As Pat says, some come into heat twice, some don't. The first year and a half both my girls came into season twice per year and then once per year since. But, mine didn't come into their first season until fall (the usual time for Basenji's). I am of Pat's opinion to spay her. It usually takes time to find a male to breed her with and you will have to take a look at pedigrees (and knowledge of the dogs involved) and testing. We're talking months, if not another year to have everything done. And if you don't have some support (a mentor) breeding a basenji for the first time can be an unpleasant experience. Even with support, it's not something I would want to just go into.
Again, if she's only had a urine test for Fanconi, that only means she's not asymptomatic now-Fanconi can take years to show up. The DNA linkage test is the only tool which can help longer term. It's best if you can find a line that has been tested a few generations back and again, a lot of knowledge about the pedigree is essential.
thank you, i really appreciate all the info. her parents were dna tested, i have had her urine tested,only because i was concerned why she was in heat at 5 months old. the vet didnt have a clue about the basenji breed! so she was checking for fanconi,at 5 months old….everything she got about basenji, she got off the internet. i have since been through 3 vets, none of which have any experience with this breed. the vet she has now hasnt had any experience, but knows of the breed , and knows more than the other vets, (so far).....i want to thank you all for the help, i am going to wait until she is completely recovered from heat, and have her spayed. she is our only dog, and she is a house girl, her back yard has a 6 foot privacy fence around it, so she is safe from any male dogs getting in, or her getting out and getting preggers....lol.......but she is our baby, everything i read online is nothing to the info that i get from experienced basenji owners. thank you!! 
I think you are making a wise choice…. if at some point you really are interested in thinking about breeding, find yourself a mentor in the breed... and learn all about the breed.... other then that, sounds like you have yourself a great companion.
What is the breeding on your girl? Many here are related by our Basenjis.
Just a note about bitches in season and males.... honestly, a six foot fence will not stop a determined male from finding a way into the yard. I know dogs that have eaten through solid wood doors to get to a bitch in season... and one that found a way to scale up an outside wall of the house and get through an open kitchen window..... so pays to be on "guard" when bitches are in season. Years ago when my girls came in season there was an old in-tact Lab that lived close to 4 blocks away.... he was around the age of 11 or 12.... everytime my girls came in season we would find him wandering around the front of our house... never any other time, only when the girls were in season.....
id really like to stud tucker he is a fine specimen of the breed not to toot my own horn but as good as any depicting pics ive seen. i rescued him at 18mts he is a my service dog that i have actually trained my self i also use him also for tracking deer for finding antlers and fox trails he is also good with other dogs he has no papers except his records from the vet form when i first got him to now. he is about two now before he gets to old id like to stud him for a female pup in trade willing to travel some id really like to breed him with a tricolor or black and white female i don't want any fee just pick of the litter ill pay for its shots and all myself please reply if interested i'll travel the tristate area
As mentioned in other posts, have you had your dog Fanconi tested? Also, if you are new to breeding, you may want to find a breeder who will mentor you. I may catch some flack for saying this, but IMO random breeding is just not very responsible or ethical.
thanks for the heads up i will look into that and have it done i wouldn't worry of flack you passed your knowledge along i greatly appreciate your help thank you
I'm glad my post came across as a caring one. When you do get your basenji DNA cheek swabbed for Fanconi, please keep everyone posted - there's tremendous support here.
how much does it cost any idea and do all vets offer it
You do not get the test done by a vet. You have to order the kit from the OFA website, https://secure.offa.org/cart.html It costs $65.
Please keep in mind this is only 1 of the hereditary diseases in basenjis and that the others do not have DNA tests so the only way to estimate the risk of producing the disease is through testing not only your animal but also have the test results of parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts and uncles.
The Basenji Club of America recommends at a minimum breeders test their breeding stock for Fanconi, Hip Dysplasia (done after 2 years of age), Hypothyroidism (OFA recommends to be done every year until 5 years of age then every other year), and a CERF exam to check for heritable eye disorders (CERF is only good for one year and must be repeated).
There is much more to breeding than just have a dog that looks like a basenji. In addition to health concerns, conformation is much more than that and cannot be judged from the casual shots usually shared on a forum like this and really is something best assessed in person where the evaluator can feel the underlying structure of the dog.
how much does it cost any idea and do all vets offer it
If you are asking about DNA testing for Fanconi, it is a cheek swab that you order and do yourself. It is not done by a Vet. The cost is 65.00. You can learn about Fanconi and DNA testing at www.basenjihealth.org and the site to order the DNA test swabs is www.offa.org
thanks for the info i know its not definitive as the swab i did do the glucose urin test and was negative but im still going to order the test if and when i find tucker a mate they will both be fixed although unsure if i should fix Tucker im afraid of breaking his spirit ive put so much into training him and to myself as well his temperament is perfect, but the pup will be fixed young im not doing this to turn a buck in any way after the lengthy breed research i did prior to finding him a family had bought him from a breeder in VA when tucker came into contact with their child. the kid had a severe allergic reaction the husband was in the military then had to give it up when he came home i felt real bad for the guy he was very unhappy but all and all hes at my side 24-7 and goes everywhere if i were him i think the wife and kid would have had to go lol… just kidding:D
It is always a better choice to neuter, if you are not breeding, IMO
And with the urine test strips they are only negative for the moment that the you are doing the strip test… and so far 99% of the results have been "as" expected... there were a few due to lab mixups or questionable parents.
I think most people will agree that neutering a dog does not spoil their spirit or temperament. More often, spaying or neutering results in a more calm, balanced animal.
I think most people will agree that neutering a dog does not spoil their spirit or temperament. More often, spaying or neutering results in a more calm, balanced animal.
I agree, but we have lots of people on the Forum from over the "pond" and they have most different ideas about spay/neuter, different culture, different ideas…. and that is their right.... sometimes we all will need to agree to disagree..
