As a practicing, dedicated breeder of the Basenji, I feel obligated to secure its integrity through preservation, not simply in number, but in quality. I measure quality in the following ways:

1. Maintaining the breed's functionality as a keen hunter, utilizing both sight and scent. This concept embraces the effortless gait with true harmony of bone and muscle structure as well as the prey drive to chase game.
2. Breeding with intent to The Standard, as written by the Basenji Club of America and approved by the American Kennel Club. "The Standard" is, in essence, an abstract essay describing in detail a "perfect" Basenji. The Standard is the guideline that all approved judges at AKC licensed dog shows use as their criteria in judging dogs and pointing them towards their championship title. After all, form follows function. This includes the breed's "fancy points" that distinguish it phenotypically from all other breeds.
3. In today's society the Basenji can be a marvelous companion. This sturdy breed can tolerate a variety of environments from city to country, apartment to acreage in the company of Man. The temperament of this breed must not only be predictable and acceptable to society, but pleasurable to be in the company of.
4. Regular health testing of the Basenji is essential to track potential genetic or environmental disease. The Fancy is in need of generations of accurate health records for research efforts that are already in place. Every Basenji is an element of our international gene pool, whether or not s/he has been desexed. We must consider siblings, aunts, uncles, and the entire 3-axis pedigree in an effort to demystify some of the diseases that affect our breed. I serve on the Health and Research Committee for the Basenji Club of America as the Northwest representative.
5. I respect the intelligence of the Basenji, its cleverness, and survival skills. Through careful research of pedigrees, and challenging them through mental and physical activities I am confident that I am truly preserving them, not simply propagating them.
6. Quality of care by owners is achieved through careful screening and education. One never ceases to learn. I serve on the Basenji Club of America's Breeder Education Committee. This committee of three individuals serves the Fancy to educate Breeders and aspiring judges by offering educational seminars and symposiums nationwide.

Taji Basenjis have been well decorated both in the ring and on the field with multiple national Top Ten Basenjis since 1992. Here are a few of our more recent highlights collectively earned by ten different Taji Basenjis (win locations not specified are local to the Puget Sound Area):

• 1996 Evergreen Basenji Club Specialty Best in Futurity
• 1996 Evergreen Basenji Club Specialty Best in Maturity
• 1997 Basenji Club of America National Specialty Best Puppy in Sweepstakes (Denver, CO)
• 1997 Evergreen Basenji Club Winners Dog, Best of Winners and Best of Breed
• 1997 Willamette Valley Basenji Club Winners Dog (Portland, OR)
• 1997 #10 Basenji in America
• 1998 Western Gazehound Specialty Winners Dog, Winners Bitch, Best of Winners and Best of Breed (Canada)
• 1998 Willamette Valley Basenji Club Best Puppy In Sweepstakes (Portland, OR)
• 1998 Willamette Valley Basenji Club Winners Bitch, Best of Winners and Best of Breed (Portland, OR)
• 1998 Western Washington Hound Association Best Puppy in Sweepstakes, Reserve Winners Dog and Best of Breed and Group Two Hound
• 1998 Evergreen Basenji Club Best in Futurity
• 1998 Basenji Club of America National Specialty Winners Dog and two (of the five presented) Awards of Merit (Providence, RI)
• 1998 #1 Breeder Owner Handled Basenji in America (Basenjis defeated); #4 overall.
• 1999 Westminster Kennel Club Award of Merit (New York City, NY)
• 1999 Willamette Valley Basenji Club Winners Bitch and Best of Opposite Sex to Best Puppy in Sweepstakes (Portland, OR)
• 1999 Evergreen Basenji Club Best in Futurity and Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Breed
• 1999 Basenji Club of America National Specialty Award of Merit (Phoenix, AZ)
• 1999 #1 Breeder Owner Handled Basenji in America (All-breeds defeated); #5 overall.
• 2000 Willamette Valley Basenji Club Specialty Winners Bitch (Portland, OR area)
• 2000 Willamette Valley Basenji Club Specialty Best of Breed (Portland, OR area)
• 2000 Western Washington Hound Association Best of Breed
• 2001 Westminster Kennel Club Best of Opposite Sex (New York City, NY)

My breeding program works in both the long term and the short term. I never execute a "throw away" breeding, or put a litter on the ground to fulfill pet orders. Each and every breeding I do has purpose and intent. Every puppy to me is important, whether or not I use it later in my breeding program or not. I live with as many as six adults full time. If someone can't get along freely with the others and run with the pack, they are placed in another loving home. My breeding program consists of currently 30 candidates who (besides those who live with me) live in loving homes on co-ownership terms. Each of my co-owned Basenjis are re-evaluated every year, and continue as a candidate in the breeding program or else are spayed/neutered. There is not a Taji Basenji anywhere worldwide that is treated as "livestock" in a "kennel" environment. I believe that the connection with the family is key to developing a sincere relationship with the Basenji. Remember: The Basenji was never bred to "serve" Man; the Basenji in the wild does not "need" Man to survive at all. Man humors the Basenji. The Basenji humors Man.