About Us

My first basenji joined the family in 1997, and I have never looked back.  

I've loved dogs all my life, but had always thought of myself as a "big" dog person.  
Those little ankle biter dogs just weren't for me.  After showing my Doberman for a
little over a year, I started to reconsider the wisdom of having such a large dog.  
Lugging 60 pound crates up and down motel stairs was NOT my idea of a good time.
 I also wanted a breed in which I could successfully owner handle my own dog in the
show ring; not an easy task with a Doberman.

I researched several smaller breeds, looking for a small dog with a big dog attitude. I  
had always been intrigued by Basenjis, and began concentrating most of my research
on them.  That's when fate intervened.  I had just finished showing my Doberman at
a show when I saw a woman walk by with half a dozen basenjis.  I tracked her down
and questioned her about the breed, and what I'd learned through my own research.   
It just so happened that she had a 9 month old puppy with her that day who was for
sale.  That puppy was Carlie, and as they say, the rest is history.  

Thirteen years later, I consider myself a devoted basenji slave.  My dogs are family
members first, show dogs second.  As far as I'm concerned, it doesn't matter if you
have the most beautiful dog in the world, if it can't also be part of the family.

I'm also very interested in the health behind my dogs.  I believe in full health
disclosure .  All breeding stock are screened for Fanconi syndrome using the new
DNA linkage test.  Before the availability of the linkage test (July 2007), avoiding
fanconi was a roll of the dice.  Unfortunately, two puppies in our very first litter were
later diagnosed as fanconi affected (Echelon Destined to Dance and Echelon Sword
Dancer).  HOWEVER -- with this new test I can guarantee that no Echelon puppy
born after 2007 will EVER come down with Fanconi syndrome!!   If you have any
questions about the health of any of my dogs, please feel free to ask.  

I've been a member of the Basenji Club of America (BCOA) since 1998, am a former
Board member, Secretary and Webmaster for the Show-Me Basenji Club, and am a
former Board member & show chairman for the Moberly MO Kennel Club .    
Starting in 2009, I am Co-Editor of the BCOA Roster.  I've also served as the Show
Chairman and Show Secretary for the African Stock Exhibition at the 2010 BCOA
National Show.  I enjoyed it so much I'm doing it again for the 2011 National!  In
addition, I'm the Chair for Obedience and Rally at the 2011 BCOA National.

To learn more about my breeding philosophy, puppy placement procedures and any
upcoming litters click here.


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