buster the show dog
Posted : 2/9/2008 10:24:51 PM
If you are a "big fan of obedience" then really, basenji's and spitz type dogs aren't likely to be your best choice. Those breeds have their charms, but if you are looking for a dog that takes readily to training, and that you can trust off lead in safe places, you should be looking at some of the smaller herding breeds (corgi's, perhaps shelties if you don't mind the hair), or some of the smaller spaniels (English cockers, field spaniels, and the like), or some of the terriers. Of the breed you have mentioned, mini schnauzers seem like the best fit for you. Nice spunky dogs, pretty fearless, willing to get up and go with you to do whatever, and also pretty amenable to training. Westies are another option, and you might also look at cairn terriers. All of the terriers can tend toward stubbornness, but a persistent trainer who works with the dog, rather than trying to dominate it can do quite nicely with a terrier. Be aware that skin allergies are very common among many of the terrier breeds though. Corgis are another possibility. Again, a good mix of spunk and trainability. They are pretty active, both physically and mentally, but many of them do very well in apartments if they are given adequate exercise and mental stimulation.
But Basenji's? Gorgeous dogs, but not a breed for someone who is "a big fan of obedience".