New Champion

Elle, the Meggitt's “just turned two years” beautiful female Briard finished her AKC championship June 29, 2009. Her name is now, “CH BRIARDALE’S CAMILLE LEBEC.” Hannah Spencer, Judy's X-4H member who is now in college, handled her and did a beautiful job.

Sonia Thompson reports that "Judy Meggitt, Barbara and Pascal Stoltz, who own Nutella (Nightwind's Dances with Wool), Bonnie & Haley Premble (Nutella's handling team) and I (with my husband Bruce Barnbaum on Saturday) had a wonderful weekend at the show in Mt Vernon. Nutella took Best of Opposite on Saturday. Tia took Reserve on Saturday, Nutella took reserve on Sunday. Tia earned another leg of Rally Novice (she did it in spite of me; I had not walked the course due to conflict with the breed ring. I read 2 signs wrong, earning handler error penalties)."

The photo above, courtesy of Vavra, was taken about three weeks ago at the Puyallup show.

Passing of a Loving Briard

Sandy and Jim Redmond lost Roxy on this evening. She got sick in the late afternoon and died in the evening. She went peacefully. The doctor thinks she might have had cancer or a growth on her heart as she had fluid build up around her heart. She most likely had this for some time, but showed no symptoms even at her most recent annual exam and full blood work. Jim and Sandy are so sad and really having a difficult time accepting that she is gone. Roxy would have been 9 in July. They miss her so much, she was such a loving Briard always looking out for them and there with a big smile when they came home. Many northwest Briarders had the chance to know Roxy when Sandy and Jim lived in Washington. She will be missed by her "brother" Ketchum.

Briard x OES Seal of Approval

Here Bobby, Iris Bergen's Briard/OES-cross, is on an A-frame that was rubber coated with agile grip at a recent agility trial on Vancouver Island, B.C. It was a windy day. Sunday they even got to run on it after a heavy rain shower and Iris and Bobby love it!!!

Welcome New Member Kristl Lemieux!

Kristl Lemieux is a new Briard owner. She owns Destin or Voila étoile montante destinée. He is her first Briard, the dream dog that she waited 20 years for. Kristl is a groomer in Great Falls Mt, and has wanted to show dogs for years and finally took the plunge. She plans on doing conformation and herding eventually agility and obedience. Destin is out of CH Bigtree-ACT All About Love and Multi. CH Massai Mara de Los Niegos. She is so excited to show him. Kristl knows getting points will be hard so she figured joining a group like this will help her figure out what shows people will be at. She says she is ready to travel and really looks forward to any help and meeting people at the shows!!!!

Herding Practice

Here Tessa shows Nash how tending is done with the C-course flock at Brigands Hide Out. Nash didn't do so badly himself... read more

Chief Earns His TT!

Ch Lebec's Magical CEO "Chief" owned by Pat Cardone & Jeanne Lorang passed his temperment test sponsored by Northwest Working Dogs in St. Helens OR.

The average overall pass rate is 81.6 percent; the pass rate may vary for different breeds. The breed's temperament, training, health and age of the dog is taken into account. Minimum age for dogs to take the test is 18 months.

The test takes about 12 minutes to complete. The dog is on a loose six-foot (6') lead and three ATTS trained evaluators score the dog. Majority rules. Failure on any part of the test is recognized when a dog shows panic, strong avoidance without recovery or unprovoked aggression.

You can find out more about the American Temperament Test at http://www.atts.org/index.html

The BCA will be offering the Temperament Test at the National Specialty.

Puyallup Show Results

Congratulations are in order to Nutella, Barbara and Pascal! Saturday, at Puyallup, Nightwind's Dances With Wool "Nutella" took best of breed over Briardale's Camille Lebec "Elle" and Heartsong’s Durango "Ranger" showing to judge Virginia L. Lyne. Nutella was groomed perfectly and beautifully presented by junior handler Haley Premble. Haley is dedicated to handling and is working to win an AKC scholarship. She lives south of Monroe, and started her Junior Handling at Dog Works in Monore, with a Sheltie named Elliott. She had also competed with him in Obedience and Rally. In addition, Haley has a show Sheltie, Tip, who has done well for her. In shows this year, she has won several Junior Handler titles; Saturday at Puyallup was really a Blue Ribbon day for her, because she won Best Junior Handler, then Best of Breed with Nutella.

Sunday, at Puyallup, Elle took best of breed over Nutella showing to judge Arlene A. Czech by Hannah Spencer. Ranger didn’t show. On Saturday, Elle was totally distracted having Ranger in the ring. Elle needs 2 points now to finish. Judy reports that she is going to start working with Ranger at classes, and won’t be putting him back into the ring until he’s more confident with another dog running behind him. She also thinks Elle needs to finish first before she puts Ranger in the ring, too. Entering two puppies from the same household can be a bit chaotic.
photos coming soon......

Welcome New Member Iris Bergen

Please join me in welcoming Iris Bergen. Iris lives on the West Coast in BC, with the Pacific just a few minutes away. Bobby (left in the photo) will be 9 in June and started Agility after competitive obedience (aka BH ) in Germany and some tracking. He started Agility a few years ago, and earned his MAD under the AAC last April (see photo below). So far his highest achievement. Bobby is a Briard x OES. He's Iris' Velcro dog. Felix (right in top photo), her first "real" Briard, joined their family last December and has been started in Agility right from the get go. So far he's doing exceptionally well. Iris can't wait until he's old enough to compete. Felix came from Veronique Mauroux of Briards de Guerande, Quebec. His parents are Vraiment Belle de Guerande x Grinzing's Aurore Boreale. Felix' registered name is Deux Felix de Guerande. Deux can also be derived from "sweat pea" and what a "Sweet Pea Felix" he is! Felix mom Belle, is a black borne gray, and dad is black. Felix is black and natural eared, but getting more and more white hairs on his back, he may be turning gray like his mom after all. Felix will turn 8 months old on June 7! Last but not least, there is Riley. Riley is a smart, speedy, driven and teeter loving Golden Retriever that Iris trains and competes for a friend.