Looking for a Basenji Breeder

[1basenji]

We would like to add a basenji puppy to our family this summer. We are searching for a good breeder that breeds healthy dogs, free of health issues that are common for basenjis: Faconi, IPSID, Hemolytic Anemia, Hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, luxating patella, persistent pupillary membranes (PPM), optic nerve coloboma, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), cataracts, corneal dystrophy, and retinal dysplasia. A few of the breeders that have been brought to our attention are Sanda Saunders - Africanadian Basenjis, Debbie Hauri - Mata Hauri Basenjis and Gretchen Van Alstyne - Kokopelli Basenjis. Does anybody have any feedback or reviews on these breeders?

[tanza]

@1basenji:

We would like to add a basenji puppy to our family this summer. We are searching for a good breeder that breeds healthy dogs, free of health issues that are common for basenjis: Faconi, IPSID, Hemolytic Anemia, Hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, luxating patella, persistent pupillary membranes (PPM), optic nerve coloboma, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), cataracts, corneal dystrophy, and retinal dysplasia. A few of the breeders that have been brought to our attention are Sanda Saunders - Africanadian Basenjis, Debbie Hauri - Mata Hauri Basenjis and Gretchen Van Alstyne - Kokopelli Basenjis. Does anybody have any feedback or reviews on these breeders?

Best to do the research yourself as far as health testing and such. Responsible breeders post health testing results on OFA open data base.

Just as a note, PPM is pretty common in Basenjis and Iris to Iris PPM (one or two strands) is acceptable and will pass a CERF test. It heavy PPM that is more of an issue, that said, 99% of the time it does not effect their vision so for a pet, not that big of a problem. Note also that your will not see many breeders testing for HA any longer since there is a DNA test, offspring from clear parents are called and accepted clear by parentage, different from DNA testing for Fanconi which is at this time a linkage test. Corneal Dystrophy and retinal dysplasia is not consider a big problem in the breed. Many Basenjis have Hypothyroidism, but since it is easily controlled with daily meds, breeders in weighing options for breeder will usually have a "What can I live with" list…. And there is no DNA test for PRA, so breeders need to rely on eye exams, knowing all the offspring and keeping records of them. I know the Mata Hauri Basenjis, very nice and a good breeder.

[renaultf1]

Basenji puppies are usually born in the late fall/winter. That said, I have known some summer early fall litters. Not super common though. Do you have your heart set on a puppy - sometimes breeders have young adults available.

Another place to look for a breeder is on the website of the Basenji Club of America (basenji.org).

That said, Debbie at Mata Hauri is a good breeder and has nice dogs (don't know if she has a summer litter planned). There is also Eldorado in MA, C-Quest in CT and Kivu in CT.

[sharronhurlbut]

Good luck with your search.

[1basenji]

So when looking to buy a puppy what should we;

Look for

Look out for

Ask the breeder

and what tests/results/answers should we ask/have when deciding a suitable pup?

renaultf1, are you asking a general question or do you have a dog/breeder in mind? PM me any details if the latter.

@tanza:

Best to do the research yourself as far as health testing and such. Responsible breeders post health testing results on OFA open data base.

Just as a note, PPM is pretty common in Basenjis and Iris to Iris PPM (one or two strands) is acceptable and will pass a CERF test. It heavy PPM that is more of an issue, that said, 99% of the time it does not effect their vision so for a pet, not that big of a problem. Note also that your will not see many breeders testing for HA any longer since there is a DNA test, offspring from clear parents are called and accepted clear by parentage, different from DNA testing for Fanconi which is at this time a linkage test. Corneal Dystrophy and retinal dysplasia is not consider a big problem in the breed. Many Basenjis have Hypothyroidism, but since it is easily controlled with daily meds, breeders in weighing options for breeder will usually have a "What can I live with" list…. And there is no DNA test for PRA, so breeders need to rely on eye exams, knowing all the offspring and keeping records of them. I know the Mata Hauri Basenjis, very nice and a good breeder.

[tanza]

Look for: A breeder that you are comfortable with, that you have visited their home, visited the pups. Has a contract and agrees in writing to take back that pup anytime in it's lifetime regardless of the reason. If you can't visit then you should be able to get lots of pictures and videos. Maybe Skype for real time visits. AKC registration

Look out for: A breeder that doesn't want you to visit their home. Pups that are not registered with AKC but some other registery.

Ask the breeder: Go to this link and read about how to screen a breeder. http://www.tanzabasenjis.net/selectbreeder.html

and what tests/results/answers should we ask/have when deciding a suitable pup?
Get the registered names of the Sire and Dam, then go to www.offa.org and search for those dogs and view the test results. Here is a sample:http://www.offa.org/display.html?appnum=1293496#animal

At the very least, Fanconi, Hips, CERF

[renaultf1]

@1basenji:

renaultf1, are you asking a general question or do you have a dog/breeder in mind? PM me any details if the latter.

No it was just a general question…I don't know of any specific ones. Also, one thing I always suggest is if you send an email, also follow-up with a phone call - since some folks aren't super great about using email. I know when I was looking for a basenji originally, I didn't want a puppy, but a young adult and was able to find some by calling/emailing different breeders.

Pat is also correct, if looking to purchase a puppy, verify health results of parents yourself on OFFA.org.

[1basenji]

Thanks for the tips!