Welcome to Klassic Basenjis

We are Mike & Sue Kite. Sue acquired her first Basenji in 1971 from an old time Basenji breeder. In 1972, she bred this bitch to a dog from another old time breeder (Bazima kennels) and produced her first litter of tri color Basenjis. During this time, not many tris were being shown, so it was a case of "pay your dues". My first champion, Ch. Charmar's Mai Kimba-Sahn was owner handled. In 1973, Kukuk's Sweet and Lovely came to live at Klassic. Lovey was our second champion and was finished with the help of friend and handler, Vince Smith. We purchased two other dogs from the Kukuk's, Kukuk's Jolly Roger and Kukuk's Black Knight whose mother was imported from England by Doris Kukuk and Shirley Chambers of Khajah Kennels. Cinder was the only black Basenji that has so far lived at Klassic.

We bred Lovey and Kimba three times and only produced red and white puppies, as she was pure for red.

In 1987, John Harper was instrumental in Sue acquiring Reliant the Right Stuff. In a short period of time, Chuck became Am/Can. Ch. Reliant The Right Stuff. He was the first dog to be campaigned at Klassic. He was a joy to show and a joy to watch. His effortless gait and showdog attitude captured the judges admiration. He was chosen to win by both breeders and all around judges. In 1990, he was the top male show dog, losing to Ch. Vikentor's Country Rose. He won BOB at the Purina Tournament of Champions, and was in the finals at the Iams Showdog of the Year competition. He retired in 1992 and was brought out as a Veteran at the Cincinnati Specialty in 1996 and won, then won the Canadian National Specialty that same year from the Veterans class. What a wonderful win for a wonderful dog. He will always remain our favorite dog. So far, he is the sire of 15 American champions and numerous Canadian champions.

In 1991, our Tony, Am/Can. Ch. Klassic's Eye of the Tiger was born. He became the "brindle in the history book". He won WD and BOW at the Cincinnati Specialty at just over 6 months of age, under breeder judge, Susan St. John-Brown. At 7 months, he won Best in Sweepstakes at the Chicagoland Basenji Specialty, under breeder judge, Pat Bright. He finished his championship at 7 1/2 months old and first time as a special the next day, won BOB and a Group 4! Just a few days past his first birthday, he won his first Group 1. In Canada, he was the first brindle to win a Specialty (doing it from the Bred by class) and a Group 1, also from the classes. His son, Binza became the first Canadian brindle to finish his championship just hours before Tony did.

In the pages that follow, you will see the beautiful Klassic kids who have given us so much pleasure over all these years. We can't imagine life without them.