Isn't the shelf the curvature of the rear? If you stack a B, you should definitely notice the shelf or lack thereof. I notice the shelf just by looking at Bs. Does the shelf have any thing to do with the tail set?
My Arnie has a decent tail set but has no shelf at all. I joke that one could turn him over and use his rear as a table as it is so straight! He should be used as a study for a B with no shelf. He is out of commercial breeding dogs.
Jennifer
This link that was already post is a good example of a good shelf
Isn't the shelf the curvature of the rear? If you stack a B, you should definitely notice the shelf or lack thereof. I notice the shelf just by looking at Bs. Does the shelf have any thing to do with the tail set?
My Arnie has a decent tail set but has no shelf at all. I joke that one could turn him over and use his rear as a table as it is so straight! He should be used as a study for a B with no shelf. He is out of commercial breeding dogs.
Jennifer
i'd love to see a pic if you have one handy.
Here is a picture of one of my boys (bred by me)… note that he doesn't have much shelf and is straight behind... his movement was OK and had other parts that were very good, however on the lure field he could not turn to save his life... he would lose his rear on a tight turn so had to always go wide... he could not "lay" it down and use the rear to turn.
http://www.tanzabasenjis.net/files/Tego_for_web.jpg
By contrast, his litter sister who could stop and turn on a dime at any speed…
http://www.tanzabasenjis.net/files/Fatia_35__Show__format_change_to_JPEG_High_Quality_.jpg
And yes, both are a bit long in the back…..
Here is a picture of one of my boys (bred by me)… note that he doesn't have much shelf and is straight behind... his movement was OK and had other parts that were very good, however on the lure field he could not turn to save his life... he would lose his rear on a tight turn so had to always go wide... he could not "lay" it down and use the rear to turn.
http://www.tanzabasenjis.net/files/Tego_for_web.jpg
By contrast, his litter sister who could stop and turn on a dime at any speed…
http://www.tanzabasenjis.net/files/Fatia_35__Show__format_change_to_JPEG_High_Quality_.jpg
I was just trying to describe what you posted in the first picture (I'm glad you posted it first 
). I think that means the angle of his pelvis is too flat and as a result there isn't enough surface area to attach muscle too. The proper angles (requiring a shelf, I believe) allow more muscle attachment and are generally more forgiving to the joints. If the tail set is low that means the angle of the pelvis is too steep.
Yes, Clay…. I think that is a good description and I have no problem posting links of my own dogs.... the only thing that I would say is that I have seen Basenjis is a low tail set, but with a decent shelf and second thigh..... not many.
Personal Note: Sorry for just posting links to pictures, but the rules of the forum are that pictures posted become owned by the forum owner... I don't totally agree with that... so I will not post that many pictures directly, since I believe that these are my pictures and my ownership
Interesting to see that the picture of Leeloo, from Afrikenji Kennels in Australia, was used by someone, ?agilebasenji? to illistrate the correct shelf… Her owner and breeder, Helen, and I have had discussions about the shelf a few times now, and she is of the belief that we are beginning to lost the correct shelf in dogs all over the world. It is something that she is justifiably proud of, in her dogs 
:).
This link that was already post is a good example of a good shelf
Wow is all I can say…...
Here is a picture of one of my boys (bred by me)… note that he doesn't have much shelf and is straight behind... his movement was OK and had other parts that were very good, however on the lure field he could not turn to save his life... he would lose his rear on a tight turn so had to always go wide... he could not "lay" it down and use the rear to turn.
http://www.tanzabasenjis.net/files/Tego_for_web.jpg
By contrast, his litter sister who could stop and turn on a dime at any speed…
http://www.tanzabasenjis.net/files/Fatia_35__Show__format_change_to_JPEG_High_Quality_.jpg
And yes, both are a bit long in the back…..
I could understand what you were talking about when seeing the pictures. Thank you for sharing.
Her owner and breeder, Helen, and I have had discussions about the shelf a few times now, and she is of the belief that we are beginning to lost the correct shelf in dogs all over the world. It is something that she is justifiably proud of, in her dogs
This is why I feel we need cooperation between all the breeders worldwide. The breed needs cooperation to strive, grow and improve (while keeping the desired positive characteristics) .
Absolutely spot on Sandra :)…
