I don't think this last post is entirely fair. I was raised in an environment with no animals and many of my friends didn't own pets either. I came to have a strong dislike for dogs, due to the barking, slobbering, shedding, crotch sniffing, growling, jumping with dirty paws, nipping, doggie odor, bad breath, etc. - the only things I knew. I had no interest in learning about breeders, breeding, diseases - nothing to do with dogs. I did (and still do), however, have a fascination with ancient Eqypt & when I laid my eyes on the first basenji I had ever seen, I immediately fell in love - he was a little black fella who reminded me of Anubis. I could not have him though, because at the time, my husband & I were living in an apt. complex which did not allow pets. Three years later, I was still thinking about the little bugger when we moved into our 1st house. I had done extensive amounts of research on the breed, however, I did not consider researching any breeders. Why? Because I had no clue there was any distinction between accomplished breeders and puppy millers - I didn't even know what a puppy mill was! I had simply thought pet stores acquired their pets from breeders and THEY were the ones who were responsible for the horrid conditions & health problems. I know now this sounds completely ridiculous, but only because I've been educated. I still am not a dog lover, although I've become quite tolerable of other non-basenji breeds.
With that said, I ask questions & like to learn from everyone on this forum, not just the breeders. I am not relying on you or anyone on this forum for direction on how to raise & handle my Bs - just looking for people to share experiences & knowledge. If you are finding better things to do than answer questions on this forum, then by all means, do them!