Thinking about getting a Basenji, need help!!


  • 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.


  • 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!


  • 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….


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


  • 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.


  • 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.


  • 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.


  • @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!


  • @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!


  • @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.


  • @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?


  • @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.


  • @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.


  • 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.


  • @agilebasenji:

    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.

    Yea, that makes sense. I guess i just wanted to get the "full" experience of a dog. The training to walk, the training to go outside when it has to do its business, you know what i mean. 1. i feel like it bonds me with the dog, and 2. this is my first dog and as i said, i want to know what i feels like to train the dog to listen to me and gain that responsibility. You are right though, i will have plenty of time to train the dog to do other things. Plenty of time to bond with the dog, and plenty of time gain responsibility. I'm now open to buy an older dog. Still, not too old haha. Thanks man, Im still looking for reputable breeder. Ive wanted a dog all my life, im so excited to get one. Any possible tips you have on getting my first dog, especially a basenji?


  • @agilebasenji:

    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.

    Puppies are extremely cute and the thought of having one running around gets me so excited. I guess im being a little immature and selfish about this and i need to broaden my age range.


  • Any breeders you guys recommended? Breeders you brought from?


  • Start with looking for breeders at www.basenji.org (search for breeder referral). Breeders there are members of the Parent Basenji Club, so a good place to start. Thing is with breeders, you have to contact them and see which breeders you are most comfortable with and what breeders are comfortable with you. Ask questions…. check out health results yourself. Here is a link to some good questions to ask a breeders. Go here http://www.tanzabasenjis.net/ABOUTUS.html and go to How To Select A Breeder


  • ^
    That is very good advice! I did a similar search many years ago when I was looking for my first B. Some of the people I contacted probably weren't "bad" breeders (some were.. WOW) but they just didn't fit with what I was looking for. I wanted a young male that I could show and I wanted a breeder that was willing to help me learn and who was open to a complete novice handling one of their dogs. Some were not comfortable with a kid having one of their dogs, some did not have many show quality puppies, some had only bitches available, and some didn't breed to standard. THIS PROCESS TOOK WELL OVER 2 YEARS. In this time I learned the breed inside and out and while it was hard to wait it was worth it in the end! I finally found a very nice breeder (I don't think she breeds anymore) and when none of her puppies were available to me she was able to refer me to the person I ended up getting my first and now current dog from. Breeders know each other and when you find a good one they will be able to help you even if they don't have a dog for you themselves. I was 16-17 at the time and did all the foot work myself and the good breeders I was in contact with made sure my parents were on the same page. All the hard work I did was what finally convinced my parents that I was ready for my own dog 😉 I ended up with a 4mo old male puppy who I handled to his championship and he was THE BEST thing that ever happened to me! He was worth the wait and because of him and his wonderful breeder I now have my Elliot who I brought home at 5 months old.

    My point is.. it might take awhile but it will be worth it. Do the foot work, meet several breeders, go to dog shows, see who fits what you want out of a dog/breeder and you will be rewarded!!
    (sorry for the whole story.. got carried away!)

  • First Basenji's

    I was not going to reply, but I just can't help it. ….Your first dog? really? wow, you would have to 'luck' out with getting one without any issues good breeder or not. PLease, Please dig deep and respect the dog (any breed) about your ability to be a student, have a social life, and have any dog that takes up a majority of your time-and do a lot of homework on the B. Try to hang out with some before you make a decision too. Just because the B doesn't bark, they do make sounds. My first never made any sounds, actually disappointing, but the guy I rescued now had lived most of the time in a crate due to the owner's work/school schedule. The housemates kicked the crate to 'shut the dog up' due to his whining when left in there too long. Uzie was just born with anxiety I guess. Not all, just giving you a story.....so patience does pay off if you can just hold on......but I don't know you and on the other hand, your situation and decisions to do what you want could work.....Good Luck!

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