Samburu Basenjis was established in 1999, with the hope of preserving this ancient and endearing African breed and ensuring its future. All of our breeding stock is health-tested before being used in our breeding program. At Samburu, the health, happiness, and well-being of our dogs come first and are paramount to our success.
History
We got our first basenji in the early 70's. My father had seen the movie, Goodbye, My Lady, as a young man and become intrigued by this remarkable breed. After moving from a small city apartment into a home with a large, fenced yard, our dream of owning a basenji (or, more likely, of a basenji owning us) was realized when an adorable red and white male basenji puppy, Tang, joined our family one spring day. Unfortunately, like all too many basenjis, Tang was hit by a truck and killed when his lead broke and he darted out onto a busy street.
Later that same summer, we were lucky enough to get a second basenji, another red and male, also christened "Tang," from the late, respected breeder/judges, Norm and Mae Wallace of Tinas Comas Kennels. Tang II was my best friend and lived to be 13 years old.
After Tang II crossed the Rainbow Bridge, we contacted Judy Secaur (Fantasia Basenjis) of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and yet another red and white male, Fantasia's Adonis, "Donnie," joined us. The next year, Donnie's niece, Desi, came to live with us. Donnie lived to be nearly 13 years old, but Desi was not destined to be so lucky, as she developed Fanconi at the age of 7. Shortly thereafter, a stray dog mauled her as my mother walked her. Though Desi survived the vicious attack, her health declined drastically and rapidly over the next few weeks, and we made the difficult decision to end her suffering.
In January 1999, Rafiki, another red and white male, joined our lives. Rafiki finished his AKC champion-ship when he was 17 months old, and won three Best of Breeds and a Group 3 placement his first weekend as a Special. Last year, he attained the title of International champion, as well. Rafiki has won multiple Best of Breed awards and Group placements, and is now retired from show business and enjoying "the good life" here at home.
While being shown in 1999, Rafiki spent many happy hours cavorting with a lovely, elegant black and white female, Claire. In January 2000, Claire came to live with us. She is our first black and white basenji after all these years, and never ceases to delight us with her antics and vivacious personality. Claire is also an AKC champion, and is semi-retired from showing. She presented us with five lovely puppies in November 2001, and we decided to keep a pretty little tri-colored female from the litter, Chloe.
Chloe started her show career in June 2002, winning her first points by going Best Opposite at her first show. In only a handful of shows, Chloe was awarded three majors (two 5-pt. and one 4-pt. major), finishing her AKC championship in July 2004 by defeating 99 class entries to be awarded Winners Bitch and Best of Winners at the Evergreen Basenji Club specialty under respected breeder judge, Mrs. Marianne Carden Klinkowski (Naharin Basenjis).
Chloe inherited her mother's great temperament, although I must admit that Chloe is much more mischievous. If there is trouble to be found, Chloe undoubtedly is not too far behind!
Because the gene pool of the Basenji breed is very limited, and having admired Claire's old and healthy pedigree, we became excited in late 2000 to learn that Adam Druce (Tambuzi Basenjis) of Melbourne, Australia, had a gorgeous red and white bitch, Kelele, available to a show home. Adam very graciously agreed that Kelele could come to America to live with us, and we were thrilled to have her join us in December 2000. Kelele won her class at the 2001 Basenji Club Of America National Specialty, and easily won her UCI International title later that year, earning three V-1 (Very Excellent) ratings. Kelele finished her AKC title in June 2002, with back-to-back majors and a Best Of Breed win over specials the day after her second birthday.
In July 2002, Kelele was Best Opposite Sex at the Willamette Valley Basenji Club specialty, at which 40 bitches were entered. Kelele now enjoys being a lady of leisure, when not being harassed by her two rambunctious children (Bruiser & Sadie), from her first litter, born in December 2003 and sired by Am CH Reveille Hoo Wants Roses SDHR, "Hoover." Not only have the two little hooligans kept Kelele on her toes, but they've kept us hopping, as well!
Bruiser and Sadie's pedigree, our "keeper pups" from Kelele's 2003 litter, have a unique pedigree that is unique, because it combines some of the oldest, healthiest American and Australian lines. They have glorious, deep red coats. Like their parents, they have fantastic temperaments, as well as awesome conformation and movement. Unfortunately, we have been able to show them only sparingly.
Kelele was also bred in 2008 to CH Tamsala Hot Onya Heels "Neo." You can see photos of them at eight weeks old on our 2008 Litter page.
Rafiki, Claire, and Chloe are all 1/8 "new" African. Kelele, Claire, and Chloe are descended from CH Jamila's Jamadari, "JJ." His brother, CH Jamila's Madahiro Re, "Hiro," also appears in Kelele's pedigree. Both JJ and Hiro lived long, healthy lives and celebrated their 17th birthday before passing away in 2004.
