Northern Basenji Society

Northern Basenji Championship Show

2 August 2026

I first judged this Ch Club Show so many moons ago; it was pleasing to be invited back. New Secretary Miss Hazel Leggett had all proceedings on the day running like clockwork and the Rixton with Galebrook Community Hall at Warrington was an excellent venue.

My entry on paper was 32 and I was informed that it was way above average in the current climate. However the entry was mixed. I note many exhibits not having the correct tail, some missing a single or double curl and heads varied throughout. On the whole temperament were good along with the presentation. I was more than happy to give out all the major awards in both Dogs and Bitches, and it was refreshing to hear the ringside appreciation for all the individual class winners.

Junior Dog 1(ab)

Postgraduate Dog (1)

1st Rabbite Donaldson, Donaldson, Bahaticca’s Yes It’sPure Genius a Woodell (Imp Pol), tri. Correct head proportions with well placed ears which were mobile at all times/. He is clear in eye with good dentition. He has good crest in neck which flows into a clean front assembly. He is well ribbed, topline is level which leads to a high set well curled tail. There is plenty in shelf. He stands on quality bone with ok feet. He was eye-catching to watch in profile on the go around and was true on the out and back. RCC today. Should continue to do well.

Open Dog 3 (1 ab)

1st Hallam, Kite, Gillespie Ch Am Ch Klassic’s Cloudside Walker (Imp USA) 3 year r/w. Very stylish exhibit with quality to spare all though. Handsome in head which displays correct balance with fine wrinkle. Clear in eye with well placed erect ears. Excellent crest in neck with a clean front assembly. Topline is solid which leads to a high set well curled tail. Finishing off with plenty in shelf. He stands on quality bone with neat feet. It is on the move he is most impressive being positive on the out and back whilst displaying a true long swinging stride on the go around. It was his overall true balance that won him the day. CC and BoB.

2nd Williams, Wright, Ch Int Nld Mawali Going for Four Gold. Mature r/w of good type with plenty to admire all through. Head, eye and expression are all good. Plenty in neck with good crest. Ribbing is extended well back with a solid topline and correct tail set. He stands on quality bone with good feet. In profile on the go around he is pleasing but not a positive gong way as the winner. Still a worthy “Ch”.

Veteran Dog 4 (3ab)

1st Legget Ch Ir Ch Swanwite Take a Chance on Me. 71/2 years old who I have awarded a CC to in the past. Masculine all through correct proportions in head well placed ears. Good crest in neck. Ribbing is extended well back to a firm loin with a high set well curled tail. Plenty in shelf whilst standing on good bone and feet. Really does put his best foot forward on the out and back and was presented in good order. Pleased to award him Best Veteran in Show.  

Yearling Bitch 2 (1ab)

1st Hallam, Kite Gillespie, Owen Am Ch Klassic’s Spring Willow for Wente (Imp USA), r/w 20 months. Has plenty to admire all through. Feminine in head with enough wrinkle. Keen eye and expression all topped off with neat well placed ears Plenty in neck with crest. Topline is level which leads to a well curled high set tail. On the stack she displays correct height to length ratio and was presented in good order. Just needs to settle a little more on the move. In time this will happen. Should continue to catch the eye!

Limit Bitch (3)

Mixed class!

1st Legget, Her We Go Again at Swanwite JW tri 19 months. Smart individual of merit. Correct head proportions with sufficient wrinkle. Front assembly displays good angles. Plenty in rib with ok topline which leads to a high set tail with good curl. Plenty in shelf with a moderate rear. In profile she is square with good leg length Put her best foot forward on the out and back while holding an eye-catching profile on the go around and was presented in good order. Will continue to catch the eye!

2nd Donaldson, Rabbitte, Van-Dal, r/w Woodella Oacedonia. A smart individual of some merit. Feminine in head which displays correct balance with sufficient wrinkle. Keen expressive eyes all topped off with neat well placed mobile ears. Good crest in neck. Plenty in rib with a level topline with a high set tail with plenty in shelf. She stands on quality bone with neat feet. Moved out well both ways whilst holding a pleasing profile on the go around. Personally I would have preferred a little more leg length, however, will continue to do well.

3rd Knowles, Sarawana Dragonfire Rising JW, r/w. Plenty to admire about this one. Pleasing in head, eye and expression. Good crest in neck. Body proportions display good balance. Bone and feet correct. Just not as settled on the move as the first two.

Open Bitch 4)

All present!

1st Clinton, Ch Akmar Napatan Gold for Westlawn JW, tri out of the top draw is this exhibit with such ring presence. Feminine in head which has good balance with sufficient wrinkle all topped off with neat hooded well placed ears. Excellent crest in neck which flows into a clean front assembly. Topline is level which leads to a firm loin and a high set tail with good curl. She has plenty in shelf and stands on quality bone with neat feet. On the stack she is square in profile whilst on the move she displays the true swing and was presented in excellent coat and good muscle tone. Pleased to award her the CC, her 13th congratulations!

2nd Dunsdon, Ch Mawali New York New York r/w A very worthy “Ch” indeed and is full of overall quality. Feminine in head which displays correct balance. Plenty of wrinkle with good eye all topped off with neat well placed hooded ears. Good crest in neck with level topline. Ribbing is extended well back with a high set tail. With plenty in shelf. She stands on correct bone with neat feet Today just not giving her substitute handler one hundred percent on the move!

3rd Knowles, Sarawana Dragon’s Conquest JW r/w. Good overall for breed type. Head, eye and expression all correct . Body proportions display good balance whilst standing on correct bone and feet. Moved out ok and was well presented.

Veteran Bitch 3 (2 ab)

1st Matthews, Flugelberry Cherie Trifle R/B nine and a half years old still retains her attitude for the ring. Head eye and expression are all ok with neat ears. Plenty in neck. Topline is ok, just a little shorter in loin would be to her advantage. Bone and feet good. Move out ok on the out and back.

Bred by Exhibitor 3 (1 ab)

1st Dunsdon Ch Nld Mawali Four Get Me Not R/W. Yet another quality exhibit from his kennel. Head, eye and expression all good with well placed mobile hooded ears. Good crest in neck. Short in back with a level topline with high set tail with good curl. She stands on correct bone with neat feet. Again missing mum so not as settled on the move but was presented in good order.

2nd Matthew Flugelberry Fizz Princess. No mistaking for a basenji. Fair in head, eye and expression. Plenty in the neck, whilst standing in profile she is ok. Tail could be better. Moved out ok if a little wide in front.

Brace

1st Mathew, Brace of R/B both very similar in outlook and both enjoying their day out!

JUDGE: Martin Sanders