x 10' fort for them. It had a sandbox underneath, a fireman's pole, a ramp, and a slide. The dogs loved spending time on its deck, because they could see over the fence. They would even come down the slide!
So, when the kids outgrew the fort, we moved it to the back of the yard, and they love it. We took off the slide, because I was afraid the young pups would hurt their shoulders, and we took off the fireman's pole because they never used it anyway. We added wire fencing along the top, in case they get rambunctious. I'd hate for one of them to fall.
In nice weather, we take walks around the neighborhood. I'll admit it, I am known as the eccentric dog/flower lady. Kids love to pet the dogs, and the dogs love the kids. Sometimes we walk to the bank and they get biscuits at the drive through window.
When we have puppies, I put the moms in my dining room for privacy for the first 3 weeks after the babies are born. It is a wonderful excuse to not have a big crowd over for the holidays!
When the puppies are 3-4 weeks old, they go to the dog room with all the others. It is extremely important that basenji puppies stay with their moms and littermates (and any other friendly adults) at least until they are 8 weeks old, to learn how to be good puppies.
This is why we get so many basenjis, that were originally purchased from pet shops, into rescue for behavior problems. They did not get the socialization from their littermates and mom necessary for them to become adults with stable temperaments, because they are taken from mom at such a young age, 4-5 weeks. And then at the pet shop, they are put in a cage by themselves : (
Never get a puppy less than 8 weeks old. It should still be with its momma.
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A Note on a Breeder Having 3 Litters
In 2003, I had the opportunity to breed my Rosa to a wonderful ol' guy, Spencer, who lived clear across the country in Seattle. His owner was kind enough to let me bring him home, as she thought the two would be a perfect match. Well, my repro vet told me that it was very likely that Rosa would not get pregnant, so after much thought and consultation, we went ahead and bred her daughter, Corie, to Spencer too. To get his genes was worth the risk of 3 litters (I knew this was my only chance), as all along we had planned Ibis' breeding too.
I would never contemplate 3 litters at the same time unless there was a very good reason. Spencer's genes were that reason. He is 13, healthy, sweet. His eyes CERFed in Jan 04!
Well of course, all 3 breedings took!
I would normally say if you read that a breeder is having 3 litters, a red flag should go up and you should do some more research to make sure that breeder is not cutting corners. I hope after reading the above, you realize why I bred 3 girls and what I'm trying to accomplish. I do not work (well, you know what I mean), so I'm able to be home all day with the mommas and the babies. They are born in my dining room and move to my sun room/dog room at 4 weeks. So they are very well cared for, get human attention almost every hour of the day, and most of all, they are loved. This was probably my only chance at breeding any of my girls to Spencer, and now, seeing his lovely puppies, I'm glad I did.
Update:
in early 2005, dear Spencer crossed the Rainbow Bridge, due to old age causes. My Rosa and Corie litters were his last, and I am so blessed to have a few of his offspring to continue my breeding program. I will always treasure the days he stayed with us, that wonderful ol' guy is truly missed.
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FAQ's:
I only want one basenji, will it be happy being an 'only dog?'
Yes, one basenji can be very happy, being the center of its family's attention. These are very adaptable dogs, which is one trait that enabled them to survive for thousands of years in Africa. Being the center of the universe is something they naturally assume!
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I can't be home all day, I work. Will a basenji be happy being alone part of the day?
Yes, many people who have basenjis also work outside the home. In fact, I'd guess probably most. If you get a puppy, it's best to arrange to have someone come and play with the pup and let it out to potty in the middle of the day. After 6 mos. or so, there should be no problem leaving them. However, you will need to be diligent in finding ways to release all that basenji energy when you are home. It is also unfair to expect the basenji to be in a crate all day, and then at night too. That's just too much crate time. I suggest if you work during the day, to let your basenji sleep in your bed with you.
If you can't do that, perhaps an adult basenji, that is proven to be okay loose in the house, would be a better choice than a puppy.
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I have cats, will my basenji get along with them?
If
you get a puppy, and raise it with your cats, they should be fine.
However, I advise always having a place where your cats can get away
from relentless puppy antics.
I'm
assuming your cats are dog friendly.
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What's up with the Rugosa dogs in Ohio and California?
In the fall of 2002, my Rosa was bred to a great dog, Jaadii, from San Francisco. His dad, Parry Tallmadge, and I got to know each other, and we discovered we shared many of the same breeding goals and philosophies. Not to mention our warped senses of humor. It has bloomed into a co-breeding agreement that we hope will continue for a long time. What's that they say, about two heads being better than one? Well, to be honest, it's more like the blind leading the blind, but we both are trying to produce healthy, well adjusted puppies, that can be placed with any family, and maybe a few along the way that will do well in the show ring and on the coursing field.
So, with each breeding, there will be pups available in Ohio, and in California.
Parry
can be reached at:
parryt@pacbell.net
or
415-596-3647
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I don't want a show dog, just a great pet, can I still get a Rugosa Basenji?
Despite all the show photos on my pages, my biggest thrill is the fact that I can live with my basenjis all together (except for Rosa and Ibis, the little brats!), peacefully. My goal with each breeding is to produce a puppy to continue my breeding, and then to find loving pet homes for the rest. Of course I will discuss show prospects, but that is not my main focus when choosing homes for my babies.
If you think you might be interested in having one of my puppies join your family, read
the 'Acquiring a Rugosa Basenji Puppy' process
and feel free to contact me with any questions you might have.
419-836-9833
I am more than happy to furnish references from families who share their lives with one of my puppies.
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