Where do I start?
I sit here, facing an empty monitor for the first time, feeling like a writer in front of a blank sheet of paper. Bringing a website to life isn’t as easy as one might think! Where does each piece of content belong? This question has occupied me longer than you might believe.
Bisou Bisou Bisou 🎶
When browsing through the section “Bisou,” it quickly becomes clear how important she is to me. Because it was precisely for her that I embarked on this special journey. But before delving deeper into this topic, I would like to first provide a brief introduction to our beloved Bisou.
Bisou is a small, yet slightly spoiled lady who entered our lives and filled it with endless joy and love. Despite her petite appearance, she possesses an impressive temperament and knows exactly when it’s time to defend herself – or even to be a bit cheeky, just like the classic Basenji. Although she may seem small and delicate, she often surprises with her resolute behavior.
She has not only captured our hearts but also those of our parents and friends. She has even dispelled the initial fear of dogs for some and transformed many coffee meetings into pet-friendly experiences. She is extremely affectionate and in need of cuddles. Her choice of cuddle partners reflects the trust she places in these individuals. She is initially reserved and cautious with adults and children who are too pushy and intrusive. But with time and getting to know them properly, she opens her heart. I have always emphasized – and I want to reiterate it here – that if I had the choice, I couldn’t have chosen a better dog than Bisou. I am sure many dog owners can relate to this. Each of us is convinced that our dog is the best, and that’s a good thing. It underscores the deep affection we have for our four-legged friends.
At the present moment, as I write these lines, Bisou is 3 years old. In these first three years of her life, she has managed to make me laugh, infuriate me, and make me proud countless times.
The Arrival of a New Family Member: Preparations and First Steps
As future dog owners, we prepared extensively for the arrival of our new family member. This was especially true considering that our new family member had four legs and was known as a Basenji! Before Bisou came to us, we made our apartment “Basenji-proof.” An important tip for anyone considering getting a dog: you can never be too careful.
Cable channels are an absolute must, as young dogs, especially Basenjis, are known for their curiosity and urge to chew. We secured all our cables to prevent Bisou from using them as chew toys. And because our kitchen was open at the time, we installed a sliding door to ensure she couldn’t sneakily access our food. From our side, we really wanted to make sure everything was prepared.
The day she moved in is as clear to me as yesterday. I was particularly impressed by how brave and calm she was during the long 7-hour car ride. She slept most of the time and proved to be a really good girl.
But as it goes with new environments, Bisou also had her little challenges to overcome in her new home. The biggest difficulties? The slippery hardwood floor and the new collar. Every step on the smooth floor was a small adventure for her, and the collar felt so foreign that she had to stop every few steps to scratch at it.
It was a beginning full of small adventures, challenges, and lots of love. These first moments are priceless and will always be remembered.
The First Time
Hardly at home with us, Bisou became our little shadow – always by our side and always seeking the next adventure. Our “corona child” made the pandemic and numerous lockdowns easier and more bearable for us.
In the first year in Munich (Sendling), we explored a lot. From dog school to street training – we participated in all socialization programs. It was also the time when we walked her without a leash. That was also the time when I proudly claimed to have mastered the “Basenji challenge.” Well, time proved me wrong.
Sabine had warned me, you know: “Just wait until her first heat, or at the latest the second. Then everything will change!” And oh, how right Sabine was!
Regarding our walking routes, I must emphasize that we never walked off-leash on busy streets. Instead, we chose forest areas, like the one in Munich (Solln), or our standard route along the Isar River in Munich. There, I knew that if she ever got the idea to run away, she could only go in one direction – along the Isar canal (which fortunately never happened). Often, Nela, my parents’ Ridgeback, accompanied us on our trips to the Krailling forests. We especially enjoyed wonderful summers in the Croatian Park Dotrščina during my sabbatical, with Bisou’s siblings and Basenji friends. It was clear to me from the beginning: Without the Tractive GPS tracker, I wouldn’t let her run freely, and that still applies today.
Then came her first heat, and our leash-free walks became less frequent. On the one hand, her hunting instinct is much stronger now than in her younger years, which is certainly also due to the training sessions on the racetrack. On the other hand, you can never predict which otherwise peaceful dog suddenly seems suspicious to her. Often, it’s these little fluffy woolly balls that probably look like rabbits in her eyes.
The first year flew by in a flash. A glance at our Instagram account reveals a series of wonderful moments – a digital diary that will last forever on the World Wide Web.
I look back on countless walks, exuberant zoomies, hikes in the Bavarian mountains, the first time sniffing sea breeze, the first appearances at dog shows, the first won title, and the debut on the racetrack. Likewise, I look ahead to upcoming experiences: welcoming puppies for the first time and the other “firsts” that the future holds for us.
Why Breed?
So, to the question “Why breed?” that some may ask here – and certainly not just the people who want a puppy from Bisou, but also others who have never dared to ask:
It’s quite simple, at least in my eyes! I made the decision before getting her and expressed clearly back then that I’m not opposed to having a litter with my first girl. I didn’t want to be the one to decide whether she would have puppies or not! At least she should have the possibility from my side. I have done everything in my power to make that possible… and after almost three years, everything is done. All health checks completed, all clearances obtained, and seminars attended. Along this path and through delving into dog breeding, it became clear to me that I also want to contribute to the preservation of this wonderful breed.
That would be a somewhat detailed answer to this question, and our plan is also to keep one of her daughters with us.
Majstors
The question of the kennel name was worth constant contemplation. What name should I give to my breeding establishment, and with which one can I identify? This question was answered by asking: Which name will they carry forever? That was quite clear: my surname! Bisou and her children will be born and raised in the Majstorovic household (my surname). So, they will also be little “Majstors” (translated from Croatian, meaning “masters”), thus the surname or kennel name was set. It was meaningful and one that I have carried with me throughout my life. So, why not? From her name “Wakanda Legend Bisou,” it will now be “Wakanda Legend Bisou Majstors.”
I hope I could provide you with some insights, something about Bisou and me, and our kennel. The path and journey we have traveled up to this point.
Health Examinations
Hip Dysplasia: Clear (A1)
Eye Diseases: Clear of PRA and CAT, minor PPM
Fanconi Syndrome: Clear (June 29, 2023)
PRA BJ1: Clear (July 11, 2023)
