Veterinary care
We work closely with experienced veterinary professionals, including North Richmond Veterinary Hospital and Dr Hamish Mills.
About Bakundu Basenjis
A little love for
a rare breed became
something bigger.
Bakundu Basenjis started with a love for our dogs, a fascination with a truly unique breed, and the hope that one day we could share the same happiness they have brought into our lives with other families.
Read our story
Our story
It began with
family.
Our story began with our first Basenji, Mbaku, who joined our family as the little brother to his older sister, Yoji, our beautiful white Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
Yoji has sadly since passed away, but she will always be part of our family's story. She helped shape the way we see dogs, not simply as pets, but as family members who share our homes, our adventures and so much of our lives.
When Mbaku came along, we quickly fell in love with everything that makes a Basenji a Basenji. Their intelligence, independence, curiosity, affection and sometimes hilariously stubborn personalities. They are unlike any other dog we have known.
Then came Chiku, and our love for the breed only grew. We began to realise just how rare Basenjis are in Australia, and how many people have never had the opportunity to meet one, let alone experience what it is like to share their life with one.
That is really where Bakundu began. We wanted to help more people discover this extraordinary breed, while thoughtfully raising healthy, confident and well-adjusted puppies who could bring as much love, laughter and companionship into their new families' lives as Mbaku and Chiku have brought into ours.
Our dogs are family
They live
like it, too.
We live in a terrace home in Sydney and regularly spend time at our other property on the beautiful South Coast of New South Wales. Our dogs are very much part of our everyday lives.
They come with us to cafés, join us at the office, accompany us on holidays and family trips, and are involved in just about everything we do. We would not have it any other way.
02-04Outings most days
01Life shared as a family
∞Curiosity encouraged
A considered home life
The right life is
more than a backyard.
We sometimes hear people say that dogs, particularly active and intelligent breeds, should not live in apartments or homes without enormous backyards. We see things a little differently.
We believe the quality of a dog's life is about far more than the size of their backyard. A large property can be wonderful, but it does not automatically mean a dog is getting the exercise, interaction, mental stimulation or companionship they need.
Our adult dogs typically enjoy two to four outings a day, with opportunities to explore, sniff, play, learn and experience new environments. Just as importantly, they are included in our everyday lives.
We do not believe every home is right for a Basenji. But we do believe the right home is about the people and the life they can offer, not simply the size of their property.
Health, care and doing things properly
Care begins
with responsibility.
Our goal is not simply to raise beautiful Basenji puppies. It is to give them the healthiest and happiest start we can, while doing everything reasonably possible to support their long-term wellbeing.
Specialist eyes
For specialised eye health, we work with Dr Paul McCarthy, veterinary ophthalmologist at Eye Clinic for Animals in Artarmon.
Thoughtful decisions
We undertake DNA testing and breed-relevant health screening to understand the health and genetic background of our dogs and make informed breeding decisions.
Testing is an important part of that responsibility, although no test or breeding programme can guarantee a dog will never experience a health issue. We believe in being transparent about our dogs' health, their testing and the care that goes into raising each litter.
Raising puppies for the lives they will actually live
Ready for
the real world.
We do not want to raise puppies who are only comfortable in the environment where they were born. We want to prepare them for the world they will be joining.
That means opportunities to develop confidence, independence and curiosity through age-appropriate socialisation, enrichment, handling and new experiences. The early weeks of a puppy's life matter enormously.
- Gentle handling and age-appropriate socialisation
- New experiences that build curiosity and confidence
- Individual observation before each match is considered
- Ongoing support for new puppy families
Sharing the breed we love
A meaningful future
for a remarkable breed.
Basenjis are not for everyone, and we think that is part of what makes finding the right match so important. They are clever, curious, affectionate in their own unique way and often a little mischievous.
But for the right person or family, the relationship can be extraordinary. We hope Bakundu can play a small part in helping more Australians discover and understand this remarkable breed, while contributing positively to its future.
We are not trying to produce the most puppies or become the biggest breeder. We simply want to do something meaningful with a breed we love, give our puppies the best start we can, and find families who will treasure them as much as we treasure ours.
Start a conversation
We would love to hear
about the life you can offer.
Whether you are still learning about the breed or ready to talk about future puppy plans, we welcome a genuine conversation.