Roux's 1st Show!

[Roux]

I'm so excited to say we've registered Roux in her first ever show on July 10th! There will be two days of shows and I'll be observing on the 9th to note any differences between Taiwan versus AKC standards. I don't think many if any Bs will attend, since there are so few here, but there will be stiff competition within the hound group anyway. I'm just eager to see if our girl places!
We have a show lead/collar and we've been working on stacking and gait, with lots of people handling her. She's still fidgety being a pup but I'm hopeful she'll do well on the day. Any tips or tricks y'all can pass onto a newbie?

[tanza]

Yes! Have fun, both you and your pup. That is the main thing, especially with a baby.... you want the experience to be fun!

[Roux]

Thanks @tanza I hope to do just that! Feeling a bit nervous though hahaha

[eeeefarm]

Judges are usually fairly lenient with a pup. I know my girl Tamu was bad for "chasing" or else trying to look behind her when gaiting in the ring with other dogs, but she still picked up points and her championship fairly easily. It didn't help that I had done zero handling classes with her! I was mostly showing her because her breeder wanted me to....once she finished I didn't bother any more.

[Roux]

Good to know @eeeefarm that indeed soothes the nerves a bit! Roux's a good girl but very easily distracted as they all are especially at this age!

[Zande]

Shows need to e FUN for pups so they will want to go to the next one. You relax and keep talking to her and she will enjoy it. If she is the only Basenji there it will be interesting to see what happens in the Hound Puppy Group - Good luck !

[Roux]

@zande I'll try my best to calm down and relax! I'm also so very interested in how the puppy rounds will go considering the lack of certain breeds here. Thanks for the support!

[tanza]

@roux - Just take deep breaths and make like you are at home practicing... remember that your pup can feel your nervousness through the lead.... Talk to her like you would at home. When I first started showing many years ago that is something I would forget to do....

[Zande]

Someone (American, not English) told me they always chewed a peppermint in the ring. Apparently the theory was this would convey calmness to the dog who wouldn't get stressed. Or something. I have never tried it !

[tanza]

@zande - LOL Zande, I would have choked on that trying to chew and put "bait" in my mouth...

[Roux]

You know, I have trouble with the bait-in-mouth thing, swallowed it twice LOL it's good we're using high quality, human-grade treats!

[Zande]

@roux The peppermint is not supposed to be to bait the dogs with, @tanza !!! The aroma (?) of your breath is supposed to have a calming effect on the dog in the ring !

[Roux]

Hey B-folk! Just updating y'all on her first ever show! She won best female B puppy, but lost to a male for best B pup. I was expecting a lot of confusion, possibly some competitive spirit or possibly hostility from the other entrants, but OMG I was welcomed with open arms! I made several friends with other B owners and they helped me with a bunch of stuff, from lending me a proper show lead and rubber banding her number to my arm to making this video for me of us in our very first ring:
https://www.facebook.com/589196508/videos/a.10162540426581509/453836052870067
Honestly I had a great time, and Roux just passed TF out when we got home after playing with so many new lookalike friends!

[Zande]

I don't have FaceBook but my cleaning lady kindly let me see your video ! Roux did very well - From what you say there are many Basenjis being shown - are they all in the database ? If not, please can you scan me a catalog so they can be ? To start with, who is the black/white ?

[elbrant]

That was awesome! Congrats @Roux !!

[Kembe]

Congratulations to you and Roux! 🏆 🏅

[Roux]

@Zande Here're the four that came to the show! Do you need help reading the Chinese? The first is Roux, Cooper is another red and white, Kongo is a tri, and Tai-Chi is the black and white!

[Roux]

Wow I just tried looking these up and it seems we've got a whole bunch of new additions to your database @Zande !!

[Zande]

I am sure we have - And of course I need help reading the Chinese, Michelle ! But I can add these, I think - although their parents may not be in the database but I am sure with your new-found friends you can dig them out for us ! Give me half an hour to add them - or best wait till tomorrow so I have time to upload it all afresh - and then you will see the gaps and help to fill them in. I have 3 Belaxe and they go back into USA and Brazil ! Starting work now !

[Roux]

@Zande I translated Roux's info; it's the same for all of them except for their location in Taiwan. Kongo is in Taoyuan, and Tai-Chi is in New Taipei City :)
I'll ask the other owners for their pedigrees tomorrow as it's super late here. Excited about this!