BY MARIANNE KLINKOWSKI Judges Education Chair, Basenji Club of America JUDGING THE BASENJI Y RI E KLI K SKI Judges Education Chair, Basenji Club of America
I t is not hard to judge Basenjis but it can be a real challenge to judge them well. While this may seem like a pretty basic, no-frills type of dog, there are several important ele- ments of breed type, which should not be overlooked. This is a square, leggy dog with a short back, level topline and high-set, tightly curled tail. This profile cannot be overemphasized, as it is the hallmark of the breed. Always look for the square dog in your ring and do not be afraid to reward it if it is the best dog in the class, even though it may look out of place among its more numerous off-square competitors. It is not easy to breed a square dog with the ground- covering, floating movement we like to see but it is possible and the breed stan- dard, as written, demands that we try. HEIGHT/WEIGHT RATIO AND SIZE Basenjis are lightly built but they are not wimpy. The height/weight ratio as specified is vitally important as our standard calls for a 17-inch dog to weigh in at 24 pounds and for a 16-inch bitch to weigh a full 22 pounds. This is a lot of weight for a fine-boned dog to carry, but is entirely possible in a well conditioned, firmly muscled dog with Basenjis are lightly built but they are not wimpy. The height/weight ratio as specified is vitally important as our standard calls for a 17-inch dog to weigh in at 24 pounds and for a 16-inch bitch to weigh a full 22 pounds. This is a lot of weight for a fine-boned dog to carry, but is entirely possible in a well conditioned, firmly muscled dog with t is not hard to judge Basenjis but it can be a real challenge to judge them well. While this may seem like a pretty basic, no-frills type of dog, there are several important ele- ments of breed type, which should not be overlooked. This is a square, leggy dog with a short back, level topline and high-set, tightly curled tail. This profile cannot be overemphasized, as it is the hallmark of the breed. Always look for the square dog in your ring and do not be afraid to reward it if it is the best dog in the class, even though it may look out of place among its more numerous off-square competitors. It is not easy to breed a square dog with the ground- covering, floating movement we like to see but it is possible and the breed stan- dard, as written, demands that we try. HEIGHT/WEIGHT RATIO AND SIZE
proper substance. Ask a breeder to demonstrate this for you or come to our national specialty to observe numerous exemplary specimens and set your eye; it is important. Size is very consistent throughout the breed and most dogs are within an inch or so of the standard. Occasionally a dog will come in a little larger but our breeders will evaluate the overall dog and may very well choose to incorpo- rate him into their show and breeding programs based on overall merit. FINE COAT Size is very consistent throughout the breed and most dogs are within an inch or so of the standard. Occasionally a dog will come in a little larger but our breeders will evaluate the overall dog and may very well choose to incorpo- rate him into their show and breeding programs based on overall merit. FINE COAT proper substance. Ask a breeder to demonstrate this for you or come to our national specialty to observe numerous exemplary specimens and set your eye; it is important.
battle with a fierce predator or highly motivated prey. A Basenji with the correct loose skin will more than likely have pretty wrinkles on its forehead when alert. MOVEMENT In the ring, a Basenji should move with a light, easy, well-coordinated gait, much like a well-bred Thoroughbred horse at the trot. It should cover ground smoothly with a minimum of effort and the hound should give the impres- sion that it could go all day. A Basenji that moves with an eye-catching, flashy gait is probably working too hard. The Basenji’s traditional working gait is a series of lightning quick leaps and bounds through dense jungle thickets; daredevil agility and creative vertical moves are vital, death-defying survival tactics, whether deep in the jungle or when evading retribution after brazen misdeeds at home. HEADS AND TAILS The correct Basenji head is a thing of great beauty; its softly tapered con- tours, detailed chiseling and finely craft- ed features set this breed apart from all others. Once seen, the proper head will never be forgotten and the appreciative The correct Basenji head is a thing of great beauty; its softly tapered con- tours, detailed chiseling and finely craft- ed features set this breed apart from all others. Once seen, the proper head will never be forgotten and the appreciative battle with a fierce predator or highly motivated prey. A Basenji with the correct loose skin will more than likely have pretty wrinkles on its forehead when alert. MOVEMENT In the ring, a Basenji should move with a light, easy, well-coordinated gait, much like a well-bred Thoroughbred horse at the trot. It should cover ground smoothly with a minimum of effort and the hound should give the impres- sion that it could go all day. A Basenji that moves with an eye-catching, flashy gait is probably working too hard. The Basenji’s traditional working gait is a series of lightning quick leaps and bounds through dense jungle thickets; daredevil agility and creative vertical moves are vital, death-defying survival tactics, whether deep in the jungle or when evading retribution after brazen misdeeds at home. HEADS AND TAILS
AND LOOSE, PLIANT SKIN A Basenji’s short, gleaming coat is its AND LOOSE, PLIANT SKIN A Basenji’s short, gleaming coat is its
crowning glory. Its color should be rich, clear and vibrant but this aboriginal hunting breed is not considered a color breed and we don’t worry much about such things as the shape and placement of eye pips or cheek markings. Just give us four white feet, a white chest and a white tip on the tail and we are happy. Of vital importance, however, is that the skin of a Basenji must be pliant and flexible to allow the hunting hound to break through thorny brush and squirm out of trouble when engaged in pitched crowning glory. Its color should be rich, clear and vibrant but this aboriginal hunting breed is not considered a color breed and we don’t worry much about such things as the shape and placement of eye pips or cheek markings. Just give us four white feet, a white chest and a white tip on the tail and we are happy. Of vital importance, however, is that the skin of a Basenji must be pliant and flexible to allow the hunting hound to break through thorny brush and squirm out of trouble when engaged in pitched
232 • S how S ight M agazine , J uly 2017
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