Memetuka

Freya, Rocco and Sunny

Freya, Rocco and Sunny

photo by: Derwent Photography

Freya, Uma, Obi & Rocco

Freya, Uma, Obi & Rocco

photo by: Victoria Gaskell

Layla & Arun

Layla & Arun

photo by: Victoria Gaskell

Isaak & Asha

Isaak & Asha

photo by: Victoria Gaskell

We are a small kennel based in the northern Lake District.
I became intrigued by the breed having seen a basenji win BIS at Crufts in 2001 and so when circumstances allowed I acquired my first, Elsa, in 2005.


Although I show my dogs, they are first and foremost a part of the family and live indoors with us.


I only breed using health tested stock of good type and temperament and puppies are occasionally available to carefully vetted homes.
I like to get to know any potential puppy owner and actively encourage anyone considering a basenji to come and visit our dogs in their home environment. This also allows us to place individual puppies into the right homes for them once they have been assessed around 5 - 6 weeks of age.


All puppies are KC registered, microchipped, wormed and health checked before going to their new homes from 9 weeks of age onwards. Five weeks free insurance is also included. I provide a comprehensive puppy pack including a bag of food, dietry guide and care sheet, transfer of ownership documents and puppy sales contract.


IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN GIVING ONE OF OUR PUPPIES A LOVING FOREVER HOME, PLEASE E-MAIL ME WITH DETAILS OF YOUR LIFESTYLE/PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND THE RESEARCH THAT YOU HAVE DONE REGARDING THE BREED.
Unfortunately, one line e-mails or e-mails that do not include the information requested above, will not be responded to.

*PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT BASENJIS ARE NOT A HYPOALLERGENIC BREED*
Basenjis shed fur and dander like any other breed and have a major coat change in the spring. Although some people are less likely to have an allergic reaction, there is no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic dog. Reactions can also occur when in contact with dog saliva.


I am on the Basenji Club Of Great Britain judging B-List.

*** MEMETUKA CREAM O'THE CROP CONFIRMED AS 'OUR DOGS' UK TOP PUPPY IN BREED 2017 ***


Each of our dogs has their own page. Please click on their individual link below in the 'Our Dogs' section.

There are many more photos of the pack in our 'Gallery' which can be found in the Menu section.

So, you want a basenji?

First of all you need to know about the Partnership with a Hound
I think the frustration with hounds comes from a lack of understanding of them and what their original purpose for being selectively bred is.
Hounds do not believe that they NEED you. You are a lovely part of their day - like a favourite coffee cup or a favourite pair of shoes. If the cup is broken or the shoes are lost, we can get along just fine with another.
Let me explain:
Where other breeds of dogs like Labradors, Shepherds, Border Collies, and a host of others are bred to work WITH man; their original bred temperament is to work alongside man in cooperation to achieve a goal.
The Border Collie follows man's commands to herd the livestock. The Lab follows the hunter's commands to get the quarry - so and so forth. They are a teammates of man. Neither can do their work without the other --- and so they have been bred for aeons to have that in their make up --- to be anxious to please. Even the worst behaved Labrador cares when mum and dad are annoyed. It is in their DNA to make man happy.
Hounds... not so much.
Hounds have been bred for aeons to be taken out to the edge of the woods or field and be let loose to go out and do what they do with NO INSTRUCTION from the hunter or handler. They go out and do their thing, all on their own. They make their own decisions and do their own work. And when that work is done and they have found their quarry, they command/call the hunter to come to them with those beautiful voices. (Who is working for whom in that scenario?)
Do you see how your hound thinks differently?
Life with a Hound is far more like having a spouse than a dog. It is far more of a "cooperative effort" with all the give and take that implies. Hounds are not going to do what you say just because you have said it. You are secondary to their desire. There has to be something in it for them. There has to be a trade off. If there is no reward or benefit for the Hound, the Hound cares little what you are asking him/her to do. People incorrectly refer to this as being stubborn - or worse, stupid.
Hounds are actually neither of those things - they are just independent and cunning. They prioritize things differently than do other breeds. They prioritize differently and *you* are not always their priority.
And, This is EXACTLY AS THEY SHOULD BE.
They were bred to be this way. It is all necessary to be a successful hound dog.
When working with a Hound you have to always be thinking:
How do I make myself the priority?
What do I have to give this dog to make me more important than what it smells - or wants? (and do not expect that anything will ever be 100% successful every time - always be looking for your Hound to act like a Hound.)
We humans always think we are in charge of things. We think that we are top of the chain, the head honcho...and we naturally approach training our dogs and living with our dogs this way - as though we are in charge.
Your Hound doesn't see it that way.
Your Hound - at best - sees you as a family member or as a sibling (if you are very fortunate - as a parent). Do you walk into your sister or brother's house, start barking orders and they hop to?
Mostly your Hound sees you as a good friend. And what do we do with our friends? When a friend does something for us, we return those favours. There is give and take. When a friendship is out of balance - when one friend takes and takes but does not give - the friendship suffers.
Hounds are happiest when their humans are humble and work with their character. A bond with a hound is not an easy one to create. There is a lot of ground work involved but when it is established and the balance is there, it’s a beautiful thing.
So if you have a hound or want one, love and appreciate them for what they are and not what they aren’t.

(This is a repost from a few different areas on the web where the author is unknown)

Ms V L Stone
Cockermouth
Cumbria
England

Breeder of:

  • Basenji

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Rainbow Bridge

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