BS: What is 'Benji'?

Subject: What is 'Benji'?
From: Ebbie
Date: 24 Dec 00 - 01:38 AM

A friend just called and said his partner wants him to get them a Benji (from the movies) type dog, and the question was: What breed is Benji?

I told him I believe that he's mostly a terrier of some sort but a definite mix, a mutt in other words. It made my friend unhappy because, as he said, how's he going to find a Benji type if it's not a breed?

Does anyone have any ideas? Or am I perhaps mistaken about his being a mix?

Ebbie

Subject: RE: BS: What is 'Benji'?
From: kimmers
Date: 24 Dec 00 - 01:45 AM

I always thought he was a mutt. Good heavens, I had no idea people were still looking for "Benji" type dogs. There was a bit of a fad back in the late 70's for Benji look-alikes, just like the inevitable Dalmation fad after each incarnation of 101 Dalmations.

Subject: RE: BS: What is 'Benji'?
From: Ebbie
Date: 24 Dec 00 - 01:48 AM

Nostalgia is big this time of year, maybe!

Subject: RE: BS: What is 'Benji'?
From: Blackcatter
Date: 24 Dec 00 - 02:00 AM

Benji was a mutt. Truth be told, I was a big fan years ago. I have Benji's and Joe Camp's (his trainer) and Benji's girlfriend Tiffany's autographs in my files somewhere, I'm sure... Yep, just found them. If your friend needs a visual - email me and I'll go ahead and scan the 2 images in and email them to you. My email is: [e-mail]

pax

Subject: RE: BS: What is 'Benji'?
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Dec 00 - 03:07 AM

He looked pretty close to a West Highland Terrier and something slightly bigger, maybe poodle? Cute dog, I had one show up at my house in 1970 and gave her to my parents. They loved their ole "Mutsy" very much.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: What is 'Benji'?
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 Dec 00 - 03:59 AM

"Fad" dogs can be a problem. The Dalmatian thing is kinda' tragic. The demand has caused some serious problems within a breed that was already high strung and the Dalmatian Rescue organization are overwhelmed with dogs that aren't wanted as adults.

I was surprised that virtually every breed has a rescue organization. Too many folks are struck with the "image" of a paticular dog and the reality of the breed is not what they expected or they don't take the time to give the dog the things they should. Reading the net pages of some of the breed rescues is very touching.

BTW, the guy who played Robin on the TV "Batman" series runs a Great Dane rescue.....really loves the dogs and has modified their entire home and property to accomodate them. Very neat guy.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: What is 'Benji'?
From: GUEST,JTT
Date: 24 Dec 00 - 04:10 AM

Well, I don't know what he looks like, or even what continent he's on, but here's one:

http://www.petbond.com/MsgBoard/00000172.htm

BENJI DOG LOOKS LIKE AN EWOK desperate for a home. From: [e-mail] Date: 10 Nov 2000 Time: 02:22 PM

Comments Adorable dog, 1 yr. old male, found as a stray now has been fixed and has all his shots. Housebroken, very well-behaved and smart, good with kids. Please help! Pictures available online.

Subject: RE: BS: What is 'Benji'?
From: Sorcha
Date: 24 Dec 00 - 07:49 PM

Yes, most breeds do have "rescue" organizations, but some are unfortunately, not very efficient. I have a friend who breeds Basenji's and currently owns 9. She rescued a year old female from a raided puppy mill. She can't keep it because it is not one of her "pack". She is not having any luck placing it, no help at all from Basenji Rescue Nat'l, and if she doesn't find a home for it, it will have to be put down.

PS--Benji didn't look like a Westie to me at all. They are white, and the round face is in the clip. Airedale or Lakeland for coloring, and maybe Sheltie for coat....but when you get more than 2 in the mix, it is impossible to tell.

Subject: RE: BS: What is 'Benji'?
From: Ella who is Sooze
Date: 24 Dec 00 - 07:53 PM

A terrier¬!

Ella

(or as my uncle on his farm would say, a bloomin good ratter)

:)

Subject: RE: BS: What is 'Benji'?
From: Branwen23
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 11:50 AM

I thought he looked like a Cairn Terrier.... but I could be wrong...

Subject: RE: BS: What is 'Benji'?
From: Ebbie
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 11:54 AM

Branwen, I think if my friend got a Cairn Terrier for his friend that's about as close as he's going to get to a Benji. Thanks for the idea.

Ebbie

Subject: RE: BS: What is 'Benji'?
From: GUEST,Pelrad
Date: 26 Dec 00 - 01:03 AM

I agree, Benji looks most like a Cairn Terrier. I hope your friend is up to the challenge. They are difficult to train because they're so darned smart and independent. It took two years to fully house-break our Cairn. Nothing worked until my mother lost her temper one day and frightened him into behaving himself. He also decided one day that he was bored at home and started taking off every time we opened the door (never saw a dog move so fast) and would stay gone for days at a time. We found him a home where he was more content after we picked him up at the pound for about the twentieth time.

I can remember calling him and watching him stand in the middle of the road weighing his options and the benefits of each. More often than not he chose to take off on his own explorations. Even a cookie was not a good enough bribe every time.

He used to play in the yard with our neighbor's dog, a West Highland Terrier. Duncan Disorderly (our dog) kept escaping from the yard, while Willie (their dog) stayed put. I couldn't believe it when I witnessed the jailbreak one day. Duncan and Willie stood together next to the fence, then Willie dug a hole underneath while Duncan supervised. Then Duncan slipped out and Willie went back to sniffing the grass and laying in the shade.

Just a few observances you might want to share with your friend. These are smart dogs! Tough both physically and intellectually. Wonderful pets if you are willing to be a very strong alpha owner.

Subject: RE: BS: What is 'Benji'?
From: Ebbie
Date: 26 Dec 00 - 01:23 AM

What a riot, Pelrad! Sounds like a bit of a handful. But it could be very rewarding too.

I'm waiting to tell my friend about a Benji-Cairn until his friend leaves tomorrow for a visit back 'home'. I don't know if a Cairn is available here in town- this is a small town with somewhat limited options since we don't have access to other towns- although I do know one family who has one. Just don't know where they got him.

My friends currently have an Icelandic Shepherd who is getting on in age. They want to perk him up as well as have another dog to lavish attention on.

Thanks for the response, folks.

Ebbie