Yes, I had basenjis for about 20 years total, showed, owner handled my bitch to a championship, bred a litter. They are very catlike, liking to climb and be in high places, very independent, not a very obedient breed b/c they are hounds and don't see the point. I could have put a CD on my little bitch though, b/c she had a more willing-to-please attitude, but it wasn't my interest at the time. While a GSD or a lab would say "duh, okay" when you say "come!", a basenji will look at you and say "why? What's in it for me?" and if you have something more interesting to them than what they are currently chasing, then they might come. But they are bred to hunt and chase small game into nets. They are very active, so actually not altogether suited for elderly unless you have a big yard and can let them run. Not a breed that you can throw a toy for and expect a retrieve. They like to be near you but aren't necessarily cuddly and need to touch you like a doberman does. They are a big dog in a little package, and can be very overwhelming if you don't know what to expect. I personally am looking at affenpinschers for a small old-lady dog, but I want to visit a breeder and be around them to make sure they aren't brachycephalic and snootly, because that is a deal-breaker.
I would consider another basenji too. They are overall a healthy breed, although I didn't have good luck w/ them. First of 4 was hit by a car (probably the biggest killer of this breed), 2nd (my little bitch) developed a weird cancer (tonsillar) that she passed on to all 5 of her puppies. She died at age 10 or so and her son who I kept died at about age 8. I told the other puppy owners about this and told them that they needed to immediately get their dogs' tonsils removed. Unfortunately they listened to their vets and not to me and only monitored, so both of those dogs died at age 12. That was a terrible thing, and I'm glad I didn't breed her again and get that mess out into the entire breed. None of her puppies were bred either. I did all of her health testing, chose an excellent sire, had a great mentor who was known and respected in the breed, and still had this happen. Really soured me towards breeding, and I never want that responsibility again. My last basenji I researched thoroughly, chose a good breeder, granddam lived to be 17, other dogs in the line had good longevity, and I lost him at age 7 due to stomach problems. He was a brindle and so had the direct African gene and maybe that contributed to his nervousness. I never could get him crate-trained--he would scream like you were flaying him alive for hours, and never could get used to a crate. So perhaps I'm not the best judge of health in the breed, and I've been out of them long enough now that I don't really know who the good breeders are.
In contrast, my first doberman lived to be 14.
Just bad luck w/ basenjis.
I keep thinking I've found club-types that get along and are pretty much drama free, but if you hang with them long enough you'll see the infighting. It's too bad. I always hope for good discussions, not cat fights. I like to expand ideas by giving my thoughts. Sometimes I get feedback that expands MY thoughts and ideas.
