Real Breeder

[TuckerBesosa]

Hi, I'm completely new here and was wondering if anyone has heard if a breeder in California called Puppieflux? He has good prices and his dogs seem to be healthy. Any info would be awesome!

[tanza]

@tuckerbesosa said in Real Breeder:

Puppieflux

SCAM! Never heard of this person/persons and the site is not available, these scammers change site names all the time to con people into sending money and then they disappear and your money is lost ..... The fact that they want money upfront and want it by Zelle or wire screams scam. Do not fall for this.... I am a breeder in California and know all the responsible breeders... and this time of year you are not going to find puppies as Basenji puppies are typically always born in late Fall, early winter. Responsible breeders have reservation lists. As responsible breeders they do not sell on line and they do not use/require zelle for payment or wire only....
Note that we (Tanza Basenjis) will at this time not be planning a litter for 2021 and no plans right now for 2021
You can search for responsible breeders that are members of the Basenji Club of America at www.basenji.org and search by state. And it is important that you verify health testing especially DNA testing for Fanconi and PRA, do not just take someone's word for it. Fanconi is a deadly affliction and PRA causes blindness... all sire/dam's of litters planned need to be tested before breeding and those results are public knowledge at www.ofa.org.

[JENGOSMonkey]

I can't find anything on puppiesflux.com or puppieflux.com, and that concerns me. Short answer is... I just don't know.

That said, there are plenty of awesome good breeders here in California. I'm not sure what you might consider a good price, but most breeders aren't in it for the money. They're lucky if the break even, but rarely do from what I've learned. It costs a good amount to build a kennel and get all the equipment, heath test your dogs, pay for vet visits, hip x-rays, register with OFA, AKC nd BCOA, feed them and vitamin them, vaccinate them, and the list just goes on and on and on.

Every legitimate breeder I have ever spoken to insisted on a phone call and/or a personal visit. They interrogated me for a good amount of time too. The tested my knowledge of not just Basenjis, but dogs in general, wanted to know about my home, yard and fence situation, who were the people in my home that would be interacting with the dog on a daily basis and what were their ages, who would be home with the dog the most, how often would we leave it alone, etc. The breeders wanted to know all of that before they'd even get to cost. They seemed less concerned about cost and more concerned about the home they might be sending one of their puppies to.

Here's a good article from BCOA on Screening Breeders. I really recommend reading it a few times.

Here's a BCOA Breeder Directory of California Breeders. Some have retired, some are active on this site but may not be breeding as often anymore, and others you can contact and screen on our own.

You probably know, but in case not... Basenjis come is a range of color combos... Chestnut, Black & White, Tris, Brindles and variations of those (e.g. Brindle Tri or Brindle Chestnut). Many breeders seem to specialize in one or two. Keep that in mind when choosing one.

Basenjis can live to be 14 to 17 years old. I've heard of one that lived to 20. So, you're going to have this pup for a looooong time. Take some time, do you're research, create a relationship with your breeder. Short cutting things like heath testing (e.g. Fanconi and PRA) can lead to devastating heartbreak. You might be able to buy what looks like a purebred Basenji on the cheap, but if Fanconi rears it's ugly head down the road... your vet and medication costs will cost you far more than a Basenji from a reputable breeder.

Hope that doesn't sound to lecturey. I love seeing people interested in Basenjis. Welcome to the forum and please... ask any questions you have!

[tanza]

@jengosmonkey - Typically "Chestnut color" would be called Red/White... and most often what they are referred to. Same with a Brindle... referred to as Red with black stripes...
You are totally correct, responsible breeders rarely cover the cost of the litter, responsible breeders, breed to improve the breed and carry on their bloodlines... they will keep a pup 99% of the time for themselves, after that the home is the most important. And keep in mind that Basenji litters are typically only 4 to 6 puppies so many of these scam sites will show a number of pups (pictures usually stolen from other sites)...so the chances that they really have that many to offer is slim to none

[JENGOSMonkey]

@tanza said in Real Breeder:

@jengosmonkey - Typically "Chestnut color" would be called Red/White... and most often what they are referred to. Same with a Brindle... referred to as Red with black stripes...

I've always referred to Red & Whites as Chestnuts, but you've been around Basenjis a lot longer than me, so Red & Whites they are. I kept referring to OFA a Oh-Fuh. Stella corrected me. Said it's Oh-Ef-A.

[tanza]

@jengosmonkey - Many reds have a chestnut color, but reds will come with light red to dark red. You will find the dark red if there are Tris in the pedigree, also on puppies when born they might have a "mask" black in color that fades with early age but will give the red a deeper color and sometimes close to brown. The mask fades, and the white on a puppy (face/legs/collar) will never grow, it will be overtaken by the base color. Example would be a small white strip on the face will typically be gone by the time the pup is 6 month....my C-Me (Tri) for example was born with thin white on the collar both sides with a big white spot in the center. By the time she was 6 wks the white on each side was gone and only the white on the top remained. Breeder lingo is sometimes difficult... LOL... no worries there!

[JENGOSMonkey]

@tanza THAT was a great response! I never get tired of learning about Basenjis. Ya know... that would make a great thread... puppies, coloring, etc.

[tanza]

@jengosmonkey - Thanks... I am really more concerned on this post that this person is NOT scammed into sending money.... as we say "buyer beware"

BUT if you would like to start a thread about your questions, please do so... also you can find out much information at www.basenji.org.... and love that you are interested in learning about the breed. You have a great mentor with Stella!

[MorseSA]

@tuckerbesosa
think out of the box, Look around the world. I lived in Hawaii and found our Koa in NZ. Cost was 2,000, most if it was the airfare. He was worth it...

morse.stafford@gmail.com

[elbrant]

@tuckerbesosa said in Real Breeder:

good prices and his dogs seem to be healthy

Is this your opinion based on photos or in-person observations? There are soooo many online scams. If you haven't seen this person (and their puppies) one-on-one (at an adoption fair, the dog park, a dog show, a local dog event)... then apply a healthy dose of skepticism.

[sakuhn62]

Are you looking to show or just want a companion Basenji? Listed breeders have the best of the best Basenjies but if your lookin for a companion. Go on line for puppies for sale and select Basenji most breeders will list there associan with Known Basenji groups like AKC or others. I always want to see the home in person where they were raised and never get a puppie before 8-10 weeks. Lots of Basenji breeders in Califorina most are listing there puppies for sale on line. You may not get a great show dog but then you might a great companion if the Basenji will accept you. What ever you chose have a vet check the puppie as soon as possible. Most lkely they will want a deposit just as for some referances from former buyers.

[tanza]

@sakuhn62 - Sorry but responsible breeders are not looking for just show homes to place... it is important that health testing is done before breeding especially for Fanconi and PRA... Most all responsible breeders will keep their pick puppy to go to their breeding program, after that it is the home that is the most important. You will NOT find responsible breeders selling their pups on line, period. And you need to check out health testing, do not just take anyone that says it was done, check it out for yourself, period. Vets have no knowledge about DNA for Basenjis and since these are late onset unless the sire/dam are DNA tested you have no idea what the outcome of that pup will be... do NOT be fooled! Do your homework.

Update to this post: On my comment that responsible breeders do not sell on line, they might have a website that announces litter plans, different than selling on line.

[JENGOSMonkey]

@tuckerbesosa The consensus seems to be...

link text

[DebraDownSouth]

Roflmao. Agreed.

[sakuhn62]

Tanza like I said the best come from responable breeders. I have owned 4 basenjies all from non showing breeders. I check them out before I purchase and I have my puppy checked as soon as possible by my vet. Gonthier=Wagner Basenjis in Tere Haute In is a great breeder but they dont always breed every year. I pay about $850 to $1250 for a pure breed pup for a companion puppie.
These breeders have good puppies for companion dogs.
Tanza I have seen your dogs at shows and your show dogs and puppies are really among the best in the world. I would recomend you visited a ukc or a AKC event and seek out the basenjis that are being shown and talk to the owners and ask for recomadation for a breeder close and hope they are some.

Not wanting to start a argument, some people just cant afford a Basenji of the quality that you breed and sell. With that said I always have my Basenjis fixed not to have puppies and I do not breed I only LOVE Basenjis

[sakuhn62]

@tuckerbesosa
just go on the internet and search Basenji for sale and it should help you find a reputable breeder that is associated with AKC or UKC Steve [removed private phone number]

[tanza]

@sakuhn62 - The place to find responsible breeders is basenji.org and there is a link to finding a breeder. These are people that are members of the National breed club interested in the betterment of the breed, breeding to the standard and most of all, temperament and health testing. Rarely do responsible breeders every make money and that is not their purpose..... they are lucky to break even.

[RGK9Ruler]

@tuckerbesosa I’m on the East coast, but felt I needed to chime in here. The reason for the DNA testing is important to eventually stop the diseases from showing up in the line. It is VERY expensive to follow the protocols for a basenji afflicted with fanconi, which usually does not show up till later in life, but not always. Reputable breeders are in the business of making better basenjis, healthy basenjis. They care for their dogs till the day they pass away. They want to make sure their puppy/dog goes to a forever home, but will take their dog back for ANY reason it should fail in your home. This may not seem like a big deal, but it really is. Many breeders will offer, on occasion, adult dogs for a variety of reasons. A reputable breeder will do extensive interviews with a potential family. This is to get to know you, what you are looking for in a puppy, to ‘match’ you with the best basenji for your family. Our breeder had us fill out a questionnaire, e-mail, a telephone call, meet the breeder, before we ever saw a dog! We were looking for an older dog, they gave us several options, telling us which one they felt would fit best into our home. It’s an important relationship you have with your breeder. They will be there for questions, issues that may arise, offer advise, some will offer boarding (for a small fee) for their dogs, and most important, take back should the pup fail in your home for any reason. Buyer beware, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. If they are offering the dog at a low price, there is a reason, and NOT a good one. It means they are cutting corners. It’s an investment for 14-16 years (usually). You want those to be good healthy, quality years. If you are looking for a dog now, consider an adult dog. Most reputable breeders have waiting lists.

[Kembe]

@rgk9ruler
Well stated!

[helle devi]

@rgk9ruler
Spot on!