Dylan is a precious puppy.  His mother is a petite Basenji mix.  Daddy?  Well, we don't know.  We rescued this little family from a kill shelter.  Their momma, MaiMai, is a remarkably sweet and gentle dog, so we fully expect her pups to be the same.  They have been fostered in a home with dogs, cats and kids, so they have had plenty of great exposure.  These wonderful puppies should be ready for their forever home by early to mid-July.

06/26 Foster update: Dylan is everyone's favorite.  He's very laid back, easy going and eager to please.  When he is not playing he is usually back in a corner by himself.  He is also a little escape artist.  He is now able to scale a 2 foot piece of plywood to escape his enclosure.  When he does escape, he is usually found just lounging by the sliding door looking outside.  I guess he just needs to get away from the others sometimes.   He likes to watch TV and is happy just observing the world around him.  He is paper trained and knows how to sit.  He is also the first pup to grasp the concept of "down" and loves to work for treats. 

07/15 Foster update: In my opinion, Dylan really WAS trying to escape the maddness of his brothers and sisters.  Now that he and Brownie are the only ones left he seems a lot happier and no longer feels the need to escape.  He is a pleasure to spend time with because he is so gentle and loving.  He likes to play but is most content hanging out or exploring.  He is the kid that can play well quitely by themselves but he really just  reminds me of an old soul. 

According to www.dogbreedinfo.com, the first traces of a dog similar to the Basenji are found in Egyptian tombs and wall drawings of five thousand years ago. Also called the Congo Dog, it was brought to Europe in 1934. English breeders refined it and exported it all over the world. In Africa, it is used as a guide in the forests, to warn against the approach of dangerous animals, and as a very active pack-hunting dog of small game. The Basenji is alert, affectionate, demanding, energetic and curious. It loves to play and makes a good pet, as long as it is handled regularly from an early age. It is very intelligent, responds well to training with a strong desire to please. They can be reserved with strangers. The Basenji is somewhat aloof, but can also form strong bonds with people. It should not be trusted with non-canine pets. They are usually patient, but do best with older considerate children. The Basenji dislike wet weather. They like to chew, so giving them lots of toys of their own would be a good idea. The breed likes to climb and can easily get over chain wire fences. Basenji are very clever at getting their own way, they succeed less by obstinacy than by charm. It has the unique properties of not barking (it makes a low, liquid ululation instead) and of cleaning itself like a cat. It can be described as speedy, frisky, tireless at play and teasing the owner into play. Their strong desire to play can lead to behavior problems if left alone. Most Basenji problems usually involve a mismatch between owner and pet. The owners mistake the adjective "quiet' to mean inactive instead of noiseless; thus, they become harassed by an active, though relatively silent , dog. They have a life expectancy of 10-12 years.