Hi Toni,
First of all, if you LOVED your lab, and everything doggy about him…a Basenji *may not be the right dog for you. They are pretty much the antithesis breed to a lab. Basenjis can be difficult train, you can't use the same methods that you could get a way with with a lab. They don't retrieve, they don't swim, they don't do anything just to please you (in general folks...I know some of you have retrieving, swimming basenjis!)and they really can't be trusted off lead, and you need to have an adequate fence (six feet high) to contain them in your yard.
Please don't get a Basenji simply because they don't shed as much as a lab...if that is your main interest in the breed, you will be very disappointed. They are challenging, crafty, naughty, and sometimes monsterous! NOTHING like a lab But obviously, there are lots of people who like them...look at how much of us visit here just to talk about our crazy dogs!
There are quite a few great responsible breeders in Michigan, and several more in neighboring Ohio (myself included :)), Indiana and Wisc. If you decide that you might be interested despite our scare tactics, you should contact some breeders to see if you can visit, and meet some Basenjis in person. I am about 20 minutes south of Blissfield MI...and always willing to have people over to meet Basenjis!