Thanks for the tips!

So when looking to buy a puppy what should we;

Look for

Look out for

Ask the breeder

and what tests/results/answers should we ask/have when deciding a suitable pup?

renaultf1, are you asking a general question or do you have a dog/breeder in mind? PM me any details if the latter.

@tanza:

Best to do the research yourself as far as health testing and such. Responsible breeders post health testing results on OFA open data base.

Just as a note, PPM is pretty common in Basenjis and Iris to Iris PPM (one or two strands) is acceptable and will pass a CERF test. It heavy PPM that is more of an issue, that said, 99% of the time it does not effect their vision so for a pet, not that big of a problem. Note also that your will not see many breeders testing for HA any longer since there is a DNA test, offspring from clear parents are called and accepted clear by parentage, different from DNA testing for Fanconi which is at this time a linkage test. Corneal Dystrophy and retinal dysplasia is not consider a big problem in the breed. Many Basenjis have Hypothyroidism, but since it is easily controlled with daily meds, breeders in weighing options for breeder will usually have a "What can I live with" list…. And there is no DNA test for PRA, so breeders need to rely on eye exams, knowing all the offspring and keeping records of them. I know the Mata Hauri Basenjis, very nice and a good breeder.

We would like to add a basenji puppy to our family this summer. We are searching for a good breeder that breeds healthy dogs, free of health issues that are common for basenjis: Faconi, IPSID, Hemolytic Anemia, Hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, luxating patella, persistent pupillary membranes (PPM), optic nerve coloboma, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), cataracts, corneal dystrophy, and retinal dysplasia. A few of the breeders that have been brought to our attention are Sanda Saunders - Africanadian Basenjis, Debbie Hauri - Mata Hauri Basenjis and Gretchen Van Alstyne - Kokopelli Basenjis. Does anybody have any feedback or reviews on these breeders?