Anyone ever buy a puppy from Hilltop Meadows in Caldwell TX

[eeeefarm]

CongoMama, you forgot to feed them!! For sure responsible breeders don't make a lot of profit, if any, for their efforts.

[agilebasenji]

I'd like to congratulate our OP for taking the time to do her homework and being open to long-time basenji owner suggestions. It can be hard for your head to overrule your heart, especially when you've seen pics and really want that cute puppy.

I'd also like to give you a little something to think about based on my life experiences with basenjis. I purchased Digital as a 10 month old puppy from a very good breeder. I had an older basenji and a lab at that time and worked away from home. So getting a young puppy would be difficult given my work schedule. Because Diggie came from a breeder that cared about his welfare, he was house broken, leash trained, show trained (he was my first show dog), crate trained, socialized to men/women/kids/other dogs, vet work was done, etc. I brought him into the house and he was past the chew stage and knew to go outside to pee. He was the easiest dog I've ever owned. I also knew a great deal about his temperament - what I saw was what I got. (Although, at 10 months, there can be some later maturing with some dogs.) And off to classes we went. He trained me how to do conformation stuff and together we learned how to do agility, therapy, rally and coursing. He went on to earn 30 (or more) titles. I absolutely adore this dog and could not love him more or be more attached to him if I'd gotten him at 2 months. He is also very attached to me as he as proven time and time again by performing accurately in agility trials. So, my advice, is don't discount older puppies/young adults especially when looking at dogs from good breeders. They are, in many, many ways much easier than a young puppy.

[eeeefarm]

I'd like to second what agilebasenji wrote. I've had five Basenjis, and of those two I raised from pups. Definitely easier to adopt an older pup or adult. If you get one from a good breeder, the hard work is done. My current boy I adopted at age 3. He does not rip up things, including his plush toys, because his breeder taught him not to do that. He's good about nail clipping, teeth scaling, anal glands, you name it. There are no "don't go there" spots on his body. He's a sweetie, and the only negative thing about adopting him was that I swear it took over a year before he accepted the fact that this home was permanent and he wasn't just waiting for his previous Mom to come back and pick him up.

[tanza]

Amen to what agilebasenji posted… it is right on!!!! Thanks Kim for posting that.... great input

[Lysh]

id have to agree about being open minded to an older pup if the option was there.

we got Hope at 8 wks old and we have just recently added her half sister to our 'pack' at 6 months old. She is house trained, toilet trained, socialized etc. and walks perfectly on a lead. Hope is house trained/toilet trained etc which we had no issues with her cos she was a quick learner (except for lead walking - shes a puller but that would be my fault in failing her, we are in training to fix it though lol) but its like getting a puppy thats already trained (well basically it is!) just add in the bonus you dont need to do all the hard work. Its been kinda enjoyable actually. AND. i was one of those skeptical people that dogs wouldnt bond to you if they were older etc - alls i can say is bullshizz! Ebony has bonded so well with us exactly as if we had, had her from younger.

hehe just a thought anyway. Im very proud that you have decided not to get the pup and go through a reputable breeder. you cant beat a pup with a brilliant temperament and thats health tested.

please keep us updated

[vickayx]

Thank u everyone for educating me about the right and wrong of buying/adopting a Basenji puppy. I am so so soooo greatfull and I feel confident that I have people who will help me with any question about Basenjis and dog related questions. It makes me feel good to have this support. Also after reading that break down of what the back yard breeder makes vs a real breeder I feel stupid for what I said but I def now know and will educate others that I know of back yard breeding. This place almost feels like a family and internet family hahaha.

[Chealsie508]

Great decision, I live in mass, about 15 minutes from Eldorado. I got my first pup from them last season. They have great dogs, then again I may be partial.
Good luck

[DebraDownSouth]

Most breeders of many breeds won't place with a home that doesn't crate the dog when alone until they have them long enough to be sure of safe behaviors, paneane.

Sorry Suzee, I have a brat rescue, I volunteer with Brat. They cannot tell you if the dog has Fanconi since they ONLY strip test– which means they are not currently having symptoms. Doesn't mean spit because they could have Fanconi and not show it yet.

[Nemo]

I see you have found a breeder and some others to talk to, but in case you need help finding more people to talk to you can also contact the BCOA Breeder Liaison. If that hyperlink doesn't work you can find it under Breeder Referral at the link below. Sandy may also have an idea of who is breeding in your area this year.

https://www.basenji.org/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=111&Itemid=94

And as a comment on the breeding costs, the breeder I am getting a pup next year had to do a c-section at the emergency vet in the middle of the night. Which you could imagine is not cheap at all.

Clay

[tanza]

@Nemo:

I see you have found a breeder and some others to talk to, but in case you need help finding more people to talk to you can also contact the BCOA Breeder Liaison. If that hyperlink doesn't work you can find it under Breeder Referral at the link below. Sandy may also have an idea of who is breeding in your area this year.

https://www.basenji.org/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=111&Itemid=94

And as a comment on the breeding costs, the breeder I am getting a pup next year had to do a c-section at the emergency vet in the middle of the night. Which you could imagine is not cheap at all.

Clay

Amen to that Clay! But her dedication to the breed and the welfare of the bitch provided her with a wonderful litter of 7!!!! And hopefully one has your name written all over it!

[vickayx]

So that woman from Texas that is running that puppy mill messaged me the other day displaying pictures of the puppies and mother. I am going to tell her I decided to go with a reputable breeder but I am not sure if I should tell her exactly why I think no one should buy from her. I don't know if that's a good or bad idea. Deep down inside I want to tell her so she knows and she should stop but like I said just really confused..

[tanza]

@vickayx:

So that woman from Texas that is running that puppy mill messaged me the other day displaying pictures of the puppies and mother. I am going to tell her I decided to go with a reputable breeder but I am not sure if I should tell her exactly why I think no one should buy from her. I don't know if that's a good or bad idea. Deep down inside I want to tell her so she knows and she should stop but like I said just really confused..

I would just tell her you are going with a responsible breeder that does all health testing before breeding and let it go at that. I am sure she is well aware that she is a puppy miller and only cares about the almighty dollar. There are so many other things to breeding and placing puppies on top of health testing. She doesn't care who buys, just as long as they have the dollars to pay.

[DebraDownSouth]

I most definitely would tell her WHY. She may listen, she probably won't, but if you say nothing she misses the opportunity to learn.

[dcmclcm4]

I would tell her why because of the lack of health testing. I would definitely mention Fanconi Syndrome and talk about it if she does not know anything about it. I would let her know that most puppy buyers will not buy a puppy without being tested. I doubt Sheila Maxwell mentioned it! Now even some BYBs are testing their sires and dams for it.

Jennifer

[vickayx]

So I told her very simply I had found a breeder closer to me and one that is more reputable. She seemed a little upset. She had responded with I do not understand what you mean by more reputable… honestly I do not want to argue with her.

Good news tomorrow I am taking a 5 hour trip to Mass. to visit Elderado Basenjis. I am sooo sooo excited! Is there any suggestions you guys have for me about what I should ask?

[suzee]

@vickayx:

So I told her very simply I had found a breeder closer to me and one that is more reputable. She seemed a little upset. She had responded with I do not understand what you mean by more reputable… honestly I do not want to argue with her.

Good news tomorrow I am taking a 5 hour trip to Mass. to visit Elderado Basenjis. I am sooo sooo excited! Is there any suggestions you guys have for me about what I should ask?

Rocky1 on the forums is a breeder in Jackson, NJ and has been breeding Basenjis for 35 years apparently! I would totally contact her if I were you, just because she's in NJ.. y'know. I was surprised to hear that!

Good luck with the trip tomorrow!

[vickayx]

I believe I did. I have contacted so many people at this time my head is over flowed but I really think tomorrow will work out. I am def willing and excited to take the trip. I just found out my puppy (hopefully) was born yesterday! But I won't be able to see her because the breeder doesn't let anyone interfere with the pups until 6 weeks. I respect that.

[tanza]

Good luck on your trip…. each breeder has their own ideas/concerns about puppies... me... the more people the better and the earlier the better...

[vickayx]

even new borns?

[vickayx]

Oh and thank u for all of your support Tanza and others because of you I feel super confident in my decision about getting a puppy, and the life time commitment and joy of owning a Basenj, yall are the best!