Meet "Sam" and her Briards

"Sam" King lives on a a small ranch outside of Ellensburg, WA. In the photo, Sam (left) and Camilla (right - also Briard owner) are sipping champagne and enjoying a wonderful summer evening with all four dogs. Reflected in the window is the hillside where most of those elk graze under the watchful eye of all four Briards (see photo below).

Sam has owned briards constantly for over thirty years. Until recently all have come from Mon Jovis and Mon Ami kennels. Her current Briards are a seven-year-old black male, Guy, who is battling bone cancer, Ellie a rescue female from LeBec Briards in CA and Joker Bob, Guy's littermate.

Ellie Jelly Belly is five and was rescued from Utah by Jeanne. She had nearly no manners or sense of belonging. Jeanne made sure she was not a danger prior to shipping Ellie. It has taken six months to settle her down. It nearly broke Sam's heart when she raised her voice and Ellie would throw herself into a corner, tuck, shake and cower. Now, she romps along with the others whenever they visit Joker Bob and HIS herd of elk (see photo below). Ellie has brought some life back into Guy. Now, at least, he tries to participate in Briard games such as chase fish in the creek or play chicken with the calves. Guy and Ellie sleep nose to nose.

The dog in the photo with the elk is a seven year old Mon Amis boy, Joker Bob, Sam purchased as a pup. Bob is standing in the field of her dear friends who adopted him from five years ago, during her divorce. They love him beyond description. Although they live nearby, and Sam shares joint custody, Bob has adopted them as his pack.

Sam cannot imagine life without a Briard. Other rescue dogs come along and she conditions them for new homes, but Briards own her heart. She seeks another rescue, by the way, and is willing to work with severe behavior issues, something she already does with horses.

Welcome Maria and "Nique"

Maria is from Sweden originally.  She is excited to present her Briard puppy Nique from kennel Berger la Motte's, Gothenburg-Sweden. Nique is Maria's 3rd briard. He is from excellent Polish and Belgique lines, several champion titles including international champions in the family. Maria is an occupational therapist specializing in pediatrics and Nique comes with her to work and they are working towards a therapy dog title. They take puppy classes, Nique past herding instinct testing with grace at 6 1/2 months and Maria would like to show Nique as well. He has good self-esteem, easy going and social with both dogs and people. Nothing is really scaring this confident young man so far.

New Briard in the Northwest!

Submitted by Sally Lewis ~ Austyn (photo at left) is now almost 4 months old. She was born Sept 12th. She comes from Aladax Briards, as does her Uncle Jordan. Her dad is Ivy, who is from Portland, Oregon. He is originally from the Czech Republic. Austyn is such a character - a bundle of enrgy and curiosity! She just loves her Uncle Jordan! Austyn's mom is Jordan's half sister. Jordan will be 2 in April!
Austyn and Jordan (above) - classic briards -doing what they do best - couch potatos!!!!! Jordan is pictured (below) in the back yard and standing at the gate waiting to go run thru the barn to the back pasture where he LOVES to play ball!!! Jordan and Austyn are lucky to have 10 acres in Ferndale WA to romp and play. Rumor has it that sheep could be added tp the mix....

Welcome New Member Chris Marshall

Chris has Callisto (above) who he obtained her from Lebec Briards in California six years ago when he lived in Chicago. He now live in Corvallis Oregon and both Callisto and he love it. He doesn’t show her (she’s not show quality) but he certainly shows her off in public…and she loves attention. She’s well behaved but has never received formal herding training – just obedience training. Callisto and Chris are too busy hiking and travelling around the Pacific Northwest to head to many dog related events, but he thought it’d be fun to know what was going on around here just in case. Oh…her name: She’s named after a greek nymph who (like many unfortunate characters in mythology was tricked into sleeping with Zeus and summarily punished…in Callisto’s case: she was turned into a bear) – you can read about it http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Callisto_(mythology. At left is picture of Callisto as a puppy (at that time, she was a little scared of water…although now she LOVES swimming). When Chris is not hiking and traveling with Callisto he serves as the Curator & Collections Manager, Cordley Hall, Zoology Department, Oregon State University.

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!!!!

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.

Welcome New Member!

A warm welcome is extended to Angela Trimm, her husband, their 3 year old, a small Yorkie and their new Briard puppy! Angela writes: " I am very excited about joining your club and raising my Briard. We actually just received our puppy today. My husband and I live in Camas, Washington and our puppy (Gia or Brandy, not sure which name yet) came to us from a breeder in California. We have never owned a Briard, but are completely already in love with her. " The new pup is show quality and although they've never even thought about it before, they would consider showing her. "Gia" or "Brandy" is out of Jasper II Vom Vossberg "Jasper"x Ch Briaramour's De Moulin Rouge RN, RA, RE, CD "Nikki". Angela would love to meet anyone who lives close to Camas with a Briard and adds that "I am very excited about our new journey with our amazing puppy. "