Ruth - Moving to Michigan soon
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Welcome…he is adorable!
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I took a second look also. He has one of the older styles of Basenji heads, which throw a lot of people off. Shadow also has one of the older style heads. Very square, and cheeky (I guess that's the way to describe it). He very well could be full B!
Cooper's head is shaped very much like my Tyler's head (Cooper is just beautiful). Tyler's head is much bigger and broader (also through the muzzle) than my last basenji. I always tell Tyler he has a Big Beautiful Head :) Tyler is a rescue and is full basenji. I haven't really heard of the older style heads–I just realized Tyler's was different (even his daughter Zoey whom I also have) seems to have the same kind of head my Max did--more narrow with a more pointed muzzle. Can anyone share more info on the old style vs the new?
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Cooper's head is shaped very much like my Tyler's head (Cooper is just beautiful). Tyler's head is much bigger and broader (also through the muzzle) than my last basenji. I always tell Tyler he has a Big Beautiful Head :) Tyler is a rescue and is full basenji. I haven't really heard of the older style heads–I just realized Tyler's was different (even his daughter Zoey whom I also have) seems to have the same kind of head my Max did--more narrow with a more pointed muzzle. Can anyone share more info on the old style vs the new?
Narrow and pointed muzzle is not what the standard calls for (go to www.basenji.org and read the standard) Here is just a part of the standard regarding heads..
The skull is flat, well chiseled and of medium width, tapering toward the eyes. The foreface tapers from eye to muzzle with a perceptible stop. Muzzle shorter than skull, neither coarse nor snipy, but with rounded cushions. Wrinkles appear upon the forehead when ears are erect, and are fine and profuse.So I would call that an "old style head" it is more the proper standard then narrow and snipy muzzle… and that is really not the new style, it is however in some bloodlines. My Mickii for example has a longer snipy muzzle and I would prefer it to be shorter and not as narrow. Of course males will have more jaw then the bitches
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I think heads are the most subjective part of the Basenji standard. You can see at least 12 different styles of head out there…and probably six of them are correct to the standard, but are different people's interpretation of the perfect head.
I agree with Pat, that there is no "old style" head. If you get to look thru some old photos of the original imports, and early champions in the breed..you will see a variety of heads, some more "correct" than others. I also agree with Pat, that I like to see a short, square muzzle...but unfortunately that often goes along (IME) with a level or undershot bite. It appears to be hard to continually breed for that shorty, cute muzzle, and not run into bite issues. And I don't like to see a head that is too blocky, or cheeky, and NEVER too domey....IMO a Basenji should always be elegant. Eyes are a big issue for me. Too big and too round gives more of a terrier look.
I should point out, that when I say "I don't like to see"..that doesn't mean that I literally don't like to see it...I love Basenjis no matter what they look like...but when we are evaluating stock with a critical eye, we use this term. It is kind of like art appreciation...an art critic can LOVE a good art fair...but formal art critique is different. :)
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Pat, that's so bitches can get their noses everywhere they're not supposed to. I was talking to one judge and she said you don't see the 'older type', I guess it would be standard head, as much anymore.
Ain't that the truth
My guess is that the judge was used to seeing a certain type of head early in her career, and then started seeing a different kind of head coming into the ring. Regardless…IMO, and I guess this judge's as well, Shadow has a correct head.
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Ain't that the truth
My guess is that the judge was used to seeing a certain type of head early in her career, and then started seeing a different kind of head coming into the ring. Regardless…IMO, and I guess this judge's as well, Shadow has a correct head.
I got confused…I meant that IMO SUGAR has correct head. I thought the judge you were talking to was making reference to Sugar. I can't speak to Shadow's head, as I haven't seen it :)
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You may see him in some of the pics I posted. He's the one sitting in the boot-a b/w. Is there a post in regards to breed standards? Or should I start a new one? Seems we're monopolizing this thread now.
Start a new one :)
