LoAnne originally began looking for a basenji as a family pet.  But, after going to several AKC local shows and watching the people and dogs, this exhibiting stuff looked like fun.   Dog shows are a competitive sport and being a competitive individual wanted to give it a try.   So, she switched her focus to acquire a show quality male basenji.

"With Boone, this was my introduction as a new owner/handler to conformation dog shows.  I was informed by a few basenji breeders, that "if you can handle and train a basenji, then you can show just about any dog." 

From the time Boone was 6 months of age he was a "jackass" in the ring.   He would not listen to anything I wanted him to do.   His goal was amuse himself and do things his way.   If we were behind another dog in the class, Boone didn't move beside me, instead he would drag me at a full gallop, in order to chase the dog in front of him. 

Of course, my more experienced and seasoned competitors thought this "very amusing" and thoroughly enjoyed the embarrassment that I was experiencing.   They were also very happy when I would enter Boone in the shows, because they figured they could win and pick up a point or 2 on their dogs.    As a "newbie" and very gullible,  they actually encouraged me to enter the shows to make points for them.

At 3 years of age, Boone's light bulb finally came on and he began to act like a show dog.   By this time he had earned 10 single points.  He finally understood what he was supposed to do when we walked into the show ring.   Sometimes he wasn't in the best mood, so I had to  "bribe" him into performing by telling him that if he was a good boy he would get lots of cookies.  So, it seemed to work! 

On his 4th birthday, he took his first 3 point major on Friday at the Douglasville show, and then finished his Championship on Sunday at the Newnan show with another 3 point major.   Finally,  after 4 years he was a Champion!