Honestly, I don't think most people know what goes into a responsibly bred litter. This is a problem for 2 reasons. The first is that a person looks at the price not knowing what went into it and has the knee jerk reaction of "That's a lot of money!" The second is that they don't know what questions they should be asking to get the best puppy possible.
A good example of the second is how many people come to this list and say their pup is from "health tested" parents but when an OFA search is done, there is no health testing information for the parents. Buyers need to know what goes into raising a responsibly bred litter so they can make sure they are buying from a responsible breeder.
I have been keeping a running total of my costs in another thread for any interested. Costs will vary litter to litter but it gives an idea.
I cast another vote for an adult dog, basenjis that are healthy act very young for many years, a 2 year old still has plenty of energy to run and play, but they have passed that wild, chewing puppy stage, and many live to be 16 or older. I don't think I have the energy to take a basenji under 2!
Anne in Tampa
I prefer adult dogs as well – since I work during the day I wouldn't want to have to worry about the puppy getting into things (they are the cutest creatures in the world however). Adults train fairly easily in my experience.
The only thing I suggest is to be sure to give your dog attention when you do get home. As soon as I walk in the door after work, I pet and praise my dog, let him outside, put my packages down, then take him for a significant walk (even though I have a good-sized fenced yard) - in that order.
Thanks for the lead Renault … I emailed Terray @ terrarust but have yet to hear anything back so far. As it turns out someone I know has a 5yr old Basenji from her!
If anyone knows of reputable breeders preferably in BC with upcoming litters or an older dog looking for a home please feel free to send me a PM.
We have some wonderful quality breeders in Washington state.
BC isn't that far from us.
I would be happy to share info re the Evergreen basenji club, if you wish.
We have some wonderful quality breeders in Washington state.
BC isn't that far from us.
I would be happy to share info re the Evergreen basenji club, if you wish.
Please do.
Also if anyone has experience with adopting dogs from the other side of the border I'd be interested in hearing your experiences/advice/border need to know stuff.
The EBC contact info is
www.evergreenbasenjiclub.org
You can check out the web site and contact the folks that you think will work for you.
I am very happy to share the wonderful breed club's info with you.
Thanks again for the leads but I'm getting kind of discouraged with the lack of responses I'm getting from breeders and I'm curious if this is to be expected.
First breeder - Good phone/email dialogue but she was moving across the country. I asked if she knew any local breeders or perhaps had older dogs (as per advice here) and never heard back from her.
Second - No response
Third - No response.
Fourth - Responded to my email within an hour and we chatted a bit. I asked some typical questions regarding her dogs (as per basenji buyers guide) and she never got back to me (that was two weeks ago).
Fifth - Responded to my email within an hour and had some good dialogue. She asked me to fill out an adoption application and I haven't heard back yet (1 week ago).
I'm just kind of curious as to how long other peoples experiences have been and if this is normal? or from a breeders perspective how many potential dog owners you deal with on a regular basis and have lots of people to consider?
I don't want to get too discouraged but at the same time just not hearing anything is kind of troubling as opposed to yes/no. I think I would be an excellent owner and can provide a stable balanced home to a dog so I'm not sure what it is - can't help but think I've offended someone and word of mouth has spread - maybe I'm just being too impatient and it's all in my head?
Please e-mail me privately, and I will chat with you.
brescue@wavecable.com
If it were me, I would send some follow up emails. I know that I will be chatting via email with people and then all of a sudden no emails. I have found by sending some follow-ups that my emails weren't going through or theirs weren't getting to me. Also, I get lots of email so if I get interupted before I respond to someone, I occasionally lose it in the flood so a follow up is always good.
And you might just want to pick up the phone and call…. sometimes some people are not that good with emails or emailing responses...
Personally I try to answer each and every email, regardless if I am planning a litter or not and give them other options or breeders to contact. It gives people the wrong idea about breeders to not do so.... and I always end the email with "if I can be of further assistance"....
I would be concerned if you got no response when you asked questions, breeders should be up front and willing to answer/discuss things like health concerns, breeding plans.. etc....
Not sure when in Canada you are located, are you close to the US border? Or would you want to share the breeders that you have tried to contact?
I'm just kind of curious as to how long other peoples experiences have been and if this is normal? or from a breeders perspective how many potential dog owners you deal with on a regular basis and have lots of people to consider?
I don't want to get too discouraged but at the same time just not hearing anything is kind of troubling as opposed to yes/no. I think I would be an excellent owner and can provide a stable balanced home to a dog so I'm not sure what it is - can't help but think I've offended someone and word of mouth has spread - maybe I'm just being too impatient and it's all in my head?
Hi Cosmo,
Sorry to hear you are having bad luck contacting breeders. I'm also in the same process of talking with breeders but looking for puppy. Out of the 5 breeders I tried to contact in Sept/Oct, I have gotten responses from 4 of them. For one of the four, the email address on the BCOA site was out-of-date so it took some time for her to get back to me. For another, she told me to get back to her after the puppies were born (which I though was a little odd). I would agree that contacting by phone might be the best way to go if you don't have success with email, it might have disappeared in the deluge of junk mail.
Good Luck!
Clay
Any breeder you talk to, call back, there may be issues as to why a week has passed and she has not called you back. I know my computer just crashed for a week. Luckily for me, I had a back-up I could go to. However, many people do not. Or just call them. Maybe she's had the puppies and realized she didn't have enough. And, no, we don't have a lot of breeders on the west coast.
As to crossing the border, I have two from Robyn and had no issues either time. The first time, I did all the right things and had everything ready. All the vet papers, the shots up to date, the sales receipt and all info pertaining to the pup. I did claim Shadow and paid duty. Wasn't much though.
The second time, I got a little smarter. Even though I had everything ready, I just told them at the border that I went to pick up my dog. I didn't really lie, I did pick up my dog. They just waved me on my way. As long as you have your paperwork ready, there shouldn't be any issues. Call the Customs Importing for Animals and they will tell you what you need. They are easy to work with IMO. I also work at the border, in the customs building, for a trucking company. So, even though I don't work for customs, I see a lot of what goes on. Many animals cross the border with no issues. And no, I didn't cross my bridge when I retrieved my dogs, I crossed another one.
I must have been very fortunate. I started out talking to breeders at the local Basenji club and then after shows (note - after, not before or during). I initially tried to talk to them during the show and felt ignored, I was a little put off until I started showing and realized that you can't really talk - you have to pay attention to everything going on in the ring. I eventually located a breeder in NJ who answered my e-mail almost immediately and then kept me in the loop through breedng and all the way to the come pick up your puppy at a certain time on a certain day. She has also been in regular contact since the puppy came home with me checking on grooming, house training, vet visits, feeding and you name it. She also calls or e-mails after shows and watches my dog through another breeder who goes to a lot of the same shows and helps me a lot. Both of the ladies are very responsive and great!!
It certainly helps when you have other people nearby. Robyn is in Georgia and I am in Ontario, so even though we keep in contact, it's not easy to pinpoint certain problems or issues. I have to rely on other people who do not necessarily see my point of view. That's when I come to rely on my instincts and my breeder. Robyn knows her line and can tell me things that other people certainly do not see or know.
It always helps when a breeder is interested (and should be) about how her puppies are doing. Since I will be having my first litter this year (If Sugar ever comes into season) I will have to rely on my own knowledge, my instincts, Robyn and the other breeders here who will help me. Up here we have a very closely knit community of Basenji people who are always willing to lend a hand. I've actually had about 3 people who want to be here for the whelping-I've definitely had to put a stop to it, but they all want to help and want the best for me. It would definitely be hard for Robyn to come up here for the whelping or me go down there with the Bitch.
I would definitely send a follow up email. I REALLY try to get back to everyone, but sometimes I lose track of an email or two. Life is really busy for a lot of breeders, many of us have kids, and jobs to take care of in addition to a bunch of dogs 
That isn't an excuse for failing to respond…but it does happen; particularly if someone isn't planning a litter this year.
I would guess that most breeders are just waiting to see if their planned breedings even took...right now is about the time that you are either doing the breeding, or playing the waiting game. They may not be going to get back to you until they know if there are puppies at all.
A polite follow up to see if there is any news would be appreciated by all. I think I remember feeling the same way when I was waiting to get my first B. I didn't realize how much waiting there is for the breeder...and she let me know as soon as the puppies were confirmed by ultrasound, and when they were born...etc.
OMG I am NOT even going to tell you what we paid for Mick.
We got a petstore Basenji too, the pricing will make you sick! Zahra was "originally" $1350 but she couldn't be sold and was sold to us for a "deal" which was $999.00.
The thought makes me sick now but we didn't know any better at the time.
Hey guys,
Thanks for all the quick replies once again, I sent a couple quick email followups but didn't hear back. I think some breeders are just legitimately really busy with the season and one got scared off when I asked the usual questions.
Tanza - I'm in Vancouver BC, very close to the border 
I don't feel comfortable publicly posting the breeders I've talked to thus far but if you'd like a list you can get ahold of me at the604onlineathotmaildotcom (change "at" and "dot" to "@" and ".")
well hang in there! :0)
it took well over 15 breeders to find my little girl, and it's worth it, be it frustrating.
I'm sure with all the effort you are pouring into finding your pup you'll be rewarded. It's what every breeder would want to see .
Those B's, difficult before you even GET them ! heheh
Hey guys,
Thanks for all the quick replies once again, I sent a couple quick email followups but didn't hear back. I think some breeders are just legitimately really busy with the season and one got scared off when I asked the usual questions.
Tanza - I'm in Vancouver BC, very close to the border
I don't feel comfortable publicly posting the breeders I've talked to thus far but if you'd like a list you can get ahold of me at the604onlineathotmaildotcom (change "at" and "dot" to "@" and ".")
If I were you, I would try calling… sometimes a personal call is the best way to go, especially this time of year. As far of the one that didn't respond to questions about breeding/testing or what ever you ask... that is one that I would certainly cross of my list.
And really you will find that 90% of responsible breeders all know each other and have nothing against others asking about them.. especially from a particular area....
