Rissas Reporting

Rissas Reporting is closing on December 2011

Cami — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 15:42:43 +0100

Rissas reporting and rissa.cc (established 2005) is closing on December 2011. Thank you for following and commenting of our web-pages! If you still would like to follow basenji Ciara's adventures, then join her open group here Basenji Ciara's Fan Club

Joyful Christmastime!

Cami — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:56:42 +0100

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012!

Autumn is here

Cami — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 19:23:00 +0100

Mia (Aittakankaan Afshar Farlanders) has been the most active of my juniors. As soon as she turns 2-years and gets her last certificate, she will be beaty champion of three countries (EST, LV and LT). And she is not far away from Champion International Beauty (C.I.B) -title as well. Unlike me, my daughter enjoys the dog shows and it can be noticed from the end-results. Mia has renewed her Fanconi Syndrome test and now she is officially CLEAR. Previously she had probably carrier -result.
Meanwhile I have been enjoying the autumn by visiting the most beatiful places in Middle-Europe. Most of the castle parks are well taken care off and I enjoy the wineyards as well. Sudden changes in temperatures are a small downsize of living by the Alps at an altitude of 520 meters: the weather can change almost with 20 degrees in one day!

Oktoberfest Season

Cami — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 21:36:14 +0200

My summer was renewed as soon as we arrived back to home in Munich: we have had over +20 C in the sun for two weeks now. The Oktoberfest Carneval ended today and therefore the autumn will arrive soon with cold and rainy weather.
Rosa (in the photo hereby) is enjoying the last sunny days in Finland late September before the long and cold wintertime in North-Finland. Meanwhile Khufu (A. Ardebil) is having good time: he will soon mate with Anna (Solebas Amazing Anna - puppies expected in the middle of December 2011). Mia has nowadays her own homepages in Kennel Farlanders, where I can follow her progress in Estonia.

Basenji Puppies - Next Generation in Estonia

Cami — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 07:42:58 +0200

I'm going to be granny when my son Khufu will become dad on in Kennel Solebasweek 50/2011. The mother for this Solebas D-litter is beatiful and successful lady named Anna (Solebas Amazing Anna). This will be a line-breeding for Bulldobas (Bulldobas Phoebus/Phoebe - both soon 16 years) and Faraoland (Faraoland Lucia Out Of Africa - soon 15 year old), and still the inbreeding will be under 1 %. Khufu's owner would like to have a male-puppy from this combination, so I'll meet my grand-son occasionally, when visiting Finland.

Reko in Track Racing Competitions

Cami — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 14:37:05 +0200

Reko has been running in two track racing competitions with results 25.22 s/280 m (3rd) and 25.09 s/280 m (2nd) in August. This summer Reko has concentrated on track racing technique, which is not easy compared with lure coursing. Reko has shown lot of improvement in a short time. Hopefully the technique training has made a good ground to build more speed for him next year!
Reko loans the measure-made muzzle of Matti. We hope that it will bring him good luck!

Aittakankaan A-Basenjis Made History of DLA-tests

Cami — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 21:10:00 +0200

Genoscoper Finland published the results of first ever DLA-tested two basenjis in Nordic countries. We are proud to announce, that one of the results was made of Aittakankaan A-basenji. The result is: DRB 00901 - DQA 00101 - DQB 008011.
The aim of DLA diversity test is to maintain the heterozygosity of the MHC region as much as possible in the breeding lines. This should reduce the risk for autoimmune or other diseases.

Returning from summer holidays

Cami — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 19:20:59 +0200

We had lovely holiday season. We visited both Italy and Austria and even some interesting places of Bavaria Germany. I have increaced my condition and my enthusiasm to run after an tempting lure made of rabbit's fur in Mertingen sighthound track (photo hereby), which is located 100 km North-East from Munich. Mountain climbing was also interesting, even if I was very exhausted in the middle of the up-hill marathon walk both in Austria and Italy. Yesterday the 773 meters vertical climbing of 7 km to the hill-top in Urfeld-village, 80 km drive from home-door, went easily.

Basenji temperament

Cami — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 23:50:34 +0200

Basenji race standard says "An intelligent, independent, but affectionate and alert breed. Can be aloof with strangers." The standard is right, but still there are many misinterpretation of the standard, which is called urban legends, like "Don't let basenji off the leash, for he is a swift, agile chaser who is impossible to catch." But who is so stupid that tries to hunt the hunter?
People have simple options: 1. to be the pack leader, when basenjis always follows the leader or 2. to be the interesting catch and run away from basenji in order to get basenji hunting yourself (= "nice servant" from basenji perspective), but never choose the option number 3: basenji follower (unrealistic admirer with flower-power), because then you are ignored by your basenji complitely. The number 1 option as a leader is always the best (that is the status what basenjis always aim to by themselves!). Leadership requires better temperament from the basenji owner, than from an average dog owner. Summa summarum: in stead of asking, what did my basenji do wrong, people should ask themselves, what did I do wrong? Misbehaving people create basenji-monsters and good basenjileaders get people to admire the basenji breed everywhere they go.
Greetings from summer holidays, Ciara

Thoughts about dog names

Cami — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 10:00:43 +0200

Cami likes rare, international and beautiful dog names like Khufu (my son) and Chanel (my grandmother). She gave only one condition for my puppyowners, when they decided their dog names: the name should not be in use by another basenji in Finland to avoid confusion of mixing the basenjis with namesakes (like it has happened with Nala). Rita's (photo hereby) owner had thought naming her basenji as "Ilona", but that name was already reserved to another basenji in Finland. Therefore now they have a portuguese podengo named Ilona.
I prefer names with positive image like Ham or Cheese. The best basenjiname in Finland I know is "Kurre" (= squirrel in Swedish), because that is the hunting shout for me, when my owners would like me to catch a running squirrel. I have once caught a squirrel, when it accidentally dropped down from a tree direct to my open mouth. Therefore I'm very eager to wait for the squirrels to drop into my mouth by the trees in a park.

We are so proud!

Cami — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 10:51:53 +0200

We end the 1st half of 2011 by returning back home to Munich. We are leaving Finland with happy memories:
Mia: 9.4.2011 EST Junior Champion (3 CC's) and 5.6.2011 EST Junior Winner
Rita: 2.5.2011 all healthresults excellent
Khufu: 8.5.2011 lure coursing certificate
Ciara: 12.6.2011 Best In Show (BIS) workingclass
Reko: 18.6.2011 dog show certificate
Rosa: 11. and 26.June 2011 Best Of Breed (BOB) with certificates.

Mission Impossible - Take Picture of Moving Object

Cami — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 20:52:57 +0200

Mika owns a special camera (an old Canon EOS 20 D) meant for taking pictures of moving objects. The problem with that camera is the size: you just can't carry it with you in a pocket. With normal digi-camera taking photos of active basenjis can be defined as mission impossible. The photo of Reko hereby is taken with normal mobile phone camera - as one can see from the end-result. Luckily Reko looks better in real life, so he won his first certificate from the dog show today. Now he can concentrate on track racing, because his body needs more time to mature. Every single judge has loved Reko's head, but we love his temperament the most: he loves everybody and shows it easily.

Track Racing Lisence

Cami — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 08:19:06 +0200

Reko (Aittakankaan Abade) has successfully completed the test runs for track racing lisence. In order to be sure, that he will be ready for competitions, the test runs were made in challenging conditions and two different tracks (sandtrack of Hyvinkää and grasstrack of Helsinki). Still there were no doubts that Reko is made for track racing: he will not be the fastest of my juniors, but he will be the most certain and calm - just like his father Ruben.

Unfortunately everybody is not so demanding and critical with their basenjis like my owner Cami is and therefore basenji breed has hit into the bottom in racing in Finland. Because basenjis does not have equal good genes than the runnerline sighthounds, where only the best hunters are chosen for breeding, the owner should always remember to keep their basenjis into balance with the physical and psychological sides. The physical condition is not the best if the basenji is breathless at the lure or the basenji slows down/turns his head by the end of the run before the lure stops. Owner should react immediately with corrective psychological actions, if the basenji does not show enough eagerness for the lure. The eagerness should be the strongest at the moment lure stops, when basenji should pay all his focus on the lure as long as the owner comes and rewards the dog - nothing else should happen by the lure! Typical substitute action is tearing off the muzzle or the dog trying to find his owner ( = lack of hunting instinct): if that happens, the basenji is not ready for any competitions! The running speed never compensates the low hunting instinct - as long as the dogs should run together with others.

Enough Dog Shows!

Cami — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 22:10:38 +0200

Cami broke her promise not to take me to any dog shows. She has a short memory: we just visited a dog show 2 years ago! She said that I have already won all needed titles, and still, she took me to the Finnish Basenji Special Dog Show, because my daughters Mia and Rosa were there. I got my revenge, when we entered to the dog show ring and I got Cami blush into red by ashame: I pleased the judge, but I teased Cami. Isn't it The Show, that people are gathered for into a smal, hot and noicy place? My actions was recorded to DVD. Unfortunately my tricks against Cami did not help me, and I had to enter the ring second time - this time with my friend Kerli, so I setteled on whining.

Just week before this dog show, my daughter Mia got her second title before her name. She became also an Estonian Junior Winner, like I was on 2007. And day before the Basenji Special, my other daughter Rosa won her first dog show certificate and group placement. I feel pity of my children that they have to suffer the same stupid hobby arranged only for people that I had to, when I was young. It is much more fun to take part into running activities or playing instead of dog shows! Unfortunately our opinions are not listened or respected.

Basenji has only very short running carrier, when its condition is at its peak (under 5 years old - should start at the age of 1 years!). And secondly: the dogs look is at its best, when it is matured, typically basenjis over 3 years old. Why on earth not to concentrate first on running when the dog has eagerness and then later years on dog shows, when the dog is lazy enough to stand still the whole day? Why it is so important to make the active junior suffer in dog shows, when there are better options available for young basenjis?

Happy Summer 2011!

Cami — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 14:13:35 +0200

With this lovely photo of Rosa (Aittakankaan Arabesk Akwaba) we would like to wish happy summer for everyone! This week it is equal warm in Finland as in Germany (over +25 C). Tomorrow we'll take a flight to Munich in order to check that everything is all right back home. This will be a short term visit, because our next trip to Germany will occure from the beginning of July.

Active, Beatiful and Healthy Offspring

Cami — Mon, 16 May 2011 16:58:34 +0200

I have got a lot of memorable mother's day presents from my offspring: thank you! On 5th May I got message from Rita (Aittakankaan Abrash) that all her healthy test results have been excellent. She is clear of Fanconi Syndrome and her eyes were checked clear, as well. Rita's thyroid test results are even better than mine: TgAA negative, T4=40, TSH=0,06 and T4/TSH=666 => super values! She will defenetly be used for breeding in the future!
Then Khufu (Aittakankaan Ardebil) made me proud by winning his first lure coursing competition with CC on 8th May. The result was purely genetic, because he saw the lure system and wore a muzzle the first time of his life directly in the competition! Rosa (Aittakankaan Arabesk) became 6th in the same competition and got her lure coursing lisence accepted by the first run. Week after that also Reko (Aittakankaan Abade) took part into lure coursing competition and got 4th place with certificate quality points.
Photo hereby taken by Tanja Taipalus. Khufu in his first dog show and won certificate qualification. In beaty he follows Ruben-dad's and in lure coursing my pawsteps !

First Champion of Aittakankaan A-litter

Cami — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 21:09:23 +0200

Mia (Aittakankaan Afshar Farlanders) became today Estonian Junior Champion ( = 3 Junior Certificates). Congratulations! Mia was the most active basenji of my junior's last year: she has earned the Trophy of Acitive Basenji of Aittakankaan for 2010! We will deliver it to you when we meet next time!

Test Results of Fanconi Syndrome

Cami — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 10:04:01 +0200

Fanconi's syndrome is an inherited kidney disease, which sometimes leads to fatal disturbances in acid-base balance ( = death). Then the test result is "AFFECTED". Now the whole Aittakankaan A-litter is tested and here are the results:
Aittakankaan Abade (Reko) : CARRIER
Aittakankaan Afshar (Mia): CARRIER
Aittakankaan Abrash (Rita): CLEAR
Aittakankaan Ardebil (Khufu): CLEAR
Aittakankaan Arabesk (Rosa): CLEAR
And their parents Liljeborg's Dan Galina of Phoebus (Ciara=me) CLEAR and Faraoland Xcuse Me Desmond (Ruben) CARRIER. Luckily the majority got clear results!

My Value

Cami — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 15:54:29 +0200

My official value is 5.550 eur regarding to Finnish Kennelclub's evaluation: 1000 eur as the basenjibreed, 500 eur cause from the utility dog training, 200 eur as healthy tested and the rest of the sum forms from my championship titles. Actually for my owner I am irreplaceable.

Sunny March

Cami — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 20:49:03 +0100

Finally the freezing cold weather is over and the spring is starting. This month the rest of my juniors will take their sponsored Fanconi tests. Next month we'll visit the veterinary with my junior Reko, who will be one of the first basenjis, whose DNA will be recorded for breeding purposes. The genetest is called DLA diversity test to follow and maintain heterozygosity of basenji genepole. The results of Reko can be reused for his littermates, because it identifies the main haplotypes, which is inherited from both parents side. My hostess will update the results of the tests to the Kennel pages in the future.

Freezing Cold Weather

Cami — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 14:41:56 +0100

There have been a week from -15 to -30 Celsius in Finland - thanks to the winds from Siberia. Therefore there have been a pause in running training and lot of frustration, because of lack of exercise. Rosa (photo hereby) is able to use dog shoes outside, but I refuse to walk in them: I rather jump with two or three paws on the ground and make the visits outside as short as possible. Meanwhile there is spring and first flowers growing in Munich: how I miss the warm weather back home!

Baby-Boy and Barking Basenji

Cami — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 09:56:37 +0100

My friend Iti (Faraoland Viking Idun), standing my left side in the picture, gave birth to one healthy baby-boy. She has been a good mother to her only son from the beginning. The puppy will stay to live with her mother in kennel Farlanders. Cami will visit them as soon as the puppy is enough developed to welcome visitors. Congratulations Iti-friend!

It is time to start training for summer running competitions! I have been running free on the ice with progressive training sessions; I started with half an hour running, next day 2 x 30 min and yesterday 30 min on ice and 1 hour running in the forest. The last training session was kept with my junior Reko (Abade), who showed being faster and power staying than his mother (me!). I have to put more efforts for my condition improvement, if I like to be my junior's trainer and co-runner in track racing/lure coursing license runs. Problem is that I just don't have such a strong enthusiasm for running anymore.

I haven't met Reko for a long time (6 months), so I was very upset, when Cami took Reko first out of the car and left me behind waiting. I showed how upset I was by giving one loud bark UF! (not WUF, because basenji bark sounds more a cough than normal barking) to Reko in Cami's lap. This was my second time of barking in my life - previous time was, when I was a young pup. Reko became upset of my bark, so he announced the happening to his landlady as soon as Cami returned Reko to his home. Reko said a loud UF! on the door and then went happily inside his home. Meanwhile my other son Khufu (Ardebil) had barked first time of his life: he said UF! for a strange cat. Until now only Rosa (Arabesk) has been the "black sheep" of our family tree by barking with the cattle dog of her home.

Aittakankaan A-litter 1 year old

Cami — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 22:04:35 +0100

Exactly 1 year ago I gave birth to 2 charming boys and 3 beatiful girls in their birth order: Rita (Abrash), Mia (Afshar), Khufu (Ardebil), Rosa (Arabesk - photo hereby) and Reko (Abade). They have turned into juniors as loved family members. I may not be by your side celebrating your special day with you. But I want you to know that I'm thinking of you and wishing you the best possible future. Happy Birthday My Dearest Ones!

Celebrating 5 Years Birthday

Cami — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 08:12:36 +0100

Today I'm looking forward to my birthday cake with five wieners. At the same time I send my warm thanks to my breeder Henriette, who has made careful choosing of me to be most suitable for my family. I wish all the best for my sisters Gloria, Mille and Alice and my brothers Roland, Seppe and Jambo (yes, there were 7 puppies born in this G-litter of Liljeborg's). We are now considered as middle aged: no more young, but not yet veterans. We are all healthy and going strong, so let's keep our tails proudly high and curl.

Weekend of Finnish Winner Dog Show

Cami — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 15:25:25 +0100

My dear juniors Reko (Abade) and Mia (Afshar) attended to the biggest dog show in Finland called Winner. My expectations were not high: just hoped that they behave good in the ring.

Princess Mia (photo hereby) had bad luck at the first day in the ring: she slipped and fell hurting her leg and therefore got only a "Very Good" mark. Next day no accidents happened and Mia got an "Excellent" becoming second best junior and fourth best female (of 33 basenji bitches!). Very well done!

Prince Reko got "Very Good" evaluation on both days with pleasant critique: no exceptions from the breed standard (just like Mia). Reko was measured as a ideal hight of 43 cm. He needs just more ring training as a visitor in dog shows, so that Reko would not look like that he have been doomed to Hell against his will.

Though Kerli did a great job by herself (meanwhile we were visiting in Italian Alps) with highly stressed juniors, which we are very grateful: THANKS! Cami's friend Anita has written a very good article about dog stress and it's cure methods in her Team Kenzongos blog, which we recommend to read carefully.