th
Since I last judged, the quality in depth between sexes has changed drastically, as have the entries. I wonder where the excellent young bitches of today are going to go for husbands?
However, I was indeed impressed with many of the bitches, a number of youngsters being worthy of top honours. I am pleased to say temperament on the whole is now exemplary and feet have improved, so important in a hunting hound. Movement on the whole was also better and bites have improved. Size must be watched, height is creeping up again, but the breed is once again moving forward.
MINOR PUPPY DOG (1)
1. Gostynska’s BUBAS THE SMOKE JUMPER. Confident 8 Month old brindle with a most lovely disposition, well shaped head with well padded cheeks, though would prefer more wrinkle, eyes of correct almond shape and dark. Good length of neck and well laid shoulders, a little long in the loin. Strongly made all through, stifles correctly angulated, good tail set though tail could be tighter. Pounding a little on the move in front, upper arm could be better, though moves with extension from the rear and stands on very good well arched feet.
PUPPY DOG (4, 2 Absent)
1. Grayson’s TOKAJI AMERICAN GIGOLO AT EMBEAU. Well schooled and presented r/w, short backed, high on the leg when compared with body length, eyecatching and moves absolutely soundly from all angles. Stacked fits the standard, strongly made, good head and expression, plenty of wrinkle and strong underjaw, though to be critical would prefer a darker eye and ears slightly higher set. Very good crest and length of neck, good shoulders, straight front, well filled, deep brisket, compact body, short coupled and good spring of rib, correct tail set and tail tightly curled. Very mature for 10 months. Best Puppy & Res CC.
2. Hannah’s ZORDIA’S AJANI. R/w. Unlucky to meet 1, very similar type. Not quite the overall balance of 1, still very much a baby, a little looser in movement coming and going, needs to deepen in front, rising over the loin and not quite the tail set of 1. Otherwise, a very good example of the breed, good coat and colour, typical well shaped head, good wrinkle and keen expression, though eye could be darker, high set ears, well crested neck of good length, good shoulder layback, straight front limbs and moderately angulated hindquarters, will be interested to see him once he matures.
JUNIOR DOG (3, 1 Absent)
1. TOKAJI AMERICAN GIGOLO AT EMBEAU
2.
ZORDIA’S AJANI
POST GRADUATE DOG (2)
1. Richen’s SIKILAA AFRICAN JACKEL. R/w, actually preferred the head 2, muzzle a little too long when compared with his skull, hooded ears set well forward, not quite the balanced picture as he is slightly higher behind than in front, though he has good length of leg and body proportions, short coupled, straight front and rear, deep brisket, high set tail, tight feet, strongly yet lightly boned, fine coat, very elegant, in hard muscular condition, tireless gait, much to offer.
2.
Matthews’ DOMEWOOD NICE ‘N’ NAUGHTY. Correct red background colour and well defined stripes earned him the award of best brindle. Well proportioned head, adequate wrinkle, pleasing expression. Steep in upper arm and shoulder and slightly ewe necked, though elegant he consequently lacks balance, as he does have correctly angulated hindquarters with a high set tightly curled tail and good shelf behind. Good leg length, finely boned and moves out very well in profile.
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LIMIT DOG (4)
1. Gostynska’s BUBAS CALL OF THE WILD. Stylish brindle, would prefer a more orangey red background colour, though good coat texture, well crested neck of good length giving his very well proportioned head that lofty carriage which is so eyecatching, well shaped dark eyes, enough wrinkle, stands very four square, deep brisket, short level back, balanced body and soundly constructed. Good tail set, single curl tight to the hip. Appearance just spolit by flat front feet, though in hard condition moving soundly and effortlessly. An easy winner for me, liked him a lot.
2.
DOMEWOOD NICE ‘N’NAUGHTY
3.
Middleton’s ZANDE HABIBI. R/w
OPEN DOG (5, 3 Absent)
1. Seccatore & Cooley’s CH JETHARD TIMED TO PERFECTION. R/w, very masculine, a real stallion hound. Just preferred this boys head and expression, good length and crest of neck, deep through the heart, adequate angulation all through, short coupled, level back, well set tail, single curl tight to the hip, feet a little flat and pasterns could be tighter. Neither dog moved as truly coming and going as I would like, but both stood straight when viewed from front and rear and were in hard muscular condition and overall very good breed specimens.
2. Miller’s BENKURA SUPER TROUPER. R/w of lovely orangey red colour and fine coat. A little excess white on the muzzle spoils his otherwise pleasing head, stands on sound limbs and good feet, very good outline of square appearance, short back, level topline, good tightly curled tail, tailset and shelf, close up to 1 though not a happy showman.
VETERAN DOG (4)
1. Grayson & Tiffany’s CH EMBEAU BLADE RUNNER. Streets ahead of the competition, quality dog, 8 years, r/w, fine coat texture, of correct square appearance. Upper arm could be better, but overall soundly made. Very nice head and expression, plenty of wrinkle, excellent skull to muzzle proportions, good length and crest of neck, well laid shoulders, good depth of brisket, short back, stands on good feet. Moved truly coming and going but slightly unsound on a shoulder due to an earlier injury.
2.
Middleton’s JETHARD MEZZOTINT. Also 8 years, square in outline, nicely shaped head and adequate muzzle, lacking a little underjaw. Has good wrinkle, doesn’t use his ears to advantage though hooded and forward pointing. Short in neck and upper arm, steep in shoulder and needs more depth of chest, but overall an elegant and neat package, short backed, good tail set and curl and good shelf behind, a typical Basenji. Moves soundly and freely from all angles, maintaining his outline.
3.
Addis’ SAVANNASTORM JIVING JASPER. R/w 12 years.
SPECIAL BRED BY EXHIBITOR DOG (2)
1.
Miller’s CH BENKURA TAKE A CHANCE ON ME. R/w, just as I was beginning to wonder, in came this cracking dog. Classic elegant outline, easy on the eye, finely boned and aristocratic, everything in perfect proportion, oozes quality. Super coat texture and colour, rich orangey red and pure white, lovely head, profuse fine wrinkle, expression could be helped by a little less white on muzzle, but has obliquely set dark almond shaped eyes, neat well hooded ears set high, excellent length of neck, he is so well balanced all through, correctly angulated front and rear, moves absolutely effortlessly, soundly and freely seemingly floating with great extension, he is all quality. Well handled and presented. To be super critical, pasterns could be stronger, but well deserves his title. CC, BOS & RBIS.
2.
Gostynska’s BUBAS THE WINGWALKER. R/w dog with an eye catching attitude, another who is a little steep in upper arm, but he has a good crest of neck and lofty head carriage, super head and naughty inquisitive expression from dark correctly shaped eyes, finely boned, good body proportions but not the topline of 1, moves so straight and true with effortless swinging stride, lots to like.
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SPECIAL NOT BRED BY EXHIBITOR DOG (4)
1.
ZORDIA’S AJANI
2.
DOMEWOOD NICE ‘N’NAUGHTY
3. ZANDE HABIBI
PUPPY BITCH (4, 2 Absent)
1. Allen’s ZORDIA’S WAZZALA. R/w quality youngster, my ideal for head and expression, forward pointing high set hooded ears, obliquely set dark and far seeing almond eyes, well chiselled head with fine wrinkle, excellent head proportions with plenty of cushioning and strong jaw, excellent neck. So beautifully constructed all through, superb outline, pliant close fitting jacket of good colour, correctly angulated front and rear, finely yet strongly boned, short back, level topline, well set tightly curled tail, excellent reach behind, just love her. This kennel excels in producing dogs who just ooze breed type and scream Basenji. A little loose in front on the move, which lost her BPIS, but otherwise what an absolute star, destined for great things, wish she were mine.
2. Gray’s WOODELLA NORTHERN DELIGHT OF JISGARD. R/w, another quality bitch of different type, excellent coat and condition. Good head and inscrutable expression from dark eyes, crested neck of good length set well laid shoulders and good length of upper arm.
Square in outline, correctly proportioned and angulated at both ends, straight front and rear, well arched feet. Striding out on the move maintaining her outline, though front movement needs to tighten, another very promising puppy.
JUNIOR BITCH (3, 1 Absent)
1.
Baker’s TOKAJI AMERICAN DREAMZ OF SILVERBRIAR. Tri, yet another quality puppy, eyecatching for her overall elegance, femininity and breed type. Well proportioned head with good wrinkle, ears set high and forward pointing, long neck set into well laid shoulders, excellent length of leg and body proportions, good topline, very good tail set and curl. Moves so smoothly and soundly with daisy cutting action and positively both coming and going, could watch her move all day. Well handled and when she tightens another with a great future. Coat of good colour and texture, tan well defined and clear white won her Best tricolour.
2.
Seccatore & Cooley’s ZANDE IHSANI. R/w, not the quality or elegance of 1, though she does have a most lovely head, side cushioning, obliquely set dark eyes, small hooded ears and good wrinkle help produce a very pleasing expression. Could do with more length of leg for balance and tail set could be better, though she has good depth of brisket and spring of rib and is short coupled. Hind action good but not moving so positively in front.
POST GRADUATE BITCH (4, 1 Absent)
1.
2.
TOKAJI AMERICAN DREAMZ OF SILVERBRIAR
Clinton’s ZORDIA’S ZANTA. R/w, typical though ears a little large and low set and could do with a darker eye, otherwise good head proportions, on the taller side for a bitch and rising over the loin. Nicely angulated front and rear but not so balanced as 1, movement could be better. Finely boned, good length of leg, coat colour and neat feet.
3.
Gostynska’s BUBAS GOLDEN STAR
LIMIT BITCH (5, 2 Absent)
1. Frost’s AKMAR MERITAMEN OF BUSHWACKER. R/w. Also winner of a hotly contested Not Bred by Exh class, her handler was struggling to get the best out of her, but when this was achieved, she was quite stunning combining elegance and gazelle like grace with excellent construction, the general appearance clause of the breed standard came to mind, lightly built, finely boned aristocratic-looking, high on leg compared with her length, typical head, proudly carried with small very well set hooded ears, very good neck, straight front and rear, not as flashy as some, single curl to tail but correct in all repspects and breathtaking on the move.
Res CC.
2. Richen’s SIKILAA AFRICAN JASMINE. Tri, another elegant bitch with a fine pliant coat, another not making the best of herself, but so typical, feminine head, profuse wrinkle,
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forward pointing high set ears, also with good length of neck, short backed, good length of upper arm and moderately angulated all through, long limbs, finely boned, true action coming and going and really free flowing in profile with good extension. In hard muscular condition but would improve if she could carry a little more weight.
3. Tyler’s EZILLIE’S AYIDA WEDO OVER SHERNAZAR. B/w
OPEN BITCH (5, 1 Absent)
1. Singleton’s CH JETHARD PARDON ME BOYS. Mature tri, whom I have not really paid attention to in the past, but going over her I found her so very soundly made all through, a lovely dog to go over, her markings don’t do justice to her angulation. Preferred her head and expression, slightly better depth and width of muzzle and overall skull proportions to 2 and she also scored in hindquarter angulation. Dead straight front and rear, compact in body, short back, firm topline, excellent depth of chest and spring of rib, high set tightly curled tail. Superb movement, swinging stride, free flowing, sound and effortless with good head carriage and maintaining her outline. CC & BIS.
2. Hardy, Hallam, Kite & Gillespie’s CH/AM CH KLASSICS MILLION DOLLAR BABY
AT TOKAJI. Beautiful tri of great quality, the overall package is sparkling, set off by her blackest of coats and clearest of whites, shining with condition. Ultra feminine, short coupled, deep brisket, another dead straight front and rear, a shade straight in stifle, but a bitch I have long admired for her overall balance, general attitude and breathtaking swift, long and tireless movement.
3. Bower’s CH DOMEWOOD UBER-UNNSHNESH. Brindle.
VETERAN BITCH (2)
1. Gostynska’s CH/IR CH BUBAS BLAZING STAR. Brindle rising 10 years, stood out for her overall soundness, elegant outline and length of leg. Preferred her head proportions though could do with a little more wrinkle, nicely shaped eye, good length of neck, well laid shoulders. Slightly long cast, good tail set though loosely curled, could be tighter to the hip, otherwise well constructed and this is reflected on the move, she is free striding, sound and positive, really covering the ground and this won her Best Veteran.
2.
Addis’ SAVANNASTORM LITTLE SNAP DRAGON. R/w of lovely disposition, very pleasing head, lovely eye and expression, expressive wrinkle, well placed ears, very well arched neck, feet a little flat and lacks length of leg, though overall body proportions are good, excellent spring of rib, outshone on the move by 1.
SPECIAL BRED BY EXHIBITOR BITCH (1)
1. CH DOMEWOOD UBER-UNNSHNESH. Brindle, 3rd in Open Bitch, a worthy
Champion to whom I have awarded a Res CC in the past. Love her head, most typical with fine profuse wrinkle, dark almond obliquely set eyes, elegant neck, finely boned and overall squarely proportioned and elegant, soundly constructed all through, one thinks of Africa when looking at
1.
2.
3. her. Moves so straight and true with swinging stride.
SPECIAL NOT BRED BY EXHIBITOR BITCH (6)
AKMAR MERITAMEN OF BUSHWACKER
TOKAJI AMERICAN DREAMZ OF SILVERBRIAR
Miller’s ANTEFAA NAKURA WOOD NYMPH
BRACE (2)
1.
Middleton’s r/w pair, preferred their overall elegance and length of leg to 2, though 2 were in fact better matched.
2.
Addis’
KIM ELLIS (Judge)
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