I'm Denise W., the breeder behind My African Gems located in New Albany, IN. We believe in raising quality dogs that families can trust and children will enjoy and be lifelong companions. Our Basenjis are used to being loved on and being played with. They are part of our family and are treated like our children. Feel free to visit our site meet our Basenji Family.
Q. & A. with Denise
Why did you start breeding?
I received my first (Whitney) as a college graduation present and my second (PaKiba) from a military couple who were being sent out of the country and didn't want to put him through another quarantine. At that time, there were very few breeders and so I thought about it long and hard and educated myself on breeding practices decided to let them breed. It's been an enjoyable journey ever since.
What are the different breed coat colors in your program?
Our puppies include brindle and white, red and white, and black and white. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.
Where do your breeding dogs live?
They live in my home and a kennel on my property.
Matched dogs
These dogs are already reserved or have gone home.
Nakia
Went home
Female
Boy 1
Went home
Male
Boy 2
Went home
Male
Boy 3
Went home
Male
Girl 3
Went home
Female
Girl 2
Went home
Female
Zuki
Went home
Female
Shusui
Went home
Female
Asagi
Went home
Female
Showa
Went home
Female
Goshiki
Went home
Female
Doitsu
Went home
Male
Kohaku
Went home
Male
Lucy
Went home
Female
Achilles
Went home
Male
Xena
Went home
Female
Spice Monkey
Went home
Female
Velvet Monkey
Went home
Female
Dance Monkey
Went home
Male
Trick Monkey
Went home
Male
Getting a puppy from Denise
Denise has been certified by Good Dog’s screening team for responsible and trusted breeding practices. When you’re ready to reach out, feel free to ask any questions about the breed, their program, or specific puppies.
Together, you’ll choose the puppy that’s right for you, stay in touch with regular updates, and plan how to bring your new puppy home.
Price
Puppy prices include a $250 non-refundable deposit and between $950 - $1,100 final payment, before taxes & fees.
Pay over time with Klarna.
“Includes AKC Reg., Pedigree, Parents info, Up to Date Vaccinations & Dewormings, A "Go Bag" with many goodies for their travel home. Plus, I am there for you after you take them home for q's or advise. Deposits are non-refundable unless an incident occurs while puppy is in our care. Once you put a deposit down, we send pictures and videos often so you can see their progress until it is time to go.”
Contract & health guarantee
Denise may provide a written contract or
health guarantee when you purchase a puppy. This helps
protect both you and your breeder, ensuring that you
both have a clear understanding of the terms of your
puppy purchase. If Denise offers a contract
or guarantee, the details will be personalized by them.
If you have any questions or want to know more,
don’t hesitate to reach out to Denise directly.
My African Gems meets or exceeds our community standards in these areas:
Responsible breeding practices
Health of breeding dogs and puppies
Puppy environment and enrichment
Buyer education and policies
Parent dogs
Vancouver, dad
Basenji
About Vancouver
Vancouver is very smart and good natured. He is the most spoiled of them all and believes he should receive ALL my attention. LOL He is a European import, and his parents are International Champions. We started in showing and he was starting to do well then Covid hit and then once shows resumed our personal schedule became too hectic and we didn't resume showing. We always got compliments on how well behaved he was for a Basenji LOL. (He and Phoenix are my most well-behaved "kids".) I'm hoping to hold back one of his offspring in the future and attempt shows again.
Uploaded health tests
Fanconi Syndrome, PRA, Basenji Type.
Phoenix, mom
Basenji
About Phoenix
Phoenix is the most passive and sweetest Basenji I have ever owned!! She loves to cuddle and gets along with everyone. I have had complements on how smart and easy to train that her puppies have been. She is one I kept from a previous litter and I own both of her parents (Hogan and Luna). You can see pictures of them at myaffricangembasenjis
Juice Monkey, mom
Basenji
About Juice Monkey
Juice Monkey is a petite female. She is very exotic looking and beautiful. She is constantly on the go but when she's done it's time to snuggle. This is her first litter and she is taking her role as a mother quite seriously. She wants to know where her puppies are at all times and loves to play with them and nurture them. My Husband and I always liked watching bull riding and we saw a bull named Juice Monkey. We laughed and said if we get a brindle basenji that's what we should name it. Hence, that is how she got her name. She runs around as wild as a little bull. We also have her sister, so she was dubbed Jade Monkey to stick with the theme. Both are a delight to have in the family.
Hogan, dad
Basenji
About Hogan
Hogan is a male Basenji. Carefully selected as a great representative of his breed, Denise decided to make him part of their program. Denise has passed Good Dog’s screening process, which involved a review of their breeding practices, environment, and the mental and physical health of their dogs.
Eclipse, mom
Basenji
About Eclipse
Eclipse is a female Basenji. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Denise decided to make her part of their program. Denise has passed Good Dog’s screening process, which involved a review of their breeding practices, environment, and the mental and physical health of their dogs.
Parent health testing
My African Gems reports to performing the health tests below on their breeding dogs. Ask your breeder about the tests performed on the parents of your litter. Learn more about health testing for Basenjis.
Fanconi Syndrome, PRA, Basenji Type
Genetic testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide variety of hereditary diseases of differing prevalence and severity such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (an eye disease) and Von Willebrand's Disease (a blood disease).
Verified owner stories
Hear what other owners say about working with Denise to bring home their puppies.
MA
Melissa A.
Verified owner · Jan. 2024
+4
It was a great experience very professional and thorough with all paperwork Denise was a pleasure to work with Achilles has been renamed to Chopper and has grown a bunch and loves in everyone.
Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.