IMO the reaction to new folks introducing themselves is often a bit strident here. There's a tendency I find unfortunate, of plunging immediately into an interrogation on where the dog came from, whether testing has been done, etc, even before folks get their feet wet (oh, wait, basenjis hate wet feet!). In the case of a neutered or spayed pet, I frequently feel it's unnecessarily challenging to newcomers looking for support.
A very good post and I fully agree with you.
Thank you Yodeldog for you comment.. others on here have not been so graceful nor supportive.
For the record, I was not being supportive to the breeding of the dogs in question but rather being honest about the expenses involved in rearing a litter of puppies.
You know I have to say…. I appreciate the hardline approach that is offered on the forums. My skin starts to crawl when I see a people sloppily post for breeding advice, when it's obvious that they have not invested much of themselves to the endeavor they are about to commit to. To be sure, they haven't studied in depth the various health issues of the Basenji, or the complicated genetic matters that go into producing puppies worthy of carrying on the breed standard. From my standpoint, one shouldn't ever ask "how can I frugally pop out a litter"...if that is the financial situation, then they have no business breeding whatsoever. If the desire is there to produce the pups then so the wallet should be too. So I say burn baby burn, if that's what is necessary for people to get the point. My first Basenji was bred by people who just wanted to breed a litter for some extra cash. I have seen their ignorance soil the life of my dog, who can not under any circumstances come into contact with other dogs because she attacks them, who bites people out of fear when they come to pet her for the first time. The countless hours and dollars we poured into her as a puppy to socialize her and strengthen her self confidence with people. The numerous times we wondered if it was more humane to put her down. Thankfully, over time we worked out a system, in which our whole family was able to co-exist. Now she is 15, and very much the leisurely couch potato - with a few good runs at the cats that cross my parent's yard. I love my dog - but she is the inbred product of a litter that should have never been whelped. I was only 9 when this all happened, but if my parents had the forum to be better informed, they would have used the knowledge.
I think we are so fortunate to have been touched by the Basenji, not many people feel the same joy at seeing their toliet paper shredded on their floor - or the elation of having your B come when called (yeah!!) I love my 2 girls very much, though they live on opposites sides of the globe. 
And I'm so so grateful to the breeders who commit themselves to the rigorous and perhaps unsung task of preserving a breed that has enriched a select few for thousands of years. We should be here to make the Basenji stronger (and YES to opening African studbooks for a broader genetic base!) we should be supportive of people who want ensure that the puppies received by new owners are as amazing and slightly crazy (hehe) as the dogs we love and cherish. If that requires a stronger offense then I back it wholeheartedly.
Asking where someone got their dog is not "interrogating", it isn't hostile, or in any way nefarious. Most people on this list ask because they are genuinely curious. The basenji community is relatively small and many of us on this forum have found that we have basenji "family" here. How do we know, because we ASKED.
It is true if the response is that their dog was from a BYB, petstore, or a rescue that often the next statement is a plug for the Fanconi test. Again, this advice isn't done out of hostility, it is done out of genuine concern.
I went through the posts at the beginning of this thread, several of the posts were mine, which even re-reading I do not think were out of line and what did I get for my statements, I basically got called a bitch. Luckily, I don't take too much offense because I am in good company both in looking at the other humans who got grouped with me and that in my fairly biased opinion I am living with 4 very nice examples of bitches who actually are quite sweet though not unwilling to honestly express their opinions.
I think that many people who respond the way this poster did, do so because they are looking for someone to validate what they are about to do. They are then angry when they do not get the response they expected. That does not mean that the responses that were given were out of line, hostile, or even unwelcoming.
I agree with lvoss, of course I am one that typically gets called out for being a "bitch"…. and that is just because people don't want to be challenged and want someone/everyone to validate what they are going to do. They don't want to hear that their pup came from a pure for profit breeder that does no health testing when we bring up the DNA Fanconi test that should/needs to be done, but as lvoss says it is out of concern. If anyone on this forum thinks that we are trying to plug to sell our own pups, there is nothing further from the truth. We care about the breed, breeding healthly, good temperament pups, that are socialized and make excellent family companions that can also hold their own in the show ring and/or on the performance arena......
Asking where someone got their dog is not "interrogating", it isn't hostile, or in any way nefarious.
Sorry, but it does come across that way in some instances - maybe because it's so quick. At a dinner party, you don't start the conversation by asking who a new acquaintance's parents are, before you ask about them and their spouse, job and home - or maybe you do. But that wouldn't likely encourage candor.
It is true if the response is that their dog was from a BYB, petstore, or a rescue that often the next statement is a plug for the Fanconi test. Again, this advice isn't done out of hostility, it is done out of genuine concern.
But at that point if they do not intend to breed what diference does it make? Sadly, the new pup may be likely to eventually have Fanconi. If it's a BYB or a rescue, what can they do about it at that point? There's no one to give it back to - even if they haven't already fallen in love and don't want to give up their baby. Yeah, at some point, it's probably a good idea to know what's coming. But when you're in the first stage of doggie-love, knowing that maybe they'll die at some point…it's kind of a buzz kill. And you can't change it, so why create that anxiety right now?
Just to be clear, my comments don't relate so much to this post. This OP was talking about breeding, and at that point IMO all bets are off and the expert breeders should jump in. I don't find anything bitchy about that. But I'm not sure I understand insisting that a new owner of a pet B that may be discovered to be a Fanconi risk needs to know that on their first day here. Let them enjoy the glow before they face the risks of losing their sweet pup from health issues that were determined long before they came into the picture.
I admire and respect the breeders on this forum - I'm just voicing my opinion that in cases unlike this one - where they asked about breeding - we might want to let folks settle in and enjoy some basenji love before we hit them with all the risks they may have unknowingly bought into.
Thank you everyone for your posts.
Let's all try to make this forum above all a friendly and welcoming community where people can enjoy exchanging information about their Basenjis.
Health issues and breeding topics are very prominent here and have it's own categories for discussion. To get new members familiar with these topics we will include links to most important health/breeding topics and stickies in our welcome email and thread.
Some member expressed to us that for one reason or the other they are not comfortable revealing details about themselves and their dogs to complete strangers on an internet forum as soon as they make a first post. They need some time to get familiar with everyone.
We respect that and ask everyone to respect that as well.
Although I understand how it can be uncomfortable to give out information about your dog to complete strangers online, it's not just something that happens on the internet. Every time I have taken Piper to field trials or other places with basenji owners and breeders I didn't know, one of the first questions they asked me was who bred her.
But since I am one of the people who finds it interesting to know where other people got their basenjis, and how they are related to Piper or others I know, it doesn't bother me at all. I love talking about my breeder and about different bloodlines, but I realize not everyone does.
So IMO I don't think this is just something people on this forum do, I think it is something that a lot of dog people in general do when meeting new people, especially in a breed as small as basenjis. At least that has been my personal experience.
But at that point if they do not intend to breed what diference does it make? Sadly, the new pup may be likely to eventually have Fanconi. If it's a BYB or a rescue, what can they do about it at that point? There's no one to give it back to - even if they haven't already fallen in love and don't want to give up their baby. Yeah, at some point, it's probably a good idea to know what's coming. But when you're in the first stage of doggie-love, knowing that maybe they'll die at some point…it's kind of a buzz kill. And you can't change it, so why create that anxiety right now?
You can't change it, but you do increase the odds that your dog will have less kidney damage and a better quality of life if you are informed. You do the test, not because you are going to give up your dog, that is the attitude that is keeping BRAT from testing and allowing people an informed decision, you do the test so you know because that knowledge can make world of difference for your dog.
Maybe my attitude is so different about health issues because I volunteer at my shelter, I have done dog evaluations for BRAT, and I have friends who have left the veterinary profession because they just couldn't deal emotionally with the results of putting off today because it would have been a buzz kill. The results of that attitude can be truly devastating. I placed a dog who had a reduced lifespan because the owners wouldn't admit that the dog had Fanconi and then wanted to give her up because she had chronic bladder infections as was peeing everywhere. My shelter had to put to sleep over 100 dogs in the month of May and close for 3 weeks because of distemper outbreak because owners in my county don't vaccinate.
The thing with the Fanconi Marker Test, is that it isn't a buzz kill, doing the test means you can relieve much of the monthly anxiety when you do urine testing. Obviously, if the dog has tested Probably Affected, there will always be breath holding, is this the time they test positive? But even then at least the owners have had time to become well acquainted with what will need to be done, will have had time to find out where the resources they are going to need are, instead of the frantic, panic that occurs when it hits unexpectedly.
Sorry, but it does come across that way in some instances - maybe because it's so quick. At a dinner party, you don't start the conversation by asking who a new acquaintance's parents are, before you ask about them and their spouse, job and home - or maybe you do. But that wouldn't likely encourage candor.
Every dog park I have ever been to where I have run into a basenji owner, the first question they ask is "Where did you get your dog?" I don't take it as rude when asked then and I don't really see why it is rude here. To me it is very similar to being at a huge family gathering, my grandfather hosted many, and at them most exchanges would start with, "Oh, are you Henry's granddaughter?" or "You're George's kid, right?"
In many ways coming here is a lot like going to a big family party.
Exactly.. that is the first question that is asked… Where did you get your Basenji? Who is the Breeder? Who are the Sire and Dam?.... at a lure trial, dog show, training classes, internet chat lists.... all over...
And to the Forum Staff... life if not always a "bowl of cherries"... And I think it is unfair to try and restrict comments/questions to "be nice" and not to tell the truth and be able to ask about people's motives as we are dealing with a living, breath, animal....that can not speak for itself. As already said, people don't like to hear the truth... but remember that BYB/Pet Store puppy can't read and can't send its blood to have a DNA test done. That Puppy can't say "don't breed me, I come from unstable stock, unhealthy stock"..... You can include all the links to sticky's that you want.. and I would venture to bet that maybe 1/2 if that many would even go read them... as in many cases they have no idea that any of that would pertain to them or their Basenji.
And this just adds to the same "don't ask, don't tell" attitude of BRAT that will not do a DNA test on BRAT dogs before placing them.. so that they don't have to tell people that they have an affected dog. I wonder if they even tell them about the DNA Fanconi test?
Pat, I think Sharron may be a better person than I to answer your questions about BRATs view on the DNA linkage test, but I did want to just get out there that part of the home visit protocol is to verify that adopters are aware of the potential for Fanconi. BRAT does also require that you aggree to strip test once a month. I have only done one home visit myself, but durring the visit did speak about the option of the linkage test to determine how vital the strip testing would be for an adopted dog.
I just want to thank the breeders, and owners on the forum for continuing to ask the tough questions. YES tough questions can make some people feel uncomfortable, but refusing to ask tough questions (regardless of the topic) leads to major problems. I believe it is important to be polite to people and make them feel welcome, but I also believe that hidding behind being compleatly PC just allows those with poor ideas to continue to blindly follow them without ever having to think about those ideas criticaly and descide the validity for themselves. You all are an amazing community of people who I continue to be blessed to be a part of.
Jarodkjv,
Good point, I do notice that anytime we see a basenji on the street we usually ask or get asked where the dog is from. But in some situations this question comes a later in the conversation or does not get brought up at all. Over the years we noticed that for some reason this is not something some people want to disclose to strangers right away, so we respect that and just want to leave it at that without questioning their motives.
Tanza,
Thank you for your comments. I agree life is not always "bowl of cherries" and sometimes tough questions need be asked, our mission here is to make this forum above all a friendly environment for people to share information.
There are ways to be nice and respectful to others when getting your point across or asking tough questions. We also have forum rules in place and we expect everyone who is participating on the forum to follow them.
Pat, I think Sharron may be a better person than I to answer your questions about BRATs view on the DNA linkage test, but I did want to just get out there that part of the home visit protocol is to verify that adopters are aware of the potential for Fanconi. BRAT does also require that you aggree to strip test once a month. I have only done one home visit myself, but durring the visit did speak about the option of the linkage test to determine how vital the strip testing would be for an adopted dog. QUOTE]
I do know that DNA for Fanconi is not done by BRAT and I know that their view is don't want to "know" or have to show that a dog is of "affected" status (but not spilling at that time, but could at any time) because people would not want to adopt those dogs. I do not know if they explain to people about the DNA test that is available.. of course if it was me looking to adopt and I was told there was a DNA test available, my first question would be "why have they not been DNA tested?". IMO, it is wrong to adopt out a dog that in 1 month, 2yrs, etc… can/will become affected and not have that information available when there is a way to know now.
I have to say that I agree with Pat & Lisa on this. If people didn't do their research in the first place about the breed and purchased from a BYB or pet store and never asked about health testing or researched the "breeder" they got their dog from, what makes anyone think that they will look up anything about health care about a basenji or know anything about Fanconi, how to test for it or how to care for it. If they don't get the real information here, where do you propose they get it? A sticky/link isn't enough.
The problem with society today is that is everything is about immediate gratification and being disposable. What would be the reasons that someone doesn't spend time researching the breed…they want the dog immediately. And what happens if the animal gets sick...they give the dog up to a shelter. The Fanconi test/result is important so the dog can get proper early care...not so they will get "rid" of their dog.
The only problem I have with any of the discussions that go on relative to breeding, is when members here who aren't breeders start "grilling" someone..."what does your dog have to offer"...that sort of thing (sometimes worded nicer). IMHO they are basically "parroting" what they've heard the breeders say without having anything to back it up with and should leave the breeding questions/advice to the breeders to answer.
Maybe the "breeder section" of the forum should have a disclaimer of "enter at your own risk". And I do also agree, that people come here looking to have their ideas/wants validated and it will be doing this community a great disservice if we have to "censor" our comments to only "be nice" and not truthful.
Tanza,
Thank you for your comments. I agree life is not always "bowl of cherries" and sometimes tough questions need be asked, our mission here is to make this forum above all a friendly environment for people to share information.
There are ways to be nice and respectful to others when getting your point across or asking tough questions. We also have forum rules in place and we expect everyone who is participating on the forum to follow them.
Again, I think that lvoss did that with her posts in this subject as did the rest of us…. of course this post was a bit different as they came out right off the top wanting to know about breeding and cutting costs.
The only problem I have with any of the discussions that go on relative to breeding, is when members here who aren't breeders start "grilling" someone…"what does your dog have to offer"...that sort of thing (sometimes worded nicer). IMHO they are basically "parroting" what they've heard the breeders say without having anything to back it up with and should leave the breeding questions/advice to the breeders to answer.
Though I respect your right to have your opinion. I would like to point out that I am not 'Parroting" anyone on this site. If I am "Parroting" anyone it would be my parents who bred Goldens for 15 years. I understand compleatly that you feel this kind of information is best from breeders, but knowledge of why one should breed is not ONLY restricted to people who are activly breeding. As I stated in my post to the OP I am not a breeder, but these questions are questions that I DID ask each time I was looking for a pure breed. I think it is important to understand that, there are owners out there who feel exactly the same way as many responsible breeders when it comes to the questions one should ask themselves before putting a litter out there.
Like I said Pat, I don't know myself why BRAT doesn't test. I know that the cost for them is somewhat prohibitive. But I agree %100 with you that it is important for all owners of ANY breed to have good access from rescue orginizations as to the types of health problems that they should be aware of with the breed they are choosigng to welcome into their home.
Though I respect your right to have your opinion. I would like to point out that I am not 'Parroting" anyone on this site. If I am "Parroting" anyone it would be my parents who bred Goldens for 15 years. I understand compleatly that you feel this kind of information is best from breeders, but knowledge of why one should breed is not ONLY restricted to people who are activly breeding. As I stated in my post to the OP I am not a breeder, but these questions are questions that I DID ask each time I was looking for a pure breed. I think it is important to understand that, there are owners out there who feel exactly the same way as many responsible breeders when it comes to the questions one should ask themselves before putting a litter out there.
Very well put!
Though I respect your right to have your opinion. I would like to point out that I am not 'Parroting" anyone on this site. If I am "Parroting" anyone it would be my parents who bred Goldens for 15 years. I understand compleatly that you feel this kind of information is best from breeders, but knowledge of why one should breed is not ONLY restricted to people who are activly breeding. As I stated in my post to the OP I am not a breeder, but these questions are questions that I DID ask each time I was looking for a pure breed. I think it is important to understand that, there are owners out there who feel exactly the same way as many responsible breeders when it comes to the questions one should ask themselves before putting a litter out there.
Right…my opinion...and I did not specifically name you, did I...:rolleyes:
