A Bijou Briards Get Together

Today was a fun day, this is Demi and two of her daughters. That is 2 year old Leia on the left, 9 year old Demi in the middle and 6 year old KoKo on the right.

Briard Rescue Trust 2014 Calendar Photo Contest

Easter "Hunting"

Instructor, Barb Davenport loads the mason jars along the fence-line

On Easter Sunday, a couple of Northwest Briards participated in a different kind of  "hunt" that did not involve colored eggs. Gabrielle LaRoche & Nash and Carol Wolfram & Demi attended a one-day seminar on "A practical approach to scent work".  It was an unseasonably warm and sunny day for March in the pacific,northwest and a great day to develop a new skill with our Briards.

Basic scent work does not require any fancy equipment.  Although you can invest in a scent box, a dozen plastic flower pots, a new paint can, cotton balls, glass mason jars and essential oil (we used clove) should do the trick.  Tongs and and surgical gloves are also helpful to avoid contamination.

To begin with, each dog was evaluated for ball/toy drive (read ball/toy crazed).  Working detection dogs need to have a great deal of drive to endure long, potentially boring searches all for the love of a ball or toy reward.  Food can also be used but can be less practical for use in certain situations in the the field. There were Briards, Border Collies, German shepherds, and cattle dogs participating in the class and all passed this initial test. 

Our instructor had prepared the scent in advance by treating cotton balls with several drops of clove oil and allowing the scent to permeate the cotton balls in a sealed new paint can over night.  Unscented cotton balls were placed in each of five mason jars, the scented cotton balls in the sixth.  Then each mason jar was placed in a flower pot and weighted with rocks so the dogs could not easily tip them over.  In addition to securing the mason jars, the flower pots help to direct or "chimney" the scent and also provide a visual "marker" to help see when the dog's nose dips below the rim. The goal of this setup is to have all six pot-n-jars to look identical so that smell is the only sense that the dogs can use to detect.

At first several pots are lined up along a fence or wall including the scented pot.  Since the exercise is done on leash, having the pots against a fence or wall helps to keep the dog from wrapping around the pot and knocking it over.  The handler then leads the dog down the line of pots, "presenting" or inviting the dog to smell each pot and telling the dog to "find it" or "search it".  When the dog reaches the scented pot, the ball or toy is immediately deployed as a reward.  In subsequent tries, additional "blank" pots are added up to a total of five plus the one scented pot.  The scented pot is also moved to a different place in the sequence. Each time the handler "presents" each pot and the dog is immediately rewarded for indicating the scented pot with the ball or toy. Clear indication is determined by the nose dipping below the rim of the correct pot. It is important to wait for the dog to clearly indicate so that the dog learns to pinpoint the source of the odor.  Whether you want your dog to be employed in law enforcement or search for truffles, pinpointing the source is essential.

In the next exercise, the pots were moved to a new location, still in a line but no longer against a fence. Again the handler "presents" each of six pots and the dog is rewarded for indicating the correct pot.  In the third exercise, the pots are placed randomly in an area roughly 100' x 100' and again the same presentation, indication and reward sequence is followed.  By this point in the seminar, Demi and Nash have worked through each exercise a couple of times and are clearly indicating the odor.

Demi is in the scent cone working to the source

The final exercise for the day was performed off leash in an open field in an area about 2 acres.  The field we used was actually the lower half of the c course field where Nash and Demi had been training for a herding trial.  This time we hid six scented pots at the base of trees and in and among the leaves on the ground. There were also numerous empty pots around the field.  Each dog-handler team took a turn at searching the field.  And this was also the exercise that showed which dogs had the most solid grasp,of the concept.  When asked to Search it", Demi, as well as several of the other dogs began to work back and forth until they worked into the scent cone where a clear change in body posture was exhibited. They then worked to the source and pinpointed the source of the odor in the pot. Nash was somewhat more distracted, perhaps because he was used to working sheep,on the field or perhaps because he's a goofy boy. But for whatever reason, although he could pick up the odor, he had trouble working to the source and was easily distracted.

Nash finally makes it to the source!

Neither Nash nor Demi have plans to pursue a career in detection work.  It was however a great way to spend a sunny day and pick up some new skills and techniques that will hopefully carry-over to training article discrimination for obedience competition.

Briards Against Mandatory Spay/Neuter

Jamie Austad is an artist and student in the Seattle, WA area, and she works part time in a veterinary hospital. She is also a dog lover, a member of the Spinone Club of America, and is owned by two fabulous Spinoni who both have their CH titles and also both hunt in addition to being professional counter surfers.

For some time she has wanted to do something to help fight the mandatory spay/neuter legislation in our country.  She knows how hard breeders work to build and maintain their lines, spending so much time & effort researching pedigrees, herding instinct, good conformation, sound structure, type, and temperament. She knows that so often a litter produced does not mean money produced, that breeding is a labor of love. The legislation toward mandatory s/n bothers her so much on behalf of ethical breeders, lumping them in where they don't belong and increasing the financial cost of a pursuit that is already so costly.

She's designed some breed graphics that can be printed on various items (shirts, hats, bags, etc), and is making it available at her store on CafePress. It's pretty simple, making the point that without great breeders we wouldn't have the breeds that we love so much.

She will donate a minimum of 10% of the profits of these sales to the NAIA Trust, which is the best organization she's found taking action against this legislation. If you belong to a club who places a bulk order for shirts, tote bags, etc, she will also donate a portion to your club's rescue committee. Please contact her if you place such an order so she will know and be able to send the donation to the right place.

CafePress Store: http://www.cafepress.com/Fetching_Design
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fetching-Design/142308212527074
Website: http://www.fetchingdesign.net/index.html

Family Outing

Last weekend, Griffey, Ellie and Isabelle got together with Andre and Tia at Sonia Thompson's near Granite Falls for a walk in the woods and nice visit. (They are pictured as named from left to right.) Ellie - Am/Can Ch Deja Vu Sense and Sensibility CD, RE - (10 years old) is the mother of Cachet's "Isabelle" and "Andre" (both 5 years old) and the grandmother of Nightwind's "Tia" (3 years old), who is Andre's daughter, so the picture captures three generations of briards.  Griffey - Am/Can Ch Bijou Educated Guess - is the youngest of the group (2 years old) and not directly related to the other four.

Coast to Coast

~As submitted to the Dew Claw by Gabrielle LaRoche & Sonia Thompson

Pacific Northwest Briards were well represented at a Draft Clinic in Stanwood Washington, hosted by the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Greater Seattle. The instructor was Canadian carting judge, Bernadette van Klaveren of British Columbia. Am/Can CH Déjà Vu Back Seat Driver RA, BN, CD, PT “Nash” attended the intermediate level class which was geared for those dog/human teams that are preparing to trial. Teams at the intermediate level were required to bring there own carts and harnesses. The class covered harnessing, hitching, tight turns, change of pace, back-up, halt, ignoring distractions and negotiating the narrows. The Meggitt's Heartsong Durango -"Ranger" attended the beginner level where the teams were introduced to the harness and cart for the first time. Sarah Kephart’s “Muse” audited the clinic as Sarah hopes to try carting with her when she is old enough to begin load bearing. The Bernese folks were great hosts and encouraged all of us to continue – remarking on the enviable drive and motivation exhibited by all the Briards. (If you are interested in learning about Drafting/Carting and a proposal to develop a program for the BCA, please contact ad hoc committee Chair, Gabrielle LaRoche at seabries@olypen.com.)

The Pacific Northwest has atleast 4 young Briards out charming everyone they meet. “ Zoe” goes everywhere with Louise & Mike Mueller from Bothell; she has been to puppy classes, has passed her Herding Instinct Test and goes to Rally classes. “Dominique”, originally from Sweden, also lives in the area north of Seattle, with Maria Soderquist. He goes to work everyday at a children's Special Education Center and has tried Rally, as well. “Muse” from Carol Wolfram's recent “Tessa” x “”Bono” litter joined Sarah Kephart's eclectic pack in Smokey Point. “Muse” is going to puppy classes and conformation training, as well as trying out rally. Keeping it all in the family, Sarah’s aunt Colleen McDaniel has a Briard too - a Deja Vu pup “Tag”.

And from the confirmation rings, Judy Meggitt's Heartsong Durango -"Ranger" went Best of Breed over Ch Briardale's Camille Lebec – “Elle” on Saturday at the March Seattle K.C. show. On Sunday, “Elle” beat “Ranger”.

Tessa's Son on David Letterman

Winter Photos

Chester - Lovin' the antlers

 

Laura Dion's  "Chester" after a refereshing snowplow.

Briard in 4-H Blindfold ID Competition!

~ Submitted by Judy Meggitt  Elle and I participated in the Snohomish County Fair 4-H Blindfold Competition on Saturday September 4.  There were five 4H participants and only two participants guessed that Elle is a Briard. The kids did an amazing job. It is really hard to be blindfolded and idnitify breeds from just touch. All the kids zeroed in on the ears. One guessed bearded collie and one guessed giant schnauzer in addition to one “I don’t know.” There was an assortment of about 14 different dogs for the kids to identify. Some big, some small, some well known and some obscure. The outcome was very close between two Seniors, a 4H boy and a girl. Everyone got big ribbons for participating and the top three got large trophies.

This is the last year for the old dog barn at the fairgrounds. They are constructing a new building which will house dogs, rabbits, chickens and other foul. I cannot imagine that plan will work out real well.

On Friday night, I also attended the memorial service for Beryl Epling who originated the dog barn idea, construction, and the 4H dog program in Snohomish County. Many stories were told about Beryl and the 4H kids through the years, mostly she came into play when someone got into trouble. There were several laughs and a few tears. The weekend brought back many memories of the 10 years I was a 4H leader for a dog program. I got to reconnect with several young and old 4H friends.

The 4H dog program takes in donations of old trophies in which leaders refurbish and use for dog trophies during fair. The kids love earning one of the big trophies, they are very proud of their achievements.

Tiger and His Beanie

Tessa's Son Norman With His Scooter

Road Trip

Griffey (left), Tessa (center) and Nash (right) relax after playing fetch.  Tessa and her son Griffey stopped by to visit Nash and stretch their legs on the way to catch the Black Ball Ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria, Canada.

Dog Philosophy

1. Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joy ride
2. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy
3. When loved ones come home, always run and greet them
4. Always practice obedience (when it's in your best interests)
5. Let others know when they've invaded your territory
6.Take naps and always stretch before rising
7. Run, romp and play daily
8. Eat with gusto and enthusiasm
9. Be trustworthy, loyal and friendly
10. Never pretend to be something you're not
11. If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it
12. When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently
13. Delight in the simple joys of a long walk
14. Thrive on attention and let people touch you
15. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do
16. On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree
17. When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body
18. No matter how often you are criticized, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout. Run right back and make friends

Southern Gentility

Tessa's boy Norman now lives in Gerogia.  At eight months he has already picked up some proper southern manners. Norman a.k.a. Bijou Endless Journey also picked up 9 points and two majors last weekend in Kentucky proving that you don't have to be rude to get ahead in this world!  Congratulations to Norman, owner/handler/trainer Karen Cobb and breeder Carol Wolfram!!!