Find a Breeder

The directory below lists BCOA member breeders who have opted into public listing. Use it as a starting point. Before placing a deposit on a puppy, the Club strongly encourages prospective owners to interview the breeder, visit in person where possible, and check references. Also consider an adult or rescued basenji as an alternative to a puppy.

Before you buy: questions to ask a breeder

You've researched the basenji in books and on the Internet, perhaps even visited adult basenjis and their breeders. The questions below help you tell a responsible, dedicated breeder from someone producing puppies indiscriminately or for profit. No single question is decisive on its own; they are starting points for a real conversation.

Responsible breeders never sell puppies to pet shops or commercial brokers. Pet-shop basenjis are produced for profit, without regard to health or temperament, and the breeders aren't around to support new owners through the lifetime of the dog.

  • 1 How long have you been involved with basenjis?

    Someone who begins to breed immediately after acquiring their first dogs may lack the background knowledge to evaluate pedigrees for health and temperament, and may not have enough experience to provide accurate ongoing advice.

  • 2 Do you belong to any dog clubs?

    Membership in the BCOA or a regional basenji club indicates that a breeder maintains contact with other people committed to the breed. Members receive publications with information on health testing and other issues that affect the welfare of the breed.

  • 3 Do you show your dogs in conformation, or participate in performance events?

    Breeders who show or compete in lure coursing, agility, or obedience have many chances to compare their dogs against basenjis bred by others. They are more likely to be in the loop on health information and to be serious, life-long students of the breed.

  • 4 Do you health test the basenjis you're breeding?

    Responsible breeders are aware of the health problems affecting basenjis and use the best testing methods available to screen their breeding stock. Hip and eye results can be verified at ofa.org, but a responsible breeder volunteers their documentation. Tests to expect: hip evaluation, inherited eye disease screening (CERF), the direct Fanconi DNA test, the PRA DNA test, and thyroid panels. See the Basenji Health page for the current list.

  • 5 What specific health concerns are behind the sire and dam of this litter?

    Serious breeders talk openly about health issues they've encountered in their lines and explain how they are working to avoid problems in the future. Even careful breeders sometimes encounter Fanconi or PRA, which appear later in life, but DNA tests for both are now standard. Ask for the DNA test results of the sire and dam of any litter you're considering.

  • 6 How do you select a sire or dam for a litter?

    It's reasonable for a breeder to occasionally use two dogs they own, but if every litter uses only in-house dogs, that's a signal. It can mean the breeder is avoiding stud fees, doesn't understand the importance of genetic matching, or isn't well-regarded by other breeders and so has limited choices.

  • 7 How many litters do you breed per year?

    Properly raising and socializing a litter is time-consuming. A breeder routinely producing many litters per year in their own home may be cutting corners on veterinary care, nutrition, or socialization. There are legitimate exceptions; a responsible breeder will be willing to talk through their strategy.

  • 8 Do you have a waiting list for your upcoming litter?

    Breeders begin looking for homes as soon as they decide to produce a litter; interviewing prospective owners takes time. Many add to their waiting list in spring for a fall breeding. A breeder who waits until the puppies are born to find homes may not be putting enough thought into placement.

  • 9 How long do you keep puppies with their siblings and dam?

    Basenji puppies are not ready for new homes before eight weeks. Puppies separated too early miss critical canine communication and may develop behavior issues, house-training trouble, or poor bite inhibition.

  • 10 How do you socialize your puppies?

    Basenjis need many positive early experiences with new people, places, and animals to become well-adjusted adults. The breeder should explain in detail how they socialize their puppies and what you can do to continue the work once your puppy comes home.

  • 11 Do you screen prospective buyers?

    Most breeders who care about their dogs won't place a puppy with someone they've never met or corresponded with at length. Expect to provide references (including from a landlord if you rent), expect a visit if you're within reach, and expect the breeder to want to meet everyone in the household. If a breeder will ship a puppy without a screening process, that should be a concern.

  • 12 What are your spay or neuter requirements?

    Responsible breeders place companion puppies on spay or neuter contracts. They don't want their dogs bred indiscriminately, and they understand that most pet owners aren't looking for the demands of living with an intact basenji.

  • 13 Do you sell all of your puppies on written contracts with AKC registration?

    Responsible breeders use written contracts that protect the buyer and state expectations clearly. Contracts include health guarantees and a take-back provision for the life of the dog. Basenjis are an AKC-registered breed; U.S. breeders should not need alternative registries, many of which exist to provide papers for dogs that don't qualify for AKC registration.

  • 14 How much do you charge for a puppy?

    Prices vary by area, and there are legitimate reasons for charging more or less than is usual. A breeder selling significantly below market may be producing too many litters and looking to sell quickly. A breeder selling well above market should be able to explain why.

  • 15 Can you provide references from other puppy buyers and breeders?

    A responsible breeder will have a long list of references and won't hesitate to share them. Follow up; a disreputable seller may name well-known breeders in the hope that you won't bother to call. Take the time to contact every reference.

Arizona

Susan A Howard

Sulouron

Tonopah, Arizona

Email
Offers
Adults · Puppies · Stud

Barbara Reisinger & Jared Reisinger

Ture

Scottsdale, Arizona

Email
Website
turehounds.com
Offers
Puppies · Stud

California

Patricia E. Cembura & Levi Bartley

Arubmec

El Sobrante, California

Email
Website
arubmecbasenjis.com
Offers
Puppies · Adults · Stud · Mentorship

Stella Sapios

Astarte

Carpinteria, California

Email
Offers
Adults · Puppies · Stud

Colorado

Laurie Stargell & Jack Stargell

SkyHi

Windsor, Colorado

Email
Website
skyhibasenjis.com
Offers
Adults · Puppies · Stud

Florida

Cynthia A. Shattuck

Veramonte

Ocala, Florida

Email
Website
veramontekennel.com
Offers
Adults · Puppies · Stud

Idaho

Rose Holt

Akwe

Parma, Idaho

Email
Offers
Adults · Puppies · Stud

Illinois

Karen L. Kuchta

Dakars

Wilmington, Illinois

Email
Offers
Adults · Puppies · Stud

Indiana

A. Tad Brooks

Meisterhaus

Floyds Knobs, Indiana

Email
Website
meisterhaus.com
Offers
Adults · Puppies · Stud

Maria Nelson Frame

Mariah

Huntington, Indiana

Email
Offers
Adults · Puppies

Massachusetts

Pamela Geoffroy & Sheila Lund

Eldorado

North Attleboro, Massachusetts

Email
Website
eldoradobasenjis.com
Offers
Adults · Puppies · Stud

Michigan

Audra Fitzpatrick-Cook

Bloodstone

Grand Haven, Michigan

Email
Offers
Puppies

Kelli Harmon

Kiroja

Southgate, Michigan

Email
Website
kirojabasenjis.com
Offers
Adults · Puppies · Stud

Suzanne LaCroix & Brooke E. Barker

Kennel Bon Mot

New Hudson, Michigan

Email
Offers
Adults · Puppies · Stud

New Hampshire

Debbie Hauri

Mata Hauri

Enfield, New Hampshire

Email
Website
matahauribasenjis.com
Offers
Adults · Puppies · Stud

New Jersey

Doris J. Daniels

Djakomba

Brick, New Jersey

Email
Offers
Puppies · Stud

New York

Dwayne Lazore

Skywalker

Hogansburg, New York

Email
Offers
Adults · Puppies · Stud

Lizabeth Nickless & Robert Huhn

Bellator

Amsterdam, New York

Email
Website
bellatorbasenjis.com
Offers
Adults · Puppies · Stud

Ohio

Sue Kite

Klassic

Marion, Ohio

Email
Website
klassicbasenjis.com
Offers
Adults · Puppies · Stud

Oklahoma

Kathryn Boyd

Kasendo

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Email
Offers
Adults · Puppies · Stud

Elda R. Cross

Tutu

Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

Email
Offers
Puppies · Stud

Oregon

Kathryn Britton

Khani'S

Portland, Oregon

Email
Website
khanis.org
Offers
Puppies · Adults · Stud · Mentorship

Theresa (Teri) Cuzzetto

Takari

Gresham, Oregon

Email
Offers
Adults · Puppies · Stud

Pennsylvania

Karen Hutchison

Karnak, reg.

Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Email
Website
basenjikarnak.com
Offers
Adults · Puppies · Stud

Chris Maxka

SunDiata

Littlestown, Pennsylvania

Email
Website
sundiatabasenjis.com
Offers
Adults · Puppies · Stud

Virginia

Julie Hartigan

Marjani

Purcellville, Virginia

Email
Website
marjanibasenji.com
Offers
Puppies · Adults · Stud

Danielle Johnston

Haus Annandael

Fredericksburg, Virginia

Email
Website
annandael.org
Offers
Puppies · Stud

Washington

Julia Alpert

Litespeed

Longview, Washington

Email
Offers
Adults · Puppies · Stud

Bryan Gregory & Laurie Gregory

Jumoke

Woodinville, Washington

Email
Website
jumoke.com
Offers
Adults · Puppies · Stud

Brenda Phillips

Makindu

Renton, Washington

Email
Website
makindubasenjis.com
Offers
Puppies · Stud

Natalie Scherwin

dLucks

Olympia, Washington

Email
Website
dlucksbasenjis.com
Offers
Adults · Puppies · Stud

Annie St.Clair

Stormborn

Yelm, Washington

Email
Website
stormbornbasenji.com
Offers
Puppies · Mentorship

Rita L. Webb

No Ka Oi

Marysville, Washington

Email
Offers
Adults · Puppies · Stud

Wisconsin

Laura Mae Hesse

Laurel

Poynette, Wisconsin

Email
Offers
Puppies · Adults · Stud · Mentorship