Trimmed tail

[Janneke]

In another thread I wrote I never trim Tillo's tail.. Well.. Yesterday I did my first trimming.. I got an email from Tillo's breeder that it was necessary ;) Haha.. I think we (me trimming.. Tillo standing still) did ok!

Here the result:

http://mirtillo.weebly.com/uploads/2/2/1/0/2210777/5976388_orig.jpg?233x173

What do you think??

[renaultf1]

In another thread I wrote I never trim Tillo's tail.. Well.. Yesterday I did my first trimming.. I got an email from Tillo's breeder that it was necessary ;) Haha.. I think we (me trimming.. Tillo standing still) did ok!

What do you think??

His tail looks great!

Ha, ha, ha...Liyah's breeder had the same reaction to her tail...I was like "no, not my baby...I love her tail". Her tail is now trimmed. :D:rolleyes:

[basi]

Looks good to me Janneke:D

[Quercus]

Beautiful!!! It is funny, because once you start trimming a tail, you never look back :) I remember with Querk, I resisted for a long time, then said 'no, don't trim too much, I want it to still look natural'...and my mentors rolled their eyes (nicely) at me. Now I grab the trimmers, and strip them down...and I actually look a the dogs in the house whose tails have gone back to 'natural' and think, I should really do their tails :)

[mauigirl]

Our 2 have suuuch different tails. Zip's got the Avongara butt/tail thing going on so to trim it down sort of emphasizes the not-as-tightly-curled-ness and then Riley's hair is suuuuuper short, the curl much tighter and I don't think he would ever need a tail trimming. The one time we did get Zip groomed they took off some of the white on the tip of her tail. (Mind you it's been over a year and Liz still gives me a hard time about my awful choice of groomer). Poor Zip though....she's already not got much white on her tail but after that...sheesh. I felt the Mom that takes her child for an awful haircut!!

[tanza]

Perfect job.... looks great... and yes, I agree Andrea... once you start, you never look back...

[Janneke]

Thanks! I love it too!! Haha..

This morning I got a text message from BF.. It said: "His tail looks sooo beautiful.."

Haha.. :D I think we're loosing it... :rolleyes:

Good thing there are breeders telling us what to do ;)

[Shaye's Mom]

Tillo's tail is gorgeous trimmed. Shaye's is just beginning to bush out a little, and it sort of separates right up the middle where the curl starts - don't have a clue what to do about that. Any ideas?

[Basenjimamma]

I got a question...are there any guidelines as to how to trim their tail, or should it be done to looks? I noticed, after reading this thread, that Otis' tail is getting "thicker" and some day we will probably need to have his tail done. Should I take him to a groomer or should it be done by me? I have horror stories about how the groomers, all the ones I visited, really "screwed" up my Westie, so I can only imagine how they would potentially wreck Otis' good looks..LOL. Otis' tail is curled straight, in line over his spine...if that makes sense, but today I saw that it is starting to tilt to one side, like I have seen some of y'all dogs tails on here has it. Is that normal?

[tanza]

If you are not showing him, there is really no reason to trim the tail.... they are not like a Westie that needs to be groomed because the hair continues to grow.. on a Basenji it will just get so thicker (especially as they age from puppies to adults) and then stop... IMO there is never a reason to take a Basenji to a groomer unless you can't do their nails yourself. This is the most important thing, is their nails and especially if they still have dew claws (typically removed in the US except by PM's and many BYB's) In other countries they are left on.

As far as the tail curl, they can all be different, loose curl, laying to the left or right, curl twice, curl three times, set directly over the butt instead of to one side or the other (sometimes that style is call a tea cup tail, my OJ had that).... and sometimes how the tail lays depends on how the tail is set on the butt.

[Basenjimamma]

Tanza, Thanks for your quick response. I have been doing his claws myself, he doesn't really hate nor does he love it, so I will keep on doing it until he says otherwise..lol. As far as his dewclaws, they are removed. So I don't really have to trim it, unless I want to? I really like the way the tails look when they are skinnier vs thicker, if that makes sense. I guess I just wait and see what Otis' will look like once fully "furred". teacup tail, I like that...so sweet.

[tanza]

Exactly... only if you want to trim it..., my personal opinion is that I like the "thicker" tail...ggg

And if you want to try trimming it just for the "heck" of it... what you are really doing is trying to follow the contour of the tail.... Use thinning scissors and just try to following the curl of the tail, trimming away the long hairs... with thinning sicissors, even if you mess up... no one will really notice...ggg

If you are doing it for show... I use thinning scissors and curved regular scissors.. thin first, use the curved to clean up the stray hairs..

But.. to do it, best if you either have someone hold his head while you are doing the tail... or use a grooming table that has a noose for his head.

And kudos to you for doing his nails.. that is a total pet peeve for me... they are really easy to do and while they may not love it.. (just like you said.. not thrilled, but accept).. it is important to keep their nails trimmed. They really should be done once a month at the longest... I prefer every 2 wks, but I use a Dremel grinder, not nail clippers. Show dogs are usually done at least once a week.

[Buana]

We trim the tails here too...

Chafuko's tail.. pfff he has LONG hair!!!!

[renaultf1]

Exactly... my personal opinion is that I like the "thicker" tail...ggg

Same here...Liyah's tail is really thick, but because she's about to hit the ring, she has to be trimmed (unfortunately)...she still looks great, but IMHO, not as good as she does when her tail is left to its own devices. :D:D

Needless to say, she won't have her tail trimmed when she's done showing...and none of the adults get theirs trimmed. Ruby's looks bushy like a squirrel (her tail just has one big loop) :D:D:D.

[noodle]

It looks perfect! What type of scissors did you use and how did you do it??

[noodle]

Decided to have a go myself today with puppy Rocco, I think I did an ok job. I did most of it while he was asleep!

[Quercus]

Decided to have a go myself today with puppy Rocco, I think I did an ok job. I did most of it while he was asleep!

Very nice :)

[Basenjimamma]

Good job..I am so going to have to do Otis'. I like the tails better when they are trimmed and sleek..and his is gettiung rather bushy..bush dog.

[Janneke]

It looks perfect! What type of scissors did you use and how did you do it??

Great job! I totally forgot to answer your question about the scissors.. Sorry for that! But I used a 'normal' paper scissor.. :D

[ibi_n_sane]

we also trim the tails when we are going to a show, otherwise we dont bother, but our basenjis dont have very bushy tails like some do have.
At first I thought how stupid it was to trim tails, and sometimes I still agree with my former opinion , depending on how and for what reason a tail is trimmed.
I do it myself, but I really have mixed feelings about it, a basenji is an ancient original dog, please let them look the way they just do, but then dogshows dont work that way anymore unfortunately and it looks more "finished / showy" when a tail has been trimmed.

I hate it when people trim the whiskers of their basenjis, these are important organs and not just thick hairs that you need to trim so the dogs face looks more silk :angry:

[Quercus]

we also trim the tails when we are going to a show, otherwise we dont bother, but our basenjis dont have very bushy tails like some do have.
At first I thought how stupid it was to trim tails, and sometimes I still agree with my former opinion , depending on how and for what reason a tail is trimmed.
I do it myself, but I really have mixed feelings about it, a basenji is an ancient original dog, please let them look the way they just do, but then dogshows dont work that way anymore unfortunately and it looks more "finished / showy" when a tail has been trimmed.

I hate it when people trim the whiskers of their basenjis, these are important organs and not just thick hairs that you need to trim so the dogs face looks more silk :angry:


I trim a few whiskers when we are getting ready for a show...but otherwise, no. And also refuse to cut all the whiskers, I do think they use them.

As far as being a ancient dog..yes...but humans are an ancient original species also..we still trim our hair, and some of us wear make up when we want to look extra nice.

I see what you are saying though :) Here in the US, an untrimmed tail in the show ring, (particularly a bushy tail) screams 'my handler is new at this'!!!!

[Benkura]

I leave my Bs completely as nature intended. Bushy tails, whiskers and dew claws. The only think I do is clip there nails. It's never done me any harm in the show ring. :)

[ibi_n_sane]

As far as being a ancient dog..yes...but humans are an ancient original species also..we still trim our hair, and some of us wear make up when we want to look extra nice.


I hope you know that what you are saying here makes no sense at all ;)
the main difference is that WE do it for OURSELVES , because WE want to look extra nice, the dogs and other animals dont care, but nooo we humans want THEM to look nicer and nicer too, and therefore we trim them, and also put stupid clothes on them and sometimes even make-up yes indeed :rolleyes: so everything that has to be nicer is a HUMAN decision and has nothing to do with the animals themselves ;)
and I certainly hope you dont compare animals with humans seriously, that is such an INSULT FOR THE ANIMALS!!! :eek:

but also, ( no effence please ! ) but the american way of showing is way much more exaggarated then here in europe, a way of culture I guess, and that is just the way it is. Look at the afghan hounds and irish setters you have there in the showring, they have nothing to do with the original breedstandard and type!! SHAME ON THE PEOPLE WHO RUINED THOSE BREEDS !!!!! and I can go on and on and on , but will not do that :D
It appears to me that the american way is a lot more about appereances then back here in europe, allthough a lot of people are only appearences here as well, but I guess that is human too :rolleyes:

and please dont take it personal ;)

[Quercus]

<<and I certainly hope you dont compare animals with humans seriously, that is such an INSULT FOR THE ANIMALS!!! >>

Clearly, you don't know me very well ;) I am not a fan of anthropomorphism; and no, I don't compare animals with humans....because humans ARE animals :)

I guess I won't take it personally that you made a gross generalization about the US' preoccupation with appearances... Wait, aren't most of the cosmetic and fashion design houses, and prestigious modeling agencies in Europe? Or were you just talking dogs?

Come on....the topic is tail trimming on a dog...not plastic surgery....

[Quercus]

To follow up on this topic....it does seem that dog showing in Europe is a much more casual affair than it is in the US. And I wish, wish, wish that were the case here. There is far too much emphasis on the what the handler looks like, and the 'presentation' here in the US, and not enough on the actual dog (IMO, of course).

So, if that is what you were trying to say Ibi N Sane ...I totally agree....

[ibi_n_sane]

no I dont know you very well , as well as you dont know me, and that is also the problem with the internet as it is difficult to read intonations ;)

and I am talking about dogshows, and I am sure you must see what I see , and yes a lot of americans show for appearences, it is even worse then over here in europe where it is starting to get out of hands as well!!

please look you must see it, afghan hounds, irish setters etc.hairs must be longer, more and more angulations, more and more chest, the dog must have the perfect "human idea" picture while stacked, I am sorry it is the truth and a very hot topic over here in europe ;)
I must admit that I like the golden retriever type and sheltie type more over there in the USA.
some breeds are damaged everywehre like the english bulldog, the german shepherd and the sharpei , horrible what these breeds look nowadays just because the humans like them better this way ......

I think you know what I am trying to say, it starts with triming, where does it end? ;)
and again, dont take it personall, when you have nothing to do with it you dont need to take it personal right? anyway it would be a nice discussion as it is obvious what most humans do to dogs just because it looks more pretty ;) and that is going on for ages!

[ibi_n_sane]

To follow up on this topic....it does seem that dog showing in Europe is a much more casual affair than it is in the US. And I wish, wish, wish that were the case here. There is far too much emphasis on the what the handler looks like, and the 'presentation' here in the US, and not enough on the actual dog (IMO, of course).

So, if that is what you were trying to say Ibi N Sane ...I totally agree....

yes it is :) see my other post as well, our posts are crossing hahaha that is not handy as well :p
but about the casual affair....it is getting more american here as well... unfortunately not the other way round.....:(

I am happy we cleared that out :)

[Quercus]

please look you must see it, afghan hounds, irish setters etc.hairs must be longer, more and more angulations, more and more chest, the dog must have the perfect "human idea" picture while stacked, I am sorry it is the truth and a very hot topic over here in europe ;)
I must admit that I like the golden retriever type and sheltie type more over there in the USA.
some breeds are damaged everywehre like the english bulldog, the german shepherd and the sharpei , horrible what these breeds look nowadays just because the humans like them better this way ......

I think you know what I am trying to say, it starts with triming, where does it end? ;)



Well, Afghan hounds, Irish Setters, those are man made breeds...so I suppose that people can make them look however their fanciers agree that they want them to look. If there is disagreement among the fancy, which I am sure there is...they have to find some common ground. I do hate to see when artificial selection/human selection starts to interfere with the structural health of the dog...i.e. bulldogs, etc. Those breeders need to evaluate what they are doing, and see if the 'look' is worth having a dog that can't breath properly...obviously it doesn't seem logical.

Basenjis, as you mentioned, are a natural breed...and yes, I think our duty is to preserve, rather than improve the breed. And I think that we do a pretty good job of that, based on how similar the dogs that are being brought out of Africa look to those that are currently in the show ring.

IMO and IME...a trimmed tail ends in a trimmed tail? not everything is a slippery slope....

[ibi_n_sane]

IMO and IME...a trimmed tail ends in a trimmed tail? not everything is a slippery slope....

thank goodness not!!
but the hairdo of poodles was of great function also, and that went into a slippery slope, maybe innocent but you get my point ;)
but not the trimmed tails ( I dont have a problem with that like I stated befor ) what about the preference for a very tight double curl??? how efficient is that in the bushes of africa?? when the tail cant curl out and they get stuck in the bushes ????? that can have horrible consequenses
most of the african basenjis have a single curl or even not a curl at all but a very loose curled LIKE tail ;) some breeders want more and more wrinkle in their basenjis.... ( that is how the problems started in sharpeis as well )
and by recognizing only 4 colours allthough in africa there is a range of colours, the dogshowpeople have allready interferred a lot in the "modern" looks of this breed ;)
fortunately there are always breeders that stick to the health of the breed and breed according to the breedstandard but not only to get the prettiest picture of a dog, but breed normal ;)

[Buana]

I hate it when people trim the whiskers of their basenjis, these are important organs and not just thick hairs that you need to trim so the dogs face looks more silk :angry:

I hate that too, once a breeder asked us if we were stupid...
I asked why and she answered "you have to trim the whiskers for a show"
We walked away and tought by ourselfes she was the one that's stupid..
If you look at your B, you see during the whole day, they use their whiskers....

We trim the tails before shows with a scissor that has a light curve.

[Basenjimamma]

I got to add my five cents in, I agree with what has been said in the previous posts about letting the dogs be dogs. The other thing that somewhat bothers me is that The B's clearly came /come in more colors from Africa than what is considered true/acceptable color. Why is that? Like the creams and blues, etc. If we truly want to save the breed from various things like ailments, bad temperament etc, why not also make sure all colors don't disappear? Those traits aren't as in important persay, but none the less the way they are/were in the wild. just a question I have been trying to figure out.

As far as tail trimming, I did Otis' a little bit last night and I think I like his tail trimmed so you can see the definition in his curls..as far as whisker, no way..

[renaultf1]

...trying...to...squeeze...in...here and say:D:D:D:D:D...

I agree, I hate the whiskers trimmed...and wish that we could leave the tails "au naturale" for the show ring...

I know someone that trims their basenjis' whiskers (and even the ones that he handles for other people)...I told him that and if the time ever came that he showed a dog for me I expressly prohibit him trimming the whiskers. :D;)

[tanza]

I got to add my five cents in, I agree with what has been said in the previous posts about letting the dogs be dogs. The other thing that somewhat bothers me is that The B's clearly came /come in more colors from Africa than what is considered true/acceptable color. Why is that? Like the creams and blues, etc. If we truly want to save the breed from various things like ailments, bad temperament etc, why not also make sure all colors don't disappear? Those traits aren't as in important persay, but none the less the way they are/were in the wild. just a question I have been trying to figure out.

As far as tail trimming, I did Otis' a little bit last night and I think I like his tail trimmed so you can see the definition in his curls..as far as whisker, no way..

Where is it written that they (Creams..etc) at not acceptable? Even the first Avongara's were imported, most were Reds... granted there were a certainly different shades of red, from very pale to very dark. There are registered Trindles, Creams, etc... There is NO DQ in Basenjis. The color might not be exactly listed on a registration slip (for AKC), but they can't have every combo known? My opinion is color is not important... health and temperments and conformation are.

[Benkura]

I hate that too, once a breeder asked us if we were stupid...
I asked why and she answered "you have to trim the whiskers for a show"
We walked away and tought by ourselfes she was the one that's stupid..
If you look at your B, you see during the whole day, they use their whiskers....

We trim the tails before shows with a scissor that has a light curve.

My Nakura has curly whiskers. We joke and call them her 'Wonky Wickers'. Someone even called them pubes because the curly one is black! :o

At a show a few weeks ago (where I won BIS with Chance! ;)) there was a man selling dog bedding etc. He said I should lose the whiskers. 'All whiskers must go!'

I don't know what breed he has but needless to say I never took any notice of him. Noodle will remember the conversation well. (Tyne Wear & Tees show) :)

[tanza]

...trying...to...squeeze...in...here and say:D:D:D:D:D...

I agree, I hate the whiskers trimmed...and wish that we could leave the tails "au naturale" for the show ring...

I know someone that trims their basenjis' whiskers (and even the ones that he handles for other people)...I told him that and if the time ever came that he showed a dog for me I expressly prohibit him trimming the whiskers. :D;)

While I do not trim whiskers (I do tails which I think makes the Basenji look better and shows off the body better)... you will find that most handlers will trim whiskers on any dog they are showing....as a general course of grooming

[SenjiShowgirl]

i actually prefer shaved whiskers, but the tail i like to leave natural. i LOVE his furry tail. Kelli wants the tail shaved and it does make his hind end look better but i just like it furry.

[tanza]

i actually prefer shaved whiskers, but the tail i like to leave natural. i LOVE his furry tail. Kelli wants the tail shaved and it does make his hind end look better but i just like it furry.

LOL.... and I will agree that shaved whiskers does make for a nice appearance (as does a trimmed tail)... they use their whiskers.. so I leave them on... that said, one time Maggii stuck her face in the oven/broiler trying to steal a scallop... cinged off one side of her whiskers... so for that show season, she was shown with no whiskers....

[renaultf1]

one time Maggii stuck her face in the oven/broiler trying to steal a scallop... cinged off one side of her whiskers... so for that show season, she was shown with no whiskers....

LOL...Liyah shortened a couple of whiskers this winter by hitting them against the glass on the woodstove. Ruby lost some of hers the same way. It happened when they were throwing a busy buddy around and a piece of kibble went in between the glass and the cast iron on the front of the woodstove. Good times. :D:eek::rolleyes:

[Quercus]

no I dont know you very well , as well as you dont know me, and that is also the problem with the internet as it is difficult to read intonations ;)

and I am talking about dogshows, and I am sure you must see what I see , and yes a lot of americans show for appearences, it is even worse then over here in europe where it is starting to get out of hands as well!!

please look you must see it, afghan hounds, irish setters etc.hairs must be longer, more and more angulations, more and more chest, the dog must have the perfect "human idea" picture while stacked, I am sorry it is the truth and a very hot topic over here in europe ;)
I must admit that I like the golden retriever type and sheltie type more over there in the USA.
some breeds are damaged everywehre like the english bulldog, the german shepherd and the sharpei , horrible what these breeds look nowadays just because the humans like them better this way ......

I think you know what I am trying to say, it starts with triming, where does it end? ;)
and again, dont take it personall, when you have nothing to do with it you dont need to take it personal right? anyway it would be a nice discussion as it is obvious what most humans do to dogs just because it looks more pretty ;) and that is going on for ages!


...trying...to...squeeze...in...here and say:D:D:D:D:D...

I agree, I hate the whiskers trimmed...and wish that we could leave the tails "au naturale" for the show ring...

I know someone that trims their basenjis' whiskers (and even the ones that he handles for other people)...I told him that and if the time ever came that he showed a dog for me I expressly prohibit him trimming the whiskers. :D;)

Watch out! Some of those people will smile and nod, and when they have your B in their possesion, shave those whiskers right off ;)

[lvoss]

There is so much in this thread that I want to respond to. I guess I will start with the double curled tail thing. I really hate how people equate a double curl to the an inability to uncurl the tail. This is not true. I have dogs with tightly curled tails and I have one with a loose single curl. All my dogs can readily uncurl their tails and I have never had problems with them even when out hiking. I do uncurl my dogs' tails regularly as part of their handling training because so many people are drawn to those tail and seem compelled to uncurl them. My loose curled tail girl is probably the most tail sensitive of all of mine.

Next the thing about color. Though the standard only mentions four colors, as has been pointed out there are no DQs in our breed. This is one area where the US is in much better shape though than other countries. Even though there are some judges, breeders, and exhibitors with color prejudices here for the most part color is not nearly as controversial as it has been in other countries. There are finished trindle champions and many breeding programs that have used dogs with colors or markings that may not be considered to fit the standard like trindles, fula blacks, blues, and pintos. This becomes more an issue of whether a breeder is willing to look beyond the surface of a dog. As for the historic reasoning for breeding away from creams and blues, it was based on what was known at the time which was in many other breeds these colors are associated with health problems so the founders decided it would be best for the breed to breed away from those colors. Now, with new information, we know that health issues are not always related to these colors.

The bottomline, breeders need to keep the whole dog in mind, health, temperament, conformation, and performance. Each will put different amounts of weight on each category or even subcategories but that is why it is important for people looking for a dog to do their homework and really get out there and talk with several people in the breed not just 1 or 2.

[tanza]

Just to add on the "uncurl" tail comments from lvoss, I too as a regular course of handling my B's uncurl their tails... that said, Kristii has a "kink" at the very end of her tail that doesn't uncurl... nor do I attempt to ... Maggii who had a fairly loose double curl (because it was not well set on her butt) had the same kink as her daughter, Kristii.

[lvoss]

Yes, mine also have some permanent kinks but these are small and would not hinder them freeing themselves of dense brush.

[tanza]

Yes, mine also have some permanent kinks but these are small and would not hinder them freeing themselves of dense brush.

I totally agree

[Basenjimamma]

What I meant was that AKC only accepts four colors, at least that is what is stated on their website. Why is that? I mean since clearly they came in more colors then 4.

[renaultf1]

What I meant was that AKC only accepts four colors, at least that is what is stated on their website. Why is that? I mean since clearly they came in more colors then 4.

That isn't correct. If you look at the breed standard on AKC, there would be disqualifications listed under colour for colours not allowed. Like Pat says, they can't list every colour combo that is acceptable...instead they would list disqualification colours if they existed.

[lvoss]

sWhat do you mean by "accepts", they are registrable, breedable, showable, coursable, so to me that would seem to be accepted. They are not in our standard but that is written by BCOA not AKC and the membership is quite split in their feelings about color and the standard so it is unlikely that we will see a change anytime soon but nothing is preventing these dogs from participating in AKC events and being used in breeding programs.

[Basenjimamma]

What colors are there?

Like the American standard says, there are four accepted Basenji
colors-- black, red, brindle, and tri (black and tan). All four colors
have white feet, tail tip and chest. Most Basenjis have more white
than that. There were other reported colors before the recent African
imports--creams, blue and whites (tri marked dogs with cream instead
of tan), saddle marked tris (like beagles) and tricolors without some
of the standard tan markings (often called "Fula" tris). These colors
have been bred away from and don't usually show up in today's U.S.
breeding stock. With the addition of the African Imports of 1987 and
1988, the tiger-striped brindle color (in reality, a pattern) was
added to the AKC standard as an accepted color. While brindle had been
seen and actually brought into England in 1959, the color was frowned
upon, and lost to the Western world until now. As with the original
basenji imports of the 1930's, the unusual colors have returned, and
are again being bred away from due to the preference of breeders. The
only "new" variation that appeared with the new African imports is the
brindle-pointed tricolor; this is a classic tricolor with black
stripes in the fields of tan.

Ch Bushbabies' Avatar of Voyuz, photo by Cook PhoDOGraphy

As it is with many things, the color of basenjis is mostly due to the
preference and whim of the breeders. The most common color for
basenjis is red and white; and most you will see are, in fact, red and
white. Blacks and Tricolors tend to be seen less frequently; but they
too can be found if that is what you are looking for. The current
"fad" color is brindle, with more and more being bred shown, and sold.
There should be no difference in purchase price based on color. People
that charge more just because of the coat color are doing so to make a
quick buck and should be avoided.

There are many dogs whose coat color varies from the four recognized
colors; but that should not sway you from a decision if you are
looking for a companion to love. The coat color of a basenji has no
effect on its ability to wriggle its way under the bed covers; or beg
for food at the kitchen table. Let your own preference be your guide.

All Basenjis should have dark brown eyes and deep liver to black
pigment. A basenji with lighter-colored eyes (such as yellow or gold)
would have difficulty seeing in the bright equatorial sun of Zaire and
would suffer sunburns from pale pigment.


This was found when Basenji colors was googled...I guess I shouldn't believe what I read.

[Basenjimamma]

On a whole different but more accurate note(since this is the tail thread). I trimmed Otis tail, per Tanza's tips and it looks great. The thinning shears make it so easy..pending him standing still.

[lvoss]

Here are excerpts from the Basenji standard regarding faults and color.

Faults--Any departure from the following points must be considered a fault, and the seriousness with which the fault is regarded is to be in exact proportion to its degree.


Coat and Color
Coat short and fine. Skin very pliant. 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.

It is perhaps better to say "standard" colors instead of "accepted" colors. AKC has told BCOA that the above description also covers Brindle pointed Tris, some feel that it does not. So depending on who you talk to there are actually 5 colors that fit the standard. This just goes to show that there is alot left to interpretation and (no pun intended) the issue is of color is not black and white.

[tanza]

I totally disagree that "Brindle" is the current "fad" color, maybe 15 yrs ago. And out here in California, there are more Tris, Blacks and Brindles showing then Reds... Color is what it is, color.. it has nothing to do with conformation, ability to perform, temperament (ok.. Tris are Tri-ing...ggg) or ability to reproduce. And as already stated there are no colors that would not be accepted. Sure, in the show ring you have have preference by a judge.. but like anything else, they have an opinion .... that is what you are paying for, their opinion on that given day

[Patty]

Interestingly we used to have cream Basenjis born in the early litters and the then sole Basenji club rules stated that breeders could not register nor breed from creams. Indeed Veronica used to say that they should be put down at birth or sold as pets. Some breeders ignored this edict and were ostracised as a result. It was thought that the creams were albinoid and that the colour was linked to various undesirable ailments. The creams that I actually saw had fairly dark pigmented noses and lighter (but not very light eyes). They seemed very attractive to me. I know that in recent years creams have been born in the USA but have only seen one picture - as far as I know creams have not appeared in the UK for many, many years but the clause still exists in the rules!.

Basenjimamma - re the google statement about eye colour I tend to agree about light coloured eyes and the reaction to the sun but I do know that some of the peoples of the Congo forests actually have blue eyes!!! Personally I feel that very light eyes give Basenjis an alien look.

As this started as a post about trimmed tails, I suppose that it could make them more attractive in the show ring but there are one or two people in the UK who also trim hair from their bottoms and that looks quite obscene IMO!

[Quercus]

Interestingly we used to have cream Basenjis born in the early litters and the then sole Basenji club rules stated that breeders could not register nor breed from creams. Indeed Veronica used to say that they should be put down at birth or sold as pets. Some breeders ignored this edict and were ostracised as a result. It was thought that the creams were albinoid and that the colour was linked to various undesirable ailments. The creams that I actually saw had fairly dark pigmented noses and lighter (but not very light eyes). They seemed very attractive to me. I know that in recent years creams have been born in the USA but have only seen one picture - as far as I know creams have not appeared in the UK for many, many years but the clause still exists in the rules!.

Basenjimamma - re the google statement about eye colour I tend to agree about light coloured eyes and the reaction to the sun but I do know that some of the peoples of the Congo forests actually have blue eyes!!! Personally I feel that very light eyes give Basenjis an alien look.

As this started as a post about trimmed tails, I suppose that it could make them more attractive in the show ring but there are one or two people in the UK who also trim hair from their bottoms and that looks quite obscene IMO!

Do you mean the people trim hair from their OWN bottoms??? j/k ;) thanks for the giggle!

[Benkura]

Do you mean the people trim hair from their OWN bottoms??? j/k ;) thanks for the giggle!

:D:D:D:D:D:D That has made me giggle!!!!!! :D:D

[Basenjimamma]

I was mereky confused as well as curious, sorry if I ruffled feathers. I has seen in various readings online that there were/are other colorings around, though rare. I would loveto see a cream in real life, or a mahogany, it sounds very pretty. Although if I could favor, I would say brindle boy (wonder why..LOL) and red girl. One day I just might have that little red girl in our house..for now we will settle with fostering a red girl..

[Patty]

Quercus - you never know, they may well do!!!! - I've never asked!!!!!and I'm still laughing. I hope I don't remember this the next time I see the people!!!!!LOL

[nobarkus]

Here's a letter from Veronica Tudor-Williams and picture of a cream Basenji.

http://www.basenji.org/african/tudo7906.htm