Since Buster is a rescue, I would highly suggest that you have DNA Fanconi testing done. It is a cheek swab that you do yourself. You can order the test at www.offa.org for 65.00. Money well spent for peace of mind and know your Basenji's status. Scroll down till you get to Fanconi DNA
Hello all from a new member and owner!
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Yes, my name is Taylor Martin and am a senior in college graduating in May. I also start law school in August. My breeder is from the Houston, TX region and her name is Mary Weiss. Is anyone familiar with her?
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She is a familiar name. You can search her name on the forums… unfortunately she is a proven backyard breeder who to my knowledge doesn't test her puppies for Fanconi. Has this litter's parents been tested for Fanconi and are the results on the OFA website? If they are not there the test has not been preformed. Has she tested her dogs for hips, PPM etc ? I know you are looking forward to a new life with a great partner but you are at a great risk if this dog is affected with Fanconi, not only difficult on the dog and owner but it's a disease that can shorten the dog's lifespan.
You seem like you are really trying to dot your i's and cross your t's from your questions, which is fabulous. And I'll bet you are counting on this pup, but this is not the kind of breeder you want to get a dog from. A breeder should be a mentor, someone who knows the breeds genetics and carefully makes decisions about the dogs they breed.
A excellent link for what breeders are is here:
http://www.shilohshepherds.com/puppyBreeders/breederMatrixv4.htm
I would run over those questions and see where Ms. Weiss falls. I think that many members in Texas could give you their opinions if you asked for them. But from what I know, and what I have read from her hand, I would run - not walk away from this lady… To that, Robyn (YodelDogs on the forum) had a litter of pups in Georgia which are most certainly lovely, healthy, and ethically bred.
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Exactly, before running off to Texas, please look at www.sherwoodbasenjis.com
Robyn is a member of the forum and has a litter with pups still available. She is in Ga, so I don't think that much further then going to Texas?
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Double post sorry…
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Taylor..welcome onboard again..I am sorry to hear that you have found a beautiful liitle guy from a not so reputable breeder. I would seriosuly reconsider getting him from a breeder that knowingly does not test for Fanconi as she thinks she doesn't have to..it isn't expensive at all and every breeder should do this as it is a horrible thing for a dog and dog owner to go through. I also know this lady is selling some of her older dogs as couples…meaning she doesn't even care to neuter or spay them before she sells them, so other people can keep on with the unethical breedings of these untested dogs.
We are not trying to be downers, or negative, but as a member of this board and as a basenji lover I have heard so many horror stories of puppies being bred by BYB's, I owned one myself and loved him dearly, he was a sweetheart, but due to the breeders not caring about their puppies temperaments or health..he was very unsocialized so therefor he ended up being very skiddish and eventually started biting out of fear and resource guarding..we rehomed him not to long ago...
I don't know what conditions Mary's dogs are in, nor do I know how she houses them, they might be family dogs, probably not likely, or they might be living in crates in her garage or even outdoors..either way why take a chance?
There are not many reputable breeders puppies left as most if not all of them have already sold theirs..I do know that Yodeldog have a wonderful litter with a few dogs left..if you want a beautiful, healthtested to the max and socialized to the fullest puppy, please look her way..her dogs are priced very similar as Mary's, but you would get so much more..even the chance to keep in contact with your breeder should questions or problems arise..something I am willing to bet Mary Weiss won't be available for.
...and remember..the truth hurts...I've been there..I did get one of these backyard breed dogs(not from her but they are all the same..), I came on here as well...so happy to finally get my little boy...the words I got, truthful, yes...hurt like you wouldn't believe...but I learned my lesson..don't make the same mistake I did..look for a reputable breeder, one that is willing to talk about everything and is knowledgeable in the breed, that does it for the betterment of the breed and not for the almighty dollar.
ok, I've spoken my peace...now I will climb down from the soapbox..
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Taylor..welcome onboard again..I am sorry to hear that you have found a beautiful liitle guy from a not so reputable breeder. I would seriosuly reconsider getting him from a breeder that knowingly does not test for Fanconi as she thinks she doesn't have to..it isn't expensive at all and every breeder should do this as it is a horrible thing for a dog and dog owner to go through. I also know this lady is selling some of her older dogs as couples…meaning she doesn't even care to neuter or spay them before she sells them, so other people can keep on with the unethical breedings of these untested dogs.
We are not trying to be downers, or negative, but as a member of this board and as a basenji lover I have heard so many horror stories of puppies being bred by BYB's, I owned one myself and loved him dearly, he was a sweetheart, but due to the breeders not caring about their puppies temperaments or health..he was very unsocialized so therefor he ended up being very skiddish and eventually started biting out of fear and resource guarding..we rehomed him not to long ago...
I don't know what conditions Mary's dogs are in, nor do I know how she houses them, they might be family dogs, probably not likely, or they might be living in crates in her garage or even outdoors..either way why take a chance?
There are not many reputable breeders puppies left as most if not all of them have already sold theirs..I do know that Yodeldog have a wonderful litter with a few dogs left..if you want a beautiful, healthtested to the max and socialized to the fullest puppy, please look her way..her dogs are priced very similar as Mary's, but you would get so much more..even the chance to keep in contact with your breeder should questions or problems arise..something I am willing to bet Mary Weiss won't be available for.
...and remember..the truth hurts...I've been there..I did get one of these backyard breed dogs(not from her but they are all the same..), I came on here as well...so happy to finally get my little boy...the words I got, truthful, yes...hurt like you wouldn't believe...but I learned my lesson..don't make the same mistake I did..look for a reputable breeder, one that is willing to talk about everything and is knowledgeable in the breed, that does it for the betterment of the breed and not for the almighty dollar.
ok, I've spoken my peace...now I will climb down from the soapbox..
Petra, very heartfelt, true and well said.
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Hi Taylor–
I have a Basenji from a BYB. He's a wonderful dog and I love him dearly, but he has Fanconi. The test wasn't available when I got my dog, but it is available now, and I wouldn't buy a dog from ANYONE who didn't healthtest their dogs. I believe the test costs $65, and if they aren't willing to spend that to test each of the parents to make sure they don't spread this dreadful disease, then that is a breeder that cares only about themselves and how much money they can make at others' expense.
A lot of BYB Basenjis are Fanconi afflicted. The same dogs are bred over and over, year after year, which puts hundreds of dogs and their new owners at risk. Having lived with a Fanconi dog, I can tell you that it is NOT something that you want to risk, if you have any choice at all. My dog takes 14 pills a day, plus other meds sprinkled on his food. He is on a special diet, and I have to cook for him. He drinks a pitcher of water a day, which means he has to go outside about every two hours. If you don't watch him, he will gulp the entire bowl of water, then regurgitate it.
He has to have a full blood panel and venous blood gases taken every 6-8 months, and I have to drive to the university vet hospital to have this done, because it requires a special machine. He is prone to UTIs, pancreatitis, seizures and infections-- all of which he has had. He has a weakened immune system, and I have to watch every single thing that goes into his body. His vet bills are more than $1000 a year, and I have been doing this for more than seven years. And I am one of the lucky ones. The unlucky ones either lose their dogs early or simply don't have the resources to care for a special needs dog.
It would be far, far simpler, cheaper and better to just buy a Basenji from a reputable breeder. If I had it to do over again, I would. And next time, I will.
I hope you find the right Basenji for you! (And sorry, Petra, for usurping your soapbox.)
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Hi Taylor--
I have a Basenji from a BYB. He's a wonderful dog and I love him dearly, but he has Fanconi. The test wasn't available when I got my dog, but it is available now, and I wouldn't buy a dog from ANYONE who didn't healthtest their dogs. I believe the test costs $65, and if they aren't willing to spend that to test each of the parents to make sure they don't spread this dreadful disease, then that is a breeder that cares only about themselves and how much money they can make at others' expense.
A lot of BYB Basenjis are Fanconi afflicted. The same dogs are bred over and over, year after year, which puts hundreds of dogs and their new owners at risk. Having lived with a Fanconi dog, I can tell you that it is NOT something that you want to risk, if you have any choice at all. My dog takes 14 pills a day, plus other meds sprinkled on his food. He is on a special diet, and I have to cook for him. He drinks a pitcher of water a day, which means he has to go outside about every two hours. If you don't watch him, he will gulp the entire bowl of water, then regurgitate it.
He has to have a full blood panel and venous blood gases taken every 6-8 months, and I have to drive to the university vet hospital to have this done, because it requires a special machine. He is prone to UTIs, pancreatitis, seizures and infections-- all of which he has had. He has a weakened immune system, and I have to watch every single thing that goes into his body. His vet bills are more than $1000 a year, and I have been doing this for more than seven years. And I am one of the lucky ones. The unlucky ones either lose their dogs early or simply don't have the resources to care for a special needs dog.
It would be far, far simpler, cheaper and better to just buy a Basenji from a reputable breeder. If I had it to do over again, I would. And next time, I will.
I hope you find the right Basenji for you! And sorry, Petra, for usurping your soapbox.)
well spoken and true from the heart…So sorry you and Sencer have to go through this.
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Thanks, Petra. I would just hate for someone else to have to go through it– when all it takes is a simple test. I just don't understand not having the test, now that it's available.
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Lakers13 - all this will be very disappointing to you now that you are on the verge of getting your puppy but I hope you'll be taking this very well meaning advice.
I don't know this breeder and so wouldn't dream to make comment but of course these other resepctable breeders do and you've heard from others' experienes with dogs affected with Fanconi. I'm sure at this time of year you'll soon be able to find a healthy puppy form a genuine breeder.
