I want a R/W Male

[MacPack]

As much as we all love puppies, sometimes for a first-time basenji owner, a nice 2 or 3 year old adult is a great way to get started. BRAT, and many breeders have retired show dogs that want to be bed buddies. Puppies are adorable, but a lot of work, and if you have a nice adult first then get a pup, (no body has juts one for long) the adult will be a huge help training the pup. But good luck either way!

Anne in Tampa

[tanza]

@MacPack:

As much as we all love puppies, sometimes for a first-time basenji owner, a nice 2 or 3 year old adult is a great way to get started. BRAT, and many breeders have retired show dogs that want to be bed buddies. Puppies are adorable, but a lot of work, and if you have a nice adult first then get a pup, (no body has juts one for long) the adult will be a huge help training the pup. But good luck either way!

Anne in Tampa

This is nothing against BRAT or rescues.. and certainly it is a great way to have a B… and not go through puppyhood, but rescues come with their own set of baggage.. and sometimes it is even bigger then raising a puppy. IMO, it is easier to have a pup.. (housebreaking, teething, etc... not to be discounted).... then an adult... I think that everyone needs to understand that displaced adults can and do have a whole different set of baggage.. and should not be made light of....

[sharronhurlbut]

I think some rescues have more issues than others.
I have 2 young b's coming into BRAT in the PNW.
Both are just sweet as can be.
Also, the EBC rescue has a deaf basenji and she is just a dream.
She is even learning signs to sit and come, good dog, etc.
So, really, it does depend on the dog.
Course, nothing cuter than a basenji puppy…or, IMO as much work.
Grin!

[jaclempner]

My first was a rescue. Found him in the middle of the road in Florida. I didn't know anything about his history, but I had a history of rescuing dogs - I just never had a basenji before. The vet estimated he was about 5 years old at the time. He taught me everything I needed to know about basensjis. And after him I was hooked for life.

[sharronhurlbut]

If your set on a puppy, its good your checking to find a quality breeder.
You can spend more $$ for a dog who might have even more issues than any rescue, when you buy from a byb or pet shop.

A quality breeder will be a good contact who will become a good friend.
Let us know who you find.

[tanza]

@sharronhurlbut:

I think some rescues have more issues than others.
I have 2 young b's coming into BRAT in the PNW.
Both are just sweet as can be.
Also, the EBC rescue has a deaf basenji and she is just a dream.
She is even learning signs to sit and come, good dog, etc.
So, really, it does depend on the dog.
Course, nothing cuter than a basenji puppy…or, IMO as much work.
Grin!

Yes it does depend on the dog… and same goes for puppies, well socialized pups blend well into a new home... with not too much problem....
Both pups and adults being placed have baggage... and while many of us that have been in the breed and in dogs understand and don't find the baggage a problem... people that have not raised or been in the breed many times do not "get" the work it takes for either a puppy or an adult...... it is in the end being able to prepare a potential home for a pup and/or adult.. and being there to help in the hard times... and those hard times for many of us might seem to be natural... but for the people in the home.. a complete disaster....

[sharronhurlbut]

I just remember my mom who was retired, wanted a pup, Cav King charles spanial.
Got one from a great breeder in Canada.
I had warned her about the work and lack of sleep and she said, sure, she could handle it.
The 2 month, of getting up in the night with the pup, she called me and asked when she could get more sleep…I told her, when the pup grows up!
laugh.
So, even tho a person "knows"...they don't realize the work...for whatever new member of the family they get.
I think the breeder or rescue person can share that info to a greater degree...maybe the new owners will "listen" more??

[vstripe]

www.Petfinder.com is also a great way to find a B along w/BRAT. There are so many wonderful homeless B's out there that would love a warm couch. You know I was actually going to buy a basenji from a breeder, UNTIL I saw a sweet B at Pet Orphans with a really good profile write up. Years later we still realize how fortunate we were to adopt this basenji. He has been a dream just like the people at the rescue said. I mean he has a couple of traits I dont care for that were part of his "baggage". Although his good traits out wiegh them by far. Everything from house trained, knew basic commands, great w/people, children, other dogs, other animals, mellow, crate trained, never chews things in the house, travels well, he even jumps in the bath tub when I tell him. I looked at petfinder almost every night for several months to find the perfect basenji and it was so worth it.
Good luck to you in your search whether breeder, rescue, retired, and so on

[renaultf1]

I have to put a vote in for a retired show dog if your heart isn't set on a puppy. Also, many times in the summer/fall, breeders have pups less than a year old that didn't work out as show dogs…that would be another opportunity.

My girl Ruby was 2 when I got her, so breeders/show people sometimes have youngish dogs available. Any animal takes work, but it is so worth it. Even Ruby (many people consider retired show dogs golden opportunity dogs) came with some baggage...albeit minor.

Personally, I'm going the retired show dog adoption mode again because it worked out so great the first time. I'm adding a male to the house in one month's time. He is a month different in age than Ruby and crazy high energy like her so he is a good match for her...in fact they've played quite a bit together already at the breeder.

As much as all the threads on here about the new puppies make me want a pup, I need to take my home situation into account. A pup would be tough because I take care of my 85yo father who is quite unsteady on his feet...having a pup under foot could be a recipe for disaster.

The point of my example is, definitely think it thru and be honest with yourself about your home situation and the amount of time you have available. Try not to get caught up in puppy fever if your living situation really might be a problem. It's tough...I know.

Good luck and keep us posted what you decide.

[Basenji_Boy]

@renaultf1:

Personally, I'm going the retired show dog adoption mode again because it worked out so great the first time. I'm adding a male to the house in one month's time. He is a month different in age than Ruby and crazy high energy like her so he is a good match for her…in fact they've played quite a bit together already at the breeder.

Good luck to you, I'm sure you'll enjoy having two…......I know you can't wait.;)

Every situation is different and we all have to find what works for each one of us. We can read the suggestions and it may help, but it is a personal decision.

[sharronhurlbut]

Yes, the folks are just trying to give options for basenji ownership.
All the suggestions are so much better than buying a pup from the internet not that your saying you were going to do that!..
It that so many folks DO!.
I think the more the learn, the better off you are.
Do keep up posted.

[tahj1024]

I think I might have to start my hunt from scratch. There is a good possibility I will move to Jamaica in the future so I called the customs office yesterday about dog policies. Since there hasn't been rabies on the island in 200 years they are REALLY strict. they only let dogs in from the UK and Ireland. Im soo mad :mad: . . . but I'm glad I found out now. Sooooo does anyone know any UK sources / breeders? ::SIGH:: I want to be an owner so bad