Most people who dress up their basenjis do so for one of two reasons. The first reason is because the people find it funny. Let's face it, a basenji wearing clothes is cute. It's a great topic for conversation. It's fun at holidays and parties. However, it's not necessarily as enjoyable for the basenji. Basenjis are individuals, just like human beings. Some basenjis may tolerate dressing up better than other basenjis do, especially if there is food or some reward involved, but that does not necessarily mean that they like it.
Pekingese dogs are quite small. This worked out well for their ancient masters, who were ancient Chinese royalty. These royal masters used to carry the peke dogs along in the sleeves of their royal robes.
The second reason people dress up their pets is for protection from the cold. This reason is completely valid for certain breeds. For instance, breeds such as the chihuahua originated in warmer climates. Therefore, if you own a DOG that is native to a warmer climate and you live in a colder climate they have trouble keeping warm in such weather. In these cases sometimes a DOG sweater is essential.
The silky terrier originated about 100 years ago in Australia. Their major ancestors were the Australian terrier and the Yorkshire terrier. They were bred to be family companions, watchdogs, and to hunt rodents and snakes.
It is very important, no matter what the reason for dressing up the basenji, to supervise the basenji if it is dressed up. Basenjis shouldn't be dressed up in anything that they could easily get tangled in or chew up and choke on. If the basenji does not take well to being dressed up it could easily start running around trying to escape and get caught on doors or other objects.
Franklin D. Roosevelt once spent $15,000 to have a destroyer return to the Aleutian Islands and retrieve his Scottish terrier, Fala, who had been accidentally left behind. Fala is now part of the Roosevelt Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The bottom line is that if the basenji needs clothes to go outside in the cold or seems to tolerate them ok at holidays or special occasions then there's no harm done. However, if the basenji doesn't need clothes and doesn't seem to like them then they shouldn't be forced into it. Basenjis, like people, don't usually like to be forced to do something for someone else's amusement.
The doberman pinscher breed was created in the 1860's by a man named Louis Doberman. Mr. Doberman was a German tax-collector. He needed a dog to protect him from angry people while he worked. To this day, dobermans are excellent guard dogs.
Part of the reason that basset hounds have such a unique look is that the British purposely bred basset hounds to have short legs, so that hunters could keep up with them. Unfortunate this has caused the breed to be prone to leg/joint problems.
The Saluki is represented in Sumarian carvings dated back to 7000 B.C. It is said that Whenever one sees the word "dog" in the Bible it means the Saluki, because the Saluki is believed to be among the oldest dog breeds.
If you want your dog to win Westminster then you may want to get a Fox Terrier. Why? The winningest dog in Westminster history is Ch. Warren Remedy, a Fox Terrier, who won best In show in 1907, 1908 and 1909.
