My thoughts about breeding
Here I would like to explain why I have decided to breed Basenjis.
Right at the beginning, I would like to state, that this is my own private opinion, which possibly is not the same as the opinion of other individuals.
A Basenji is for sure not a dog for everyone, but it also is not a Elitary-Fiffi. One has to like/accept it to have a dog who is not interested if you are pleased if it obeys or if you get angry when he does not. A Basenji does not obey to orders, he mitght listen to proposals.
For exactly this reason, Basenjis remind me strongly of a mixture of "Pippi Langstrumpf" and "Till Eulenspiegel". He does what he wants when he wants it but always with a huge portion of humor. But this does not mean, that it is impossible to train a Basenji. You just have to do it in that way, that the Basenjis thinks that it was his plan to do things like the way you want them to be done. I have made very good experiences with the clicker-training.
It is important not to forget that Basenjis are used since thousands of years for the hunt. This use is since thousands of generations in its genes. Basenjis are hunting dogs, which learned over generations away to make from own drive booty. Therefore a increased measure of attention and circumspection is essential for handling these dogs. Many Basenjis die a very unpleasant accidental death, since they, if they ago are behind a potential booty, forget everything else around themselves completely.
The selection of the booty does not take place however according to an explainable pattern. Jester hunts e.g. particularly gladly helicopters. Gromit prefers old Volkswagen buses, Mofas or crows. With Banshee fortunately so far still no preference developed and for Vega stands anyway on another sheet, since it had to nourish itself a time . All however the living booty stands in front of these examples: the game, squirrel, neighbour's rabbit or neighbour' s cats.
Basenjis have to be allowed to run and play off the lead. However not indiscriminately. Make sure that the area is clear enough and that they do not have roads in direct proximity. We have here the inestimable advantage that there is an enclosed dog forest of several hectare, which is so surely enclosed that no game comes in and no dog out. Just to make sure that it really is safe, I check the fences before I have the dogs run wild in these special Dog-Areas.
About Breeding
If you start thinking about breeding, it comes automatically to the point about what you want to change or improve. The main interest should be the breed standard. But do not forget about the health issues as well.
Not every Male fits with every bitch and there are matings, which are of my personal opinion, absoloutely out of any discussion. Just like "main thing is the titles of the dogs, the rest is not that important, and things will be ok for sure".
If thinking about breeding, you should make up your mind about what your plans are. During hours of talking with other breeders, specially with the breeder of my own dogs, I have learned to see different angles of points of view about breeding Basenjis. It really is not a easy thing to find the perfect pairing. You have to read through data-bases, read pedigrees forward, backward and sideward and collect as many informations as possible and of course you have to know what you want.
I want to breed black and white Basenjis. This means for me no red and white males for Banshee and no brindle or tricolor either. At least at the first sight. This minimizes the pool of the studs which are available massivly. As well I would prefer a male who is at least about 7 Years old, or Fanconi Syndrome tested, which makes it even a little harder. There are some special breeding lines which I want to include if possible, such as the line of Jester's Father or Grandmother. The selection of black and white males is not that big as you might think.
There are so many points to think about. For expample would I chose a artificial insemination. Is this necessary or is it even a good idea? Do I drive from Denmark for example to Italy or Spain or does Banshee fly to USA? I personally do not tend to send my dog as a package to be mated and sent back like a letter. If it would be necessary to travel such far distances, I for sure will be with Banshee to provide her with the safeness and comfort she is used to.
When I have found finally the perfect male for her, I for sure have about thousand questions to be answered of the owner of the "pair". For example not each country has the same regulations for breeding as requested by a German Basenji Club. If possible I would like to follow at least the health standards. It is out of any question for me that these health surveys are more than important.
I do hope
to find future puppy "parents" who know what they will get. Basenjis can become quite old, usually between 12 and 14 and stay very agil and fit up to their late Years.
I wish my future puppies humans, who are ready to admit themselves on an unusual dog which can quite place a whole household on the head. A dog, which has much energy, which comes on stupid thoughts , if it is bored. Humans with time and fantasy are in demand, who do not become bored if they have to repeat a command about 5,000 times before dog understood, which is desired. Humans, who are not to shy to express in dog school that the Basenjipuppy is evenly no Labrador or Border Collie and that the Basenji did not determine things evenly does in such a way, how it is usual at the dog place. Humans, who can make clear for their Basenjipuppy that it is probably an important part of the family, but not the navel of the world.
In my opinion, a puppy prospective customer must have had not already dogs, before he "dares to choose a Basenji". Perhaps this " unknowing" sometimes is almost an advantage, because humans cannot compare then. It cannot harm however before the puppy moves in to read a few books about dogs in generell or about wolves. It must be clear that a Basenjipuppy needs a special measure at allowance and time. It requires a close family connection and the constant welfare service. A Basenji is not a dog for yard or kennel attitude! Basenjis are also no dogs, which remain all day long without problems alone and then in the evening are satisfied with a half hour walk.
I would prefer to keep a good contact to the puppy owners to be informed about the development and/or problems of the puppies. At least once a Year there should be a call or a letter. The more the better.
If we do not know eachother already, I would like to get to know the puppy prospectives personally. They can get to know our dogs and really find out if a Basenji is the dog of their desire.
What I have to offer
are Seelenfreund Basenjis, out of a well chosen pairing. All my puppies will be of the same good quality. There will be no "better" or "not so good" Seelenfreund Basenjis.
A Seelenfreund Basenji comes along with a little starter package. The contains will be as follows:
Danish Kennel Klub Pedigree, Certificate of Ownership, EU-passport,
furthermore: copies of the parent's pedigrees, copies of the parent's health results, copies of the parent's genetic fingerprints (if available, they are not a "must have" in every country). The puppy will be vaccinated and chipped. The puppies will have had a parasite disposal, and a list of the things which are to be done in the next few weeks (vaccinations, parasite disposal). The puppies will have food for the next few days, a blanket with the scent of the litter box to make the new home smell comfortable, a collar and lead, toys and things to chew on. A list with books which I recommend, a feeding plan and a little diary with the pictures and development of the first weeks.
And at least, but not less important: our support for the whole Basenji life.