Greetings friends. Like many of you we are heartbroken over the war in Ukraine.

The Dogue de Bordeaux world is small and we have many friends in Ukraine who are standing their ground and remaining in their homes with their Dogues. Joy is in regular contact with them and food and supplies are dwindling.

However, we are filled with pride to pass along that the Dogue de Bordeaux community in Europe is leading the world in providing assistance to dogs of all breeds and cats in Ukraine. In what can only be described as herculean, heroic efforts our friends in Europe are organizing weekly convoys of 4-5 semi-trucks filled with up to 80 tons of food, driving them into and distributing food and supplies to people in need in Ukraine. Unfortunately, donations are beginning to drop and they really need financial assistance.

Like Joy, many of these individuals are on the boards of directors of their respective breed clubs in Europe. We know many of the organizers personally and you can donate with complete confidence.

The paypal account for donations is atibordeaux.fr@gmail.com

Thank you, please help if you are able.

It will be decision time soon on our Bronze Grand Champion Storm de Legeane x Grand Champion No Mercy Van de Madroelhoeve babies born 06.01.21.

A world-class match, the puppies are all we hoped for and more. Grandkids of world-famous Moby de Legeane – arguably the top-winning Dogue de Bordeaux of all time.

Strong show prospects, priority will be given to families willing to co-own on a show contract.

We are overjoyed to announce that we are expecting puppies early June!

The breeding is Bronze Grand Champion Storm de Legeane x Grand Champion No Mercy Van de Madroelhoeve.

Storm had an illustrious show career. Two-time Westminster Invite and multi-winner of US Sire of the Year award. Storm (lovingly known as Big Papa) retired many years ago and lived out a long happy life here with us as our beloved pet. Sadly we lost Storm last year at the ripe old age of 10 1/2. We miss him terribly and this breeding is from frozen semen collected and stored many years ago; long-game, patiently waiting for the perfect match.

Mercy is an absolute delight. A Moby daughter and 1/2 sister to Urszula, we were very blessed and fortunate to have the opportunity to import her from the Netherlands, thereby staying on Urszula’s line and legacy. She is a black mask and we are very hopeful for black masked babies from the pairing.

For those who enjoyed Jazzy, Shirley, Olivia, Trinity, Claire, Kronos – this breeding is nearly an identical pedigree match to theirs (a litter that produced 6 Champions and multiple CHIC health certified DDB’s).

All health testing competed, wonderful temperament in the pairing, and *bonus* fantastic longevity in the pedigree with multiple Dogues both top and bottom living long, healthy lives.

Please feel free to give us a call to learn more – or our favorite past time, just talking Dogues.

Grand Champion Mercy

Bronze Grand Champion Big Papa Storm

We had a wonderful time and many highlights of the year at the DDBSA National Specialty show in November.

Capone Winners Dog and New Champion, and an unprecedented Award of Merit over Specials from the CLASS!

Walter White Reserve Winners Dog and Best Bred By Exhibitor.

Ripples Reserve Winners Bitch on Thursday in an incredibly beautiful line-up of young girls.

A big thriller, Vivien wins the Open Bitch class of 14 girls…then Winners Bitch…and ultimately Best Opposite from the CLASS and Best of Breed Owner Handled. Viv & Dawn went on to win an Owner Handled Working Group #1 and advanced to the Best In Show ring where they proudly represented the Working Group, the Dogue de Bordeaux and especially Heartstrings. Wow, wow, wow.

Margaret won the 8-10 year old Veterans Class and Best Veteran in the Sweepstakes. It’s wonderful to exhibit Veterans – long retired, nothing to prove just out there enjoying themselves in the spotlight once again.

Jazzy won Best Veteran in Specialty. Then, proudly exhibiting with her “get” Best Brood Bitch.

Luther out of retirement for the National in order to have a little fun in the ring wins Best Stud Dog (also exhibiting with his “get”).

My “Grandbaby” Woodland Park’s Odin Beasley wins the US Top #20!

What an unbelievable show for us and fantastic results. The DDBSA is already planning the 2020 National Specialty to be held in November in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. If you have never been to a National you should absolutely put it on your calendar and treat yourself. For any breed enthusiast – pet, rescue, or show Dogue owner – there is nothing like it.

At the tender age of 19 months Miss B had a big win at Westminster – used for Select!

For any Breeder or Exhibitor there are few feelings like having a Westminster caliber dog. We are very proud to be in our 3rd generation of competitors.

Both of Miss B’s grandparents exhibited there as did her Mother Jazzy (Select 2014). Luther, Claire, Kronos have also enjoyed the world stage otherwise known as the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

Congratulations Miss B! Your entire Dogue and human family is so very, very proud of you!

Working on our 2018 stats. We would like to thank and recognize the following Heartstrings-Bred Dogues and their owners for earning these milestones and AKC Titles:

Heartstrings Luther – Bronze Grand Champion, Canine Good Citizen;

Heartstrings Nadia – AKC Star Puppy;

Heartstrings Low Country Bernadette – Puppy of Achievement, Champion, Grand Champion;

Heartstrings Little Miss Sunshine – Star Puppy;

Heartstrings Believe it or Not – Star Puppy, Canine Good Citizen;

Heartstrings Ludmila – Champion;

Heartstrings Dream a Little Dream of Me – Champion;

Heartstrings What a Wonderful World – Champion;

Heartstrings Vivien – Puppy of Achievement, Canine Good Citizen.

What is a Title?

Not just a brag, not just a stepping stone to a higher title,
not just an adjunct to competitive score.

A title is a tribute to the dog that bears it,
a way to honor the dog, an ultimate memorial.

It will remain in the record and in the memory,
for about as long as anything in the world can remain.

And though the dog himself doesn’t know or care
that his achievements have been noted,
A title says many things in the world of humans where such things count.

A title says your dog was intelligent, adaptable and good natured.
It says that your dog loved you enough to do the things that pleased you
however crazy they may have sometimes seemed.

It says that you loved to spend time with him because he was a good dog
and that you believed in him enough to give him yet another chance
when he failed and in the end, your faith was justified.

A title proves that you dog inspired you to that special relationship
enjoyed by so few. That, in a world of disposable creatures, this dog
with a title was greatly loved and loved greatly in return.

And when that dear short life is over,
the title remains as a memorial of the finest kind,
the best you can give to a deserving friend.

Volumes of praise in one small set of initials after a name.

An earthdog, rally-o, obedience, etc title is nothing less than
true love and respect – given and received and recorded permanently.

Author Unknown

Today, our young girl Heartstrings Little Miss Sunshine made a visit and, well, brought some sunshine. At 12 1/2 months old this is a big ask from a young Dogue and we are incredibly proud of her.

Traditionally an area dominated by Labs and Goldens, we are very satisfied to have produced an unprecedented number of Dogue de Bordeaux earning Therapy Dog and Service Dog certifications. Hundreds of hours logged in hospitals, children’s hospitals, nursing homes or assisting their owners with activities of daily life such as carrying shopping bags, alerting blood sugar levels or pulling a cart.

No question it is thrilling and exciting to see one of our Dogues run out on the green carpet at Westminster. Or watch them on television at a big show covered by networks. But highest praise and props to these Heartstrings Heroes who do their jobs quietly, faithfully, without fanfare on a daily basis. It is an indescribably deep, rich feeling of pride.

Happy Thanksgiving Friends!  Be sure to watch for Miss B tomorrow when the National Dog Show is televised nationally at noon on NBC directly following the Macy’s parade.

Cheers from all of us at Heartstrings.

Career win today!  Our beautiful young rising star Grand Champion Heartstrings Low Country Bernadette wins the Breed at the National Dog Show in Philadelphia!

“Miss B” has had a meteoric show career – already setting records at 15 months.  She became AKC Champion at 10 months, was honored as an AKC Puppy of Achievement, AKC Grand Champion at 14 months.

Today winning the National Dog Show; one of the few females to beat the big, impressive boys and ever win here, quite possibly the youngest winner and maybe the only black mask (subject to fact checking now) – it is surreal, we are absolutely floating.

So stop whatever you’re doing on Thanksgiving day, grab some pie and tune in to NBC after the parades to cheer for her in the Working Group.

We are honored and thrilled beyond words to pass along that Heartstrings Dogue de Bordeaux has been named U.S. Breeder Of The Year for the 5th time by the Parent Club of the Dogue de Bordeaux in the U.S. – the DDBSA!

GCH CH Heartstrings Margaret CGC U.S. Dam of The Year for the 2nd time!

And – Heartstrings received a LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – The Friend of The Dogue!  The humbling criteria:  “The Friend Of The Dogue recognizes and honors an individual who has visibly demonstrated extraordinary dedication and altruism contributing to the Dogue de Bordeaux in the United States.  This individual is considered to be first among his/her peers with regard to concern for the wellbeing of Dogues in both present and future generations.  By way of example, but not limitation, consideration for this award may include involvement and contributions on behalf of breed education, mentorship, rescue, health, and other areas, over a period of years.”

Speechless, teary.  Many, many thanks to the DDBSA and to our peers in the Dogue de Bordeaux community in the United States for thinking so highly of us.