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”.