@jengosmonkey
LOL this is a really important convo to be having! I'm honored that it takes place on my thread 😆 and yes, I absolutely agree with the points y'all are making.
People do need to know where their pups are coming from and whether they were responsibly bred. To think of it coldly, I wouldn't buy a house without looking into its history and possible problems, or I might face ridiculous stress, expense, and emotional trauma from subsequent issues that come up later. As a consumer, one should do their homework not only on the breed but on the breeder.
A breeder who produces puppies carelessly is basically a horrible human being in my book. It was a huge, thoroughly thought out moral decision for me not to adopt but to buy a purebred puppy, as I've worked with rescues before. I took this step with the possible goal of being a custodian. If a breeder is irresponsible in all the aforementioned ways, not only are they producing dogs with a higher possibility of suffering, muddying this ancient breed, and swindling people, they are needlessly taking potential homes away from dogs that need one AND frequently causing dogs to be abandoned! If there weren't any PMs or BYBs, imagine how many people would get schooled by rescue folk and responsible breeders into taking dog-parenting seriously before they ever took one home!
Sorry for the rant; I COMPLETELY understand the internal screaming that happens within some of you when you find out a pup is from a mill or crap breeder. If people like you and I keep yelling about it, we will change a few minds, which make all the difference to a few dogs which is better than no dogs 🙂
Hello, everyone…this is my first time in any computer forum...
-
Thank you all so much. I hated to admit to my misgivings, these dogs are so adorable. I will post pics from the kennel for you to see. I asked her the questions from the list I found in this forum (thanks for that too!) and she said I can pay to have her test them, as she has not tested them or the parents. She has both parents in her own kennel. That seems to be a bad idea, though I am not sure why. Also, I don't know what to expect to see when I visit a kennel and don't know what is reasonable to pay for a well-bred dog. I can not afford $900 a puppy, especially since I would like two. Based on what I am reading in this forum I am willing to get one now and wait for the second one. I have contacted Medfly and will consider them. I don't know of any other breeders in this area. Thank you, again and I appreciate any more info you can give me.
Thanks!
900.00 is reasonable for a well bred (which would include health testing) for our area (West Coast).. some breeders may be a bit more, some a bit less..
What you should look for is that the dogs are part of the family, not living 24/7 in kennel runs. You will find lack of socialization when puppies are not raised in a home and/or once they get to be 8 or 9 wks are put in a kennel.
Typically BYB (Back Yard Breeders) that use their own dogs, breed the same pairs year after year… they are not trying to improve the breed, but only breeding to sell and make money.
-
Thank you all so much. I hated to admit to my misgivings, these dogs are so adorable. I will post pics from the kennel for you to see. I asked her the questions from the list I found in this forum (thanks for that too!) and she said I can pay to have her test them, as she has not tested them or the parents. She has both parents in her own kennel. That seems to be a bad idea, though I am not sure why. Also, I don't know what to expect to see when I visit a kennel and don't know what is reasonable to pay for a well-bred dog. I can not afford $900 a puppy, especially since I would like two. Based on what I am reading in this forum I am willing to get one now and wait for the second one. I have contacted Medfly and will consider them. I don't know of any other breeders in this area. Thank you, again and I appreciate any more info you can give me.
Thanks!
You can go to the BCOA website for breeder referrals, also you can go to the Southern CA club website www.southcoastbasenji.org and click on the Breeder link for links to our members.
Terry
-
Thanks again, everyone! It's a good feeling to know I don't have to be flying blind out when I am looking around. I met with another breeder this weekend from the BCOA website and I was amazed at the difference in my visit. She has a couple of older dogs I am looking at. I am now thinking it might be better to start with older dogs and ease into this. These dogs were well socialized, friendly, and looked very happy. I am also in communication with Medfly. I am hoping to make a decision soon so I can bring them home while I am on holiday.
Thanks, everyone! Glad to be here.
-
Can I just say, major KUDOS to researching you dog before !!! what ever Basenji finds you, will be very lucky to have you as a parent.
-
Thanks again, everyone! It's a good feeling to know I don't have to be flying blind out when I am looking around. I met with another breeder this weekend from the BCOA website and I was amazed at the difference in my visit. She has a couple of older dogs I am looking at. I am now thinking it might be better to start with older dogs and ease into this. These dogs were well socialized, friendly, and looked very happy. I am also in communication with Medfly. I am hoping to make a decision soon so I can bring them home while I am on holiday.
Thanks, everyone! Glad to be here.
Welcome and great that you are really doing your research!!!
I did the same thing you are thinking about…I got a retired show dog from a BCOA breeder to "ease myself into basenjis" :D. Ruby was 2 when I got her...and very high energy. I got a friend for Ruby this spring, another retired show B named Brando...he was 3 when I got him...Ruby & Brando are one month apart in age and a perfect match...the breeder picked him for her. Things have worked out great.
I'm sure that you will find the perfect "B"...and it is great to read someone doing their research and not rushing into a decision just to get a basenji now.
-
Older dogs are great starters if you are unsure of what you're getting into and don't have the time or energy (you need LOTS of it) for a puppy. Generally, they are already house broken and depending on the age, they are less intense (sometimes) than a puppy. Good luck!
-
I've always started with adults and much prefer them since I work full time. Adults are enough of a handful - I can't imagine starting out with a puppy (even though they are the cutest things on earth :))
-
I think your getting a more settled b is the right choice for a first time basenji owner.
Have a great breeder to help you with any issues you come up with is also the way to go.
I am excited for you.
Do send some photos when you make up your mind which b you will be getting. -
Thanks again, everyone! It's a good feeling to know I don't have to be flying blind out when I am looking around. I met with another breeder this weekend from the BCOA website and I was amazed at the difference in my visit. She has a couple of older dogs I am looking at. I am now thinking it might be better to start with older dogs and ease into this. These dogs were well socialized, friendly, and looked very happy. I am also in communication with Medfly. I am hoping to make a decision soon so I can bring them home while I am on holiday.
Thanks, everyone! Glad to be here.
That's great… and thank you for taking the time to research the breed "before" jumping in....:D
Can't wait to hear what you get.... think you will be a wonderful B home!
-
I have been talking with a breeder in the area who has confirmed everything I've read on this forum. Her name is Denise Searcy of Starfyre Basenjis. She has two older dogs, Robyn (7 years old) and Tino (age 12) who are very sweet, friendly, and get along well. I am going to be bringing them home the day after Christmas. I realize that they are older but I hope to give them a wonderful home for the rest of their lives! I will post pics as soon as I get them home and settled.
Merry Christmas everyone!
-
I have been talking with a breeder in the area who has confirmed everything I've read on this forum. Her name is Denise Searcy of Starfyre Basenjis. She has two older dogs, Robyn (7 years old) and Tino (age 12) who are very sweet, friendly, and get along well. I am going to be bringing them home the day after Christmas. I realize that they are older but I hope to give them a wonderful home for the rest of their lives! I will post pics as soon as I get them home and settled.
Merry Christmas everyone!
That is great…. tell Denise that Pat from Tanza says HI!!!!!
-
I have been talking with a breeder in the area who has confirmed everything I've read on this forum. Her name is Denise Searcy of Starfyre Basenjis. She has two older dogs, Robyn (7 years old) and Tino (age 12) who are very sweet, friendly, and get along well. I am going to be bringing them home the day after Christmas. I realize that they are older but I hope to give them a wonderful home for the rest of their lives! I will post pics as soon as I get them home and settled.
Merry Christmas everyone!
That's wonderful! Merry Christmas
-
You are wonderful for giving 2 mature basenjis a great home. You may find that even a 12 & 7 year olds have plenty of energy! For a first time basenji owner, a pair of mature adults is a great way to get started in the breed.
Congratulations! -
Your getting the best ages for b's, imo.
We can't wait to see your b's photos.
