Thinking about getting a Basenji, need help!!

[Mikecherves]

@agilebasenji:

the adults and pups that came into CBR on Christmas day have not been posted to the website. the adults have not been evaluated and the puppies (7, i think) are too young to leave the mommas (2 moms). I find often rescues have not listed all the dogs for different reasons.

I'd also suggest you expand your age range especially if you're set on the June date of arrival. THE very best dog i've ever owned or ever will own, I got as a 10 month old puppy. He was housebroken, socialized, leash trained and a pure delight. He was my first competition dog and he and I proceeded to rack up over 30 titles before and after his name and we got to spend 16 wonderful years with each other. I understand the pull and attraction of a young puppy, honestly, but I'd hate for you to miss out on your once-in-a-life time dog because he or she was a few months too old.

Puppies are extremely cute and the thought of having one running around gets me so excited. I guess im being a little immature and selfish about this and i need to broaden my age range.

[Mikecherves]

Any breeders you guys recommended? Breeders you brought from?

[tanza]

Start with looking for breeders at www.basenji.org (search for breeder referral). Breeders there are members of the Parent Basenji Club, so a good place to start. Thing is with breeders, you have to contact them and see which breeders you are most comfortable with and what breeders are comfortable with you. Ask questions…. check out health results yourself. Here is a link to some good questions to ask a breeders. Go here http://www.tanzabasenjis.net/ABOUTUS.html and go to How To Select A Breeder

[CrazySenji]

^
That is very good advice! I did a similar search many years ago when I was looking for my first B. Some of the people I contacted probably weren't "bad" breeders (some were.. WOW) but they just didn't fit with what I was looking for. I wanted a young male that I could show and I wanted a breeder that was willing to help me learn and who was open to a complete novice handling one of their dogs. Some were not comfortable with a kid having one of their dogs, some did not have many show quality puppies, some had only bitches available, and some didn't breed to standard. THIS PROCESS TOOK WELL OVER 2 YEARS. In this time I learned the breed inside and out and while it was hard to wait it was worth it in the end! I finally found a very nice breeder (I don't think she breeds anymore) and when none of her puppies were available to me she was able to refer me to the person I ended up getting my first and now current dog from. Breeders know each other and when you find a good one they will be able to help you even if they don't have a dog for you themselves. I was 16-17 at the time and did all the foot work myself and the good breeders I was in contact with made sure my parents were on the same page. All the hard work I did was what finally convinced my parents that I was ready for my own dog I ended up with a 4mo old male puppy who I handled to his championship and he was THE BEST thing that ever happened to me! He was worth the wait and because of him and his wonderful breeder I now have my Elliot who I brought home at 5 months old.

My point is.. it might take awhile but it will be worth it. Do the foot work, meet several breeders, go to dog shows, see who fits what you want out of a dog/breeder and you will be rewarded!!
(sorry for the whole story.. got carried away!)

[Buddys Pal]

I was not going to reply, but I just can't help it. ….Your first dog? really? wow, you would have to 'luck' out with getting one without any issues good breeder or not. PLease, Please dig deep and respect the dog (any breed) about your ability to be a student, have a social life, and have any dog that takes up a majority of your time-and do a lot of homework on the B. Try to hang out with some before you make a decision too. Just because the B doesn't bark, they do make sounds. My first never made any sounds, actually disappointing, but the guy I rescued now had lived most of the time in a crate due to the owner's work/school schedule. The housemates kicked the crate to 'shut the dog up' due to his whining when left in there too long. Uzie was just born with anxiety I guess. Not all, just giving you a story.....so patience does pay off if you can just hold on......but I don't know you and on the other hand, your situation and decisions to do what you want could work.....Good Luck!

[lisastewart]

Really recommend you join one of the NY basenji clubs or racing clubs and be around basenjis, see if this is really the right dog for you and get on the list for one of next years litters from a reputable breeder. Breeders require that you return the dog to them if it does not work out, you cannot place it on your own, so find a breeder you are comfortable with, just in case you do turn out to be allergic. You can take the train to meetings, I had people come up from NYC when I lived in Montgomery NY all the time. Most of the Rip Van Wrinkle meetings are in the Woodstock area or at shows in that region. http://www.rvwbasenjiclub.org/

[Mikecherves]

After much thought, ive figured everything out and im ready to buy the puppy as soon as possible. I checked the rescue already and none of them have young enough puppies. My limit is i guess 15 weeks. I'd love some updated breeders that you guys recommened. I check Jean out but her email doesnt work so i cant contact her. Recommend me some websites guys! Im really excited!!

[Mikecherves]

I found a couple near me, anyone know these breeders or can verify that they are legit? http://www.breeders.net/detail.php?id=235301

[CrazySenji]

I don't know who she is but a quick search is showing me that she tests and shows her dogs. She is also listed on the BCOA page. I'd still look up OFA info on the parents but she seems legit.

[Mikecherves]

@CrazySenji:

I don't know who she is but a quick search is showing me that she tests and shows her dogs. She is also listed on the BCOA page. I'd still look up OFA info on the parents but she seems legit.

Wait who are you talking about?

[CrazySenji]

…. the person in the link you posted.
DJAKOMBA

[Mikecherves]

@CrazySenji:

…. the person in the link you posted.
DJAKOMBA

Oh man I posted the wrong link! I meant to post this one: http://www.breeders.net/search.php?action=search&doglist_id=36&zipcode=10306 Im looking at the first 5 people there. Do you anything about any of them?

[CrazySenji]

The only person I've met personally on that list is Laurie Owen. She has very nice dogs and does all the proper health testing.

[lisastewart]

Don't know if Tammen bred this year, but she could give you legitimate referrals. Stay away from harmony and Nocturnal

[lisastewart]

Have you contacts the BCOA breeder referral? They would help match you up with legitimate people who have available dogs

[lisastewart]

Laurie Owen still has available pups, contact her soon or you may not have any under 15 weeks left as most are born Nov and Dec

[tanza]

@lisastewart:

Don't know if Tammen bred this year, but she could give you legitimate referrals. Stay away from harmony and Nocturnal

Agreed…. and the prices that Harmony asks for pups is way out of line compared to responsible breeders

[AnubisTheBarklessDog]

Sorry if I sound like the negative one, but you want the dog right now, you've chosen the breed based on looks, you're going away to college… this is a recipe for disaster.

I hate to dwell in cliches, but would you have a child right now? The commitment is very similar. Knowing what I know now about dog ownership (and about college!), I'm incredibly grateful I didn't have a dog to take care of when I was a student.

Basenjis - in my admittedly limited experience - like to get closely attached to one person. If that person is you, your dog will be depressed when you go away. If that person is your mum, or whoever you leave the dog with, the question is, does that person truly want a dog? and do you mind that your dog will be more closely bonded to someone else than you?

My girl is generally considered pretty well trained; she does tricks, agility, and has even done some film work. I 'worked' with her 1 to 3 hours a day from the day we brought her home for an entire year (and of course still train together daily since). Not 3 hours in one sitting, obviously, but little by little throughout the day, teaching her to come to me and ignore distractions, playing learning games, clicker training, exercising outdoors, socialising her, attending classes, and being consistent in her training and rewards. I chose to adopt her at a time I knew I'd be working from home. Despite all this, I still have to be careful where I let her off leash, she still whines a LOT when she wants something she's not getting, and she'll still start trashing the house if we're not out on our walk by noon every single day. Basenjis are said to be like cats, but don't let it fool you: they can be fantastically high maintenance. Having her also limited the amount of travelling I could do (although admittedly, I don't like travelling without her anyway) and at times has had an impact on my social life.

I understand your impatience, but I beg you to reconsider - or at the very least, to be very, very careful making this decision. It's easy to get sucked into the excitement of the arrival of a new puppy or dog, but the impact of this decision will last 15 years.

[Chealsie508]

Like Anubis said, I can attest that (I'm in my mid twenties)..that Oakley has had a tremendous effect on my traveling. He is three and I haven't been anywhere. On top of just having a dog I have a dog that is such a liability if out of my control. He is too unpredictable in a kennel surrounded by other dogs being dog aggressive and he could take that out on a worker, I worry his bad separation anxiety could ruin a kennel..he could escape or be in the hands of an inexperienced worker. I can't have my friend and dog walker who is a boarder board him because she has dogs (which he gets along with but could never cohabitate with given his guarding and possession)..and he is so difficult I couldn't even trust friends or family with him whether it be because he requires a special diet, would door dash or be so overwhelmed with his anxiety over my leaving that he could possibly bite someone. I just never know when he's outside of my presence what he could do and I know what he is capable of and so for me..the liability isn't worth it. It also really does limit social life..my
Best friend has three dogs but Oakley can't go to her house so when I'm not working I want to be with him..I have super guilt going out, I wouldn't be able to stay out all night or sleep at a dates house…even dating I have to be with someone who understand my job as his caregiver and be ok with such a huge responsibility..I knew I'd be giving stuff up when I got my boy but I never realized how restricted I would feel at times. Owning a dog really is a commitment and requires a selflessness; even if your lifestyle might suit it now..think about the future. You are at a time in your life where you are going through so many transitions..school,living arrangements, meeting people, meeting a partner...you should have the freedom to sleep out on a whim, go on a vacations with a partner..

Like I said, I don't regret Oakley and I love him...but having him has made my life much harder in certain aspects and there are times I wish I had the freedom to make decisions only based upon myself.

[eeeefarm]

I would add to the above that I got my first Basenji when I was young and in transition socially. I discovered I was in over my head, and I was fortunate to find her a loving home with three children (Val adored children), where she lived out her life happily. I kept in touch with them, and I never regretted my decision to give her up. Being an absentee owner is less than ideal, and Basenjis take a lot of time if you are going to do them justice. Believe me, I know what it's like to be young and impulsive. Been there, done that!!

I told Val's story on this forum a few years back: http://www.basenjiforums.com/showthread.php?11775-quot-You-can-t-do-that-with-a-Basenji!-quot&highlight=