Show Tips /Help

[Rita Jean]

Thank you again. We have work ahead of us. Keep you posted as we learn.

Rita Jean

[Terry]

I agree with Pat, a 'thick skin' is definitely a must. You may hear comments from ringside about your dog and/or your handling, just try to find the things you can learn and ignore the mean spirited.
Read and learn the standard, watch the people with the winning dogs, and just be as gracious as you can.
I also agree that you just need to have fun and make sure the dog is having fun!

Terry

[Basenjimamma]

Thanks Pat for your input, I really appreciate that as well. I can manage a thick skin, knowing now that it isn't that uncommon for dark brindles, my main objective was just that, the color, of course there are other faults Otis might have, thats OK. He is first and foremost our fourlegged kid and terror..but getting in the ring might be a fun experience.

[Kebasmom]

I haven't been in this game as long as most folks on here but I have to say just go out there and have fun and don't be offended if you don't win. It's kind of funny, I've been to some of the four day shows and it's lose one day and win the next against the same dogs. You just never know when it will all come together, but when it does, it is a great feeling!! I have a dark colored brindle puppy and she is doing well so far so don't let color deter you.

[Basenjimamma]

Thanks Karen for your positive words..

[Rita Jean]

Terry I did lots of watching Saturday not just Basenjis but lots other breeds. Judges peoples faces and the dogs. I even caught myself looking at some of the clothes that they were wearing. I know you should dress nice but a couple of them, all jokes aside I thought were going to a formal ball.

Rita Jean

[tanza]

At shows the attire is tie and jacket for men, dresses/skirts/or nice slacks for women… but "comfy" shoes....

[Rita Jean]

Lots of women had nice suits or nice slacks and yes I did notice most of women had flat shoes. I only seen one man he was dressed nice. Couple as I said were dressed for a dance with glitter and lots and lots of jewerly. They really stood out.

Rita Jean

[Terry]

We have a lady who shows Bloodhounds here in CA who is famous for her outfits - she favors big flowing skirts or wide-legged silk pants and all kinds of glitter/glitz. She would stand out anywhere! Fortunately, she has nice dogs and since everyone knows her, I guess it isn't distracting!
We also try to let new exhibitors know the general guidelines, but they don't always hear it… we had one young woman who wore platform sandals the first time she showed her Basenji. After her first attempt at clomping around the ring, she kicked them off and showed barefoot!

Terry

[renaultf1]

Here's what the standard says about colour…
Color–Chestnut red; pure black; tricolor (pure black and chestnut red); or brindle (black stripes on a background of chestnut red); all with white feet, chest and tail tip. White legs, blaze and collar optional. The amount of white should never predominate over primary color. Color and markings should be rich, clear and well-defined, with a distinct line of demarcation between the black and red of tricolors and the stripes of brindles.

I've seen brindles win that have a chocolate colour background instead of red and in fact saw one win breed at a huge East Coast show recently. I've also seen brindles win that are mainly red and you can barely make out their stripes.

[renaultf1]

I've seen women wearing everything from jeans to almost formal wear. There is one woman I've seen that shows Salukis whose wardrobe is to die for (usually longer skirts and flowing pants - and consequently she looks stunning) - I'm sure she spends more on her clothes than I earn in a year.

One thing show people told me about clothing for women to show in is to wear nice clothing (think office attire) that you don't mind getting damaged and is easily washable - because of stains and putting bait, etc. in pockets.

And regarding shoes - be sure they are comfortable but that aren't slippery to run in (especially for shows outdoors).

[Basenjimamma]

renault1,
Thank you so much for your in put on the brindle color. Otis isn't the wrong color I guess, I actually think he is gorgeous..lol,

He is dark with red stripes, so reverse brindle I guess..somebody that saw him once called him Mahogany Brindle, homemade word though, I guess.

I will look into some show training though, it sounds like something fun to do for him and for me.

[Rita Jean]

We are going to try and let our son show Jaycee. Be good for him and her so at least I do not have to worry about high heels and dresses. Just nice suit and nice shoes I can handle that. ( I hope) That would be crazy to wear shoes with heels just standing around getting ready would kill your feet.

Rita Jean

[tanza]

No, he is not a reverse brindle, he just has lots of stripes… the base coat is red, but dark. Not that unusal, there are many his color.....

And for clothes... NEVER HEELS...gggg

[renaultf1]

@tanza:

And for clothes… NEVER HEELS...gggg

Ha, ha, ha…although i would like to see that...especially outdoors on grass! Would be quite entertaining for the spectators.

[Basenjimamma]

I see, I never thought of him as regular brindle with lots of stripes..see I am a newbie, that is why I love this board.
And no heels for me..even though it probably would bring on some laughter..

[Rita Jean]

Otis still very pretty really shines out.

For heels my daughter wear 5 and 6 inch heels and would run stairs at high school and not fall. It's living in Kansas has done something to her.

Rita Jean

[Basenjimamma]

I know what is up with all these high school girls and their high heels? I have never been comfortable in them, plus it makes me well over 6 feet 5 inches..so too tall around my peers..not that I am in highschool, but once I was. I have a niece that loves her high heel shoes at 17 yrs…I was all about comfort back then and I am still all about comfort..sneakers, Keens, MBT's or the like..if not I am not going..LOL. Well I am a little more flexible then that, but only a little ;).

Otis' shiny, smooth fur I contribute to his diet...RAW, although it hasn't helped our Schnorkie mix, her fur is more on the dull side..

[Nemo]

The only thing I can add in addition to what everyone else said is that when you go to handling classes or private lessons, please speak up if the "teacher" is handling your dog in a way you're not comfortable with. I'm personally not really fond of the "pretend to drop the dog off the table" and other similar methods for show training. There are very nice positive methods for getting your dog comfortable with all of the routines. My initial handling classes were not a positive experience for me or Zoni because several of these methods were used. I was a little hesitant to speak up initially because I was so new to all of it. After I spoke to the instructor, things have gone a lot more smoothly after that.

Good luck! Is your son going to try junior handling?

[Basenjimamma]

Nemo, if you are asking me about my son, no,he is only 4 years old, but my daughter might give it a try, if not myself.

RitaJean will have her son give it a go, I believe.