Looking

[BendaTXBRAT]

@Heinz57:

We haven't had any luck with getting matched to a rescue basenji so we've decided to consider buying a puppy. I've had very little luck hearing back from breeders with puppies or available adults. I figured I'd try here and see if I could get lucky in getting in contact with a breeder or someone who knows a breeder who has available puppies. We're willing to drive from CO to the surrounding states, maybe as far as MO, WA, OR, and CA. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Hi- I am a district coordinator for Basenji Rescue And Transport.

I would love to work with you and I can assure you that there is a rescue that needs youe home and love.

Would you please contact me so we can talk?

thanks- Melissa
Benda4brat@yahoo.com

[tanza]

Have you tried any of the breeders in OR or Washington? Or have you contacted/tried http://basenjicurlytails.com/Home.htm, they are in Idaho

[BendaTXBRAT]

Hi! I wrote you back after receiving your email, did you get the information I sent you?

[sharronhurlbut]

I can recommend some quality breeders in Wa if you want to look this far.
Re BRAT, they really do have a lot of b's in Texas that need a good, basenji savy home.

[agilebasenji]

Have you tried Co Basenji Rescue?
http://www.coloradobasenjirescue.org/adoptable.shtml

they are actually a bigger presence in this state than BRAT. Otherwise, I don't know any locals other than what you mentioned. My basenjis came from Jerlin Basenjis in Missouri which is about a day's drive from here.

[Vintinck]

I am looking forward to getting my first Basenji in 2-3 months. Don't take this as an attack but I don't understand why some people are so put off by the cost of these dogs. They are on the expensive side but if your expecting to pay $600 for a dog, what does an extra $400 amount to over the course of that dogs life? All other costs being equal (food, toys, vet bills) its a $2.50/mo increase in cost. There are so many other costs to consider in taking care of a dog, If you spend $1000 a year just on food, toys, a crate, training classes etc you would probably be doing pretty well. Just my $.02.

That being said, I wish you the best of luck and hope you find a great dog or puppy for your family!

[Andrew]

@Vintinck:

I am looking forward to getting my first Basenji in 2-3 months. Don't take this as an attack but I don't understand why some people are so put off by the cost of these dogs. They are on the expensive side but if your expecting to pay $600 for a dog, what does an extra $400 amount to over the course of that dogs life? All other costs being equal (food, toys, vet bills) its a $2.50/mo increase in cost. There are so many other costs to consider in taking care of a dog, If you spend $1000 a year just on food, toys, a crate, training classes etc you would probably be doing pretty well. Just my $.02.

That being said, I wish you the best of luck and hope you find a great dog or puppy for your family!

I completely agree with the above statement, and also am not posting this in the spirit of attack.
I have found that the cheaper dogs are typically cheaper for several reasons:

1. the person is looking to make a profit. They spend virtually nothing on the puppies to begin with, and then sell them for way less than breeders sell them at in order to sell quickly with a maximum profit. If they raise the cost, they end up with puppies that don't sell, because for the same price, people could get a health tested puppy from a good breeder. So its economic.
2. They don't health test, show, course, guarantee to take the dog back at any point in their life for any reason, feed a very high quality food, etc etc etc, so there costs are lower and they can offer a cheaper product.
3. The best way to get rid of product that isn't moving is to lower the price. Again, if they raise their prices to the levels of reputable breeders' prices, they are stuck with puppies that are not only harder to sell as they age into adults, but also eat into profits with every passing day that they aren't sold.

Also, compared to almost any other breeds, basenjis are dirt cheap. A quick search online pulled up these prices for other breeds:
$1500 for golden retrievers
$1900 for portuguese water dogs
up to $2500 for Yorkshire terriers
$1400 for labrador retreivers
$2000-$3500 for bulldogs
$2000 for standard poodles

The list goes on, but I got that all from a website of "breeder" classifieds. All ads offer to ship to your doorstep, anywhere in the US. I highly doubt any of these dogs are health tested, shown, etc.
I agree. $800-$1000, to me personally, seems like a more than reasonable amount to pay for a dog that comes with a lifetime support, health testing, good temperament, etc etc.

[sharronhurlbut]

Re price, it isn't always an indication of care of the puppies. A pet store will charge $1000 for a basenji puppy, but it comes from a puppymill and the shop probably paid just a small amount for the pup. The pup will be the least socialized and least healthy of any dog you might find. IMO.
That is what folks who don't do their homework learn, once they get a dog from a pet shop and then contact a venue like this. I am not saying YOU are doing this, just sharing what I have learned
Go to the BCOA website. That being said, there are some BCOA members I won't get a pet rock from…you have to take your time and get lots of info on various folks.
Fran, who is getting a puppy shortly, started talking to me last YEAR...she went slow and now is going to have a bundle of joy shortly.
Just my 2c.

[Kipawa]

Thanks, Sharron. The work and research has paid off. The price I am paying for my little Kipawa, based on him, as a basenji, and then all of the time, work and effort added on is what I consider appropriate. When you find a quality breeder, and you understand how involved they are in their breeding program, for me cost is not the mitigating factor. That said, I do understand that people might have a budget lower than mine. I feel comfortable with all the factors surrounding Kipawa, and that is what makes his cost acceptable for me.

[Patty]

I agree that cost is not necessarily indicative of the quality of a dog but rather it does reflect the time, energy and costs of producing litters.

I find with my own, any way, that there is a terrific saving on veterinary costs as I find that in my experience in general Basenjis are a very healthy breed and trips to the vets in between puppyhood and old age.are minma compared to many breeds. Before anybody comments, I do appreciate that some do seem to have many health problems but overall I think that it is probably quite a small portion..