| Our Breeding Philosophy & Puppy Placement Process |
| Every litter born here is the product of a great deal of research, time and devotion. Before the puppies are ever conceived, I spend countless hours going over pedigrees, health backgrounds, temperament and conformation. My main reason for breeding is for the preservation and betterment of the breed, and secondarily, to produce a puppy for me to keep to show. I do not have litters just to "sell puppies". For such a relatively "rare" breed, there are an alarming number of homeless basenjis in rescue groups around the country. Therefore, I try to do my part not only by supporting rescue, but by putting the utmost care into the litters produced and the placement of our puppies. I am very conservative in my approach to breeding. Because the majority of the serious health issues in our breed are late onset, I generally prefer to wait until our girls are coming 5 years old before breeding them for the first time. This way, their parents are around 10 years old and I have a better idea of what their true health status is. Obviously, there are exceptions to every rule, but this is the general goal I strive for. This also allows me time to truly evaluate the girls and find the absolute best match for them in terms of health, pedigree and conformation. Another "perk" to this conservative approach is that I have litters fairly infrequently. Since 1997 I have produced only two litters. I average a litter every other year. Recently, I've joined forces with my good friend, Melody Falcone (Melar Basenjis). Melody got her first basenji, Talon, from me and we've been friends ever since. Since we both have very similar views on breeding, health, temperament and conformation, we're planning on quite a bit of blending with our breeding programs, and you'll be seeing co-bred Echelon-Melar puppies in the near future. Because I have litters so infrequently, I do generally have a waiting list. Please continue reading below for information on how we select homes and place our puppies. All of the puppies that leave here for their new homes are current on their vaccinations, dewormed, and have had their eyes examined by an ACVO certified veterinarian. Puppies have also begun their crate training and housebreaking and bring with them a "puppy survival kit" containing food, collar, toys, etc. I am also here to help at ANY time during your new basenjis life! Pet puppies must be spayed or neutered and are sold on limited AKC registration. If you are interested in a puppy to show, contact me privately for more details. I do not sell puppies strictly as breeding stock, nor will I sell to puppy millers, brokers, pet stores, etc. ~~~~~~~~~~ Okay, so you want to add one of our puppies to your family. First there are several things YOU need to do! ~~ Make sure a basenji is really the breed for you. Be sure to check out my Basenji FAQs as well as the information on the Basenji Club of America site. ~~ If you've never actually met a basenji "in the fur" make sure you visit with one before you decide whether or not this is the breed for you. If you don't know where the basenjis are in your area, e-mail me, and I'll do my best to put you in contact with a nearby basenji person. If you're close enough, you're welcome to visit with me and my basenjis! ~~ You've done your research and have visited with some basenjis. Now you need to select the breeder! Please make sure you read my page on Responsible Breeders. If you're interested in one of my puppies, I'll be happy to send you an information packet on that litter. The packet includes information on both the sire and dam, health information, pedigree, a sample of my pet contract and my Puppy Questionnaire. ~~ My Puppy Questionnaire contains questions about you, your family, previous pet experience, what type of home environment you plan on offering your new basenji, as well as what you want in a basenji. I may also ask for references. I'm not asking these questions just to be nosy. This is the point at which I determine what type of basenji puppy would fit in best with your family, and whether or not there are any "trouble spots" we'd need to discuss before getting a basenji. ~~Once you've gone through the first 4 steps above and we've talked at length about basenjis and the litters in planning, you're ready to have your name added to the reservations/waiting list. I do my waiting lists a little differently than some other breeders. ~~~Below is an example using Kinsey's upcoming litter this fall~~~ ~~ Past litter history/family history suggests that Kinsey will have a smaller litter. Her last litter had four puppies. So, I'll only accept reservations for the first four puppies. ~~ I am planning on keeping one of the puppies. ~~ Kinsey's co-owner will be taking one of the puppies. ~~ I always add an "extra" reservation for a show puppy. This enables me to keep an additional puppy if it is truly outstanding without disappointing families who have their names on my waiting list. ~~ So now we've got 3 reservations, which means I will only accept one additional reservation (with a $100 deposit) for Kinsey's litter this fall. The deposit is non-refundable unless I am unable to place a puppy with you. Naturally this doesn't guarantee a puppy if there are fewer than four puppies born. In that instance, the deposit is either refunded or the family can wait to see if a puppy will become available. ~~ Once the reservations are full, I do keep accepting names for my waiting list, but I do not accept additional deposits. This way, approved families can hold their place in line without having to place a deposit. In the event that a puppy DOES become available (more puppies born than expected, etc.) the first family on the list will be notified, and a deposit is then required to reserve a puppy. ~~ Once you're on the waiting list, I will let you know when the breeding has ocurred, expected due date and when the puppies are born. ~~ You will receive regular updates of the puppies as they grow, but please don't become attached to any one specific puppy. Remember that a primary reason for the breeding is for me to keep a puppy to show. A co-breeder and/or stud owner may also be taking a pick puppy from this litter. Because the puppies aren't graded for show vs. pet quality until they are 8 weeks old, it is impossible to know before then exactly which puppies will be available. While I will try to honor your desires for specific puppy (sex/color), I also have to take into consideration each individual puppies personality when matching them with a home. ~~ Our puppies don't leave for their new homes until they are at least 10 weeks old. You must come pick up your puppy! I will not ship my puppies as cargo. However, if you are willing to fly out to pick up your puppy, I will train them to ride in a sherpa bag so they can accompany you home in the cabin of the airplane. Be aware -- I am at least a 3 hour drive from the nearest airport! If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me! Home / FAQs / About Me / The Boys / The Girls / Available / Litters / Rescue / Links |
 |
 |