Puppies Expected at Hickory Tavern Farm

We are thrilled to share the good news that Hickory Tavern Farm in the United States is expecting a litter of Barbets out of CH Neigenuveaux's Ermagarde "Claire" by our homebred CH Northrock's Athos Pascal.  Pascal is a lovely male and complements Claire's qualities nicely.  Both Barbets have exceptional temperaments and we look forward to the arrival of their puppies in early April. 

For information about this expected litter please contact the breeder Judy Descutner at Hickory Tavern Farm.

Carpe Diem

Unfortunately we won't be having any puppies out of Sophie this time around.  Pregnancy was confirmed by palpation but either that was inaccurate and she was in fact never pregnant, or she resorbed the litter.  It's certainly disappointing but instead of sitting around moping, Sophie and I celebrated the fact that she is well and healthy and we went field training.

Sophie is such an awesome dog and I look forward to many more days in the sunshine together doing what we both enjoy so much.  My thanks to Shelly Blom for the photos and to the members of the Mountain Valley Retriever Training Club for the fun time and fellowship.

Responsible Barbet Breeders

This handout is part of the educational material that is being shared by the Barbet Club of America.  I love the message it contains and am thankful to all the wonderful dog breeders who helped to play a part in the production of it. I believe it was the Berner folk who came up with the original concept.  Juliana du Pree was inspired by their idea and ran with it, putting together one for Corgis.  My thanks to her for helping to create this version for the Barbet.  The photo credit goes to Tammy McAllister.  Thank you ladies.

Lexi is a CKC Champion

Lexi’s CKC Championship certificate arrived in the mail last week.  I know that it will always be a thrill for me to see my own dog’s name in writing on a title certificate.  It’s a very special feeling as a breeder to see the name of a dog that I bred.  Lexi is a pretty Barbet and I’m so pleased with what she has achieved in the conformation ring.  She has a very sweet temperament and is a delightful addition to her family.

My heartfelt thanks to her co-owner Delia Bucknell for taking such good care of this special girl.  She is much loved by her entire family, immediate and extended and I couldn’t be happier.

Lexi (BPIS CH Northrock's Eureka CGN) finished her Championship back in September under breeder judge Ms. Wendy Schira.  
She was piloted to her wins by handler Peter Scott.  

Upcoming Litter Plans

UCD CH Neigenuveaux Fleur D'Northrock WC CGN "Sophie" and Northrock's All Night Boogie "Boomer"

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the Christmas holidays Sophie has come in season.  This past week we travelled to Quebec where Sophie was bred to Northrock's All Night Boogie aka Boomer.  Boomer is a wonderful male with a lovely personality.  Our visit went very well and we are hoping for puppies to arrive round about February 8th.

Thank you to Robert Souchereau and Sylvie Marleau for your hospitality.  We believe that the combination of Sophie and Boomer has the potential to produce some very nice Barbets with good health and structure and happy, friendly temperaments.  More information can be found on our website. For updates about Sophie and other news about Northrock Barbets, please check out our facebook page 

A waiting list for puppies from this breeding has been started.  If you are interested in finding out more about Northrock Barbets contact Stephanie at northrockbarbets@gmail.com 

The newest member of our Northrock family.

Summer - Nuphar’s Soak Up The Sun
Eddie Bo da Capo "Emil" x Nuphar’s All My Tomorrows "Dolce"
Born March 14, 2015

It’s high time I wrote a post about the newest addition to our Northrock family.  Summer joined our family earlier this year and quickly made herself right at home.  We have so much love and affection for this puppy.  

She truly is a ray of sunshine that has brightened our lives.  I’m very thankful to her breeder Anne Plomb (Nuphar's) for entrusting her to us and also to Miska, Arno, Sylver and Jade, the family who own Summer’s dam Dolce.  With Anne’s involvement, they have done a wonderful job raising the litter and giving Summer such a good start. 

Summer has been with us since the end of May when she flew all the way from the Netherlands to Canada.  Miska, Anne and I were on pins and needles waiting for her safe arrival and thankfully the trip was uneventful and our little puppy travelled very well.  

She was happy and friendly from the moment I first opened her crate and her delightful personality continues to win over everyone she meets. 

 Summer and I are currently working towards her Canine Good Neighbour title and I have started teaching her how to track.  She is so much fun to train and we are having a great time together.  I look forward to making lots of wonderful memories with this special puppy. 

For more photos of Summer check out her album on the Northrock Barbets - Facebook Page

Beazie, Airport Pet Therapy Dog

I am delighted to share that Beazie (Northrock's Beatrix de Beziers), one of the puppies from our Chmurnik x Sophie litter is now a working Pet Therapy dog.  Beazie lives in Providence, Rhode Island.  She is part of the Pet Therapy program instituted earlier this year at TF Green Airport which helps to alleviate the stress of flying experienced by many travellers.

Along with her owner, Mary Reineman, Beazie enjoys her job greeting passengers that are waiting for their flights.  She loves people and her friendly nature is well suited to the task.  Mary writes that "she was so much fun to train for this program, it is something that we both enjoy doing together and it has been rewarding!!" I am so pleased that Mary and Beazie are enjoying their time together and helping others in the process.  Beazie is a wonderful ambassador for the Barbet.

Thus far the program has been hugely successful and similar programs are in place at other airports.  The PVD Pet Therapy dogs undergo intensive training and have to pass a strict certification process to make sure they have the correct temperament to handle the busy atmosphere of the airport. All PVD Pet Therapy dogs are expected to be calm and well mannered on leash, behave well around other dogs and be comfortable in large crowds.

Beazie volunteering at the airport on halloween dressed as a lion .