Every litter born here is the product of a great deal of research, time and devotion. Before the puppies are ever conceived, I spend countless HOURS going over pedigrees, health backgrounds, temperament and conformation of the prospective parents.
My main reason for breeding is for the preservation and betterment of the breed, and secondarily, to produce a puppy for me to keep to show. I do not have litters just to "sell puppies". For such a relatively "rare" breed, there are an alarming number of homeless basenjis in rescue groups around the country. Therefore, I try to do my part not only by supporting rescue, but by putting the utmost care into the litters produced and the placement of our puppies.
I take a very conservative approach to breeding. Since 1997 I have co-bred 4 litters. By doing a breeding every other year (or more), I get to see how previous puppies grow and develop as adults, and form a better idea of what I need to improve in my line. With the new development of a DNA linkage test for fanconi, there is no reason a breeder should ever produce a puppy with fanconi (assuming the breeding was done AFTER AUGUST 2007. Any breedings before this did not have the luxury of a fanconi test!). ABOUT OUR PUPPIES
All of the puppies that leave here for their new homes are current on their vaccinations, dewormed, and have had their eyes examined by an ACVO certified veterinarian. We also GUARANTEE that our puppies (from 2007 on) will NOT develop fanconi syndrome. Puppies have begun their cratetraining and housebreaking and bring with them a "puppy survival kit" containing food, collar, toys, etc. I am also here to help at ANY time during your newbasenji's life! If, for ANY reason, you cannot keep thebasenji you get from me, I will take it back at ANY age -- no questions asked!
Pet puppies must be spayed or neutered and are sold on limited AKC registration. If you are interested in a puppy to show, contact me privately for more details. I do not sell puppies strictly as breeding stock, nor will I sell to puppy millers, brokers, pet stores, etc.
Our puppies don't leave for their new homes until they are at least 10 weeks old. You must come pick up your puppy! I will not ship my puppies as cargo. However, if you are willing to fly out to pick up your puppy, I will train them to ride in a sherpa bag so they can accompany you home in the cabin of the airplane. Be aware, however, -- I am at least a 3 hour drive from the nearest airport!
PUPPY PLACEMENT POLICIES
Okay, so you think you want a basenji puppy. The very first thing you need to do is thoroughly research the breed! Basenjis truly are NOT the breed for everyone. The first place to look for information on basenjis is at the Basenji Club of America website.
After you've read about them, if you've never actually met a basenji "in the fur" make sure you visit with one before you decide whether or not this is the breed for you. If you don't know where the basenjis are in your area, e-mail me, and I'll do my best to put you in contact with a nearby basenji person.
Once you've done your research and have met a basenji, it's time to find the right breeder. The BCOA site also has a link to Breeder Referrals. By contacting the BCOA Breeder Referral you should be able to get a list of BCOA breeders in your region. Many reputable breeders have websites, but so do many puppymills! The BCOA has a list of questions that you should ask any breeder BERFORE you get a puppy. In addition to finding a reputable breeder, make sure you feel comfortable with the breeder and their requirements of their puppy buyers. Remember -- this should be a LONG term relationship for the life of your puppy. This doesn't mean the breeder will be constantly calling and harassing you <gg> -- but it DOES mean that you should feel comfortable contacting the breeder with any questions, problems, etc. that you may have at any point in your basenji's life.
If you're interested in one of my puppies, I'll be happy to send you an information packet on our upcoming litter. The packet includes information on both the sire and dam, health information, pedigree, a sample of my pet contract and my Adoption Questionnaire. All of this information can also be found online on this website, or I can email it to you. My Adoption Questionnaire contains questions about you, your family, previous pet experience, what type of home environment you plan on offering your new basenji, as well as what you want in a basenji. I may also ask for references. I'm not asking these questions just to be nosy. This is the point at which I determine what type of basenji puppy would fit in best with your family, and whether or not there are any "trouble spots" we'd need to discuss before you get a basenji. Filling out the Adoption Questionnaire is NOT a guarantee for a puppy -- it is merely the starting point for getting a puppy from me.
Once we've talked at length about the breed, have gone through the Adoption Questionnaire, and you've been "approved" for a puppy, you're name will be put on my waiting list. Once you're on the waiting list, I will let you know when the breeding has occurred, expected due date and when the puppies are born. Usually, I will have an ultrasound done about halfway through the pregnancy. Once I have an idea how many puppies are expected, a deposit of $100 is due. This deposit is non-refundable unless I am unable to place a puppy with you. You will receive regular updates of the puppies as they grow, but please don't become attached to any one specific puppy. Remember that a primary reason for the breeding is for me to keep a puppy to show. A co-breeder and/or stud owner may also be taking a pick puppy from this litter. Because the puppies aren't graded for show vs. pet quality until they are 8 weeks old, it is impossible to know before then exactly which puppies will be available. While I will try to honor your desires for specific puppy (sex/color), the biggest consideration I make when placing puppies is each individual puppies personality and how it matches with a particular home. So, if the first family on the list wants a laid back male and the male that's left is an alpha dog with a strong prey drive, I will not place that particular puppy with them. It would be like someone wanting a family mini-van and being given a ferrari. Granted, the ferrari would be fun for a little while, but it isn't going to be what fits the family's needs. In the end, neither the family OR the puppy is happy! If, for whatever reason, I cannot place a puppy with an approved family on my waiting list, I will refund their deposit and refer them to another reputable breeder with puppies available. Or, they can remain on my waiting list until the right puppy for their family comes along. My ultimate goal is to place my puppies in families where EVERYONE will be happy!
