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Basenji in my future

Member Introductions
  • Hello everyone,

    I'm from British Columbia, Canada and I have a basenji in my future. Currently we have some older cats as our loving pets, and I have made the decision not to get a basenji until our cats pass on to kitty heaven. So what I am doing right now is reading books on basenjis, checking out breeders online and gathering as much information as I can so I can be a responsible basenji owner of a healthy, quality pup. I've also chosen the name Kipawa, which means 'gift' in Swahili.

    I don't think I would ever get into showing my basenji, but I want the best pup possible, looks included. Health is my foremost concern for my male red and white pup. I want to be sure that my basenji and I are going to have a long and happy life together. I plan on taking obedience courses with my dog, and perhaps get involved in some lure and agility exercises/contests.

    The basenji has always been my favourite breed. I have not owned a dog since childhood, yet I am not worried about the attention required for this breed. We have a reasonable sized back yard that has 6 foot high fences, yet I plan to always supervise my basenjis time out there so I don't lose him.

    I'm in my early fifties, am active, and I have unlimited time to provide to my dog (early retirement). I've contacted, via email, one breeder in my area and plan to meet her within the next month so I can look at her breeding dogs and see what temperament they are.

    Can you tell me what else I should do to prepare for my puppy purchase? Should I get paperwork from the breeder indicating my pup is Fanconi clear? I even am planning to trade in my sportscar for a small SUV - I am already checking out vehicles. I take animal ownership extremely seriously. Any tips or ideas you can give me would be very appreciated. As for breeders, I am willing to drive/fly to get my ultimate puppy.

    I look forward to all the posts on this forum!

    Fran

  • Welcome to the forum. Here is a great link for finding a responsible breeder. www.basenji.org/learn and then go to screening breeders. And you should always check out health results, as responsible breeders have those results posted at www.offa.org
    Don't just take someones word for it. Here is an link of a test Basenji on the OFA site as an example.

    http://www.offa.org/display.html?appnum=1293496#animal

  • Welcome to the forum Fran

  • A very welcome to the forum from us down here in Houston. Kudos to you for taking the time and learning as much as you can.

  • Hi Fran, I do basenji rescue in the PNW, and would love to help you if you would consider a basenji rescue. Just let me know how I can assist you…and welcome.

  • Hi Fran - welcome to the Forums! Very excited to hear and see pics of your new friend! Good luck!

  • Welcome! I commend you for taking the time and effort to prepare for your new basenji, can't wait till you have him and share photos. Good luck, finding a breeder and establishing a trusting relationship is a great first step.

6/8

21 Feb 2010, 00:56

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    @ChristyRutherford: When I went to Thailand, the dogs there looked very basenji like. It was hard to see them in the shape they were. Definitly not spoiled as dogs are here. Very thin and most had mange. They are wild there, and you dont pet them, they just kinda run around like squirrles or raccoons. It was very hard for me to see them. I took some pictures, of the healthier ones. I will try and find them. They tended to stay at the temples "temple dogs" because the Monks would care, somewhat, for them. The ones running in towns and villages were much worse looking, some. I would have taken them all home. Goes to show what how different people (not just "us/them) but all of us are different form each other. The guide and I had a wonderful time comparing and contrasting our cultures. I let her know how I treat my dog, and although she said it was nice and she liked dogs, I knew she thought I was crazy. I know what you mean. I was in there a couple of summers ago. Some of the dogs at the temple had mange so bad that they were missing a good portion of their fur not mention the number of dogs wondering around with limps and crooked limbs from being hit by bikes and cars. Funny story…before I went with UT the students from the University there came and two of them stayed with my parents. I brought them over to my apartment to hang out one evening and they went wild for Manning. I mean they took picture after picture and didn't want to put him down. Poor Rascal, my mutt, was sitting there like "hey what about me?" Finally, they explained how the King in Thailand has basenjis and has made them very popular. They were even wearing polo shirts with little stitched pictures of the King's dog on them. Here is a link about the King's dog Tongdaeng, a basenji mix. There is a great book called The Story of Tongdaeng. Inside the book are pictures of the king surrounded by Tongdaeng and his other basenjis. Here is a link that tells some of the story. http://www.bangkokpost.com/60yrsthrone/litterary/index.html I have to say…the Thai monarchy has gained my respect!:D