The only purebred available through Karen at Medfly right now is a tri female. Karen has retired from active rescue. The website has not been updated in a few years and the linked email address no longer works. While she isn't taking in any more Basenjis, Karen is willing to help facilitate finding homes for those in need. You can contact Karen directly via email at [private email removed, sent via chat]
Looking for a Basenji puppy
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@tanza, my first boy was returned to his breeder by a young man with aspirations of showing and breeding until he figured out that his pick wasn't destined to be a show dog, and didn't fit into his plans since he had become enamoured with another breed, and besides, his Basenji had trashed his car when left loose inside. My boy, Sunny, came to Ontario from Washington State because breeders network and the breeder of one of my girls contacted me to tell me she knew of a Basenji who was looking for a home through no fault of his own.
The caveat when doing this type of adoption is that you don't know what the dog has been through since leaving his breeder, and in Sunny's case he had fairly severe separation anxiety and also couldn't be safely crated because of his anxiety when confined. We worked through it and he became mostly reliable in the house, and was also the sweetest Basenji I have owned, but it wasn't an easy transition. You have to be prepared to deal with whatever problems you may inherit! But Sunny was totally worth it.
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Jengo has issues we had to work on when we got him. Logan had his own things. And, Sparkle has a few things of her own. Every one of them were different, but it takes time for any dog to transition. Stella told me a minimum of three months.. and that seems about right from what I've observed so far... for an adult. I've never had a Basenji puppy, but I'd venture to guess that the transition period is months longer than that. Not a big deal IF you know what you're getting yourself and family into and are committed to patiently working through all the upcoming changes.
Logan use to get severe separation anxiety anytime I left the house. Getting Sparkle cured that. But, Sparkle gets separation anxiety anytime my wife leaves the house. I have to spend a lot of time keeping her busy and reassuring her that she's not going to die and that her emotional brain isn't going to implode. Here's the kicker; if both me and my wife leave together they both get upset and start howling. My son has played a few recordings for me. It's done with gusto and is very loud. Could you imagine this happening... in an apartment?
Basenjis are willful focused relentless little souls who never stop looking for joy. They will howl, chew, run and jump their way towards that joy no matter the obstacle.
@eeeefarm Someone that would leave a dog locked in a car long enough to do damage and then have the audacity to be upset about it doesn't deserve any dog... ever.
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@jengosmonkey said in Looking for a Basenji puppy:
@eeeefarm Someone that would leave a dog locked in a car long enough to do damage and then have the audacity to be upset about it doesn't deserve any dog... ever.
How long have you had a Basenji? Seriously, it does not take long to do damage, and separation anxiety dogs typically do the most in the first few minutes after you leave. That said, I don't disagree about the suitability of the guy to have a dog, but I also don't know all the circumstances, and to be fair, many dogs are just fine being left for awhile. My friend has a JRT that goes everywhere with her, and promptly goes to sleep when she parks the car and leaves.
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@eeeefarm I get it. We've dealt with plenty of Basenji destruction. Still do from time to time. I get that. Most cars are designed to last a least 100,000 miles (1.6m kilometers). They're more robust than a pillow. In most cases that's gonna take longer than a minute. I've never been a fan of leaving a dog in a car. I get in, it gets in. I get out, it gets out. I get what you're saying about not knowing the circumstance and not wanting to crucify someone. Still, I never left my kid in the car. Not leaving my dog.
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It took less than 90 seconds for my rescue James to completely sever a seatbelt. It would have taken me longer with a pair of scissors.
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Basenjis can do a lot of damage in very short order if they are so inclined. Cloth seats in a car wouldn't last long, leather a bit more of a challenge but doable. Especially if you haven't kept their toenails trimmed! Chew marks aren't a good look, either.
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For safely of your dog regardless of the breed, they need to be confined in a car/van/SUV/RV.... Crates are the best.... Mine have always been in crates in a car, etc... and are not left in there except when traveling at at a rest stop. I walk them, they are in their crates, I do a human potty stop but the car is locked.. And for driving they need to be in crates, not loose. An accident or even a quick stop will throw that pup from one end to the other and if loose they could get under your feet and then cause an accident. Think of your dog as your child, do you let your child ride loose in a car?
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So... I'm not the perfect Basenji custodian. Poor Jenga Jeng use to bounce around inside the car all the time. Back seat to front seat to back seat to the cover over the rear behind the back seat where it would give way and he'd disappear beneath it till I could pull over and extract him. A couple of times he ended up in the dash board. Why? Because I didn't want to upset him by putting him in a crate which he hated! Hated, hated hated. In retrospect, after getting two dogs that ARE crate trained, what a BIG mistake. I really regret that I allowed that. While it's embarrassing as heck to admit here, it was just flat out unsafe. And, that's just a fact. That's on me. Don't be me. Never again. Today... the crate lives in the car. I live in a climate where it gets really hot in the summer. Temp soars inside a car within minute of shutting down the air conditioner. The seats never concerned me as much as the temp did. I've never left a dog in a car. I get that some climates are different and all people are not stupid.
Anyway... what a thread jack. Sorry @RJBasenji You've come here looking for a puppy. I was in you spot not that long ago. July/August 2020. I thought I'd have to wait till fall of 2021 to get a puppy. I was able to find two 2 year old's from a really good breeder. Don't discount a dog that's a bit older. There are many reasons a breeder might be willing to part with an older dog and none of them necessarily mean there's any problems with them, e.g. health, temperament, or behavior. I had more than one breeder explore if I might be interested in a dog about one to two years old. They're out there.
I personally prefer an older dog. I LOVE puppies, but I'm not so sure I want to live with one. Boy that sounds awful to type. My breeder had already taught them manners, and I loved that. My two grew up together. Anyway, I hope you find one. Don't give up! Keep talking to breeders and rescues. Get your applications done. Take pictures of your home and secure yard, and send those. If you don't have vet, find one and have the name ready. Learn about micro chips and how to register them. Find out your city requirements and be ready to license your dog quick cause Basenjis love to escape and are quicker. And, start learning as much as you can about how to train your pup.
Basenjis are work. They take effort, perseverance and stamina. It's a commitment. All that said... I LOVE them. I hope you join us!
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@tanza said in Looking for a Basenji puppy:
For safely of your dog regardless of the breed, they need to be confined in a car/van/SUV/RV.... Crates are the best.... Mine have always been in crates in a car, etc...
Mine too. I would NEVER have a Basenji loose in a moving vehicle. They ride in a crate - over time I learned safe stopping places to let them out for a comfort stop but then back into the crate they go.
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Thanks everyone for the insightful replies. I understand Basenjis are pretty demanding and I'm willing to keep up with the demands. My kids are still wanting a puppy and that prevents us from adopting. Hoping that a Basenji puppy comes our way soon.
Thanks again!
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@rjbasenji - this is the time to align with a responsible breeder for a pup maybe in 2021. Because Basenjis only come in season once a year and their litter size is only 4-6 puppies, it is difficult to find one especially will all the people that "want" one... If you can visit with a breeder that would help you or if not call them on the phone and tell them why you think that a Basenji would be a good fit for your family/lifestyle.
