This week Grand Champion Claire and Silver Grand Champion Jasmine finalized their health testing.  Both girls’ hearts were cleared previously on Doppler Echocardiogram by a Board Certified Cardiologist; now time for a good look at the shoulders, hips and elbows.

A series of films are taken by a certified veterinarian then submitted for anonymous review by a random panel of 3 radiological veterinarian specialists at OFA and PENN State for final evaluation.  A 5-hour drive and hotel stay to travel to a certified vet, but well worth the assurance that our girls are not only beautiful…but rock-solid health.  We are thrilled with the films, they look fabulous and just wonderful to see films like these per our vet.  Better than any color ribbon and very promising Mamas’.

Very nice wins for our Storm boys at the Bronx, NJ show!  GCH Heartstrings Kronos used for BOS *and* BOB Owner Handled.  Shown by his Mama Ms. Cushing and a major towards his Bronze Grand Championship.

Heartstrings Sherpa used for WD/BOW for a Major towards his Grand Championship at 17 months.  Sherpa shown by the lovely Jr. Handler McKenzie.

A short video of the final (Breed) ring.  Sherpa and McKenzie were the first pull by the judge which was very exciting; Kronos and Alison next behind them.  Well done to these 1/2 brothers and of course ladies and Mother-Daughter handling team!

DDBSA Nationals is almost upon us.  Unfortunately we will not be able to make the long trip to Portland, OR to exhibit this year and will be enthusiastically rooting for our “Granddaughter” Seraphs Maggie Thatcher from home.

We will also be waiting to hear if we were honored with awards; still pinching ourselves after 2014 Nationals.

Last year we were honored with an amazing 4 awards from the DDBSA and a 5th award, Junior Handler of the Year, to our GCH Heartstrings Kronos and his “mama” 12-yr. old McKenzie.  Last years awards were:

the prestigious 2014 Breeder Medallion Award –  Heartstrings Dogue de Bordeaux;

2014 Best Bred By Exhibitor Award –  GCH Heartstrings Claire;

2014 Dam of the Year – Bronze GCH Urszula z Orisku;

2014 Dam of Merit – Urszula z Orisku;

2014 Junior Handler of the Year – McKenzie Cushing on GCH Heartstrings Kronos.

Many, many thanks to the Breed Club and our peers for thinking so highly of our Dogues and program.  We were overwhelmed and speechless.

Excited to announce that Heartstrings Kaiser earned his CGC Title today!  The CGC is an Obedience and Temperament Title earned by navigating a number of obstacles, situations and settings.  Additionally, a superior command of obedience including a 3-minute down-stay while the handler walks away from sight.  The Dogue has to be “bomb proof” to pass and very happy for our sweetheart and perfect gentleman, wonderful to see him put some well-deserved consonants behind his name.

This past weekend two of the Bardos x Margaret babies attended their first puppy match at 14 weeks.  There were approximately 50 puppies entered, up to 1 year in age.  This is a gorgeous Match, historically a training ground for many up-and-coming puppies from all breeds and fabulous programs that will go on to be Top US dogs.  In the AM Match:  Miss Petra used for BOB then a very exciting ribbon – WORKING GROUP #2! In the PM Match:  Miss Petra once again BOB and a WORKING GROUP #4!  We are over the moon with these results and highest hopes for the future.

Back-to-back BIG wins for Ms. Jazz.  Best of Breed in Auburn, IN 03/07/15 defeating 17 Dogues entered, Best of Breed 03/08/15 defeating 21 Dogues entered.  Starting 2015 out right; #1 ranked female in US according to the 01/31/15 stats, #2 Dogue overall and climbing this weekend in Louisville, Kentucky.