@DebraDownSouth

So you believe that everyone that purchases a basenji should only purchase them with the intent to show them? No one should be able to enjoy a basenji as a pet only? If someone purchased a different breed to use to help with cattle or simply as a guard dog, are their intentions wrong because they aren't going to show the dog? I suppose those people who have pets as a companion should just not own a dog period.

We will agree to disagree and I'm fine being labeled a "backyard breeder". I am not hurting this breed by bringing someone the joy of owning a basenji. Just as the breeders of other dogs do the same. There is a difference in a "backyard breeder" and a puppy mill and I do not in any way operate a puppy mill.

I would also like to add, that my mother nor I run a puppy mill. Our basenjis are AKC and fanconi tested. I only have basenjis. My mother does have shelties as well. She is retired and this is what she loves. It is ok to raise two different breeds. She's done it for 15 years! It is not about "the almighty dollar" as someone quoted. If it were, we would both raise the price of our pups substantially and I surely wouldn't be refunding deposits. But we feel that our prices are more than fair for pet quality basenjis. We do not show, have never showed, and do not have any intentions of it. And there is nothing wrong with that! That in no way makes us irresponsible breeders.

I would like to make a comment about this because I find it upsetting that people can be so quick to judge a person without knowing more information. I am the person you were going to be purchasing a puppy from. When you initially inquired on the pup you were concerned about the amount of white the pup had. I took several pictures for you and the day I was going to send pictures of adults that you requested, you had already looked at others and were ok with it. Then, I continued to send you pictures and weekly videos of your puppy so that you could see him growing. Many breeders do not update their buyers as much as I do. Yes, when the pups were 6 1/2 weeks old, I placed the mother up for adoption for $300. She would not let the puppies be anywhere around her anymore because they were eating regular food. Many breeders as I have found, will remove them as early as 3 weeks just so that the mother will "tighten up", but I do not do that as I do not believe it is healthy for a puppy to start eating any other kind of food at that point. It just so rarely happened that when the mother was in labor (at 10pm at night) after having one pup she started having difficulties. At 12am, I took her into the vet where she had to have a c-section because a puppy was stuck in the birth canal. This is very rare for basenjis. The puppy had done damage to her uterus so I had her spayed because I didn't feel it necessary to put her through anymore risk with future litters. The $300 was to help offset the $750 vet bill I received for it being after hours, a c-section, and spayed. I am sorry that you felt uncomfortable purchasing the puppy from me. You made me feel so horrible, even though I had done nothing wrong, that I did refund your deposit. Even though, as it was mentioned - most breeders do not do that. I am not a big breeder. I now have two females and a male. My male is great basenji quality and I'm sorry if any pictures you have seen do not justify that for you. My mother does also raise basenjis and unfortunately because of this forum has had one bad review and many breeders attacked her. If anyone would like references from the people who have purchased basenjis from us, please let me know. It's amazing the number of people we have call each year that have been referred to us by their friends because of how wonderful their dog has been. The good greatly outweighs the few who post negative comments on here. Your puppy found a great home in Minneapolis and I get frequent updates from them with pics and comments of how wonderful and smart he is. The mother also now resides in Austin, with a retired couple who have two other basenjis.