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Basenji Puppy Buying FAQ

I get a lot of questions about how to go about buying a Basenji puppy both in general and what I expect from my puppy buyers when they're going through the "vetting" process.  I hope this page answers some of your questions, if not, let me know and I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have still.

Q:  What health problems should I look for when picking a Basenji?

A:  There are a lot of great sites out there that describe this, I won't re-invent the wheel, but rather point you in their direction:

Basenji Club of America Health Page

Basenji Companions Health Page

Barkless.com's Health Page

Sinbaje Basenjis Health Page

Q:  How much do your puppies cost/Are they very expensive?

A:  Puppy prices vary from region to region and from breeder to breeder.  A lot of breeders charge different prices for pet versus show dogs, too.  The average price right now appears to be between $600 - $800 for a pet and $700 - $900 for a show puppy.  Compared to a lot of breeds, this is relatively inexpensive, but certainly costs quite a bit less than the average pet shop charges.

Q:  Why do puppies cost so much?  I just want a pet, not a show dog.

A:  The amount of money spent planning a litter (including health testing, researching pedigrees, campaigning a show dog to prove its mettle), having a litter (stud fees, travel expenses, vet work, prenatal care for the mother), and raising a healthy litter (quality care, food, vet bills, vet ophthalmologist exams, etc.) is exorbitant.  A breeder rarely if ever "recovers" their own expenses, much less makes money on a litter.  Several thousand dollars isn't unheard of or impossible to get a litter whelped and raised is not unusual, but it is worth it when doing everything possible to raise happy, healthy puppies.

Q:  Do you have puppies for sale?  What about an adult?

A:  When I have puppies available, you'll find them listed on my web page, but if you're not sure, you can always ask.  Occasionally I have an adult available that is either being retired or didn't work out as a showdog.  In these cases, it has to be the right home -- these dogs are raised in my home, not in a kennel, so it's very difficult to let them go.  You can also check a page I maintain for breeders who have "Golden Opportunity" dogs -- those that have been returned to a breeder, are being retired from either the show ring or a breeding program or just didn't work out for the breeder.

Q:  I want X color or X gender -- can I pick my own puppy?

A:  While I take into consideration your preferences, ultimately it's my decision.  It's far more important that you get  a dog you can live with forever.  If this is your first Basenji and you want a red dog and the only red dog in the litter is the most headstrong, dominant dog and you have very young  or old people in and our of your house, I won't sell you that red dog.  After all, what good is it if you then have to return that dog to me in four months?  Wouldn't it be better to take home the tri female of the litter that is a marshmallow and you can live with for the rest of your life?  I think so too.

Q:  Do you think males or females make better pets?

A:  Honestly, they both make great pets.  Everything depends on the puppy's personality and how well it works with your family.  Brenna is a very sweet bitch and her son Blade is an exceptionally affectionate dog, they're both cuddlers.  A lot of people come to my house and say "I thought the breed standard said they were aloof with strangers?"  Some of them are certainly aloof and wary, but mine seem to figure out whether or not you'd be up for some petting and demand their share!

Q:  What do I do to buy a puppy?  It seems very complicated.

A:  It's certainly more complicated than picking up a carton of milk, but then, if milk goes bad, you just throw it away!  It shouldn't be a daunting prospect, but to someone who's never gone through the process it may seem that way. 

First -- be sure you really want a Basenji.  Yes, they're cute, yes, they're smart, and yes, they don't bark, but they DO make noise.  Basenjis are not for everyone, they have a LOT of energy.  I always say a good Basenji is a tired Basenji.  Realize that you will never be able to let the dog off-lead (in most cases) unless the dog is in an enclosed area.  These dogs are sight hounds -- when they see something that engages their chase instinct, they seem to turn off their other senses and just RUN.  A large number of Basenjis are hit and killed by cars every year -- NO FEAR t-shirts were made for them!  Talk to Basenji breeders and owners to determine if your lifestyle can include a Basenji.

Second -- Talk to breeders to see what their plans are and if they're accepting deposits.  Whenever possible, meet with the breeder to see if you like them and their dogs.  A reputable breeder will be a source of information for the entire life of your dog, you want to be sure you feel comfortable asking questions and getting good answers.  You'll want to feel you can contact or call anytime to get answers to any questions you might have and address any problems you may be experiencing, so it's important to find someone you like.  Review their contracts and decide if you can agree to everything in it.  If you have questions, ask -- sometimes you may not realize why something is in a contract, but once you ask, it makes sense to you. 

A reputable breeder will "vet" you to see if they want to sell one of their puppies to you.  If a breeder asks for a deposit, you have passed one step, but nothing is guaranteed until you actually take the puppy home with you.  You'll be asked a lot of questions, some people think it's harder than adopting a child.  I ask all prospective owners to fill out and mail this form to me.  However, there is a purpose to all of the questions -- every puppy is different and even different breeders are different.  Each has determined what they can and cannot accept in a puppy buyer.  It may not mean that you can't have a Basenji, but if they turn you down it does mean that you can't have one of their Basenjis.  Each of us has encountered the heartbreak of having a puppy returned at some point because the family didn't work out and we prefer to err on the side of caution.  So, fill out any questionnaires, answer any questions, and see if you can both come to an agreement.

Third -- Pick a breeder and send a deposit if applicable.  Not all breeders accept deposits and some are precluded from doing so by their state's law.  (I understand Florida does not allow breeders to take deposits, but there may be others as well.)  ** From this point forward, I can only speak for myself, talk to the breeder from whom you've decided to get a puppy about their process. **   I require a $100 deposit to place your name on a waiting list.  This only guarantees me that you're serious and you that you will be given due consideration for a puppy.  Ultimately it does NOT guarantee that I will have a puppy for you -- a bitch may not conceive or I may not have a puppy that matches your lifestyle.  Every family is different and every puppy is different.  While I make every effort to match a family's preferences, at the end of the day the match is what's important.  A family who's never had a dog before should NOT get the most headstrong, demanding puppy in the litter even if it's the only red dog in the litter.

Fourth -- stay in touch.  I'll keep you up to date when I know that the mother is definitely pregnant and when she whelps.  I'll post pictures on the website for you to watch the puppies grow.  Keep in mind, though, that I pick which puppy fits your family best, so don't fall in love with any particular puppy and again, it may be that I won't have one that fits your family.  In the event that I do not have a puppy for you I will either return your deposit or forward the deposit to another breeder, if they have a puppy for you and you want that puppy.

Fifth -- come up and visit.  At first there won't be visitors, in order to minimize the risk of bringing an infection into the house.  When I have a pregnant bitch or newborn puppies here, I don't travel to dog shows or events and I don't have anyone in the house touching the puppies who might introduce something for which the mother might not have antibodies.  However, there will come a time when I do allow visitors and it's good to come up and meet the puppies -- but do remember the above warnings and don't fall in love with any one of them!

Sixth -- pick up your puppy and take your puppy home.  When I've made a decision as to which puppy/ies I'm keeping and which families best match which puppies, I'll let you know.  I'll ask you to consider names for the puppy that match the theme I've chosen for the litter and what call name you want to use, too.   We'll fill out the paperwork while you're here and I'll mail it in along with the other littermates' paperwork.  I also send home the following:

1. Binder containing:  Microchip number, vaccination record, vet ophthalmologist report, proof of parents' health testing, signed contract, the Keltwyn Puppy Primer with lots of information about your puppy -- the way its been raised so far, things to expect, general Basenji health information and more.

2. Business cards and refrigerator magnets with my contact information on it.

3. Collar and leash.

4. Drag line

5. Lots of toys -- stuffed toy, nylabone, gumabone, dental chew, etc.

6. More!

Finally -- stay in touch.  If you live nearby I'll tattoo your dog's AKC number on his inner thigh sometime around 6 months.  Used in addition to the microchip implanted between your puppy's shoulder blades it's one more way to recover your pet in the event he becomes lost.  I'll be happy to help you through those difficult times!