Bushwacker Basenjis originated in England and moved to Ontario, Canada in June 2009. Four Basenjis made the trip, three generations of the Bushwacker family that began in 1988 when I acquired my first Basenji. The first Canadian Bushwacker litter was born in November 2009 and has been very successful, with all four becoming AKC champions, one an American Grand Ch, and the three that live in Canada are also Canadian champions. This puts their dam Tara on the BCOA Brood Bitch Honor Roll. Not to be outdone, her daughter Figo, who also made the trip from England, is also on the BCOA Honor Roll, with 5 AKC champions under her belt, one a GCh in both the US and Canada.
Striving for correct Basenji type coupled with soundness and optimum health, I aim to produce fit, healthy dogs that over the years have graced the show rings of the UK, Europe, Ireland, Canada and the USA; have raced and coursed, visited hospitals and homes for the elderly as "PAT" dogs, and lived happily as family pets.
Health and temperament are as important as beauty, and all breeding stock undergoes relevant health testing. Even when living in the UK, hip x-rays were first scored under the KC/BVA scheme and then sent to OFA for evaluation and inclusion in their online public database.
About me
My first Basenji was born in 1987 and I began breeding them in 1994. I was involved in the show scene in England for over 20 years and spent many of those years as an officer and committee member of the Basenji Owners & Breeders Association, being elected to represent the club as a delegate to the Basenji Breed Council (a former liaison body between the three Basenji breed clubs and the English Kennel Club). During my time on the Breed Council, I served as the health coordinator. I also represented the breed at the Discover Dogs event run by the KC twice a year – at Crufts in March, and in London in November (similar to the Meet the Breeds events in North America) and regularly manned the Basenji booth with a couple of dogs to answer questions from the public, advise prospective owners, and chat to anyone interested in knowing more about the breed.
I am a member of the Canadian Kennel Club and have been a member of the Basenji Club of America for 25 years. I also served as Secretary of the Basenji Club of Canada.
I have sadly been neglecting this website and it is now out of date. There is no page yet for 2021 #1 Basenji and National Specialty Winner, Can GCh / Am Ch Bushwacker Jagged Little Frill, nor Can/Am Ch Bushwacker Kiss MyAurora, or Can Ch Bushwacker Empire Stripes Back. This will be rectified ... when I get around to it!