After being married two and a half years, and purchasing our own home in northwest Indiana, Mike and I decided we were ready for a puppy. Since Mike grew-up with Basenjis, it only seemed logical (to him) that we choose a Basenji. We adopted "our" first Basenji, a tri-colored girl in January of 1992. Zandi is pictured below. Even Mike's experience with the Breed could not prepare us for this high-energy, headstrong, and feisty girl. I was hooked!
While at an obedience fun match, Zandi and I were introduced to the "Dog Show World." We saw another Basenji Competing in conformation and decided we would try that aspect of competition. While showing in conformation requires hard work and dedication to train and socialize the dog, it takes a fraction of the time required to train for obedience competition. We ditched competing in obedience as conformation afforded me more valuable time for juggling marriage, a full-time job, and nursing school.
When Zandi was two years-old, I went to Kirsten Sigrist's home, Istari Basenji, just to "look" at the1/8th new African puppies (See BCOA African Stock Project). Well, Hannah (pictured above on the right) stole my heart! She immediately came to me and napped in my lap. It truly was love at first sight! Hannah is our first AKC Champion. She also attended basic agility classes which she seemed to enjoy, but shortly after starting classes, we moved to Missouri where, unfortunately, no agility classes were available, ending Hannah's agility career. She was bred in July of 1997, and blessed us with three red & white puppies in September of 1997. Ringo and Jasmine (pictured below) stayed at Ankhu.
Ringo obtained all of his points from the highly competitive bred-by exhibitor class and is our first home-bred Champion. Like his mother was, Ringo is full of happiness and loves to please his humans.
Jasmine also earned all of her points towards her championship in the bred-by exhibitor class and she became a Champion shortly after Ringo. She is a curious "punk" who, even as a veteran, always makes us laugh. In September of 2001, Jasmine also completed the requirement for her Junior Courser Title.
Once Ringo and Jasmine had earned their Championship titles, I was undecided about what I wanted to do next. I had considered breeding another litter, but while that is very rewarding if done correctly, breeding is also physically and emotionally exhausting. The answer to my question came sooner than expected! My friend, Linda Ehlers of Jerlin Basenjis just happened to have a litter of puppies that was born on Christmas Day in 1999 and a black and white female was available. Whitney (pictured below) had an incredible show career and became a Champion very quickly. During her specials career, Whitney won several placements in the Hound group and she was also the FIRST black and white female to ever win a specialty best in show win! She also earned her Junior Courser title in September of 2001.
In November of 2000, the entire gang moved again - - to Minnesota where the fun and adventure continues.
We bred Whitney in 2003. She delivered four gorgeous girls in December of 2003. Shelby (pictured below) stayed with us. She also won all of her points from the bred-by exhibitor class and became a Champion quickly, winning best in sweepstakes and best of winners/best bred-by exhibitor at a specialty show her first time in the ring. During her specials career, Shelby also won several placements in the Hound group.
In 2005/2006, we were thinking about breeding Whitney for her second litter. Then, we saw puppies from a litter out of Whitney's mother and we fell in love with Conan (pictured below). Instead of breeding tht year, we adopted our little man who shares the same name as another silly red-head, Conan O'Brien. Despite Conan's silliness and inability to take the show ring seriously, he finished his championship title with four majors and went on to win several placements in the Hound group while being specialed.
In August of 2007, Whitney had a second litter of all black and white puppies. Winston (below left) and Gracie (below right) stayed at Ankhu. Winston earned his championship title with all points from the bred-by exhibitor class, winning five majors, three of which were specialty wins, along the way to his Championship. Gracie became a Champion with three majors, her final major was a very nice specialty win. Gracie is being specialed at this time and during her warm-up year in 2009, she became the first black and white bitch in breed history to ever win a first place in the Hound group multiple times!
As if life wasn't crazy enough, we decided to breed two litters in 2007, combining pedigrees of two of our own dogs, Conan and Shelby. Shelby whelped seven happy puppies in December of 2007. Sophie (pictured below) stayed at Ankhu. Sophie earned all of her points from the bred-by exhibitor class and she also won a placement in the Hound group at her very first show!
Since adopting our first Basenji in January of 1992, Mike and I have definitely learned a lot about the breed. Living with Basenjis can be quite an adventure and we couldn't imagine our lives without at least one. We have and continue to assist in Basenji rescue. One or both of us are members of the Rochester MN Kennel Club, Basenji Club of America, and Basenji Club of Southeastern Wisconsin. Carrie served on the Board of Directors for the Basenji Club of America from 2005 through 2008.
