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Pronounced: "ju-mo'kee" "buh-sen'jee's" Jumoke Basenjis was established in 1985. The name "Jumoke" is from the Yorba Language of west Africa, the meaning is "Loved by All". I chose the name when I heard that a Lowland gorillia, born in the spring of 1985, at the Woodland Zoological Gardens in Seattle, was given the name Jumoke by the staff. I probly should have adjusted it to Jumoki, but didn't realize that designating the long "e" would be such a problem.
My first introduction to the Basenji was in 1974, when my parents purchased a female as a family pet. Her was named Lady, a popular name for Basenjis, taken from the book, and subequent movie, "Goodby My Lady" by James Street, which has inspired a many Basenji owners. Lady was a demanding dog, even through all her antics, she was very much loved by the family. I personally, formed a very strong bond with her. When the time came to move, as all military personal do, the next assignment was Japan. My Mother, Sisters, and I stayed in the States, we relocated to the Seattle area during my Dads overseas tour. Since Lady was raised in the desert of southern Arizona, it was determined best to allow Lady to continue to live out her life in the warm Arizona sun. It was trully, goodby my Lady.
I purchased my first Basenji in 1981, Terreract Mountain Music, also know as "Mounty". Born, 12/17/80, breed by Yvette Smith Walker and Robert T. Branner. By, Ch. Sunhue Tony Vikentor - Tesseract Wild Fire at Tennji. I purchased Mounty from Sheila H. Smith when he was 9 months old, and my life has not been the same since. I made many errors in raising Mounty, and as a result he was a rather neurotic dog. I didn't seek the help Sheila Smith until Mounty was two years old, at which time she suggested I meet with Melody Russell, the owner of Mounty's sire.
Meeting Melody's Basenjis was quite an experience. Upon a suggestion of Melody, I began to take handling class to retrain Mounty, I did not have any intentions on ever showing him. In November of 1983, I entered my first show and twenty some shows later, I received my first points. It was Oct. 7, 1984, we went winners dog for a 3 point major. I was hooked, bitten by the infamous show bug. Later I found out that Sheila Smith has been active in and breeding Basenjis since 1952, I'm honored to consider her my mentor.
I joined the Evergreen Basenji Club, Inc. in 1984, and have to date served seven years on the Board of Directors,including two years as president. My proudest accomplishments are, co-chair, contributing author and co-editor with Laurie Montgomery of the first through third editions of The Basenji Owners Manual, Establishing an aggressive advertising campaign locally, to discourage pet shop sells of Basenjis and the continuation of this campaign to educate prospective Basenji owners to buy only from responsible breeders. I have served on almost every conceivable committee contrived by the Evergreen Basenji Club, including chairing two speciality shows, and several lure trials.
My breeding policies are quite simple. Beginning with my first litter in 1985, and as of 1994, I have breed or co-breed 10 litters, producing 40 puppies. Better than 70% of these puppies were spayed or neutered. Less than 15% of the remaining unaltered have been breed, approximately 10% retained for future breeding, reperesenting the only very best. It is unfortanate that a few of these puppies have been lost, usually due to a collision with a car. I will continue to required and enforce spaying and neutering of the majority of the dogs which I have breed, reguardless of possible championship titles or other superficial breeding statics, and limit the breeding of the remaining.
My breeding is directed to producing a campanion quality Basenjis. I define campanion quality as: Stable and sound temperment as defined by the Standard for the Breed; Genetically free of health problem as technically possible; And conformation to the Basenji Standard for without conformation to the standard, it would no longer be a Basenji. All puppies are sold on contract, either spay or neuter, or restrictive breeding. Contracts are enforced by loss of ownership, forfeit of purchase price, and a specified punitive fine as governed by the laws of the State of Washington. I do not require showing or other requirements to obtain titles in my contracts. I encourage participation in dog activities, but believe that the owner should enjoy the activity as well. I offer a life time commitment to all Basenji I have breed. This commitment includes; Support in training and care for, and extending all possible resources to assist the owner; 10 year guarantee aganist loss of the Basenji to a known genetic health problem, limited to refunding of the purchase price or the replacement of the Basenji with a Basenji of similar age and sex depending on availability, at the breeders option; Assistance in re-placing the Basenji if it becomes necessary to find a new home.
I will continue to strive for excellence in responsible dog ownership. To encourage and promote only the thoughtful and discriminate breeding of purebred Basenjis, to do all possible to bring their natural qualities to perfection, and to discourage indiscriminate and commercial breeding as state as an object of the Evergreen Basenji Club, Inc. I believe education and spaying/neutering is the best way to reduce indiscriminate breeding. And of most importance, offer to the Basenji owner, that which I have learned, extend all possible resources, the knowledge to avoid the mistakes I, and others have made. To help the Basenji owner to raise a Basenji, as a well adjusted valuable member of the family.
Bryan Gregory, Jumoke Basenjis
Jumoke@prostar.com
Special Thanks to
Melody Russell, Fanfare Basenjis
Sheila H.
Smith, Tennji Basenjis,Tesseract Basenjis, Anasazi
Basenjis
Jac and Judy lange, Amun Basenjis
The
members of the Evergreen Basenji Club, Inc. and all
the wonderful Basenji breeder and Basenjis owners I
have had the pleasure of meeting.
And my good freinds
Laurie Montgomery, Quita Basenjis,
quita@foxinternet.net
George Woodard, Baru Basenjis,
baru@barkless.com
Please feel free to write any of us if you have any questions on the Basenji breed.