@rocky1
I have nothing against you either, but I don't believe that just having years of experience equals superior knowledge. We both know that you either continue to learn or you aren't better than newbies. So you should know I respect experience tied to those who are always open to learning and trying to do better. In general, that includes you. In the pseudo science areas, those don't impact my view of you as responsible, btw. Time will prove some you'll have been right on and me wrong and I am fine with that.
As for me not having your experience in basenjis, no joke. I would hope that you actually pay attention to my posts, because you'll have noticed that I have said a million times that I am not a basenji breeder. You'll see me defending responsible breeding, deferring always to them on basenji health and genetics.
However, as a breeder who has been around for nearly 30 years, the things I don't defer to aren't breed related.
Genetics, testing, responsible placement...those are not breed dependent. Yes, in the old days few breeders tested...heck many of the tests we routinely do now weren't even invented. But as we learn better we either do better, or we accept we are willfully irresponsible. How someone can claim to love dogs, but be willing to breed without testing...risking not just the suffering of those pups, but the people who take them...yes, they make me sick. That we are still seeing fanconi affected young dogs when testing has been available for at least 7 years and other genetic disorders... it isn't forgivable. So someone like Jeff, who had the resources and education and ability to spend one hour learning how to do it right at least with testing...well I am joyful the litter came out okay. But that was luck, not him magically responsible because he lucked out. I also hope you actually reread the thread and saw that I was not alone in my view on his breeding, and that he was far more rude and dismissive.
My other issue is training. The illusion of some that basenjis are the only difficult/different/ancient/independent thinking breed is malarkey. As is the idea that they are the only breed that is not for anyone who is unprepared. With decades of Chow and Rottweiler rescue, please let me suggest that the dangers of unprepared owners can have deadly consequences in other breeds. Are basenjis different in some ways than many breeds? Yes. But they are still dogs that can be trained with positive training like any other breed. They are not unique in needing to be trained smarter...or in requiring that they almost need to think it's their idea. A Rottweiler is typically a freaking cake walk by comparison. They generally want to please you. But try training a Chow. Very much like a basenji. Talk to Samoyed breeders...scary smart, and scary stubborn. All three are ancient breeds btw...though there are newer breeds who also are hard.
I guess I'm saying, if I overstep my comprehension on basenji specific things, call me on it. But don't expect me to not stand up or express my views on responsible breeding, training and health issues. I've held too many dogs being euthanized for health/temperament/even age. They deserve better. We will never meet the demands for humane no kill options unless we stop the bad breeders.
