Meet Jax, an adorable, almost 8-year-old, tricolor, male Basenji located in Minnesota. He is a polite and well-behaved guy. He loves being with his humans – jumping on the couch to sit by them, snuggling under the covers at night, or simply following his people around the house. When his humans come home, they are greeted with several loud baroos and a tail wagging a mile a minute that will melt your heart. Jax was well loved in his previous home, but the family circumstances changed, and his owners felt they were no longer able to give Jax the time and attention that he deserved. Jax is looking for a home where he gets plenty of love, attention, and snuggling.
Jax loves being warm whether it is laying in the sun in his foster’s bay window, snuggling close to his person, nestling under a pile of blankets, or wearing his sweater. In fact, he will even bow his head to let his human put his sweater on. He is very smart – immediately learning his way around the neighborhood on walks and the way back to his foster’s house. He listens very well and knows basic commands. He will drop anything in his mouth on command and will stop doing a behavior when corrected. Jax loves being around his humans, so do not expect to go anywhere in the house without him following your every move (not even the bathroom!). While you are sitting on the couch, he will quietly sit beside you. Do not be surprised when you feel a tap, tap, tap of his paw on your leg or arm to tell you to pet him. He loves to sleep with his humans and crawl under the covers to be warm. Jax is a Velcro dog and always wants to be close to someone. He does well at the vet, as he’s too busy being curious instead of nervous, and does not mind being picked up or handled, even by strangers.
Jax loves to play fetch. While most Basenjis quit after a few throws, he will retrieve the ball and bring it back over and over, for as long as his human wants to throw it. Jax would love a backyard to run around in, but it is not a necessity as long as he is walked and exercised regularly. He loves being a part of his pack, so he has no desire to escape a fenced yard. Jax is walked by his foster three times a day for 30 minutes. He loves meeting people on his walks and lets strangers pet him. When walking Jax will pull on the leash at times but stops when his foster corrects him. He listens to his humans and wants to please them.
Jax is extremely food motivated and will do anything for treats. He loves his food and gobbles it down so quickly that he will throw up. Feeding his meals from an elevated stand with a slow feeding bowl alleviates this issue. Jax is food aggressive with other dogs, but not with his humans. His foster feeds him in a separate room away from other animals to avoid problems. Jax’s humans can take his bowl and food away without any issues. In typical Basenji fashion, Jax is a counter surfer always looking for food, so it is important to keep the edge of counters or tables clear. He also enjoys tissues and toilet paper, so keep your trashcans out of reach. Jax pulled a tissue out of his foster’s trashcan, ran the Basenji 500 around the house with his new treasure, then stopped in front of his foster and sat, so proud of his prized possession. Unlike a typical Basenji, Jax dropped the tissue when his foster told him to drop it. He will let his humans take anything out of his mouth without issue.
Other than paper products, Jax is not destructive in the house. He does not do well in a crate and should not be crated. He has had some separation anxiety but is fine if he has freedom to move around the house and has a window to watch and wait for his humans to return. If he accidentally is shut in a room by himself, he will cause damage trying to get out. Since Jax is such a well behaved and socialized Basenji, he would adapt well to a wide variety of homes. Having always been the only dog in his house, he loves the attention he gets as an only pup. However, he could be paired with a canine companion that is calm and confident. Jax has been known to snap at overly excited dogs he meets, but is better behaved with calm, balanced dogs. A fenced backyard would be a bonus, but he would also be fine with frequent walks. Since Jax becomes so attached to people and is most comfortable when his pack is home with him, a new home with someone there most of the time would be a bonus. Jax is looking for a home that will give him lots of love, attention and snuggle time. In return you will have a well-behaved, loving Basenji who always wants to be with his humans and wants to please them.
If you think you could provide Jax 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, Kelsey Brown.
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 Jax.
There is an adoption fee of $300.00 for Jax. This fee is used for the extensive costs associated with vetting and otherwise caring for Jax 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 BRAT DOG
Dog's name: Jax
Dog is currently in: Minnesota
Birth date: 08/17/2015
Gender: Male
Color: Tricolor
Weight: 25 pounds
Neutered/Spayed: Yes
Tattooed: No
Micro-chipped: Yes
VACCINATIONS AND MEDICAL TESTS
DHLP: Yes, 3yr given 07/12/2022
Parvovirus: Yes, 3yr given 07/12/2022
Rabies: Yes, 3yr given 07/12/2022
Rabies certificate: Yes
Coronavirus: No
Bordetella: Yes, 07/13/2022
Lyme Disease: No
Fecal: Yes, 07/13/2022
Fecal test comments: Always been clean
Heartworm: Negative, 03/30/2023
Regular heartworm given: Yes, monthly
Urine tested for Fanconi: No
DNA test for Fanconi: Yes, Clear/Normal
EATING HABITS
Eating schedule: Twice a day
Type of food: Dry
Brand(s) of food: Merrick Back Country, anything poultry free (Jax has been sensitive to chicken)
Begs for food: No
Food dislikes: None
Favorite foods: Anything
Feeding instructions: 1/2 - 2/3 cup morning and evening. Jax’s previous owner thought he was allergic/sensitive to chicken, so Jax eats food that is free of bird proteins. Jax inhales his food and can throw up, so he eats from an elevated feeder with a slow feeding bowl. This slows him down enough which alleviates the issue.
TEMPERAMENT
Temperament description: Jax is a well-rounded, great dog. He loves to cuddle (former owner said he’s a cuddle pro) and wants to constantly be near his family. Jax is friendly and loves to meet people, but as a typical Basenji, strangers should be instructed how to approach him. Because he loves being with his pack so much, he does have some separation anxiety and cannot be crated or shut in a room alone. He listens well, knows basic commands, and plays well with other dogs in open areas. His previous owner said Jax enjoys the dog park.
Lived with children: No
Likes children: Older
Lived with cats: Yes
Likes cats: Yes
Lived with dogs: No
Likes dogs: Some dogs who are calm and confident, not overly excited dogs.
Prefers men or women: Women
Likes strangers: Yes
Nips (playfully): No
Bites (in anger): No
Crate trained: No
House broken: Yes
Destructive indoors: No
Destructive outdoors: No
Dog is a climber: No
Dog is an escape artist: No
Easily startled: No
Wakes up grouchy: No
Rides well in car: Yes
Gets carsick: No
Rides in crate: No
Yodels: No
Screams: No
Dog sleeps where: Bed
Other information: He knows: Sit, Stay, Down, Back up, Come
If you are interested in Jax, please use our coordinator contact form, to email our BRAT coordinator, Kelsey Brown. Thank you!
There is an adoption fee of $300.00 for Jax. This fee is used for the extensive costs associated with vetting and otherwise caring for Jax 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.