Thinking about getting a Basenji, need help!!

[CrazySenji]

It's nice that they seem to be testing at least some of their dogs but I would personally never purchase a dog from the websites listed. Neither appear to be breeding to standard and that is very important to me. If they have nothing to offer the future of the breed then they have no business breeding.

Sometimes you need to be willing to travel to get the right dog.

[lisastewart]

Run in the other direction from Top dog basenjis. Their website is a pack of lies, their claims of Eukanuba can be proved false just by looking up the names of the dogs who really did qualify, I was there, they were not.

[lisastewart]

Run in the other direction from Top dog basenjis. Their website is a pack of lies. Your best bet is to contact the basenji club of America for referrals, there is a possibility a reputable breeder might still have an available puppy, but most litters are reserved a year or more out

[agilebasenji]

you can research pedigrees at this site:

http://www.pedigrees.zandebasenjis.com/search.html

I know that names and such may not mean much to you at this point in your basenji knowledge, but "show quality dogs" generally have LOTS of dogs with CH in front of their names in their pedigree. And the farther back in the pedigree the less that Championship counts. Ideally, you also want lots of dogs with performance titles, but you don't find a lot of performance titles in basenjis other than coursing titles. And, IMHO, for the price quoted on one of the websites you posted, I'd expect a show quality dog with lots of health testing. (Of course prices on either coast, tends to be more than prices in the middle of the country.)

I'll give you one of my dog's pedigrees for example.

Jet the trying is Jerlin's Saint or Sinner. So if you put in Sinner in step two of the zande website, you'll see Jet's name as #5, so you can click on the Pedigree with links button. In his pedigree, you will notice a lack of Fanconi status, but his birth (over 16 years ago) way predates any of the fanconi testing. His pedigree is light in the performance area, but given the time frame of his parents, they predate most performance sports other than obedience. But, you have to go back to a great g'mother to find a nonchampion.

for more health testing, you can go to
offa.org
and put in the dogs' registered name. you may have to play around with it as some kennel names have an apostrophe and sometimes that gets omitted for some reason.

[agilebasenji]

i also noticed that you were thinking about getting a puppy in the spring. mostly basenjis are born around Xmas, so you're looking at a 6 month old puppy. Have you thought about getting a rescued dog? I know Colorado basenji rescue just aquired 15 basenjis on Xmas day (2 litters of puppies in that number). Of course Colorado is a bit far to travel, but there are rescues closer.

[tanza]

@Mikecherves:

Sorry for taking a while to answer guys. I checked Jean out and it seems she only breeds tri color basenji. Im looking for a red and white basneji. here are the two sellers im looking at. This one is the breeder who neuters at 8 weeks and the pups have champion bloodlines. http://www.topdogbasenji.com/index.html
This is the other breeder that im looking at which is a tab bit closer. http://www.basenjipuppy.com/
I will definatly contact Jean and ask her. Ive also found another New York breeder, "Donald, John Kudabin in Orchard Park, NY". Anyone ever buy from him? Is he good?

Never heard of Kudabin in NY…. Top Dog is not a responsible breeder and I am pretty sure they are getting out of the breed because the owner will tell you she really doesn't like to breed very much. The other breeder is also (in my opinion) not the best of breeders as far as quality of the Basenjis. There has been some question regarding parentage of the puppies and if they were mixes with Fox Terriers in the past.
But again I urge you to check out health testing yourself... DNA for Fanconi and DNA testing for PRA (which causes blindness), Hip testing, Thyroid testing and routine eye exams by a board certified eye specialist.

You can find more responsible breeders by going to www.basenji.org (website for the parent club for Basenjis) and search for breeder referrals. These breeders are members of the Basenji Club of America

[lisastewart]

Do not limit yourself to breeders nearby, most reputable breeders have a network of friends who travel to shows and help transport puppies to new owners, I know a number of people bringing pups for handoff at Westminster in a few weeks, many breeders travel to NY shows, I believe there are still some nice red and white pups available at reputable breeders in Ohio and Indiana. Be warned though that most litters were very heavy on males this yr, I suspect females are already placed from most breeders, just not a good yr for having females.

[CrazySenji]

One of the best decisions I ever made was to drive 6 hours to Indiana to get my boys. When you put the time and effort into something you REALLY want you will be rewarded!

[tanza]

When we brought home C-Me, Franie, and Trip, we flew to Chicago, drove to Cleveland, Ohio to pick up C-Me, back to Chicago to pick up Franie and Trip, flew home to California….

[CrazySenji]

I'm spoiled.. so many wonderful breeders in the Midwest!

[lisastewart]

I redeamed airline miles and flew to Allentown Pa to pick up Trog, have been lucky enough to be able to drive for all the others. I have delivered basenjis, whippets, beagles and ****er Spaniels for friends to their new owners at dog shows, its just something that happens normally with breeders.

[nomrbddgs]

John Donald has been around for years, but I'm not sure he is breeding anymore. You can send him a line. Last I heard he was on Hiatus from breeding and was ballroom dancing.

[Mikecherves]

Again, thanks for the answers guys. I wont buy from Top Dog basenjis as most of you do not recommend them. I've seen Jean get mentioned twice, but can you guys recommend me any breeders? Which breeders did you guys buy from? Honestly, the price doesnt matter. If it insures my dogs health and safety, im willing to spend more money.

[Mikecherves]

@agilebasenji:

i also noticed that you were thinking about getting a puppy in the spring. mostly basenjis are born around Xmas, so you're looking at a 6 month old puppy. Have you thought about getting a rescued dog? I know Colorado basenji rescue just aquired 15 basenjis on Xmas day (2 litters of puppies in that number). Of course Colorado is a bit far to travel, but there are rescues closer.

I checked out all the basenji's in shelters near me. All of them are mixes. None are pure bred. Also they are old. Im looking for a puppy. 6 months is the oldest for me. Yes, i am willing to drive to Colorado. I checked out the Colorado Basenji rescue and all the available dogs are to old for me. Thanks for replying though, maybe buy Spring they'll have some available pups!

[Mikecherves]

@lisastewart:

Do not limit yourself to breeders nearby, most reputable breeders have a network of friends who travel to shows and help transport puppies to new owners, I know a number of people bringing pups for handoff at Westminster in a few weeks, many breeders travel to NY shows, I believe there are still some nice red and white pups available at reputable breeders in Ohio and Indiana. Be warned though that most litters were very heavy on males this yr, I suspect females are already placed from most breeders, just not a good yr for having females.

Male or female, doesnt matter. Im more than happy to take home a male!

[Mikecherves]

@tanza:

When we brought home C-Me, Franie, and Trip, we flew to Chicago, drove to Cleveland, Ohio to pick up C-Me, back to Chicago to pick up Franie and Trip, flew home to California….

Wow thats incredible! Your dogs are very lucky to have an owner so dedicated. I just dont have the money right now to fly somewhere or drive too far. I'll drive 4 hours, 6 at most. If i had the money to fly, id defiantly go for it and so my pups wouldnt have the stress of being shipped in a truck.

[Mikecherves]

@lisastewart:

I redeamed airline miles and flew to Allentown Pa to pick up Trog, have been lucky enough to be able to drive for all the others. I have delivered basenjis, whippets, beagles and ****er Spaniels for friends to their new owners at dog shows, its just something that happens normally with breeders.

Any breeder you'd recommend?

[Mikecherves]

@CrazySenji:

It's nice that they seem to be testing at least some of their dogs but I would personally never purchase a dog from the websites listed. Neither appear to be breeding to standard and that is very important to me. If they have nothing to offer the future of the breed then they have no business breeding.

Sometimes you need to be willing to travel to get the right dog.

Yea im going to stay away from those breeders. Seems to me that no one recommdedns them. I'll drive up to 6 hours for my dog. If i could, i"d fly or drive further but i dont have the money for that. I'm sure ill work things out. If i find the perfect breeder and the only way for me to get the puppy, then ill try to work something out and fly over there.

[agilebasenji]

@Mikecherves:

I checked out all the basenji's in shelters near me. All of them are mixes. None are pure bred. Also they are old. Im looking for a puppy. 6 months is the oldest for me. Yes, i am willing to drive to Colorado. I checked out the Colorado Basenji rescue and all the available dogs are to old for me. Thanks for replying though, maybe buy Spring they'll have some available pups!

the adults and pups that came into CBR on Christmas day have not been posted to the website. the adults have not been evaluated and the puppies (7, i think) are too young to leave the mommas (2 moms). I find often rescues have not listed all the dogs for different reasons.

I'd also suggest you expand your age range especially if you're set on the June date of arrival. THE very best dog i've ever owned or ever will own, I got as a 10 month old puppy. He was housebroken, socialized, leash trained and a pure delight. He was my first competition dog and he and I proceeded to rack up over 30 titles before and after his name and we got to spend 16 wonderful years with each other. I understand the pull and attraction of a young puppy, honestly, but I'd hate for you to miss out on your once-in-a-life time dog because he or she was a few months too old.

[lisastewart]

Contact the basenji club of American breeder referral link or if you are on Facebook Clay Bunyard who is also often on this page. You could also try contacting the regionals basenji clubs for referrals. It's possible someone may have a buyer fall through, I believe there are still some in Ohio.