"Versatility abounds when you use Native hounds!"
Mission Statement ... our focus is on the whole dog
At sinbajé basenjis we don't just focus on generic breed type, as outlined by the American Kennel Club breed standard, we also focus on the breed function, proven via multiple performance venues such as agility, obedience, rally, coursing and racing. We have been physically active within the
basenji breed since 1994, during which time our dogs have earned in excess of 100 AKC titles, in addition to multiple titles in NADAC, ASFA, UKC, LGRA and IABCA venues. Don't let these titles fool you, sinbajé basenjis are first and foremost members of the family; when not working, training or playing, our basenjis spend 99.9% of their time lounging on the chairs and sofas of their choice dispersed throughout the family home. At sinbajé we aspire for all basenjis to be raised in similar stimulating, yet comfortable, environments throughout their lives; as a result we breed for ourselves first, the fancy second. Which means sinbajé basenjis breeds for quality never quantity; our litters are carefully planned only when we have the time and space in our current pack to devote to the proper training and rearing of what we expect will be a 12-16 year member of the family. Realistically sinbajé can not keep every puppy lovingly produced, allowing other committed breed fanciers the opportunity to become extended members of our family, to whom we are available 24/7 should the need arise for the lifetime of their beloved companion. Sensitive to pet overpopulation concerns, all companion animals are co-owned and placed via limited registration with a spay/neuter contract.
...our truth in breeding and health testing practices
sinbajé basenjis takes their role as breed guardians seriously. We fully understand the need, and importance, for creating and maintaining genetic diversity within a limited gene pool. Sinbajé basenjis does not ascribe to the practice of breeding to popular sires, defined by sinbajé as any male used in excess of four times; nor do we burden our females (nor our gene pool) with more then one litter. A well respected long term breeder wisely told me, "It is much better for diversity if three bi***es have one litter than one bitch having three litters." Due to our desire to maintain genetic diversity through limited and conscientious breeding practices our success has been deemed as "too slow" for fanciers focused on instantaneous results and/or brag rights. However, at sinbajé basenjis, we feel we are right on schedule as evidenced by what another long time breeder (of multiple champions on at least three continents) recently had to say, "I had a look at your website - and your breeding. I think I'm going to have to save my pennies and get a puppy from you! I like the bloodline combinations that you have - and the type that you are breeding." Every basenji owned and/or bred by sinbajé, regardless of breeding potential, are health tested to some degree, including puppies destined to live elsewhere. Every sinbajé basenji used for breeding is held to a high health standard and is expected to pass their OFA/CHIC tests with favorable, and when applicable yearly, results. Future owners should be aware that eye and thyroid testing only reflect the testing period; results from both of these tests expire after 12 months, yet many breeders continue to advertise their dog's eyes and/or thyroids as "normal" when in fact the current status might not be known or has not been known for greater than one, oft times, two years. Since not all CHIC distinctions advertised reflect current, nor factual, health results future owners must ask for the most recent results or find out why there are none since legitimate reasons can exist; an example would be our boy Drew, due to Valley Fever (a fungal infection found in our region) lost one eye therefore he can not CERF though his remaining eye is deemed PRA clear twice yearly when he is checked by a Board Certified Opthamologist. At sinbajé basenjis we feel all basenjis used for breeding should have current applicable yearly results for, at minimum, that breeding year; to breed first then test is synonymous to closing the barn door after the horse has left the stables! Health testing, and how to breed appropriately using said results has its own set of complexities and breed responsibilities. Creating and/or maintaining sufficient genetic diversity is impossible if breeders focus solely on "clear or normal" breeding prospects. If breeders only bred "normal" dogs, and culled the rest, a breeds usable gene pool could decrease by half with each generation! While this alone would be detrimental to a breed under ideal circumstances, it could be catastrophic to a breed should another disease become known. Carriers, and even affecteds, of certain anomalies, when bred (without risk to the breeding animal) to clear or normal of said anomaly, can and do help a breed to maintain genetic vigor for future generations; the old "don't throw the baby out with the bath water" school of thought. Any breeder who insists on breeding clears to clears not only lacks their breeds genetic future as a primary goal, they are quite possibly breeding towards some unknown, but equally deadly disease to which all clear/normal genes might be associated. In truth, breedings limited to 'clear or normal' status create similar genetic bottlenecks as seen in the popular sire syndrome effect, and do nothing for long-term breed viability - a goal all responsible breeders should be striving for. Every puppy born at sinbajé will be given the best possible start to a healthful long life by ascribing to the minimal vaccination protocol. Sinbajé basenjis does not feel preemptive treatment is best for long term health, therefore our pups are not empirically de-wormed, as is the norm with many breeders, instead relying on actual f***l tests to confirm or deny the need for what amounts to an oral pesticide. Sinbajé puppies are microchipped around 7 weeks of age, prior to their first CERF eye exam, and will be AKC registered before leaving for their new homes.
..our puppies mental and physical foundation
Sinbajé puppies are raised following the suggestions outlined by Dr. Carmen Battaglia, Ph.D. Early Neurological Stimulation article. Pups are handled daily in a multitude of ways, as per his recommendations, for the sole purposes of introducing mild stressors. Research shows that animals challenged with minimal amounts of daily stress during the first few weeks of life have better adult coping skills of everyday stressors as compared to non stimulated brethren. Sinbajé puppies, once mobile, have access to a vast array of objects and surfaces in which to explore for the purpose of instilling much needed confidence. As the puppies mature, socialization continues with daily and/or weekly jaunts to a multitude of safe locations where they meet and greet a variety of humans, canines and if possible felines of various s*x, breed, race and ages. At this time each pup will begin to spend the night alone, in a crate next to our bed, for needed crate exposure. Sinbajé puppies will go to their new homes started in clicker training with age appropriate introductions to various behaviors such as sit, down and wait. Additionally sinbajé puppies have supervised daily access in which to play on various agility obstacles such as the tunnel, teeter, dog walk and A-frame. Visit www.sinbaje.com -> about basenjis -> basenji articles by sinbaje -> Foundation Article: Building Blocks for a more in depth view of how a sinbajé puppy is raised. This article was written for the Basenji Club of Victoria (Australia) in 2008.
..it's just who we are
In North America there are only three (3) recognized purebred registries. The American Kennel Club (AKC), the United Kennel Club (UKC) and the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC). Note: The Canadian Kennel Club is NOT to be confused with bogus "CKC breed registries" advertised on the Internet; do NOT be fooled. Sinbajé basenjis does not ascribe to any of the illegitimate registries popping up online for use by less then scrupulous backyard breeders and puppy millers with the intent to make themselves appear more legitimate then they truly are so that they can charge the public more money for their "registered" product. Sinbajé basenjis does not sell, or place for sale, any puppies or adults, with any business or person whose sole or primary interest is monetary profit. This includes, but is not limited to, local or national pet stores similar to Petland, animal brokers similar to the Hunte Corp, or commercial USDA licensed kennels, similar to Harmony Hounds. Responsible breeders do not take Mastercard, Visa, or Paypal for their puppies; we are not a business, we will not make a profit, nor do we expect to. As a member of good standing and active volunteer with The Basenji Club of America, the national breed club, sinbajé basenjis will never pressure a person wanting a companion animal to do any the following: a) show in any type of conformation or performance venue b) keep their animals intact (unaltered) so that sinbajé basenjis may breed them at a later date; responsible breeders keep the best breeding prospect for themselves, having no need for a multitude of related, intact animals spread across the country. On the rare occasion when a quality male can not be kept, whose genes we want to preserve, sinbajé basenjis will be responsible for costs incurred for s***m collection prior to neutering. What sinbajé basenjis will do is support any owner who would like to try a performance event, up to and including, offering a contractual cash back incentive for titles earned. We also have first right of refusal should an owner be unable, or unwilling, to care for their sinbajé companion for their life duration. While sinbajé basenjis supports rescue organizations and applauds all that they do, we will never rely, much less expect or demand, any rescue organization to come to the aid of any puppy born here at sinbajé, no responsible breeder should.
..it's really up to you
Ultimately, it is up to you, the public, to educate yourself to ensure you get the best and healthiest companion possible. Help support responsible breeders by NOT supporting those people who:
1) are NOT members in good standing with their national breed club
2) lack pedigree integrity due to bogus and less then scrupulous breed "registries"
3) lack proven, and when applicable, annual health clearances
4) treat their animals as products in which to generate income vs. living breathing animals
5) have multiple litters on the ground; too many litters equates to less individual stimulation/socialization
