Breeding:
With the information that we have gathered through research, mentorship and experience in the breed
we are looking for very specific characteristics in a dog. These characteristics are as follows:
Health
This is a very important aspect of basenji breeding for us. As we learn about basenji health,
we are realizing that the basenji's suffer from many different health issues, most notable, Fanconi, PRA, below normal
Thyroid readings, and hip issues. Ideally, we should breed away from these problems and aim for healthy sound
dogs. It is important to ask your breeder about these issues in there pedigree.
Temperament
A nast basenji is not a basenji you want to live with for 12- 17 years. Temperament includes the
ability to socialize with other Dogs (including other basenjis), Children, strangers and your family. We understand that a
big part of temperment has to do with how puppies are raised, but we also understand temperament has to do with genetics. We
are aiming to breed only with dogs that have great temperaments.
Movement
We believe that movement is directly related to structure. If a basenji is bred correctly, movement should
be effortless. (Please refer to AKC standards). We will not sacrifice movement in any breeding that we do. We will
try to maintain constant effortless gait in any breedings that we produce.
Outcome:
Although this criteria is hard to meet, we acknowledge achieving all these aspects in a breeding program
will be hard if not impossible to obtain. There is no perfect basenji. No dog is perfect, and no dog will ever be perfect.
With that said, it is important for breeders to continue to breed towards the "idea" of perfection which allows the standard
and overall health of the breed to improve as a breed.
