ABOUT US

WHERE WE STARTED

The road to our first basenji started in a used bookstore where the picture of a basenji just jumped out at me while paging through an AKC breed book.  After reading the information in the book about basenjis I knew that I wanted to know more about this unique breed.  So I began my research on the internet searching for any and all pages I could find about basenjis.  There are now several good websites that can point you to the many basenji websites maintained by breeders and owners from around the world.  After several months of research about the breed I knew that I had to meet these dogs.  I attended a dog show and was able to meet several basenjis, talk to breeders and owners, and just watch them in the ring.  At this point I knew that this was the breed for me and so I turned my research to what things I could do with my basenji and how to find a responsible breeder.  When I finally chose a breeder I contacted her and discussed my expectations.  After several conversations, many questions asked by both of us, and much planning, my first basenji came home in May 1998 a little more than a year after I had started all my research.  

Nicky has been my introduction to basenjis, conformation, lure coursing, straight line racing, oval track racing, clicker training and so much more. He has earned 8 points toward his conformation title with me and my husband handling him, he is an AKC and ASFA field champion, and he earned his Canine Good Citizen certificate.  We had Nicky for two years when we started to think about getting our second basenji.  We brought home our second basenji in March 2001 after much planning.  Rally has continued our education about basenjis. 

OUR THOUGHTS ON BREEDING

Our goal is to breed to produce Basenjis that correctly represent the breed standard with careful attention to both temperament and health.  I feel it is important that basenjis maintain their ability to be "all around hounds" and so I participate in several different activities with my dogs, conformation, lure coursing, straight line racing, oval track racing, as well as taking obedience classes with my dogs.  Our basenjis are part of our family and often go for day trips with us, come with us when we visit family, and enjoy camping with us. 

There are several health concerns in the basenji breed and it is important that any basenji being bred have health testing performed.  It is important that all basenji owners educate themselves about the health issues in the breed. Without genetic marker tests for many of the health issues in the breed there is no way to be 100% sure that a dog is not a carrier but we can use the health information we do have to make informed breeding decisions .  The more information that a breeder has about the basenjis in their line, including information about brothers and sisters that will not be bred, the more informed their breeding decisions will be.  

Responsible breeding also includes responsible placement of puppies.  This means that all pet puppies (ones that will not be shown) will be placed on a spay/neuter contract with "limited" registration and we require co-ownership for show prospects.  If a puppy cannot be kept they will be returned to us no matter how old they are.