Anyone familiar with this breeder?

[Ninabeana26]

I was checking craigslist today, as I often do. I typed in basenji & found a listing for a R/W 1 year old girl. I have been speaking with the owner, trying to find more information about her.

The owner said she came from a Missouri breeder, Jodi Brown. It looks like a puppymill/BYB situation based on the website the owner provided me: http://www.shadowhillkennel.com/ She said they bought her from that website & had the basenji "shipped" here. She has no clue about fanconi or who the dam/sire are.

She is asking $400 for this girl. She's adorable. The owner says her husband got a new position in which he'll be traveling and she is returning to work so they won't have time for her. I imagine since she's asking $400 that she wouldn't consider BRAT stepping in.

2268

2269

Anyway, thoughts?

[dash]

that seems high for a 1-yr old dog. Is she spayed? If they need to find her a new home, I don't think they should be asking for any money. BRAT only asks $325 for <1yr I think. and they have been vaccinated, spayed.

[mauigirl]

Returning to work?!?! Clearly people who have dogs never work. All the money we spend on them grows on trees in the backyard.

I sure hope she finds a good home.

[mauigirl]

You might want to remind her that she signed this contract. It addresses circumstances in which the Owner cannot keep the dog.

http://www.shadowhillkennel.com/documents/contract.pdf

[Ninabeana26]

Actually when I asked her about the breeder, the owner claimed that she already has spoken to Jodi, breeder, & that Jodi gave her the okay to find the pup [Macy] a new home.

[Ninabeana26]

that seems high for a 1-yr old dog. Is she spayed? If they need to find her a new home, I don't think they should be asking for any money. BRAT only asks $325 for <1yr I think. and they have been vaccinated, spayed.

I agree. However, the owner says she paid $900 so really $400 is a bargain! :rolleyes: She said it's $400 OBO. With the $400 comes her crate, toys, leashes, etc. She said basically everything they own for the dog goes with her to the new owner.

She is spayed & the owner says she is microchipped & current on all vaccinations. She also says she has all of the paperwork from purchase of the dog up to it's latest shots from the vet's office.

[mauigirl]

At times I have seen a non BRAT dog advertised on BRAT. I don't know what the criteria are for their doing this. It would be a good way to get the word out about Macy....

[Ninabeana26]

I went ahead and emailed the breeder, Jodi, asking who Macy's dam/sire were & whether they have been tested for fanconi, hips, eyes, anything. Hopefully she will respond. I would buy her myself but the boyfriend isn't convinced. He's wanting to add a lab to our clan instead & we can't have more than two dogs :(

[dmcarty]

The basenji magazine online used to have a place to indicate info on adult animals for sale or available.

[tanza]

I would be pretty certain that this is a BYB, considering the number of breeds that they breed and sell... and I would also be as certain that they have not been DNA tested for Fanconi, let alone any other health concerns. So, if it were me, I certainly would not take/buy without a Fanconi test being done on the bitch first. You should ask the owners to do so, cost is $65.00 (www.basenjihealth.org)

[sharronhurlbut]

I would be willing to contact the owner and suggest they donate the dog to BRAT.
If you want to share the contact info off line, my e-mail is brescue@wavecable.com
At least I can put it out there.

[MacPack]

While $400 seems a lot for a "1 year old basenji needs good home", she IS spade, up to date on medical, comes with crate and toys, so overall it is not such a bad price. And she is really cute! I think your boyfriend needs a present, if she was his he would love her!

[sharronhurlbut]

The problem with selling b's, IMO, is that often folks who buy them don't know what they are getting. They have no idea of the unique qualities these dogs have.
Soooooo, the family buying think they are getting a lab or ****er, and the b is totally not going to work out.

[lvoss]

I really don't think it is even about being a specific breed. There are plenty of labs in rescue too. Most people just don't grasp that pets are living beings. They seem to think that if they feed, water, and shelter them that they should magically be happy and perfect.

[YodelDogs]

I don't know who Shadow Hill Kennels are but I love their kennel set up! I would love to have something like that someday but with longer runs. They have some very nice Cresteds from well known bloodlines and their Pomeranian Digger is a dog that I had actually considered buying from the previous owner lol! Yes, he's NICE!

[Nemo]

I liked the comment that basenjis "respond well to training" in the breed description.

That's a pretty nice setup. I guess I don't really have a concept of how much money a BYB makes. But I guess if you have 5 different breeds it will add up. Or perhaps like on another site, if someone charges $2500 for a trindle because its "rare".

[tanza]

I liked the comment that basenjis "respond well to training" in the breed description.

That's a pretty nice setup. I guess I don't really have a concept of how much money a BYB makes. But I guess if you have 5 different breeds it will add up. Or perhaps like on another site, if someone charges $2500 for a trindle because its "rare".

If you don't do any health testing, breed dogs only to your own sires and dams, send the pups off at 8wks... you do the math if for the Basenjis they were getting 700.00 (I think that was the price mentioned?) And with multiply breeds, how much socialization could those pups possibly get? Not much, IMO...

[bellabasenji]

Returning to work?!?! Clearly people who have dogs never work. All the money we spend on them grows on trees in the backyard.

I sure hope she finds a good home.

HMMmmmmmmmm.... So is NOT working a prerequisite for Basenji ownership??? This is a sad story, I sure hope this B girl gets a good home! I hope that the owner doesn't consider another pup anytime soon...

[Ninabeana26]

If you don't do any health testing, breed dogs only to your own sires and dams, send the pups off at 8wks... you do the math if for the Basenjis they were getting 700.00 (I think that was the price mentioned?) And with multiply breeds, how much socialization could those pups possibly get? Not much, IMO...

The owner said they paid $900 for Macy.

[Ninabeana26]

As an update:

I have not heard anything back from the breeder. While her facilities do look nice, I would bet that she has not tested the dam/sire for anything. Based on her facilities, it seems she is more like a BYB than a puppymill. However, obviously if she hasn't tested her basenjis, she shouldn't be breeding.

The owner seems to be willing to come down from the price if no one else is willing to give her the $400 asking price. However, I don't think BRAT is an option for her since she is looking to get some sort of money for the dog. I was interested but at this point, I simply cannot add another dog into my own life.

I hope Macy finds her forever home soon. If anyone is interested in her please let me know & I can get you the information.

[wrx227wrc]

Jodi is a puppy mill for sure. It is a long story but my Piggy's parents were from her kennel (though SHK had not bred them originally), they had well over 100 dogs. Some of their dogs are from reputable bloodlines, but many of them they have bought and not bred. None of her B's were AKC registered a few years ago, but that may have changed. Both of Pig's parents were both very sick (tapeworms, coccidia, fleas) and abused (indicated by scars and behavior). When Jodi was contacted about the illnesses, she got very defensive and never responded again. She misrepresented her operation (said all dogs were raised in home...not possible with so many) and her dogs frequently.

What are you guys basing the quality of her facilities on?

Who are Macy's parents? She looks a lot like my Pig. I have a pedigree for Piggy if you know anything about Macy's parents.

I would have a thyroid and fanconi test done, other Bs from her kennel had issues with thyroid.

I wouldn't let any of this discourage anyone from taking Macy, our Piggy is the greatest dog ever and we love her. I am currently awaiting the arrival of my fanconi test but we have had no health concerns as of yet.

[Ninabeana26]

Actually, the "breeder" Jodi never responded to my email about health testing & the bloodline of Macy.

I contacted the owners again to see if they would consider allowing BRAT to find Macy a suitable home but they informed me that she had already been sold. Hopefully the people who bought her will provide her a loving home.

[YodelDogs]

What are you guys basing the quality of her facilities on?

On the photos (http://www.shadowhillkennel.com/gallery/index.php?cat=12)


It has well constructed covered kennel runs that have partial walls between the runs to prevent fence fighting and spread of disease. The concrete flooring can be hosed down daily and disinfected if need be. There is a grassy, enclosed yard for the dogs to exercise in. The nursery has divided enclosures which allow each dam privacy. The grooming room has a raised tub, powerful dryer, and even a microwave and refrigerator for preparing meals for the dogs. All of the dogs pictured are clean, well groomed, and have relaxed, happy expressions on their faces. This person shows their Chinese Cresteds and is producing show quality puppies. This person is obviously breeding for profit but the facilities are excellent and the dogs well cared for.

I don't see any photos of anything other than Poms, Cresteds, and a token Great Pyranees...... I wonder if she is even breeding those other breeds anymore?

[wrx227wrc]

Oh, I definitely agree with you! Those DO look good. Those are new within the last two years because that is not how it was in 2006. I don't think they are breeding basenjis much as the dog they have listed as their stud and show dog has not been in their possession for over three years...and was sick when it left their possession. Those pics are impressive but their breeding practices with respect to basenjis, are not.

[sharronhurlbut]

Photos can be so decieving.
Its want you don't see that is the issue.

[YodelDogs]

Photos can be so decieving. Its want you don't see that is the issue.

True. Pictures only show what you want people to see. That said, very, very few BCOA breeders post photos of where their dogs are kept, be it kennel or in the house, or how their puppies are raised. It can make you wonder both ways.

[tanza]

Anyone can see mine...ggg ..... on my web site home page... see the B's on the bed?...

[Quercus]

True. Pictures only show what you want people to see. That said, very, very few BCOA breeders post photos of where their dogs are kept, be it kennel or in the house, or how their puppies are raised. It can make you wonder both ways.

Do you mean, like pics of the dog crate room...or pics of dogs hanging around the house? I have lots of dogs around the house and yard photos on mine...but I don't have a dog crate/laundry room one...I guess because it is also the laundry room :x

Our puppies were raised in the spare bedroom, and then in the family room...I don't know what we will do next time, since the spare bedroom is no longer "spare".

[Quercus]

Anyone can see mine...ggg ..... on my web site home page... see the B's on the bed?...

Or even better....on the spouse....

[bellabasenji]

The Basenjis are raised in the house,
Not in a cage, or in a barn with a mouse.
The Basenjis are raised in the house,
They even cuddle with the spouse!:o

[bellabasenji]

Dr. Seuss, I am NOT, LOL!!!;)

[Quercus]

The Basenjis are raised in the house,
Not in a cage, or in a barn with a mouse.
The Basenjis are raised in the house,
They even cuddle with the spouse!:o

LOVE it!!!!

[wrx227wrc]

Aww I love it.

Mine cuddles with the spouse too, though I wake up nightly to his grumbling about how her nails poke him like a cactus and that she sleeps like a rock, which always results in him sliding her over to me :)

[sharronhurlbut]

Dog nails and pokie feet, its amazing, they usually end up with 3/4 of the bed!

[smarfil1]

Hello All,

I was doing a Google Search on Jodi Brown and came upon this forum about the love of my life :) I wanted to give an update.

Last year, my boyfriend and I "bought" (we like to say adopted) Macy. We were always intrigued by the breed and like many of you, searched "basenji" on Craigslist and found this ad. We immediately contacted the owner and we quickly set up a time to meet her the following day. We drove 45 minutes out of Washington, DC (where we live) to the previous owners' house. Macy was a little skittish at first and then finally warmed up enough to us and let us pet her. The previous owners told us about their story and it turns out that the guy was laid off and was going to start working for my boyfriend's fraternity brother. The job was offered to my boyfriend and we knew how much travel it entailed and with 3 young kids and mom going back to work--we understood Macy's situation. They gave her a good home, she wasn't abused, hurt or neglected. However, one of the first things we noticed was that she was underweight, which they attribute to Macy "not being a large eater." I didn't think they weren't caring owners--I just think they were inexperienced and did not fully understand the breed. They also told us how they got her. Being volunteers at an animal shelter, we knew the red flags around the "shipping from MO." She had never been formally trained, so we knew that would be a lot of work. We went back and forth but finally decided to give Macy the forever home she really deserved.

The first thing we did was change Macy's food to a super premium food. The "small appetite" seemed like a lie. She happily eats 2 meals a day and loves treats. Macy put on 2 lbs since we first brought her home and you can no longer see her ribs. She goes on 4 walks a day and goes to obedience class 2-3 times a week. Because of her poor socialization as a puppy and her possible upbringing at a PM/BYB, she's not very fond of other dogs on leash. Off leash at the dog park or daycare, she is a social butterfly and plays with any dog that wants to chase her. She has issues with strangers touching her and again, this is probably a product of her poor socialization early on. Our trainers have been wonderful and I can proudly say that she knows how to heel and will take treats from strangers hands (no touching though)! Macy used to sleep away from her family in her crate downstairs, now she snuggles up with Mom and Dad in bed. In fact, Macy snuggles whenever she gets a chance. We are in the process of getting her tested for Fanconi and we're hoping we get negative results. Regardless of what the results are, she will always have a loving home with us and will always be well taken care of.

I appreciate everyone's concern on this forum. My boyfriend and I are friends with the BRAT coordinator in DC and I will be helping plan the convention this summer. I look forward to meeting some of you and letting you meet Macy in person :)

[tanza]

What a great story... thanks for sharing and thanks for giving Macy her forever home. Fingers crossed that her Fanconi test comes back Clear or Carrier.....

[thunderbird8588]

Welcome to the forum and what a nice story about Macy.
It may be an idea to copy and paste it into the introduction thread if you can so more people see it.

[nkjvcjs]

What a great story. Welcome to the forum, and best wishes that Macy's fanconi test comes back clear or carrier.

-Nicole

[agilebasenji]

Oh i love a happy ending, or is it a happy begining? Either way, thanks for the up date and welcome to the forum

[Janneke]

What a wonderful story! Thanks for taking such good care of Macy! We looove pictures :)

I almost forgot: Welcome to the forum :)

[Basenjimamma]

What a lovely and heartwarming story, happy endings do indeed exist.
Welcome to the forum all of you, and, yes, as said before..we love pictures..

[smarfil1]

Pictures of our girl are below. Thanks again for the support, everyone!

3990
Macy lounging on our bed. Paws crossed, of course.

3991
Please, no more pictures.

[smarfil1]

After reading this forum, I saw that I could check Fanconi results from OFA's website. I looked up Macy's parents and both are Probably Carriers of Fanconi. This is a pretty big blow to us, but we're going to try to remain positive until we can get results for ourselves...

[tanza]

After reading this forum, I saw that I could check Fanconi results from OFA's website. I looked up Macy's parents and both are Probably Carriers of Fanconi. This is a pretty big blow to us, but we're going to try to remain positive until we can get results for ourselves...

Fingers crossed that she comes back no worse then a carrier. And this is exactly one of the reasons that people like Lisa and I are so very outspoken about people buying for BYB/Puppymills, irresponsible breeders that do not health test before breeding and do not even care enought to be honest with the people they sell to, because they only care about the money.

I know that is not your situation, as you took this girl in a rehome/rescue situation...

[AJs Human]

I went to that website. It appears they are only breeding Chinese Crested Dogs now. I didn't see any sign of Basenji on their site.

[smarfil1]

Yes, I saw that they no longer list B's. Thank goodness!

Our fingers are crossed too and we'll keep everyone updated on our results.

[thunderbird8588]

Great pics of Macy, i love the one were she's covering her face :D
Hope her results come back ok.

[tanza]

I went to that website. It appears they are only breeding Chinese Crested Dogs now. I didn't see any sign of Basenji on their site.

Looks like they are getting into Poms, however

[sharronhurlbut]

Thanks for opening your home and heart to this girl...

[smarfil1]

Macy's Fanconi results came in today. I took a deep breath before opening the envelope and prepared myself for the worst; however, she's Probably Clear/Normal! We're ecstatic and she's now chewing on a "victory" pig's ear :)

[Basenjimamma]

Great news..sending big congrats hugs..

[Janneke]

Wonderful news! Congrats!

[Kananga]

Fantastic news! :)

[agilebasenji]

that's wonderful news.

[tanza]

Thanks is great news for you and your baby!!!

[sharronhurlbut]

WONDERFUL..yes, I am shouting.

[thunderbird8588]

Fantastic news for you and Macy.

[Patty]

Such good news!!!!

[snorky998]

Great news! Congratulations and thank you for testing!!!