Northern Basenji Society

NORTHERN BASENJI SOCIETY SINGLE BREED OPEN SHOW Sunday 2nd August 2026 Judge – Dolores Montgomery

I was very pleased with my entry at the club open show, so, many thanks to all the exhibitors who kindly entered under me. My one disappointment on the day was the lack of puppies and juniors. This might not bode well for the future of the breed. I was pleased with the quality of my entry, most were soundly constructed and moved well although perhaps a few were a little ‘untidy’ on the move, especially their front action. Overall, I thought the bitches were a little stronger than the males. Both size and type were varied but the body proportions and balance were good, which are two points that are important to me; skin was sufficiently pliant in nearly all. Long may you all continue to love and show your lovely breed. PGD (1). 1. Rabbitte, Donaldson & Donaldson’s Bahaticca’s Yes It’s Pure Genius At Woodella (Imp Pol) - What a cracking 18-month-old boy, who at this age is more ‘boy’ than ‘man’. He is difficult to ignore. He is lightly built and although not yet mature, he is masculine in construction and expression. He has the typical basenji head, being flat with enough width and not too much stop; eye shape is good and his ears are well set and carried; his neck is strong and he carries his head proudly both when stacked and on the move. Viewed side-on his outline is excellent; his back is short and his tuck up is breed appropriate. Viewed from the front, his elbows are beautifully tucked in, and his fore legs are well placed, giving plenty of chest room; his hindquarters are sufficiently angulated, and his muscles are developing well. Front action is good with plenty of reach; rear movement is a tad untidy but as he has a super frame, I suspect this might be due to lack of maturity. One to watch, I think. RBD. OD (3,1). Only two present in this class but both are good examples of the breed. 1. Hallam, Kite & Gillespie’s CH/AM CH Klassic’s Cloudside Walker - 3.5-years-old with so much to like about him. He is masculine but graceful at the same time, looking every inch a thoroughbred. His body height to length ratio is textbook and his overall proportions are very good. His outline is as it should be for this breed and he holds his short, level topline on the move. His head is breed typical and not over exaggerated in any way and his expression is quite proud. His shoulder and upper arm assembly is excellent and his hindquarters mirror this. He has plenty of muscle throughout but in no way overdone; feet are small and compact; tail set is good. He moves well in all directions, and I find him quite difficult to fault. I really like him. BD RBIS. 2. Williams & Wright’s CH/INT/NLD CH Mawali Going For Gold - Another good male with many of the same breed positive points as my class winner. His head is beautifully wrinkled and his ear set and carriage are good. As with my 1st place, he is masculine throughout; eye shape is good; ears are sufficiently hooded to be breed appropriate; his neck is of good length, and his stifles are moderately angulated. When moving towards me, his front is not as strong as my class winner, but his rear movement is very good. To be ultra picky, I would like a tad more strength in his back. Overall, an honest dog with much to like. VD (3,1). 1. Legget’s CH/IR CH Swanwite Take A Chance On Me ShCEx CW25 VW - 7.5 -year-old but looking like a much younger dog. He has a super frame with fine bones; his leg height to body length ratio is very good; his skull shape is good and of lovely proportions, being of medium length as required by the breed standard; eye shape and colour is textbook for basenji. Moving towards me I would like his elbow tucked in a little closer, but his front action is very good giving him a good reach when viewed side-on; rear angulation and movement is lovely with plenty of drive; his back is level and he holds this on the move. He is a joy to go over; all credit to his owners for keeping him in such good condition. BVIS. 2. Matthews’s Flugelberry Free Cuba - It is a pity this 9.5-year-old is not keen to be handled; luckily being a short-coated breed there is little that can be hidden. When stacked, his outline and balance are quite good; his head is of a nice shape, and his ears are small and pointed; his expression is good. His forequarters are straight but unfortunately, I cannot assess his shoulder placement fully but overall, his movement front and rear are quite good. Best Brindle In Show. BD (1). 1. Matthews’s Flugelberry Free Cuba. YB(2,1). 1. Hallam, Kite, Gillespie & Owen’s AM CH Klassic’s Springwillow For Wente (Imp USA) - What a real sweetie! She is 20- month- old, not quite fully mature but she is a real stunner! She is feminine throughout; her expression is delightful and her disposition is very friendly. Her head construction is very good, being of good length with sufficient width and clean appearance. Side-on, her outline is very good, and her neck is long, graceful and she carries her head proudly, both when stacked and when on the move. Her front assembly is strong and gives her plenty of reach when moving; feet are breed typical, small and compact. She is very charismatic, so it is difficult not to notice her. LB (2). 1. Legget’s Here We Go Again At Swanwite JW - Well-constructed 18-month-old with many pleasing, breed positive points. Viewed from the side, her outline is very good and she looks balanced. Her angulation fore and aft are good although she could perhaps do with a little more ‘shelf’; her length of back and topline are also good. Her eyes look a little bold, but the general shape of her head is good; ear set and carriage are good. Although still quite young, she does have plenty of muscle throughout and thus is strongly built; neck length and shape are good as is her head carriage. Her feet are correctly shaped, and movement is strong and breed typical. There is a lot to like about her. 2. Knowles’s Sarawana Dragonfire Rising JW - This 2-year-old is of a different type to my class winner, and she is of overall smaller construction, but her proportions are very good throughout. She is very feminine and pretty and there would be no way of mistaking her for a male. Her frontline is good when viewed from the side but perhaps her chest could have a little more depth to it. Her front assembly is excellent and her reach is super; she is perhaps a tad long in the loin but her movement around the ring is strong and beautifully efficient. OB(4). 1. Clinton’s CH Akmar Napatan Gold For Westlawn JW - Excellent quality bitch of 3.5 years. There is much to like about her. Her frame is light, strong and it is well covered with plenty of muscle, but she is in no way coarse or overdone, just incredibly well put together. Her head is feminine, of good shape with enough wrinkling and she carries her head proudly; eye shape is good; ears are quite small, well positioned and correctly carried; mouth is correct with a strong scissor bite; her front and rear angulations are textbook and ensure her movement in all directions is energy efficient with plenty of reach and drive and each step is incredibly light. Tail set and carriage are good. She is difficult to fault; stunning bitch. BB, BIS, Best Tricolour in Show. 2.Donaldson’s Woodella Caledonia - Like my class winner, this 2.5 -year-old girl is very feminine, but she is of a different type. Her outline is excellent when viewed side-on although her hindquarters appear a little bit over angulated, this however does not affect her movement in any direction as it is free flowing, light and very good. Her forequarters are good with sufficient muscle, and her elbows are well tucked in against the brisket; her back is of enough length, and she has a good tuck-up. As my first placing, there is much to like about this bitch, and I feel she has not yet reach full maturity. RBB, Best Red in Show. 3. Knowles’s Sarawana Dragon’s Conquest JW. VB (2,1).1. Matthews’s Flugelberry Fizz Princess - Nearly 10-years-old and in superb condition. I would like to see a few more wrinkles, but her head shape is quite good. Her topline is still quite strong and of sufficient length. On the move, she holds her topline quite well. Rear construction is very good, and she has enough ‘turn of stifle’; feet, front and rear are in excellent shape. I would like to see a tiny bit more ‘shelf’ but that is a personal preference. Coming towards me, her front action is not as positive as her rear action and when going over her, I find that her upper arm is a tad short. Her overall condition is a credit to her owner. BB (3,2).1. Matthews’s Flugelberry Cherie Trifle - Difficult to accept this girl is 9.5 years old, as for her age she is still incredibly smart when stacked and her movement is strong. Her topline is still ok and strong enough for her age. Tail set is quite good; feet are good. As with my previous class winner, I would like to see a little more ‘shelf’. An honest bitch defying her age. – BRACE (2,1). 1. Matthews – Brace - A well-matched brace; complimenting each other in size, colour and type; movement too is similar. Beautifully presented and handled.