PRESIDENT’S MESSAGESally WuornosI have several things for all <strong>the</strong>members to contemplate:First, for those <strong>of</strong> you who haveInternet access, consider contacting ourtreasurer, Laura Hesse, to request <strong>the</strong>electronic version <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>BCOA</strong> <strong>Bulletin</strong>Board newsletter instead <strong>of</strong> receiving itthrough <strong>the</strong> mail. If you haven‘t already done so, why not? Thehard copies cost about $12 annually per member to print and mail.Also, it’s much easier to produce <strong>the</strong> electronic issue <strong>the</strong>n it is forour volunteer editor to print, address, attach <strong>the</strong> postage and <strong>the</strong>nmail <strong>the</strong> hardcopies!If you really don’t need a hard copy, wouldn’t it be betterfor <strong>BCOA</strong> to use that money for something else -- like judges’education, countering puppy mill ads in local newspapers and on<strong>the</strong> Internet, etc? Many <strong>of</strong> us can think <strong>of</strong> some use for that moneyo<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong>n having <strong>the</strong> newsletter arrive in <strong>the</strong> mail box, only tobe read and <strong>the</strong>n tossed. Think <strong>of</strong> all <strong>the</strong> advantages <strong>of</strong> getting itelectronically. You can save it in a file so it’s always available;you don’t have to hunt for it or wonder if you threw it away -- it’sone less thing to recycle so you’re also helping <strong>the</strong> environment. Ithink you get <strong>the</strong> picture. So, if you have a computer with e-mailservice, please give some consideration to getting your BB via<strong>the</strong> computer! We have a brand new <strong>Bulletin</strong> Board editor, JackieJones. Let’s keep her and not wear her out!Next, I’d like to address <strong>the</strong> issue <strong>of</strong> breeding Fanconi carrieror affected animals. As breeders we all have to determine ourgoals. I’d like to believe that all <strong>of</strong> us can agree that, as far asFanconi is concerned, our goal is to never produce an affectedanimal. We are so very fortunate that we now have <strong>the</strong> tool tomake this a reality. Using <strong>the</strong> DNA test, <strong>the</strong>re is no more guessingwhat we will get. We can do that without throwing away our bestbecause <strong>of</strong> its DNA status (however we like to define “best, “ beit conformation, lure coursing, agility, or obedience performance.)We can, indeed, breed those exceptional animals that are carriersor are even affected. We just have to chose wisely and use <strong>the</strong>mwith mates that have tested Clear. How wonderful is that?You can achieve your goal -- to never produce ano<strong>the</strong>r Fanconiaffected -- and perpetuate that top notch dog’s characteristics.It is simply not logical to discard your best dog because <strong>of</strong> itsDNA Fanconi status. You may never get a better dog than thatanimal sitting in your house. I encourage you to go forward inyour breeding program, ra<strong>the</strong>r than backslide by using an inferioranimal just because its DNA for Fanconi is Clear. That qualitybasenji didn’t happen by accident, in most cases.I think that every pet that is produced, no matter why you thinkit is a “pet,” should be sold on a spay/neuter contract. If that animalisn’t good enough for your breeding program, <strong>the</strong>n it shouldn’t bebred. This will eliminate <strong>the</strong> issue <strong>of</strong> what happens to <strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>fspringthat you produce from that carrier or affected basenji. If you keepit in your breeding program, <strong>the</strong>n test it and continue from <strong>the</strong>re. If<strong>the</strong> decision is made to place <strong>the</strong> animal, <strong>the</strong>n it should be spayed/neutered.Finally, start thinking about opening <strong>the</strong> American Kennel<strong>Club</strong> Stud Book to African imports. We have read numerous articlesexplaining <strong>the</strong> need for genetic diversity. Our breed is significantlyinbred from our first handful <strong>of</strong> founders. The genetic diversity<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> basenji should be increased. Research genetic diversity onyour own if you don’t feel that what you have heard is accurate.While we want to persuade <strong>the</strong> AKC to re-open <strong>the</strong> stud book,be assured this doesn’t mean every animal brought to <strong>the</strong> UnitedStates from Africa is going to be included. Some dogs from Africaare not true basenjis in type or characteristics. You, <strong>the</strong> members,will have <strong>the</strong> final say about which imports are added to <strong>the</strong> AKCstud book.The Native Stock committee is hard at work developing acourse <strong>of</strong> action. Please read that committee’s report on page 15<strong>of</strong> this issue satisfactory to both AKC and to <strong>the</strong> membership. Restassured everyone will have a say in which dogs are voted into <strong>the</strong>stud book. It won’t be decided by a few members or <strong>the</strong> <strong>BCOA</strong>Board. This important issue will be determined by all <strong>of</strong> you -- <strong>the</strong>full, voting membership.2011HELPWANTED:in <strong>the</strong>CentralRegion(AR, IA, IL, KS,LA, MS, MN,MO, ND, NE,OK, SD, TX, WI)One host group [8 <strong>BCOA</strong> members] or host club toorganization <strong>the</strong> 2011 <strong>BCOA</strong> National Specialty.If you like to feel just ONE <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se things:• <strong>the</strong> heartfelt thanks <strong>of</strong> people attending --• <strong>the</strong> cheers <strong>of</strong> earlier hosts who know how muchyou’ve done --• <strong>the</strong> joy <strong>of</strong> a job well done --Step forward with pride.The deadline for this region is April 1 st , <strong>2008</strong>. Proposalforms are available at <strong>the</strong> <strong>BCOA</strong> website. ContactWanda Pooley, National Specialty Oversight Chair at815-282-2584 or email to albasenji@rockriver.netThe Oversight Committee has a whole package <strong>of</strong> tools tohelp your group plan and manage a successful nationalspecialty. You are not left to guess what really happens.We will even help you find a suitable site for <strong>the</strong> event.What are you waiting for? Put your group toge<strong>the</strong>r now!The <strong>Basenji</strong> <strong>Club</strong> <strong>of</strong> America, Inc. BULLETIN - 2
UNDERCOVER would like <strong>the</strong> congratulate GingerNew AKC CH UNDERCOVER GINGER SNAPCh UnderCover’s Barnburner, SDHR xCh UnderCover-Escapade Too Sassy, JCCongratulations to Hayley Thompson and Brandonas Ginger will help move him up <strong>the</strong> stud dog honorroll. As you can tell from <strong>the</strong> above photo, Gingergot her sire’s beautiful reach and drive and overallbalance.Kudos also to Connie Camp for picking up <strong>the</strong> torch and getting Ginger’s majors and last single points.Connie and Sam will not love her anymore now that she’s a champion, and <strong>the</strong>y don’t plan on breedingher, but <strong>the</strong>re is a warm, fuzzy feeling that comes with mission accomplished when a nice bitch gets <strong>the</strong>recognition she deserves!! Ginger and Walker can now enjoy <strong>the</strong> full time couch potato lifestyle <strong>the</strong>y relish<strong>the</strong> most.Gale Whitehurst • UnderCover <strong>Basenji</strong>s • Thomasville, GAThe <strong>Basenji</strong> <strong>Club</strong> <strong>of</strong> America, Inc. BULLETIN - 3
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