@khanis:
I am not sure what it is that you are stating….
do you feel that all judges should approach a basenji with caution?
WHY?
A show dog needs to have a sound temperament that allows for strangers to come up at touch it.
The basenji is no different than any other breed... it should be just as stable as any other show dog.
Exhibitors will experience what you are describing across the board.. in all breeds... in all countries.
One thing to remember is that YOU are in control of your dog and it's experience. If you feel your dog is too unsettled to continue on, EXCUSE YOURSELF before the situation takes a turn for the worse. There is NO reason good enough to keep your dog in the ring when he/she is having a difficult time in the ring. It is better to quit while you are ahead, for the sake of your dog, and it's show career.
khanis
Im not sure if you are directing this to me or to the OP, but I will answer as if it was too me
I do not think any judge should approach any dog with caution, BUT, there is caution, and then there is terror/fear, but this is a whole different thing…
A show dog does need to have a sound temperament, I fully agree, and I did say in my post, that both my girls were unaffected by this type of handling. They both have solid temperaments.
I was the one that was disgusted by this type of handling. If I thought my dogs couldnt handle this they would have both been withdrawn, no hesitation at all. I nearly did with Vanda as it was her first show, but I decided at the last minute, she deserves a chance, and certainly would have withdrawn if she wasnt coping. She was completely fine.
Im just angry at the level of judging lately, both by Overseas judges, and also with our Aussie judges too. I have seen some shocking examples of handling of the dogs in the ring, by some judges, and lately it appears to have really deteriorated... I dont know why. Just one quick example... Would you be game enough to stradle a Cattle Dog while examining the dogs front ??? 3 shows in a row we had this done to our ACD's, by Aussie judges, all men who were upwards of 80 years of age. Obviously they were struggling to examine the dogs appropriately, so perhaps its time these guys either handed in their judging licences, or not do the Working, (Herding), dogs anymore. My older male dog was scratched at the ring, my younger dog coped... Lucky the 3 of them didnt lose their goolies, methinks
If this wasnt directed at me, then ignore the ramblings of a cranky Aussie exhibitor