Skip to content

Puppy Eval Help

Basenji Showing
  • Here is a good page to take you through some of the things you should be looking at with each of these puppies.

    http://www.geocities.com/rugosab/ConformationPage.htm

  • Thank you. That does really help, but I still am in between #2 and #3. The pups are just at 7 weeks right now, and I will be making my decision and taking her home after a get together at the end of March.

  • Pat Hastings believes the best age to evaluate puppies is at 8 weeks old +/- 2 days. At that age, they look most like what they will as adults. If you have her book Trick of The Trade, it has a good explanation of what to look for in terms of basic structure.

  • I have a couple other books, but I don’t think I have that one.

  • Are you going to show this puppy?
    If so, don't worry about the neck on #2.
    As a novice handler, you will be fighting an uphill battle with either #1 or #3.
    While a breeder may say don't worry about the markings, I am going to tell you that judges WILL look at those markings and not-so-great handling, coupled with distracting markings are a big fight in the show ring against more experienced handlers.
    While #3 is best proportioned, you have that uphill battle to fight. As a FIRST show dog, I would go with the one that would be easier for you to do well with in the ring.
    As always, this is solely my opinion of lord knows too many years with too many BADsenjis!
    Best of luck to you.

  • Thank you. Yes this will be my first show basenji, but not the first time I’ve shown them. I will have lots of help from Tari and Sherry with the training and if I need it with the showing itself. Luckily, the breeders here are quite nice and friendly. I know that none of these bitches will do well as a special at all. They are expected to be a little on the small side and I’ve been told they should finish fine, but will not be good competing with specials.

  • My completely unprofessional, non breeder, not very experienced handler opinion: if they are all fairly nice dogs structure wise, then go with the one that cooperates most willingly.
    As a complete novice at handling, I am fortunate that Callie will pretty much stay in whatever position I stack her in. She doesn't fight me. At the same time, however, she is fairly lifeless in the ring as she doesn't get excited about much. So if I can stack her well (which depends on me doing a great job that day), she will stay there & maintain that position, but then the challenge is to get her to stop looking so bored. I've taken other dogs in the ring that refuse to let me touch them, refuse to be stacked, etc. So for me, just for learning the ropes, Callie is nice because I don't have to worry about her fighting me, just getting her looking alert.
    I'm sure somebody might disagree with my opinion, and like I said, I don't have much experience to offer or opinion on which dog to choose structurally. I just like having a dog that isn't difficult to stack.

  • I like to evaluate puppies at 8 weeks as I find (like Pat Hastings) that that usually is the best time to view their final attributes. I don't think that a forum and pictures are the best way to evaluate and personally, as I don't know what the USA show ring is like I wouldn't want to make a choice for you. If I was picking one for myself from the photo I'd go for no.3 as in my opinion she is the best made.

  • Thanks for the opinions. I am not looking for you to make my decision for me. I am just looking for more things to think about when I make my decision, as I will have first pick.

  • Another thing you need to consider, is this just going to be a show dog or are you thinking that you may some day breed her? The puppy that may be the best starter show dog may not be the best choice if you are thinking this may also become your foundation bitch.

Suggested Topics

  • BOB puppy

    Basenji Showing
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    3k Views
    BasenjimammaB
    Beautiful..congrats Cosmo..and mommy too..
  • Best Puppy in Show

    Basenji Showing
    18
    0 Votes
    18 Posts
    5k Views
    K
    Congrats Jess, way to go Maya!
  • Help Needed With Self Stacking, pleeeeeease…

    Basenji Showing
    30
    0 Votes
    30 Posts
    12k Views
    tanzaT
    Yup, have show to her, she is from the Pacific Northwest. And yes, she comes from Borzois If you want to email me privately … (go to my web site for my email addy)
  • Helpful Conformation Illustration

    Basenji Showing
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    3k Views
    NemoN
    @dmcarty: Ok folks that page is great and I've used it a lot in judges education too - but that page only talks about the front - from the side view - there is a very important piece that many are missing with their basenjis - and that is the front 'fill'. Look at your B facing you - is the front hollow? is it very narrow (now if it's a puppy not too bad) Way too many B's out there have what we call 'Cathedral Fronts' meaning you could fit a church and steeple between their front legs - not visually appealing and not functional. Many times it comes with a 'front unit' set too far forward. Which again - is not functional for the breeds purpose and will impact the side gait and likely the coming at you movement in the down and back. With too little fill - animal may toe in or cross over in the front and with to much fill - elbows will be out and you may see some paddling. Just another tidbit for those looking for information Thanks for the info. So much to learn….:D Info like this would be great in a sticky. I haven't found it through reading, yet.
  • Help to look straight ahead

    Basenji Showing
    12
    0 Votes
    12 Posts
    5k Views
    BeckyB
    When I stack on the ground I will sometimes put a treat on the ground about 18" to 24" in front of my dog. This will make them arch their neck & it will tightend the back muscles & maybe bring the tail up. I would reccomend looking into the reason she does not hold her tail up. A lowset tail is structual. A drooping tail can be a physical problem. When my dogs start relaxing & dropping their tails I have an adjustment done. Voile! Tail is where it should be. An Orthipedic Adjustment can work wonders. A dog can be "out of Aliegnment & we don't realize it until they are realiegned! Find a Chiropractor or someone who does V.O.M.. Best of luck Becky & the Ninjas
  • Jasper wins Puppy Dog At Harrisburg!

    Basenji Showing
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    5k Views
    YodelDogsY
    Congratulations! :)