Newbee from Michigan
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Matt, welcome, and good to see you doing your homework! :) I am from SE Mich, and can help you out in your search. I only know of one reputable Michigan breeder off the top of my head who has anything right now potentially, but I think even her litter has a waiting list. But there are some potential breeders within driving distance that are also great, so you might still be able to find a good puppy. Most of the time at this point in the breeding season, puppies are usually all spoken for. So you may need to wait until next year to get a good healthy pup from a reliable person.
Where are you located? You're more than welcome to come get to know some Basenjis and I can help fill you in on things you might want to know about the breed. Also, I wouldn't count out a rescue. Sometimes rescue does get puppies, but also some of their adult dogs have already been "tested" around cats and other dogs due to their former homes or foster homes. At least with an adult usually what you see is what you get. So they can help you find a dog that will meet your needs. With a puppy, it is a good way to go if they need to live in those arrangements, but you still can't guarantee that as they mature they will be accepting of the situation. lol
We also have a 15 yr old Schnauzer here that is going through what your Lab is. It's heartbreaking to see them decline, but you know at that point that they've lived a long wonderful life.
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Welcome Debo.
I sincerely hope you have many more happy days with your old boy. Congratulations, 15 years is a long time to share with a home companion. It also makes the loss greater when it comes.
Keep reading here. A Basenji may turn out to be what you need. (Then again, to be perfectly honest, they're mostly a pain in the a$$ for the first 2-3 years) From what I know, they're the polar opposites of Labs!
Again, welcome.
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I have lost 2 good friends it's tough. Yet I keep getting more basenjis, a life with them is well worth it!
Have you looked at BRAT (Basenji Rescue and Transport)? They do have Basenjis younger than 1 year. BRAT also has good information about the breed.
You can do a search for "Dogs in Elk". This will give you an inkling of what you can expect to face.
The "3 foot rule" is something you need to get in a habit of following. If something is under 3 feet it will get eaten.
Most cats and Basenjis will make a pact. The cats get the high ground and the Basenjis get the floor. Though I had a room mate with 3 cats and one of them was a huge Maine Coon. My Basenjis and the Coon would wrestle and the cat would end up getting tossed about on the hardwood floors like a hockey puck. When the cat hard enough, he would get up slap the Basenjis and walk off.
Is your current vet experienced with Basenjis. Some vets out here in Boise absolutly will not deal with Basenjis.
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Another thing you should consider is a sighthound (basenjis, pharao hounds, ibizans, whippets, afgahns) sitting co-op. You go out of town, someone sits for you; they go out of town you sit for them.
