We chose the Briard for her courage, heart, loyalty, humor, intelligence, and beauty. We got all of that and much more in our first Briard, Ch. Mes Ami Ellie P Celeste, CD PT CGC. She was born in 1989, and has just left us on the last day of summer, 2001. She has given us many children and grandchildren; her children who remain at home are Billie, Nathan and Bessie. Celeste introduced us to Briard folk and to herding, and made fools of us in the obedience ring. She taught us the meaning of the phrase “Some will display a certain independence.” For more on each of our dogs and their activities, click here.

We love working with the Briards, and especially seeing their joy and pride in doing what they were bred to do. As we have come to learn more about the Briard, we have learned to appreciate the meaning of Sage-hardy, as our Briard is described in France. We have begun a careful breeding program in an effort to maintain the standards and improve the health and longevity of our Briards. In our breeding, we are looking for sound, healthy, well balanced companions, with the intelligence, agility, power, and judgment to do their natural work, fun-loving, intelligent and gentle, yet willing and able to defend their home and flock.

We raise our Briards on a natural, species-specific, fresh, organic (where posssible) diet of meat, bones, vegetables, eggs, various other whole foods, oils, and supplements as needed to maintain optimal nutrition. We use homeopathic health care as a first line of defense, with the goal of building strong minds and bodies, responsive immune systems, and happy, healthy, long-lived Briards.

Planning and raising a litter takes a good deal of time and energy, and is not something we do lightly or often. The sire is chosen to complement and strengthen the fine qualities of our bitch. We do not wish to compromise on character, structure, or health. We strive to perpetuate the ardent, wise, fearless, faithful Briard of spirit and initiative, whose soundness and structure allow him to work tirelessly all day, a marvel of supple power, whose quicksilver movement permits him to make abrupt turns, springing starts and sudden stops; a Briard of overall balance, strength, grace and intelligence.

Puppies are born and raised in our house, where we sleep, and we handle and love them from birth; beginning the ongoing socializing and training that is so important for their future well-being. We temperament-test pups at seven weeks to confirm our evaluation of each pup, and we carefully match each puppy with its new owner to be sure they are truly compatible. The pups must go to homes where they will be properly brought up and cared for, well socialized, handled with love and gentle firmness, and given the best and fullest life possible. We keep in touch with our pups and their people, and offer support and help throughout their lives.

For information about our latest litter, click here.

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