Show preparation

[misspodhradsky]

Wow, it is really crazy to me that there is nothing really on the Basenji when it comes to preparing him for the ring. I have been searching for a while to get all the info and have decided to create a video and reading material to help people like me (who are new to showing and want to know everything they can about it and preparing, especially for a basenji) So now i ask everyone here to give all the input they can!

Examples:

Grooming:

When do you give your show dog a bath and how often?
Do you use anything to help make their coats look better? (leave in conditioner, special shampoo, etc)
Do you trim any of the hairs? What hairs and how exactly do you do it?
Anything else you can add for information?

Preparing for a show:

What do you need to train your dog to do to be successful in the ring?
How do you go about training your dog to do these things?
How do you know a dog is ready to be entered into a show?
Can pregnant/Whelping mother basenjis be entered? (may be stupid to ask, since one wants a dog to look its best and not be pregnant/whelping, but IS it acceptable or is it banned)
Anything else you can add for information?

Before the show:

How do you enter a show?
What do you do in preparation for a show?
What do your dogs need to do to be "show ready?"
Anything else you can add for information?

Going to the show:

What do you need to take to shows?
How do you know where to go and what to do once you get there?
Anything else you can add for information?

At the Show:

What do you do when you get there?
How early do you need to go to the show before it starts?
How do you set things up at the shows?
Can you practice in the rings?
What is forbidden and what is acceptable?
Anything else you can add for information?

Absolutely ANYTHING that has to do with training and showing a Basenji for the show ring, please do share. I want to know EVERYTHING so that I can put it all into a huge collection for future showers like myself. I know its hard to find some information so i figured why not get it from everyone who knows and has experience.

Thanks for all the input!!

[tanza]

I thought that we answered all those questions on your other thread? And did you read the link with AKC for beginners and showing that I sent?

As far as grooming, I give mine a bath about two days before the show. I do nothing special, just a bath.

And yes you can show a pregger bitch. I showed my Maggii when she was two weeks along… after that she quickly lost her figure.

[misspodhradsky]

Well, i just wanted any other additional info that people might give me. for some reason i dont have specific answers to those..or at least i am lost if someone had answered.

ok thanks for the grooming.

and that is interesting. I guess if you have one that isnt to far along then that works. but i suppose that when she is getting to fat it wont work. thanks, very interesting detail. Never thought about it til last night.

[nomrbddgs]

Grooming:

When do you give your show dog a bath and how often? Unless they are really dirty, I only give a bath a few days before the show
Do you use anything to help make their coats look better? (leave in conditioner, special shampoo, etc) You can use a shampoo that enhances their colour, but I prefer just to use a nice, clean shampoo such as baby shampoo.
Do you trim any of the hairs? What hairs and how exactly do you do it? I only tail trim. If the dog/bitch has 'wings' around the neck area, I will trim those down, but other than than, nothing else is trimmed.
Anything else you can add for information? Toenails are usually done the day before or the day of show. I use a dremel because I can round the nails so they are not sharp.

Preparing for a show:

What do you need to train your dog to do to be successful in the ring? I don't train, if they make a mistake, they do. I am very easy about this. The only thing I insist on is being able to show teeth easily. I start when they are little to put my hands all over them so they are comfortable with this. I also get other people to go over them as well.
How do you go about training your dog to do these things?
How do you know a dog is ready to be entered into a show? I enter and if they aren't comfortable, I will pull them. There is no saying that any dog is ready for the ring. You can always enter Sanction matches before the real deal.
Can pregnant/Whelping mother basenjis be entered? (may be stupid to ask, since one wants a dog to look its best and not be pregnant/whelping, but IS it acceptable or is it banned) Can be if they are not too heavy. Just be careful about picking them up for the table.
Anything else you can add for information? Not that I can think of.

Before the show:

How do you enter a show? I use entry line to enter shows in Canada. I just call them up, register my dog, tell them what show I want to enter, and they do the rest.
What do you do in preparation for a show? Try not to get too excited! LOL
What do your dogs need to do to be "show ready?" They need to have a decent termperment and a solid disposition. IMO
Anything else you can add for information? Nope.

Going to the show:

What do you need to take to shows? Depends on how long the day will be. A foldable crate, show lead and collar, regular collar and lead, treats, food, water.
How do you know where to go and what to do once you get there? First I find the show secretary and if I don't know where I am, I talk to her.
Anything else you can add for information? Nope.

At the Show:

What do you do when you get there? See above.
How early do you need to go to the show before it starts? I like to get there at least a half hour ahead of time if it's a day show. If I have to set up, I like an hour at least.
How do you set things up at the shows? Find other Basenji people and see what they are doing. I simply set up crates, chairs, and maybe a small table.
Can you practice in the rings? If there is no one in the ring and it is not in use, Yes.
What is forbidden and what is acceptable? No prong collars definitely (shouldn't be used with this breed anyway) Everyone has their own idea of what is acceptable and what is not. Please keep an eye on your dog. Not everyone does and this can lead to problems.
Anything else you can add for information? Nope, not off the top of my head.

[tanza]

@misspodhradsky:

At the Show:Can you practice in the rings?

You can not practice in the rings.

[renaultf1]

@tanza:

You can not practice in the rings.

You can in Canada.

[Voodoo]

I'm not really a show person (find it boring) but have done some in the past. Not with Basenji's, but with Thai Ridgebacks. They have about the same coat as a Basenji, so will be the same preparations. But I usually didn't do more then trim their nails if they where a bit on the long side. And a bath if they smelled a bit, but usually they don't smell at all (just like Basenji's), so then I skipped that bath. I could make a long walk in the morning, having them run through the mud… just wipe the dirt off and go to the show.
Over here the only thing you need at a show, is a showleash and -collar, a waterbowl and a chair for yourself if you want to sit. Most people use a crate for their dog, but I never did. I just try to find a quit corner and put a nice thick blanket next to me for them to lay on.
Never trained for it. Most will do just fine once in the ring if they are well raised and social with other dogs and people around them.
One tip: for many judges, you and what you are wearing is as important as the dog (another reason why I don't like the shows, it's not all about the dogs anymore )

[misspodhradsky]

Wow, thank you everyone for the comments! So exciting to read everything! And THANK YOU! for going into detail
Nomrbddgs! Very explanatory i appreciate it! That is so helpful! Thanks for going into detail for each question!

If anyone has anything else to add, please feel free to do so. Its always nice to get as much info as you can

[misspodhradsky]

Thanks Voodoo for the important reminder on the clothes! Not alot of people know that! What do you/anyone recommend one wears to a dog show to show in?