The Briard In England
June 5th, 1966 is an historic day since it saw the birth of a big black cuddly Briard puppy at Shannon Farm in Ireland, an American owned kennels which primarily bred Irish Wolfhounds destined for the USA. The parents of this puppy were Orkan de la Chevrerie and Maline de la Plain St. Just who were French imports.
Mike Tomlin, accompanied by his wife, Nancy, was 'on location' working at Bray Studios in Ireland on a film 'Rocket to the Moon'. Two of the stars, Burl Ives and Troy Donoghue, had bought Wolfhound puppies to take back to the States and, on meeting the puppies, Nancy decided that she too wanted one and paid a visit to Shannon Farm. Unfortunately, or rather fortunately for us, there were no suitable Wolfhound puppies available but, before leaving the manager, Fred Murphy, showed the young couple the black cuddly puppy.
Instant love meant Desamee Leon Hubert, as he was eventually named, had found his new home. Lionel Jefferies, another star of the film, decided that as he was French and looked like a huge bear, 'Hubert' was most appropriate as a name.
Coming back to live in Palmers Green, London, the first Briard had arrived in England, but nobody knew until about a year later when a local pet shop owner, Andrew Thompson, recognised him as a Briard and persuaded Nancy to get him registered with the Kennel Club and entered at a show. Both dog and owner were completely naive as far as showing was concerned, however, once over their initial nerves, quickly took to it like ducks to water. Being an unusual and most attractive dog the national papers took an interest and photos of him appeared. The first person to contact the Tomlins was Mrs. Ann Ford who acquired Jito of Ballinaboy, also from Shannon Farm. The next Briards to arrive here, also from Ireland, were Desamee Mitzi Moffat, "Maudie", (later to become the first British Briard Champion and foundation bitch for Desamee) for the Tomlins and Deepwood Clonderlaw Hirondelle and Deepwood Clonderlaw Alouette, followed a little later by Deepwood Black Rod, for Ann Ford.
At the end of 1968, Shannon Farm had financial troubles and went into liquidation. Fortunately most of the Briards were rescued by Mrs. Phoebe Bennett of Dublin who kept three and placed the rest in new homes. She retained Peppi of Ballinaboy, Clonderlaw Guepe and Jean Claud of Ballinaboy, Peppi and Jean Claud were both to become Irish Champions. It was from a litter born to Jean Claud and Guepe in 1970 that Ruth Bumstead acquired her first Briard, Baldslow Salicoque from Shiel. "Pooh", as she was known, became the second Champion bitch in England.
Mr. & Mrs. Trueman who took the training classes attended by Hubert and Maudie were introduced to Ann Ford and eventually Hirondelle and Alouette were placed with them. Later the Truemans also went to Ireland and bought Orkan and Karen of Ballinaboy who, on March 3. 1969, produced a litter of 11 puppies. This was the first litter born in this country and contained Carocott Marcos of Tiniswood, who must go down as one of the great characters in the breed. Unfortunately his main show days were over before challenge certificates were awarded to Briards, but he with either Joan or Leslie Vernon (Carocott) won many Best of Breeds in the early days. Others that were seen frequently from this litter were Bugatti, retained by the Truemans and Aston who was bought by Mr. Kaplan, while Elana and Vogue became part of Cilla Black's life and were often seen on television with her.
Margaret Osborne had long been interested in the breed and she acquired Shiels La Reine of Ballinaboy who had been mated to Black Rod and so produced on November 5th, 1969 the second litter to be born in England. This litter also had eleven puppies, two of which became very well known in the show ring. Sagesse from Shiel went to Mr. & Mrs. Stopforth (Devalex) and Deepwood Black Beauty to Mrs. Janet Wiginton (Trevereux). Sagesse in time was sold to Mr. & Mrs. Chadwick (Whitevale).
Also in 1969 the Tomlins went to France and bought two fawn bitches from Mlle Turgis of the famous de Vasouy Briards. Solange and Seraphine de Vasouy were the first direct imports from France to this country, Serephine was bought by Sue Teper and was only shown as a youngster, she had one litter of pups born on December 5, 1971 and ended her days living with her owner in Scotland. These were followed in 1970 by litter brother and sister Desamee Tripot & Toupilie de Vasouy.
Tripot, or "Oscar" as he was known went on to become the second champion dog in England and to sire Ch. Lullingtone Lemuel of Carocott, Ch. Lullingstone Lottie of Desamee, Ch. Desamee Balu Bear, Ch. Desamee Suzy Bear (foundation bitch for Stormfield), Ch. Desamee Belinda Bear, and grand sire to Ch. Caracott Barde (the first dog champion), Ch. Desamee Bambin Bear, Ch. Stormfield Freida, Ch. Grinshill St. Martin, Ch. Stormfield Natasha, Ch. Desamee Bubi Bear, Ch. Stormfield Frodo, Ch. Trevereux Duchesse, Ch. Desamee Scooby Bear, and Ch. Desamee Emily Bear of Rolverden.
The Truemans imported Sancho and Sakie de la Richesse from Holland, but these were little seen in this country.
The next French dog to arrive was Shiels Thor de la Tour St. Genin who unfortunately died young from bloat. However he was used at stud several times and the litter from Ch. Lullingstone Lottie of Desamee produced Ch. Desamee Bambin Bear (dam of Ch. Desamee Bashan Bear, Ch. Desamee Beaulieu Bear of Hartswelin and Ch. Desamee D'Or Bear of Gilcoru), Ch. Desamee Bubi Bear, Desamee Fee Bear (dam of Ch. Legrand Proud Lord of Valois), Desamee Tara Bear (dam of Ch. K'Sar Royal Jet, Ch. K'Sar Royal Caracal from Stormfield, Ch. K'Sar Royal Jaguar of Farouche and Ch. K'Sar Royal Staffs).
Vir d'el Pastre of Baldslow was the next dog to arrive from France and gained his English crown in 1976. Vir was sire to Ch. Baldslow Bach and Beaune of Baldslow and grand sire of Ch. Harleyburn Foret Fauve, Ch. K'Sar Royal Jet, Ch. Desamee Scooby Bear, Ch. Carcer Nuit St. George, Ch. Bhu-Tan of Baldslow, Ch. Dekara Beelzebub, and Ch. Desamee Brie Bear of Gilcoru. Beaune was sire to Ch. Baldslow Dee, Ch. Baldslow Yetti, Ch. Celine Noire of Westwold, Ch. K'Sar Royal Caracal from Stormfield, Ch. K'Sar Royal Jaguar of Farouche, Ch. Baldslow Alice of Chatillon, Ch.Desamee D'Or Bear of Gilcoru, Ch. K'Sar Royal Staffs.
Vir was followed by Shiel's Rouska des Sources du Peyroux from Belgium. For a long time Miss Osborne had tried to bring a bitch in whelp into the country, eventually Rouska arrived mated to Taro des Potteries and produced a big strong litter containing spontanéité rom Shiel (dam of Ch. Harleyburn Foret Fauve). Next, in 1973, came Ussi Oet'T Wiejersnus from Holland for Ruth Bumstead, Ussi was dam of Champions Baldslow Bach and Dee and Ch. Baldslow Alice of Chatillon. In 1975 Mrs. Chavet came to live in England for a while and brought her Bitch Veni Du Val de Reuil with her from france. Veni was mated to Speculateur from Shiel, a son of Rouska, and the litter produced Saracen of Baldslow sire of Ch. Bacu of Baldslow. Also in 1975, Nancy Tomlin imported Dutch Ch. Valentine de la Petite Suisse du Nord at Desamee. Valentine sired Ch. Desamee Emily Bear of Rolverden.
These then formed the basis of the Briards in England today.
Mike Tomlin, accompanied by his wife, Nancy, was 'on location' working at Bray Studios in Ireland on a film 'Rocket to the Moon'. Two of the stars, Burl Ives and Troy Donoghue, had bought Wolfhound puppies to take back to the States and, on meeting the puppies, Nancy decided that she too wanted one and paid a visit to Shannon Farm. Unfortunately, or rather fortunately for us, there were no suitable Wolfhound puppies available but, before leaving the manager, Fred Murphy, showed the young couple the black cuddly puppy.
Instant love meant Desamee Leon Hubert, as he was eventually named, had found his new home. Lionel Jefferies, another star of the film, decided that as he was French and looked like a huge bear, 'Hubert' was most appropriate as a name.
Coming back to live in Palmers Green, London, the first Briard had arrived in England, but nobody knew until about a year later when a local pet shop owner, Andrew Thompson, recognised him as a Briard and persuaded Nancy to get him registered with the Kennel Club and entered at a show. Both dog and owner were completely naive as far as showing was concerned, however, once over their initial nerves, quickly took to it like ducks to water. Being an unusual and most attractive dog the national papers took an interest and photos of him appeared. The first person to contact the Tomlins was Mrs. Ann Ford who acquired Jito of Ballinaboy, also from Shannon Farm. The next Briards to arrive here, also from Ireland, were Desamee Mitzi Moffat, "Maudie", (later to become the first British Briard Champion and foundation bitch for Desamee) for the Tomlins and Deepwood Clonderlaw Hirondelle and Deepwood Clonderlaw Alouette, followed a little later by Deepwood Black Rod, for Ann Ford.
At the end of 1968, Shannon Farm had financial troubles and went into liquidation. Fortunately most of the Briards were rescued by Mrs. Phoebe Bennett of Dublin who kept three and placed the rest in new homes. She retained Peppi of Ballinaboy, Clonderlaw Guepe and Jean Claud of Ballinaboy, Peppi and Jean Claud were both to become Irish Champions. It was from a litter born to Jean Claud and Guepe in 1970 that Ruth Bumstead acquired her first Briard, Baldslow Salicoque from Shiel. "Pooh", as she was known, became the second Champion bitch in England.
Mr. & Mrs. Trueman who took the training classes attended by Hubert and Maudie were introduced to Ann Ford and eventually Hirondelle and Alouette were placed with them. Later the Truemans also went to Ireland and bought Orkan and Karen of Ballinaboy who, on March 3. 1969, produced a litter of 11 puppies. This was the first litter born in this country and contained Carocott Marcos of Tiniswood, who must go down as one of the great characters in the breed. Unfortunately his main show days were over before challenge certificates were awarded to Briards, but he with either Joan or Leslie Vernon (Carocott) won many Best of Breeds in the early days. Others that were seen frequently from this litter were Bugatti, retained by the Truemans and Aston who was bought by Mr. Kaplan, while Elana and Vogue became part of Cilla Black's life and were often seen on television with her.
Margaret Osborne had long been interested in the breed and she acquired Shiels La Reine of Ballinaboy who had been mated to Black Rod and so produced on November 5th, 1969 the second litter to be born in England. This litter also had eleven puppies, two of which became very well known in the show ring. Sagesse from Shiel went to Mr. & Mrs. Stopforth (Devalex) and Deepwood Black Beauty to Mrs. Janet Wiginton (Trevereux). Sagesse in time was sold to Mr. & Mrs. Chadwick (Whitevale).
Also in 1969 the Tomlins went to France and bought two fawn bitches from Mlle Turgis of the famous de Vasouy Briards. Solange and Seraphine de Vasouy were the first direct imports from France to this country, Serephine was bought by Sue Teper and was only shown as a youngster, she had one litter of pups born on December 5, 1971 and ended her days living with her owner in Scotland. These were followed in 1970 by litter brother and sister Desamee Tripot & Toupilie de Vasouy.
Tripot, or "Oscar" as he was known went on to become the second champion dog in England and to sire Ch. Lullingtone Lemuel of Carocott, Ch. Lullingstone Lottie of Desamee, Ch. Desamee Balu Bear, Ch. Desamee Suzy Bear (foundation bitch for Stormfield), Ch. Desamee Belinda Bear, and grand sire to Ch. Caracott Barde (the first dog champion), Ch. Desamee Bambin Bear, Ch. Stormfield Freida, Ch. Grinshill St. Martin, Ch. Stormfield Natasha, Ch. Desamee Bubi Bear, Ch. Stormfield Frodo, Ch. Trevereux Duchesse, Ch. Desamee Scooby Bear, and Ch. Desamee Emily Bear of Rolverden.
The Truemans imported Sancho and Sakie de la Richesse from Holland, but these were little seen in this country.
The next French dog to arrive was Shiels Thor de la Tour St. Genin who unfortunately died young from bloat. However he was used at stud several times and the litter from Ch. Lullingstone Lottie of Desamee produced Ch. Desamee Bambin Bear (dam of Ch. Desamee Bashan Bear, Ch. Desamee Beaulieu Bear of Hartswelin and Ch. Desamee D'Or Bear of Gilcoru), Ch. Desamee Bubi Bear, Desamee Fee Bear (dam of Ch. Legrand Proud Lord of Valois), Desamee Tara Bear (dam of Ch. K'Sar Royal Jet, Ch. K'Sar Royal Caracal from Stormfield, Ch. K'Sar Royal Jaguar of Farouche and Ch. K'Sar Royal Staffs).
Vir d'el Pastre of Baldslow was the next dog to arrive from France and gained his English crown in 1976. Vir was sire to Ch. Baldslow Bach and Beaune of Baldslow and grand sire of Ch. Harleyburn Foret Fauve, Ch. K'Sar Royal Jet, Ch. Desamee Scooby Bear, Ch. Carcer Nuit St. George, Ch. Bhu-Tan of Baldslow, Ch. Dekara Beelzebub, and Ch. Desamee Brie Bear of Gilcoru. Beaune was sire to Ch. Baldslow Dee, Ch. Baldslow Yetti, Ch. Celine Noire of Westwold, Ch. K'Sar Royal Caracal from Stormfield, Ch. K'Sar Royal Jaguar of Farouche, Ch. Baldslow Alice of Chatillon, Ch.Desamee D'Or Bear of Gilcoru, Ch. K'Sar Royal Staffs.
Vir was followed by Shiel's Rouska des Sources du Peyroux from Belgium. For a long time Miss Osborne had tried to bring a bitch in whelp into the country, eventually Rouska arrived mated to Taro des Potteries and produced a big strong litter containing spontanéité rom Shiel (dam of Ch. Harleyburn Foret Fauve). Next, in 1973, came Ussi Oet'T Wiejersnus from Holland for Ruth Bumstead, Ussi was dam of Champions Baldslow Bach and Dee and Ch. Baldslow Alice of Chatillon. In 1975 Mrs. Chavet came to live in England for a while and brought her Bitch Veni Du Val de Reuil with her from france. Veni was mated to Speculateur from Shiel, a son of Rouska, and the litter produced Saracen of Baldslow sire of Ch. Bacu of Baldslow. Also in 1975, Nancy Tomlin imported Dutch Ch. Valentine de la Petite Suisse du Nord at Desamee. Valentine sired Ch. Desamee Emily Bear of Rolverden.
These then formed the basis of the Briards in England today.
