Mawali Basenjis

An Interest in Showing

The world of dog showing is a rewarding hobby that celebrates the unique qualities of our beloved breeds and the incredible bond we share with our dogs. If you're curious about getting started, here's a guide to your first steps.

Your First Steps: Learning the Ropes

Before you ever step into a ring, the best thing you can do is learn by observing and practicing.

  • Attend a Show: The best way to understand the atmosphere is to go as a spectator. You'll see how the rings are run, how handlers present their dogs, and what judges are looking for. It's a fantastic, low-pressure way to learn.
  • Join a Ringcraft Class: Ringcraft clubs are training classes specifically for the show ring. They are invaluable for both you and your dog. You'll learn how to 'stack' your dog (pose them for the judge), practice moving at the correct pace, and get your dog comfortable with being examined by a stranger. It's also a great place to meet fellow exhibitors.

Entering Your First Show

Once you and your dog feel confident, it's time to find a show. In the UK, the main places to find and enter shows online are:

Open vs. Championship Shows

You'll notice two main types of show. **Open Shows** are smaller, more relaxed, and perfect for beginners. **Championship Shows** are the big events where the top awards, like Challenge Certificates (CCs), are on offer. It's always best to start at Open Shows to build your confidence.

Special Beginners

Many shows offer "Special Beginners" classes. These are specifically for handlers and dogs who have not yet won a major prize. It's the perfect starting point, as you'll be competing against others who are also new to the hobby.

Understanding the Lingo: A Glossary of Titles

Dog showing has a language of its own. Here’s a simple guide to the most common terms you'll see on our site.

How Show Names are Constructed

A dog's official registered name is typically made up of two parts: the breeder's Kennel Name (or 'affix') followed by a unique name, which is often part of a litter theme. For example, in our "FOUR" litter, all puppies have "Mawali" at the start, followed by a name including "Four".

CH - Champion

This is the most common and prestigious title. In the UK, a dog becomes a Champion after winning **3 Challenge Certificates (CCs)** under 3 different judges.

CC - Challenge Certificate

This is the top prize awarded at a Championship show. A judge can award only one Dog CC and one Bitch CC for each breed. Winning a CC is a significant achievement.

BOB - Best of Breed

After the individual male and female winners are chosen, they compete for Best of Breed. The winner is considered the best representative of their breed at the show that day.

Grp 1 - Group 1 Winner

Dogs are categorised into groups (Basenjis are in the Hound group). After winning Best of Breed, a dog competes to win its group. A **Group 1 (Grp 1)** win means the dog was judged to be the best of all the Hound breeds at that show.

BIS / RBIS - Best in Show / Reserve Best in Show

The ultimate prizes at a show. All the Group winners compete for Best in Show. **Reserve Best in Show (RBIS)** is the runner-up.

International & Other Champions (Int Ch, NL Ch, etc.)

These refer to champion titles from other countries, such as International Champion (Int Ch) or Netherlands Champion (NL Ch).

Imp - Import

This simply means the dog was imported from another country. For example, "(Imp Aus)" means the dog was imported from Australia.

Showing in Europe: The FCI

If you ever decide to compete abroad, you'll encounter the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale). This is the World Canine Organisation, and the rules for gaining champion titles under FCI regulations are different from the UK system. It's a whole new adventure for those who get bitten by the showing bug!