The Rip Van Wrinkler, XXIII, Issue 2, May 2019

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"So Raven got a strike in basenji bowling."

"I can’t look at the picture without hearing the sound of all ten pins hitting the back stop at high speed." (Roma)


Mark your calendars!

Our 23rd Annual Spring/Summer Specialty Fun Match & Annual Meeting

will be held on Saturday 22 June 2019, in Ringoes, NJ

FMI


©2019, Christina Beckerman, COBRA NOTRA

The Wrinkler is published quarterly:  February, May, August & November. 
Deadline for receiving material for publication is the 1st day of the previous month.

The contents of The Rip Van Wrinkler do not necessarily represent the opinions of the editors, or the membership.  
All rights to reproduce any part of The Rip Van Wrinkler® shall be done solely with the permission of the editors.

The RVW Club is affiliated with the BCOA

The Rip Van Wrinkle Basenji Club & Wrinkler ONLINE: www.rvwbasenjiclub.org


As the Tail Turns:

AKC Official Standard for the Basenji

General Appearance: The Basenji is a small, short haired hunting dog from Africa. It is short
backed and lightly built, appearing high on the leg compared to its length. The wrinkled head is
proudly carried on a well arched neck and the tail is set high and curled. Elegant and graceful,
the whole demeanor is one of poise and inquiring alertness. The balanced structure and the
smooth musculature enable it to move with ease and agility. The Basenji hunts by both sight and
scent. Characteristics-The Basenji should not bark but is not mute. The wrinkled forehead,
tightly curled tail and swift, effortless gait (resembling a racehorse trotting full out) are typical of
the breed. 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.
Size, Proportion, Substance: Ideal height for dogs is 17 inches and bitches 16 inches. Dogs 17
inches and bitches 16 inches from front of chest to point of buttocks. Approximate weight for
dogs, 24 pounds and bitches, 22 pounds. Lightly built within this height to weight ratio.
Head: The head is proudly carried. Eyes-Dark hazel to dark brown, almond shaped, obliquely
set and farseeing. Rims dark. Ears-Small, erect and slightly hooded, of fine texture and set well
forward on top of head. The skull is flat, well chiseled and of medium width, tapering toward the
eyes. The foreface tapers from eye to muzzle with a perceptible stop. Muzzle shorter than skull,
neither coarse nor snipy, but with rounded cushions. Wrinkles appear upon the forehead when
ears are erect, and are fine and profuse. Side wrinkles are desirable, but should never be
exaggerated into dewlap. Wrinkles are most noticeable in puppies, and because of lack of
shadowing, less noticeable in blacks, tricolors and brindles. Nose-Black greatly desired. Teeth-
Evenly aligned with a scissors bite.
Neck, Topline, Body: Neck of good length, well crested and slightly full at base of throat. Well
set into shoulders. Topline-Back level. Body-Balanced with a short back, short coupled and
ending in a definite waist. Ribs moderately sprung, deep to elbows and oval. Slight forechest in
front of point of shoulder. Chest of medium width. Tail is set high on topline, bends acutely
forward and lies well curled over to either side.
Forequarters: Shoulders moderately laid back. Shoulder blade and upper arm of approximately
equal length. Elbows tucked firmly against brisket. Legs straight with clean fine bone, long
forearm and well defined sinews. Pasterns of good length, strong and flexible. Feet-Small, oval
and compact with thick pads and well arched toes. Dewclaws are usually removed.
Hindquarters: Medium width, strong and muscular, hocks well let down and turned neither in
nor out, with long second thighs and moderately bent stifles. Feet-Same as in "Forequarters."
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 welldefined,
with a distinct line of demarcation between the black and red of tricolors and the stripes
of brindles.
Gait: Swift, tireless trot. Stride is long, smooth, effortless and the topline remains level. Coming
and going, the straight column of bones from shoulder joint to foot and from hip joint to pad
remains unbroken, converging toward the centerline under the body. The faster the trot, the
greater the convergence.
Temperament: An intelligent, independent, but affectionate and alert breed. Can be aloof with
strangers.
Approved May 8, 1990
Effective June 28, 1990


6 curly tails, S K-M, 2016.


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