Magic markering your dog

[Vanessa]

I've cut those odd hairs which grow in strange places on our B's face. I admit…its odd.

[tanza]

@Barklessdog:

when we used to show our tri, we would see basenji people magic marking (sharpie) their black dog's stray white hairs.

Fess up- does any body do this?

Nope… but I have used chalk, but like Andrea, it is way too much trouble... and as far as I am concerned, even a scrape or scab... is natural for my dogs, they are dogs first... show dogs second so they can and do get scrapes...

There are people that totally dye their basenjis... and also body clip them like a horse... put drops in the eyes to dilate them... many "stupid if you ask me" tricks of the trade of a professional handler.. and some owner/breeder...

Mine get baths, nails, tails and "stray" hairs done...

[Barklessdog]

The funniest thing I saw at a dog show was people who show tea cup poodles. They carry around their dogs on little tables- It reminded me of something out of Dr Suese. Which came first the Tea cup poodle or the table?

The coolest thing was seeing large groups of huge mastiffs laying around waiting to go in the ring. They looked like a pride of lions.

[Kebasmom]

Years ago when I showed my black and white I was told by the breeder to trim the tail, shave the whiskers, trim the back legs and put a tiny bit of laundry bluing in the bath rinse water. The bluing makes the white pop. He never said anything about magic markers or plucking though.

[tanza]

@Kebasmom:

Years ago when I showed my black and white I was told by the breeder to trim the tail, shave the whiskers, trim the back legs and put a tiny bit of laundry bluing in the bath rinse water. The bluing makes the white pop. He never said anything about magic markers or plucking though.

Taking off the whiskers was pretty common 10/15 yrs ago… since then it is about 60/40 leaving whiskers.

[lvoss]

I have no real grooming skills and probably would not show in conformation if basenjis were not a wash and go breed. Rally took a BOW, a 4 point major, over tough southern California competition to finish her championship with hair missing where scabs from a dog attack had just fallen out. You can see the little white spots in her black coat in the win photo, they were of course on the show side.

I have had people tell me that I severely disadvantage my dogs in the ring by not trimming tails. I figure having me as a handler is the bigger disadvantage and with my grooming skills as limited as they are they are better off au natural.

[Duke]

@lvoss:

I have no real grooming skills and probably would not show in conformation if basenjis were not a wash and go breed. Rally took a BOW, a 4 point major, over tough southern California competition to finish her championship with hair missing where scabs from a dog attack had just fallen out. You can see the little white spots in her black coat in the win photo, they were of course on the show side.

I have had people tell me that I severely disadvantage my dogs in the ring by not trimming tails. I figure having me as a handler is the bigger disadvantage and with my grooming skills as limited as they are they are better off au natural.

I havn't a clue what goes on in the ring - but this made me laugh . . . so thanks lvoss - I appreciate "au-natural"

[Tayda_Lenny]

I've also heard of show basenjis having the ends of their tails glued to the top of their rump so that they stay tightly curled… any truth to that? maybe just a wives tail. ha ha. pardon the pun. long day of driving....

[tanza]

@Tayda_Lenny:

I've also heard of show basenjis having the ends of their tails glued to the top of their rump so that they stay tightly curled… any truth to that? maybe just a wives tail. ha ha. pardon the pun. long day of driving....

That would be a "tail"… judges pick up the tail, move it and sometime (cringe) try to uncurl it.... if glued, would be pretty easily found...

[felakuti]

omg, i cannot believe that you folks do all that to your show Bs, to the point of glueing the tails? come on now, that is cruel.

[Quercus]

@felakuti:

omg, i cannot believe that you folks do all that to your show Bs, to the point of glueing the tails? come on now, that is cruel.

Uh…I don't think anybody here said they would glue a tail!!! And personally I have NEVER seen anybody glue a tail...I have heard rumors that someone tried, but all that is, is a rumor...believe what you want.

NONE of what I do to my dogs for show (or Pat, or Lisa, or Robyn) is cruel in the LEAST! It is basic grooming; some of it might not be comfortable...but my 3year old son doesn't like to have his hair shampooed...he screams bloody murder...but I am still not being cruel when I wash him, right?!

[Basenji_Boy]

Trust me, only a blind Judge would miss a glued tail and anyone showing a Basenji know's this. Judges I've seen always pull the tail up or at least feel it.

There are some tailsets that I'm sure some may have kiddingly said we need to superglue…....but it is just that.....kidding.

The Basenji Breeders I know want their dogs to win based on what qualities they have not what they can fake.

[jys1011]

Arlene that's hysterical :D…my little brother just HATED baths...and so do C3PO & TOPAZ LOL LOL...maybe it's a family trait?? :D :D