Pet store basenji :(

[Ninabeana26]

How early do you think one should begin looking for a breeder if they want to get a basenji from somewhere reputable?

Just curious on opinions since again, usually pet stores attract those impulse buyers. As is the internet, which when I searched puppyfind.com this AM & it found around 130 basenji puppies…sad, very sad.

[tasha]

Corky is from a pet store. He did not come from a mill. He came from a BYB who I'm guessing breeds basenjis for tha cash. He was $600. Before I continue, I do not support this situation AT ALL. I will never get another dog from a pet shop.

To continue my story, I do not in any way regret buying Corky!!! No, we did not know anything about the breed when we got him. And, unfortunately neither did the people at the pet shop. All they had on the breed was the description in an AKC book. We later found out that it didn't even scratch the surface of basenji behavior. After bringing him home and researching the breed (Yep, BACKWARS, I know…now) we took him back. The main reason was that we had just put in a new chainlink fence and were scared he would climb it, escape and eventually be stollen or worse killed. Well, the next day we talked about it and cried about it and decided that we had made a commitment to that puppy and it was wrong of us to go back on it. We were both seasoned dog owners and were willing to raise him as best we could. Today Corky is beautiful, well behaved (for a basenji) and very much loved not only by us but by our family and friends. Oh, and he would NEVER climb the fence and escape because he wouldn't be able to survive without his brother Buddy.

Back to the pet shop, exactly a year later they had a little black and white girl. So, I'm again assuming that the BYB breeds her stock (who knows how many) regularly.

I hope and pray that Corky stays healthy and will never get a dog from a pet shop again. If we get another basenji he will come from a reputable breeder or BRAT.

[tasha]

@Ninabeana26:

How early do you think one should begin looking for a breeder if they want to get a basenji from somewhere reputable?

Just curious on opinions since again, usually pet stores attract those impulse buyers. As is the internet, which when I searched puppyfind.com this AM & it found around 130 basenji puppies…sad, very sad.

The minute you make the decision to be owned by a basenji. The better the breeder the longer the wait.

[tanza]

@tasha:

Corky is from a pet store. He did not come from a mill. He came from a BYB who I'm guessing breeds basenjis for tha cash. He was $600. Before I continue, I do not support this situation AT ALL. I will never get another dog from a pet shop.

To continue my story, I do not in any way regret buying Corky!!! No, we did not know anything about the breed when we got him. And, unfortunately neither did the people at the pet shop. All they had on the breed was the description in an AKC book. We later found out that it didn't even scratch the surface of basenji behavior. After bringing him home and researching the breed (Yep, BACKWARS, I know…now) we took him back. The main reason was that we had just put in a new chainlink fence and were scared he would climb it, escape and eventually be stollen or worse killed. Well, the next day we talked about it and cried about it and decided that we had made a commitment to that puppy and it was wrong of us to go back on it. We were both seasoned dog owners and were willing to raise him as best we could. Today Corky is beautiful, well behaved (for a basenji) and very much loved not only by us but by our family and friends. Oh, and he would NEVER climb the fence and escape because he wouldn't be able to survive without his brother Buddy.

Back to the pet shop, exactly a year later they had a little black and white girl. So, I'm again assuming that the BYB breeds her stock (who knows how many) regularly.

I hope and pray that Corky stays healthy and will never get a dog from a pet shop again. If we get another basenji he will come from a reputable breeder or BRAT.

Who is the breeder? And is this a chain pet store? I only ask because 99.9% of the time, chain pet stores only get their pups from a Puppy Mill…

[tanza]

@Ninabeana26:

How early do you think one should begin looking for a breeder if they want to get a basenji from somewhere reputable?

Just curious on opinions since again, usually pet stores attract those impulse buyers. As is the internet, which when I searched puppyfind.com this AM & it found around 130 basenji puppies…sad, very sad.

It is never to early to talk to breeders and find out their breeding plans….

[Basenji_Boy]

@Ninabeana26:

How early do you think one should begin looking for a breeder if they want to get a basenji from somewhere reputable?

Just curious on opinions since again, usually pet stores attract those impulse buyers. As is the internet, which when I searched puppyfind.com this AM & it found around 130 basenji puppies…sad, very sad.

I would research now and contact the one's you find appealing to see what they're upcoming breeding plans are.

[Ninabeana26]

Hmmm interesting. I only ask because although we have only had Dallas now for 2 months we are already talking about getting a second [a female] in January & thought about trying to research breeders now but I thought maybe it was too soon…

I don't think I contacted Midge until July for Dallas' litter & she wouldn't even take a deposit of any sort until Lia actually had the pups so she knew how many.

But good to know I should think about it now. Perhaps I will email Midge for breeders she recommends. Do any of you recommend B/w, Tri or brindle breeders? We want a B/w but would get a Tri or Brindle. I live in Florida so nothing too far

[tanza]

Once again, there really is no such thing as a "color" breeder… you just need to contact breeders and talk to them. Go to www.basenji.org and then breeder directory and also remember to use the link to How to find a responsible breeder.

[Ninabeana26]

Gotcha That's how I found Midge actually.

Anyone heard of Wakan Basenjis in VA? I contacted them prior to Midge but ended up going with Midge since she's in Florida. However by then we may be living back up in VA, if not though a trip "home" would certainly happen between now & Jan anyway.

[Basenji_Boy]

@Ninabeana26:

Hmmm interesting. I only ask because although we have only had Dallas now for 2 months we are already talking about getting a second [a female] in January & thought about trying to research breeders now but I thought maybe it was too soon…

I don't think I contacted Midge until July for Dallas' litter & she wouldn't even take a deposit of any sort until Lia actually had the pups so she knew how many.

But good to know I should think about it now. Perhaps I will email Midge for breeders she recommends. Do any of you recommend B/w, Tri or brindle breeders? We want a B/w but would get a Tri or Brindle. I live in Florida so nothing too far

Don't let distance deter you.;) We drove 7 hours to get our first B.

You can look at the BCOA breeder directory which has them listed by State.
Naturally I'm partial to our friends at Kisa Kennels and Eldorado Basenji. They're are some good breeders right in your area…..I think Robyn Dubbert/
Sherwood Basenjis would be an excellent choice as well.

Lot's of time, contact many of them and make the decision based on what you feel looks like the best situation for you. If they aren't fanconi testing.......move on.;)

Hope this helps.

[lvoss]

It is never too early to start talking to breeders. It sounds like you already have an idea of what you are looking for. Don't be too turned off by distance either, you never know where that perfect dog may be. I got both Nicky and Rally from Georgia and I live in California. Each breeder is a little different in how they work their waiting lists and how quickly their waiting lists might fill. Also, some breeders start planning their litters several years in advance so contacting them early, you can see how things are progressing.

[tasha]

@tanza:

Who is the breeder? And is this a chain pet store? I only ask because 99.9% of the time, chain pet stores only get their pups from a Puppy Mill…

Don't know who the breeder is (he did come with papers but I did not register him) but I know the owner of the pet shop and she told me that he came from a home that had 7 or 8 basenjis.

[ELERICKSON40]

Well as you all know I was one of the dumb people who purchased our B at a pet store. The question I have is how do you find a responsible breeder? I have looked on many websites and yet I still am a little confused on how the general public would know who is a responsible breeder and who is not. Keep in mind, before you join a forum like this your average dog lover is not going to know anything about DNA testing etc.!! I of course will never consider purchasing another dog from a store, but Trixie was taken care of by a vet that we still use today and we like him very much!!! We also did receive papers with her that showed her supposed family line, whether it is true I don't know. Like I have said before I would not trade Trixie for the world and now I know a lot more about the breed than before, but sometimes people do make mistakes.

[Basenji_Boy]

@ELERICKSON40:

Well as you all know I was one of the dumb people who purchased our B at a pet store. The question I have is how do you find a responsible breeder? I have looked on many websites and yet I still am a little confused on how the general public would know who is a responsible breeder and who is not. Keep in mind, before you join a forum like this your average dog lover is not going to know anything about DNA testing etc.!! I of course will never consider purchasing another dog from a store, but Trixie was taken care of by a vet that we still use today and we like him very much!!! We also did receive papers with her that showed her supposed family line, whether it is true I don't know. Like I have said before I would not trade Trixie for the world and now I know a lot more about the breed than before, but sometimes people do make mistakes.

The first dog I owned came from a pet store, I like to think of it as an "Uninformed decision" more than a mistake.;)

Look at the breeder directory on the BCOA website and collect some names. You could call them and ask them questions and ask for references.
IMO a good breeder should be screening you as much as you are them.
The proper health tests are a must and you should be able to confirm those tests have been done.
It's a good idea to attend a dog show where you can see the breeders, talk to them and see how they handle and care for thier dogs.
I'm sure others may have some suggestions…....this is where I'd start.

[tanza]

@ELERICKSON40:

Well as you all know I was one of the dumb people who purchased our B at a pet store. The question I have is how do you find a responsible breeder? I have looked on many websites and yet I still am a little confused on how the general public would know who is a responsible breeder and who is not. Keep in mind, before you join a forum like this your average dog lover is not going to know anything about DNA testing etc.!! I of course will never consider purchasing another dog from a store, but Trixie was taken care of by a vet that we still use today and we like him very much!!! We also did receive papers with her that showed her supposed family line, whether it is true I don't know. Like I have said before I would not trade Trixie for the world and now I know a lot more about the breed than before, but sometimes people do make mistakes.

Please use the follow quide for "interviewing" a breeder
http://www.tanzabasenjis.net/selectbreeder.html

This was/is put out by the Basenji Club of America. Also you can review as Basenji Boy says the list of breeders on the BCOA site in the directory.

[tanza]

And there is nothing wrong with asking these questions… if someone has a problem with answering, then I would say, run very fast away from that person....
One thing that should be updated however is the cost of a puppy, at least here on the West Coast, it is more like 900.00 to 1000.00. And if anyone thinks you can make money off that, go back and ready lvoss account of Rally's last litter.... that was delivered by Emer. C Section. We are lucky to break even...

[lvoss]

Here is another article about the sorts of things you should be looking for to determine if a breeder is responsible.

http://kineticbasenjis.tripod.com/Information/Buying_a_Basenji.html

[Basenji_Boy]

@tanza:

One thing that should be updated however is the cost of a puppy, at least here on the West Coast, it is more like 900.00 to 1000.00.

That's about right for this area as well.;)

[renaultf1]

@Ninabeana26:

Hmmm interesting. I only ask because although we have only had Dallas now for 2 months we are already talking about getting a second [a female] in January & thought about trying to research breeders now but I thought maybe it was too soon…

I don't think I contacted Midge until July for Dallas' litter & she wouldn't even take a deposit of any sort until Lia actually had the pups so she knew how many.

But good to know I should think about it now. Perhaps I will email Midge for breeders she recommends. Do any of you recommend B/w, Tri or brindle breeders? We want a B/w but would get a Tri or Brindle. I live in Florida so nothing too far

So it sounds like the allergy issues your boyfriend was having with Dallas have worked themselves out if you are thinking of getting a second b…that's great!

[Ninabeana26]

@renaultf1:

So it sounds like the allergy issues your boyfriend was having with Dallas have worked themselves out if you are thinking of getting a second b…that's great!

We don't want to jinx it but so far things are looking VERY positive. His huge attacks have stopped. he still occasionally will sneeze a couple times in a row or his nose will get a bit stuffy but I hooked up an air purifier, cleaned the apartment top to bottom one day while he was out, have been wiping Dallas down with allergen-reducing wipes & he is taking a combo of daily Allegra & Benedryl. Plus, with time I imagine his body will continue to adapt to the dog & everything will be good

So, as long as his allergies don't take a huge step backwards for any length of time, we plan on adding a female to our pack in January! Now to find a good breeder planning a B/W litter this fall who lives on the East Coast…Haha