I've shown and done field trials with basenjis, bred a handful of litters and rescued quite a number over the years. My advice to someone who is very interested in the world of purebred dogs and breeding is to start attending the activities that your intended breed is known for and is available to see at. Rub shoulders with breeders, spend time playing with their dogs and seeking advice. Find a breeder you really like and trust. Some breeders are all talk and little ethics, unfortunately. Find one you can work with and would actually give your puppy back to if things didn't work out. Visit the breeders' home/dog set up and play with the dogs there.
In order to "make it" in the world of dog breeding and to be a reputable breeder yourself, you need to be willing not only to educate yourself well and to find good stock but to "get out there" eventually and present your dog(s) to the public and allow judges to rate them on conformation/field intelligence/obedience/agility. So, contemplate whether you have the interest and time and money to do those things. It can be a lot of fun, but it is a challenging pursuit, as well, requiring many weekend travels.
If you want a good dog or dogs, but maybe not the challenges of being a well-informed/intelligent breeder, then please consider rescue. I don't have BCs myself, but my community, because of being a sheep/cattle ranching area and because of a famous yearly Sheepdog Trial being held here, has many surplus (and wonderful!) young BCs and good homes for them are always needed. Many reputable rescue organizations will work with an adopter from a distance, online and over the phone, and will arrange for home visit by a volunteer near you who will be their eyes and ears and can help answer your questions/teach you how to be ready for your adoptive dog. And a good rescue organization knows/screens their foster dogs well, bending over backwards to help you to find the one for you that fits your expectations...which I think is much more predictable of finding successful match than getting a puppy can be!
Best wishes, whichever way you decide to go! I think BCs are very fun....I might get one myself someday!
Rosemary
In order to "make it" in the world of dog breeding and to be a reputable breeder yourself, you need to be willing not only to educate yourself well and to find good stock but to "get out there" eventually and present your dog(s) to the public and allow judges to rate them on conformation/field intelligence/obedience/agility. So, contemplate whether you have the interest and time and money to do those things. It can be a lot of fun, but it is a challenging pursuit, as well, requiring many weekend travels.
If you want a good dog or dogs, but maybe not the challenges of being a well-informed/intelligent breeder, then please consider rescue. I don't have BCs myself, but my community, because of being a sheep/cattle ranching area and because of a famous yearly Sheepdog Trial being held here, has many surplus (and wonderful!) young BCs and good homes for them are always needed. Many reputable rescue organizations will work with an adopter from a distance, online and over the phone, and will arrange for home visit by a volunteer near you who will be their eyes and ears and can help answer your questions/teach you how to be ready for your adoptive dog. And a good rescue organization knows/screens their foster dogs well, bending over backwards to help you to find the one for you that fits your expectations...which I think is much more predictable of finding successful match than getting a puppy can be!
Best wishes, whichever way you decide to go! I think BCs are very fun....I might get one myself someday!
Rosemary
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