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TOP 20 Q & A
1) Q: Are Beaubri Basenjis registered?
Do they come with papers?
A: Yes. Adults and puppies are
registered with the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) (http://www.ckc.ca/en/). Most of the
parents are also registered with the American Kennel Cub (AKC).
Being a member of the CKC, AKC, BCOC (Basenji Club Of Canada) and
BCOA (Basenji Club Of America), it is illegal, unethical and
immoral, to sell un-registered puppies. Please click below for more
information.
http://www.ckc.ca/en/
2) Q: How old are the pups when I can
bring them home?
A: The earliest they can go to their
new homes is at 8 weeks of age. If it were any earlier, they would have not had
enough time to develop and grow into healthy, happy puppies.
3) Q: How much do you sell them for?
A: I prefer the word "place" rather than
"sell". These are my babies. I helped bring them into this world
and am responsible for their well being throughout their lives.
For a quote as to the cost of a Beaubri puppy, please
contact Simone at
simonegaudet@telus.net.
4) Q: How do you decide on
your
prices?
A: Both parents are OFA'd (http://www.offa.org/) for hip
dysplasia, patella's (knee caps) and CERF'd. (an eye exam)
Please visit
http://www.beaubri.com/FAQ.html for
more in-depth information. The puppies will have their eyes
tested before they go to their new homes and will have had their first set of
vaccinations and will have been de-wormed.
They will also be tattooed for identification.
As you will read below, there is a lot more
testing and planning that goes into conscientious breeding than just mating
two dogs together.
5) Q: I see many different dogs/
breeds in the newspapers are sold for less. Why is that?
A: Responsible breeders dedicate their lives
to breeding healthy, happy dogs. It takes a wealth of
knowledgeable research,
experience and health testing to produce a healthy dog. Breeders also
guarantee their puppies and adult dogs for health.
There are many additional
costs that go into responsible breeding that people don't
realize. A few examples are: The cost of a stud fee, and flying
the girl to the stud (if necessary) and back, OR the cost of
frozen or chilled semen plus shipping & customs charges. The
costs of testing the girl to be bred (brucelosis, progesterone
or target testing). Then the costs of an ultra sound and x-rays.
If it's a difficult birth, add the cost of an emergency vet
visit and C section. Don't forget the increased cost of a proper
nutritional diet for the pregnant girl and the additional food
the puppies will gobble down three or four times a day. Lastly,
the cost of two loads of laundry a day to keep the pups in clean
blankets. There are other small costs (too numerous to mention)
that really add up in producing a healthy litter.
Most, but not all, dogs that are advertised in newspapers are dogs that no longer fit into their owners lives
for whatever reason,
litters that are born by mistake, or just that owner that want to
have a puppy from their dog. Please be aware of BYB (back yard
breeders) or puppy mills. Be aware of puppies sold in pet
stores. Many times these particular dogs are not health tested beforehand. Dog 'A' meets dog 'B'. Result, cute little puppies for
sale.
6) Q: What health testing do you do
if any?
A: First off, BEWARE of any breeder
that does NOT do health testing. Sometimes there is a
specific reason for one or more tests not to have been done BUT
more often than not it is the unscrupulous breeder that doesn't
test due to the possibility of these tests cutting into their
so-called profit. A reputable breeder rarely IF EVER makes a
profit on their litters.
A reputable breeder will do
all they can to better the breed. Health testing is an important
part of this commitment. Please visit
http://www.beaubri.com/FAQ.html for
more health information on Basenjis. When talking to a breeder,
ask to see the test results. Don't just take
'their' word for it that it has been done.
At Beaubri, ALL dogs in my care are tested
for hip dysplasia (http://www.offa.org/hipgeninfo.html) at
2 years of age and up. This is the earliest age the OFA (http://www.offa.org/) will
provide a certificate for this test. All of my dogs are tested for patellar luxation
(http://www.offa.org/patluxgeninfo.html)
The earliest this test can be done is at 1 year of age for
certification. Every
year the dogs that are to be bred are also tested for eyes. This
is called a CERF exam. (http://www.vmdb.org/history.html).
The results of this exam are only guaranteed by CERF for 1 year.
Hence, every year a new test can and should be done.
NOTE: NOT all dogs
that are tested pass. The results can be found on the CERF site
(http://www.vmdb.org/verify.html) or
linked on the OFA site (http://www.offa.org/search.html).
This will give you all OFA records for hips, patella's and CERF.
I research many dog's pedigrees to find the
perfect match for my girls. In breeding quality healthy puppies,
it takes more than just "two to tango".
7) Q: Is it true that Basenji's
don't bark?
A: To a point, yes. In fact, they do not
bark consistently like an 'average' dog. Their vocal cords are
more likened to humans. Therefore if you bark a few times your
throat hurts. The same thing hold true for a Basenji. The do bark on occasion
though. One or two woofs. That's it. But, they are not a mute
or silent dog either. They can scream, talk, whine and of
course yodel.
8) Q: I've read that Basenjis dig and
climb. Can they?
A: Yes, they have been know to do both BUT I
try to discourage this. None of the Basenji's that live with
me do either. It is something you must be aware of however.
9) Q: Basenji's don't shed. Is this
true?
A: No. Basenjis, like any other animal,
including humans, shed BUT basenjis do not shed like the
average dog. Mainly they shed once a year and usually will release the most hair
from the back of their neck. Regular
brushing will limit this. With shedding, the highs and lows in
the weather as well as indoor lighting play a factor.
10) Q: Are Basenjis good with children?
A: Yes. If you get a puppy and they are brought
up properly with children they are great. I personally would not take an older dog who has never
met children and place him in an atmosphere that he has never
been exposed to or become accustomed to.
11) Q: Are basenjis good with cats and
other dogs?
A: Yes, if introduced to and been well socialized
with as a
puppy.
12) Q: I've read Basenjis are an active
dog. Can they live in a condo or apartment?
A: Basenjis are well suited to an apartment.
Just make sure they get regular walks. They love exercise but
also enjoy just curling up on the couch with you.
13) Q: I've heard Basenjis are
destructive. Are they?
A: Like any dog, if left alone for long periods
of time, they will get bored and find something to amuse
themselves with. Most adults are perfectly well mannered
provided they are trained
properly. Generally it's mostly puppies that should not be
left to their own devices. Puppies love to explore their new
world and, if left unsupervised, can and will get into
mischief.
14) Q: Is it better to own a male or
female? What is the difference?
A: Mostly it's personal preference. The males
lift their leg, the girls squat. Personality or activity
level does not differ between the sexes. I would suggest
though, if you have a male or female dog already, it would be best to
get a second dog of the opposite sex.
15) Q: I understand Basenjis are
hypo-allergenic. Is this true?
A: To a point yes. Their coat is more likened
to hair than fur just as the dander is. Most people who are
allergic to animals can live with a Basenji. If you have allergies it
is best to visit the breeder's dogs a few times to make sure
you are not effected by them.
16) Q: I think crate training is mean.
Why do you want me to do it??
A: To a dog, their crate is like their own
bedroom. They will go in, often of their own choice, for a quiet, undisturbed nap.
It's their den. Never pull a dog out from it's crate. It's
their sanctuary. In life we all need a 'time out' at
times. If your dog is getting too feisty and won't settle
down, just tell him to go in his crate. Or ,if you are having a
lot of people over, it's safer for him to stay in his crate
than to escape out the front or back door or steal food off the dinner
table :))
17) Q: From what I've read, Basenji's
are cat-like. How so?
A: They can be independent and aloof. They also
lick and clean themselves like a cat. They love to lie on the
back of the couch, and watch life go by. Make no mistake
though,
they are definitely a dog.
18) Q: I've heard Basenji's escape
artists. Is this true?
A: YES. A front door or gate
left open is an invitation to run and explore. They are also
very good at opening screen or patio doors. They are very
inquisitive by nature. Basenjis are from the hound group so
their instinct is to hunt and chase. It may be the neighbours
cat, a bird or rabbit, or even cars. Cars are just bigger,
faster prey. If a Basenji escapes from the house, 9 times out
of ten they will be hit by a car. They run very fast and don't
obey traffic lights nor do they give any thought to their own
safety. It is up to all humans to protect their dogs and to
keep them out of harm's way. This is one very good reason why
a 6-foot fence is recommended.
19) Q: Are Basenjis hard to train?
A: Basenjis are very intelligent. Smart like a
fox actually. As with any breed, it is best to start training as
soon as you get your puppy. Using treats, cookies or food,
teach your puppy the basics, like sit, down, off, wait, heel etc. Training a puppy properly
and consistently will result in a polite,
well behaved adult dog. Basenjis do have their own mind, so
consistency and patience are the key. As with training any
dog, always end the session on a positive note.
20) Q: Can I walk my basenji off lead?
A: NO. As explained in answer 18, Basenjis can
be distracted easily outside. They should ALWAYS be on a lead
to keep them safe.
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