We are very pleased and proud to congratulate our friends at Woodland Park!  Their girl bred by us – Heartstrings When Will it Reign at Woodland Park – used for Winners Bitch and Opposite Sex 3 days in Romulus NY.  This show historically draws beautiful entries, being one of the final shows prior to the Westminster Kennel Club qualifying cutoff date of 10/31 each year.  A nice reward here is certainly something to be proud of and we are very grateful for this beautiful presentation of Reign.

And speaking of Westminster deadlines….Jazzy holds at #1 Female in the US!  While others may enter, only the Top #5 ranking dogs of each breed are Invited to this prestigious show.  We cross fingers, upsets certainly can and do happen, but if Jazz receives an Invite it will be the 4th Westminster Kennel Club Invite we have received.  Receiving a Westminster Invite, that beautiful purple envelope, is a feeling like none other for a breeder.  We hope, hope, hope for #4 and that our hard work pays off and dreams come true.

Out in beautiful California GCH Popeye – soon to be Daddy – relaxes on Ventura Beach with his family while we ramp up for Baby Watch here.  Shirley is due October 1 to this handsome, handsome fella and we are so delighted and excited about this pairing.  Shirley is doing great, pre-natal vet checks every 72 hours now just to keep a sharp eye on everything and support our Mama as best we can.  We hope for a wonderful, safe arrival and will update as soon as possible!

This week Joy and Trin traveled to have her shoulders, elbows, hips and thyroid evaluated.  The films will go on to a blind panel of 3 veterinary radiologists for review but preliminarily – looked dazzling.  Provided Grand Champion Trin gets an all clear, she will go into our breeding program.  She has previously cleared echocardiogram by a board certified cardiologist and OFA perfect patellas.  Already decorated in the show ring, this is the final step before breeding.

By completing all of these screens Trin will also earn a CHIC certification and number for health.  A CHIC number is earned when a dog of any breed passes all tests recommended by their respective breed club.

Sadly, in the past 10 years only (approximately) 30 Dogue de Bordeaux’s in the US have obtained CHIC health clearance.  Six of the 30 have been Heartstrings Dogues and we are proud to carry the distinction of AKC Breeder of Merit.

Any breeder worth their salt should leap at the opportunity to put films like this in you and your veterinarian’s hands for review.  By completing this testing we can look any family in the eye when we had over a puppy.  Knowing that we have done our very best and knowing that we have done right by our beautiful breed.

Hello Friends!  Par usuale it has been a busy week for Heartstrings Dogues around the US.  We had a great weekend in the show ring – everyone finishing in the ribbons.  Trin and Joy traveled to Michigan to finish her health testing for hopeful breeding plans.  But more about that later – this news deserves a special post of it’s own!

Laruen and Kaiser passed his Therapy Dog International screening!!!  The exam is rather intensive (of 6 dogs tested only 3 passed) and to say we are thrilled delighted, overjoyed would be an understatement.

This beautiful team has been working very hard for weeks to prepare.  In addition to daily obedience practice, their busy dance card included visiting nursing homes, children’s and community functions.

It brings tears to our eyes and a lump to our throats to know that, while Kaiser is always happy to meet and greet, bring smiles kisses and cheer, his real niche or specialty has been assisting with physical therapy sessions.  Kaiser seems to be especially gifted and skilled working with stroke victims and others on their courageous journeys to regain motor skills.  In some cases Kaiser has been the steadying hand instead of a cane or walker, helping people learn to walk again.

Now with this important certification this team can advance to higher levels of care along with their work in p.t. with stroke victims.  Helping people in hospitals and their big goal – working in their local children’s hospital.  Enormous congratulations and thank you to Kaiser and his wonderful family – we are so, so proud of you! 

Hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday!  Our Dogues, here at home and across the US, have been very busy this weekend – out and about in their communities doing what they love.

In the show ring in Bridgewater NJ: both GCH Kronos and Laszlo (9 months now) finished in the ribbons!  Kronos Select Dog and Laszlo Reserve Winners.  Congratulations to the Cushing family and mother-daughter handling team Alison and McKenzie!

In southern Ohio:  Kaiser, Canine Good Citizen and his family attended a local street fair and also visited a nursing home on their weekly rotation.  Preparing to test for his Therapy Dog certification in a few weeks.  Looks like fun, great job Kaiser, Lauren and Michael!!

Here at home:  the girls, turning 7 weeks now, out meeting and greeting working towards their goal of meeting “100 strangers” before going to their new homes.  They waited at the bus stop for the big yellow box to unload some new friends and Friday afternoon were invited to a lovely, pre-holiday office party.  They had a wonderful time and extra special thanks to our strangers-now-fast friends at GMS for the invite!  We had a great time and it was perfect for the girls as we tick a few more strangers off our list.