I don't remember how we first heard about basenjis but about 15 years ago we decided we were definitely interested in the breed. Our much loved boxer had just had died and we decided we wanted a basenji. We somehow learned of a breeder in Kentucky who had a female who was approximately 5 yrs old. He had bred her a couple of times and now wanted to retire her to a home as a family pet. After a lengthy telephone conversation during which he was very honest about the breed quirks, we decided the time was not right for a basenji. We had 3 children and the boys had a tendency to not close the front door securely. I had to search the neighborhood for our boxer many times because she had taken advantage of the ajar door. So, instead of a basenji, we opted for a dog I could catch if it got loose…....a basset hound rescue! A couple of years later we added a psychotic rescued chocolate lab to our household. The basset died in 2003 and we had to put our lab to sleep last August due to old age. At that point, DH announced that the time was right for a basenji. Most of our previous dogs had been from backyard breeders or were rescues. The rescues were also probably from BYBs. All the dogs, with the exception of the lab (who stayed healthy until the last year but was crazy...seriously crazy) had significant and expensive medical problems. We had dealt with heart problems, renal disease, a slipped disc, glaucoma, eczema, chronic ear infections, hypothyroid, and megaesophagus. So this time we decided we were going to go to a good breeder in an effort to tip the odds of a healthy dog a little more in our favor. We knew we didn't really want to get a little puppy and we found then 9 month old Cory in the Atlanta area. You know how it goes...Basenjis are like potato chips and within just a few months we just knew Cory needed a playmate to chase and play with. So we called her breeder and she had a male that she thought would be easy-going enough to tolerate Cory's princess ways. The first week we had Jayden, we were about 99% sure getting him was a BAD idea. Everytime Cory looked at him she threatened to gut him on the spot. Then one day she looked at him and seemed to say "Okay. You can stay but I'm the boss and you'll do as I say! Remember that rule and we'll get along just fine!" Now they hate to be apart even briefly! They chase each other around the house and when they spot a squirrel through the window, they look like basenji Keystone Cops trying to get out the door at the same time!
We don't even slightly regret our decision to get our two little brats! And I say that as I sit on about 3 inches of computer chair because Cory has taken the rest of it.
Pat
Crazy as it sounds, I was born into Basenjis. My mother bred and showed them before I was born. I grew up sleeping with a Basenji at the foot of my bed. When it came time for a dog for my own family, nothing else could have fit. I wanted to adopt a BRAT dog, by was told they did not place in homes with small children. I met some of the local breeders and made some phone calls and emails to other breeders I knew from the east coast…Eventually I found Fender and he has been a joy and terror all at the same time! I wouldnt trade him for the world. 
I too was born into Basenjis as my parents, well my mum really had had them before I was born.
I decided that as I knew and liked the breed that that was the breed for me really once in my own home. It helped that my husband also liked them.
I obtained Cali from a breeder friend then once old enough decided to have a litter from her and then kept Kwame.
Once I started to show over here in Germany it gave me a chance to have a look around at the shows at the various types and decided I liked one particular kennel so then Belle joined the household.
I don't think I could have another breed though I certainly admire a few but none come close to a B.
I saw my first basenji in high school (mega-eons ago) when I was working at a vet's office (instead of being a burgerflipper) but it wasn't until my "mid-life crisis" that I acquired my first. I was actually looking for a small dog, did my research on various breeds, and had decided on basenji, It.greyhound, or whippet. There was an add for a basenji in the paper and I went and saw and bought (sorry to say it was a byb/pmb but I didn't know that at the time). After many years together, last summer he was hit by a car and I began looking for a new one. I hadn't intended to get another one quite so quickly (within a month) but I met this great breeder who had one coming back because he was too destructive. So I tried him, with some trepidation, but "we fell in love" and the rest is EL D!
1 from rescue - one from Breeder
One of my students gave us our Basenji mix. We had no idea of what she was, and didn't know until fairly recently. I sure wouldn't describe her as "quiet", since she has the loudest bark I've ever heard!! Maybe that's the heeler in her. Anyway, after puppy school was a bust, we just tried to socialize her at home. Now that she's a year old she's much better, keeps us running, and is a pure joy for our family.
My first Basenjis came from two different local breeders (IMO, responsible ones at the time).. I had gone and talked to both of them in April/May of 1991 and got on their reservation list for a male from one and a bitch from another… Believe me... I was "grilled" about wanting a male and bitch.. (big smile)... as their first thought was "BYB" in the making!!!! Both were co-owned by the breeders and both were my mentors..... That is my OJ and Maggii (now hopefully both will be 17 in August & September)... I was interested in showing and at some point breeding... My intention was to breed OJ to Maggii at some point... both finished their show championship fairly easy.. however along the way it was clear that a cross between OJ and Maggii would not give me what I was looking for... I then had the opportunity to add a 3rd to the mix, a Tri Bitch, Mickii joined the group.. she fit like a "glove"... With her, along with the show ring, we got into coursing... and in 1994 I bred my first litter with Maggii. And so it began... from then till now I have bred 3 litters myself and co-bred 2 litters with plans for another co-breeding this fall.
I can say that from then to now there have been such great strides in health in our breed and the importance of testing before breeding. Seeing dogs with Fanconi, eye problems (as in blind from PRA)... and having both of them effect my breeding program has really made that important, along with temperaments. Our breed has come a long way in temperaments of Basenjis.. 40yrs ago they would "eat" you as quick as look at you....
We are so lucky in Basenjis that most of the Fancy is open and honest compared to other breeds about health. The fact that the DNA Fanconi Database is open to the public is just on indication. The fact that we have a way to stop this horrible, horrible affliction is so wonderful. The fact that there are BYB's and PM's that do not test is sad, very, very sad.
It started for me in May of 1975 when a friend of my mothers stopped by with this 6 month old tri color and asked if I wanted her. A Basenji? What's a Basenji? Here it is 33 years and 3 basenjis later and I'm still owned.
I have always had more than one dog. So when my boxer was about 7 1/2 I started researching what kind of dog I wanted next. I knew I wanted something easier to keep. I narrowed it down to 4 breeds, the beauceron, the Pharoah hound, the Basenji, and the Canaan. When I researched further, for any of the breeds, I knew I would have to travel further. I wanted a reputable breeder. I was searching around, and decided to start talking with breeders. For the approx. 50 breeders total I e-mailed, less than half returned my queries. Of those, I started looking and researching the breeders. The pictures of the puppies were priceless. I also saw pictures of the destruction caused by the Basenji, knew they didn't bark (supposedly), and was hooked. The breeder conversed with me, but was very hesitant. She didn't want to ship, (I don't blame her Lisa) so I said I would come down to Georgia. She also had never sold to anyone in Canada before. She took a chance and I became the proud owner of a bouncing baby boy (Shadow)! By this time, my boxer was 8 1/2 and had to be put down because (I believe) of leukemia. I received my second Basenji (Sugar) from the same breeder two years later. I sincerely am glad that the breeder took a chance on me.
I wanted a basenji so I emailed BRAT. They said 'Here ya go' and handed me one. Now I have a Basenji. 
Took a year to find the right breeder, but in the end it wa all worth it. I didn't even get to Choose Zaire. Katie chose her for me based on our conversations as to what kind of a dog I needed for Charlie. And let me tell you, even with my years of dog experience I couldn't have made a better choice.
Almost two years ago I found Samantha on this very website! There was a family that was having problems with her and their new baby. So the owner posted a message on this forum just days after I had began searching for one. Having had two B's before I knew I was late in the season to find a puppy, and my wife wasn't crazy about the puppy idea anyway.
After some arranging, I found a flight for her and fortunately the temperatures cooperated so that she could fly from Dallas, TX to Salt Lake City, UT. When we first got her the sweet girl had a rough coat, was a little under weight (due to poor quality canned dog food), had long untrimmed nails, and after our first trip to the vet we found that she had 6 broken teeth. After $600 worth of vet dentistry (including the "friend of the vet" discount) and another $150 or so to get her spayed, we had a sweetheart of a dog! She is the best B I've ever had!
Well, it started when I was out with my 22yr. old son at the mall. He said, "Hey, Mom lets look at the dogs in the petstore ", I replied, "I don't have time besides your Dad has too many ideas what a dog has to be like for us to get one", I'll never find a dog like he wants". That was 3 yrs. ago this Jan., and I had never heard of a Basenji. I called DH about 3 times the night I found Sahara to persuade him we needed this dog, but she was very expensive so it took some work talking him into me buying her. She is owned by my son, me and my husband, she lives with my husband and I. She is the best dog I have ever owned, and I have had many through my lifetime. I would never get another dog from a pet store (didn't know about puppy mills)but I would have not known of this breed if I hadn't stopped and looked that night. My husband loves this dog so very much, he buys her whatever she wants or needs. I love her also, she is my joy and I can't stand to be from her for very long, we just got back from a trip and it was so hard missing her. My son said that she didn't eat very good while we were gone and was very destructive in the house. Guess she missed us as well!
