• @taeyeon:

    I am thinking about purchasing a basenji in the near future, whether it be from a local breeder or online. If i happen to take the online route, how can I make sure the basenji I am getting is healthy and that the breeder is legit. What kind of information should I ask of them and what should I look for? Red flags?

    Thanks.

    There are some nice puppies from reputable breeders available in Indiana. If you want their phone number or emails - let me know.


  • A dear friend has rescued a very psychologically damaged basenji who was from puppyfind, from a 'breeder' in the midwest. She was bought at 9 months old, at a discount price, and was totally unsocialized to humans. Great with other dogs but almost autistic in her reaction to humans. Her owner was not dog-savy at all and did not read any of her cues and had her for only 3 months when he relinquished her to my friend to foster and try and bring her around. My friend has had her for 5 months so looks like she is failing "fostering 101" but she has poured tons of effort into this dog. Please don't buy a pup that has been in a pen, or yard with other dogs and no human contact, I assure you that is not a good way to go!


  • @taeyeon:

    ok thanks for the information.

    I was planning on going local breeder as well and I guess I will be doing that.

    There are a number of good breeders in IL. You can also check out the www.bcosw.org website for more info as well.


  • thank you guys for all your help.
    I plan on meeting up with a local breeder and going through the whole process.

    I just dunno if i can wait like 6 months tho!!!! I want a puppy sooooo bad.


  • @taeyeon:

    thank you guys for all your help.
    I plan on meeting up with a local breeder and going through the whole process.

    I just dunno if i can wait like 6 months tho!!!! I want a puppy sooooo bad.

    Most of the basenji puppies will be born late in 2009 or early 2010, so at 10 weeks old you could easily be waiting until January-March for a puppy. It's totally worth the wait though! Otherwise, you may want to follow up with dmcarty's suggestion if you want one sooner. IN isn't too far.


  • And you can start saving your money now to pay for the pup, so if it is a bit more than the puppyfind ones, it won't be an issue.


  • money is not the issue. its just that on websites, their is a more variety of gender/color and the fact local breeders could be maxed out on their waiting lists..

    but yeah, im gonna be contacting breeders around this area, when the time comes.


  • If you know what you want and are up front with the breeders they should be able to find you a responsibly bred puppy that meets your needs. I know that many of the breeders on this list refer to each other when we do not have what our puppy people are looking for in a litter. There is no way to know for sure how many pups, what colors, and genders you will have in a litter and then there is temperament and overall fit to consider. The more flexibility you have the easier it is to find a puppy but just be patient and keep lines of communication open with the breeder so they can help you find what you are looking for.


  • @taeyeon:

    money is not the issue. its just that on websites, their is a more variety of gender/color and the fact local breeders could be maxed out on their waiting lists..

    but yeah, im gonna be contacting breeders around this area, when the time comes.

    They have more because they do not breed in a responsible manner… they just produce puppies and sell them, period. You pick the one you want... like buying a piece of clothing.. not a living breathing being... that will be with you for 14 to 17yrs... Responsible breeders do the picking, they match the puppy with the home.. because they know the pups.. living with them from the day they were born... If you are breeding 3 and 4 litters at a time you could have up to (figuring the average litter is 5) up to 20 pups... there is no one that could really properly socialize that many pups.. know them, know their temperaments... and pick the pup that best suits the family. Add of course no health testing to that... and what you have is someone in it for profit only...

    And as lvoss said you have to be flexible... you might want a red bitch, for example.. however in the breeders opinion the one that suits your family the best is the brindle male... so if you try not to get stuck on sex or color.. you are much more likely to get a pup...


  • @tanza:

    And as lvoss said you have to be flexible… you might want a red bitch, for example.. however in the breeders opinion the one that suits your family the best is the brindle male... so if you try not to get stuck on sex or color.. you are much more likely to get a pup...

    Oh, but the brindle boys are the absolute best. 😉


  • The thing to keep in mind when talking to breeders is that the more non-negotiables you have the more patience you will also need to have. When I was first looking to get a basenji I wanted a black male. I ended up with a red male and he has been the best first basenji. My second basenji is a black female, she is also the right fit.

    If gender and/or color is non-negotiable, start talking to breeders now and letting them know what you want. Don't be discouraged if you have to wait for that perfect match, it really is worth it.


  • What about shipping a puppy from a reputable breeder that's listed on the BCOA Breeder Directory website.

    Is it bad for the puppy to be shipped on an airplane for about 3 hours?

    You guys are probably going to say, why cant you just get one from a local breeder, etc.. but I'm just curious.


  • If you are going to go that route then my recommendation is to fly out and pick up your puppy. Both Nicky and Rally are from Georgia. Nicky was shipped out, they put him on the wrong plane took him off but he missed his flight and didn't tell me nor his breeder until they "fixed" the mistake which also meant his 5 hour direct flight ended up being a 12 hour ordeal. On the other hand, I flew out and picked Rally up and flew back with her via sherpa. We had no problems, she took the sherpa fine and was a good pup the entire trip.

    As a breeder, I will not sell a puppy to anyone not willing to come and pick the puppy up.


  • Expanding your search further away can actually be beneficial. It will give you a broader range of responsible breeders to talk with to find someone who you can work well with and will have what you're looking for. (Not to say there aren't a few great people in your area though too!) So a flight is not a big deal. As Lisa said the important thing is that you fly out to get the puppy. You need to meet the breeder and puppy and they need to meet you. And then you will be traveling home with the dog so that you can make sure they get to where they need to go and it's less stressful for the baby.


  • @taeyeon:

    What about shipping a puppy from a reputable breeder that's listed on the BCOA Breeder Directory website.

    Is it bad for the puppy to be shipped on an airplane for about 3 hours?

    You guys are probably going to say, why cant you just get one from a local breeder, etc.. but I'm just curious.

    There is nothing wrong with getting a pup from a breeder that is not local, if that is the way you want to go… If you fly out to pick up your puppy, then you can bring them back in cabin using a Sherpa bag. Anyone considering a puppy from me would have to do that.. as I will not ship a puppy. People must personally come and pick up the pup.


  • I did ship out a puppy this year to BC and had no problems whatsoever. Everyone at the airport was very helpful, as well as when I booked the ship. There are stories for and against shipping. There are good stories as well as bad. I'm not sure about the US, but in Canada they will not allow a dog in the passenger section at all.


  • Nicky flew as cargo with me to the 1999 Nationals and did fine. I also shipped TC from North Carolina to California this fall with no problems so it is not because I think that there will always be problems. In the US we can fly with a dog in the cabin as long as they fit in the correct sized bag. Basenji puppies easily fit in the sherpa bags. I prefer not to send young puppies unaccompanied. My mom flew Sawyer, TC's owner's puppy, back to North Carolina in a sherpa so he would have a person with him.


  • I would have preferred not to send the puppy out by itself either, but the $750 price tag for me and the puppy-with the puppy travelling in cargo anyway, was a bit pricey. If I send any to the US, I can fly out of Buffalo and then have the puppy with me on the plane-if the airline allows it.


  • I would expect that the puppy owner does the travelling not the breeder. Sawyer was different because he was the puppy back for the lease of TC.


  • Thanks for the info Lisa, I will remember for next time!

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