• Hello,
    My name is Donna and I just joined the group. I hope it's acceptable to be a member, even though I don't own a basenji. I can tell you though, that I am definitely a wannabe owner. I've been interested in owning a basenji (or is it being owned by a basenji :)) since at least 1994. Things just didn't work out and I was married with 2 children and going to college at the time, so it just didn't happen. I actually became interested in basenjis after seeing a picture of a puppy on a dog magazine. I swear, it was love at first sight and I immediately began reading everything I could get my hands on, visited dog shows to see basenji's and talk to the owners and trainers and also visited a breeder a couple times, although I don't think they have their kennel anymore.

    I currently have a soon to be 7 year old spoiled rotten chihuahua/dachshund mix. He's a very smart little daddy's boy, so attached to my husband and he was supposed to be my dog, but turned out he just loves my husband more. :o

    Well, now I feel is the time for a basenji to join our family. I so want a basenji puppy and would love a red and white female. There are very few breeders in New York, only 2 that I know of and I'm not sure that puppies are available, but I'm currently trying to contact the breeders along with a few in Canada that may likely have puppies at the end of the year. If I have to wait, I'm sure it will be worth it, but I am very much looking forward to making a basenji part of my family. I just wanted to say hi and hope to one day be a member here with a basenji. You seem like a wonderful group of people.


  • Donna,

    Welcome! You'll find a lot of great advice about purchasing and raising a basenji on this forum:)


  • Welcome…there are great breeders on this site, who can advise you re puppies...
    We also share info on BRAT, basenji rescue... www.basenjirescue.org
    If your looking to help a basenji in need.


  • A great place to start your search is on the Basenji Club of America's website. There's some great info about what to expect when getting a basenji. Also, here is a link to the Breeder's Referral section:

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

    Welcome to the forum!


  • Welcome Donna - I waited almost a full year for my basenji boy Kipawa, who I got from FoPaws Basenjis. Spending the time on this forum asking questions was the best investiment in time that I could have made. Glad you are here with us.


  • I too have waited nearly a year for my girl who I pick up Friday. You may want to look into the Rip Van Wrinkle basenji club. I have belonged to it since its start in 96, they are in the Woodstock/Albany Ny area and have get togethers every other month or so. I had 6 basenjis when I was living in Montgomery NY and did the show circuit there.

  • Houston

    Welcome Donna…glad you've found us. Good luck in finding that special little basenji.


  • Welcome Donna! I waited three years to get my puppy who is an eldoradobasenji. They are in massachusetts if you ever wanted to look out of state but not too far. Good luck in your search!!


  • Thank you everyone for your kind welcome, encouraging words and suggestions. I was able to speak to a breeder today and she did have puppies, but a bit out of my price range. I am willing to look outside of NY, and it seems like I will have to as there doesn't seem to be any other alternative if I do want a basenji. Lisa, I am glad you mentioned the Rip Van Wrinkle Basenji Club, because I had come across it at one time and totally forgot. I'll check out their website. I do not live far from Albany. I look at the pictures of all your basenji's and they are just too cute for words. I hope I am lucky enough to find one that is meant to be mine. Thank you all so much!


  • Donna,
    Glad to see you joined the forum! You'll be hooked in no time, basenji or no basenji. You'll learn lots, and by the time you finally get your puppy, you'll practically be an expert on all things 'senji. 🙂


  • You may want to look at a BRAT basenji, the rescues are sometimes very nice dogs that were surrendered due to loss of home or life. I got one of my girls back from a no kill shelter in NY when her owner was killed in a logging accident and there was no one to claim his dog. Fortunately the shelter had her registration paperwork and was able to track me down to retrieve my dog. A rescue is about 1/4 the cost of a breeder puppy if cost is a major issue, and the dog would already be spayed or neutered and up to date on all its shots.


  • Have you tried Hounds of Timar? I don't know if Jean bred this year, but she may know something. She doesn't have a website, but your best bet is to call her as she doesn't get to her e-mail regularily.


  • @nomrbddgs:

    Have you tried Hounds of Timar? I don't know if Jean bred this year, but she may know something. She doesn't have a website, but your best bet is to call her as she doesn't get to her e-mail regularily.

    I second this one…Jean is an excellent breeder and has some really cool dogs - she is in upstate NY. I have one of her boys from her litter last year and he is beautiful and has a great temperament. I think Jean co-bred a litter this year. Also, if your heart isn't set on a puppy, she may have some young adult retired show dogs.

    To the OP, I know you said the breeder you talked with had pups but they were out of your price range. In general in the Northeast I think you should expect to pay $900 - $1000 for a basenji puppy from a responsible breeder.


  • @renaultf1:

    To the OP, I know you said the breeder you talked with had pups but they were out of your price range. In general in the Northeast I think you should expect to pay $900 - $1000 for a basenji puppy from a responsible breeder.

    I second this one!


  • Welcome to the forum and I hope you soon get your longed-for Basenji.


  • Welcome from Western NY!


  • Thank you everyone for your encouraging words and suggestions. I did try Hounds of Timar and although Jean said they have puppies, they many not be available for sale and won't know for at least a few more weeks. I have another prospect that I'm waiting to hear on, a little girl red and white and I just hope and pray it all works out and I can get her. I'm just waiting for the owner to get back to me. It would mean so much to me if I can get this little girl.


  • Subaruthie, just wondering were in western New York you're from?


  • Good luck in your search, remember to check out health testing yourself… don't just rely on what people might tell you.


  • Is this person a breeder or someone who is selling a Basenji that they have acquired? As Pat says, you want to make sure the proper health checks are in place.

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