On Sunday, October 13, 2002, Phrygia du Canis Dirus became the VERY FIRST Beauceron in the WORLD to earn the Herdengebrauchshund (HGH) or "herding utility dog" title awarded by the German Shepherd Dog Association in Germany. The event was sanctioned by the USA (United Schutzhund Clubs of America). The judge was Klaus Wuttge, a full-time shepherd and SV judge in Germany.
There were 224 sheep and the test for each dog is between an hour to an hour-and-a-half long. Besides the herding portion of the test, each dog was also required to pass a protection test of the shepherd/handler. Phrygia took a third place with a score of 75 out of 100, which is a good (gut) rating.
Phrygia is proudly owned and handled by Geary Loff of New Jersey. The comments from the judged were that Geary and Phrygia presented a "pretty picture" because of the teamwork, and that Phrygia was so obedient.
For more information about HGH style (large flock) herding please visit the trainer's website.
As of June 1, 2002, the Beauceron is eligible to compete in AKC herding events.
Congratulations to . . .
NEW Akiva des Ombres Valeureux (B) DN116817/02
(Oscar du Sentier des Savannes x Sydney des Ombres Valeureux)
Breeder: Debbie Skinner & Debbie Pluss
Owner: Kellie Wolverton
AKC Herding Pre-Trial Tested (PT) - February 25, 2007Congratulations Kellie and Akiva.
NEW Anastacia des Ombres Valeureux (B) DN111554/07
(Phantom des Ombres Valeureux x Rista des Ombres Valeureux)
Breeder: Debbie Skinner
Owner: Stacy Skredsvig & Martin Skredsvig
AKC Herding Pre-Trial Tested (PT) - April 22, 2007
Congratulations Stacy, Martin, and Anastacia.
La Estrella de Sirius (Lacey)
(Glafko du Clos du Nord x Gallaxie de Mavourneen)
Breeder: Tom Kirkland
Owner: Debbie Penn
AHBA Herding Trial Dog I
AKC Herding Started Course A Sheep (HSAs) - September 28, 2002Lacey was the first Beauceron in the US to earn an AHBA Herding Trial Dog I title. Lacey is not only an accomplished herding dog, but she also has earned a UKC Companion Dog (CD) title. I had the pleasure of watching Lacey herd cattle at the NABC 2001 Journee de Beauceron in California. It was wonderful to watch a Beauceron at work. Keep up the good work Debbie and Lacey!
Niceboy Rupert de St Sacrement (D) DL843254/01
(Irun x Ebene Ubu de la Mare aux Templiers)
Breeder: Anne Sharpe
Owner: Christopher Murray
AKC Pre-Trial Tested (PT) - June 2, 2002
As of June 1, 2002 the Beauceron has been eligible to compete in AKC herding events. It didn't take Rupert and Chris long at all to take advantage of it. Rupert is the very first Beauceron to earn an AKC herding title. Keep up the good work Chris and Rupert! Rupert is also an accomplished agility dog. You can view Rupert's agility accomplishments on the agility page.
O'Cara Bleue de St Sacrement (B)
(Ildanach de la Cite des Grands Feux x Lexis Bleue de St Sacrement)
Owners: Jody & Mike Forsythe
AHBA Junior Herding Dog (JHD) - May 25th, 2003
Cara has now added herding to her long list of accomplishments. Cara is famous for her Search and Rescue work (see SAR page) and also frequently jumps out of airplanes with her owner Mike. But, Cara has not taken to anything quite like she has taken to sheep. Cara loves herding so much that her other owner, Jody, went out and got Cara her very own sheep! The flock continues to grow, so Cara should be getting a lot of herding practice in for future herding events. I just have to ask - What's Next???
Phrygia du Canis Dirus (B)
(Loup x Musique du Canis Dirus)
Breeder: Margo Brady
Owner: Geary Loff
USA HGH - October 13, 2002
USA HGH - October 11, 2003
Phrygia is the only Beauceron in the WORLD that has earned a Herdengebrauchshund (HGH) title. This is the large flock German style herding. Phrygia followed it up 2 weeks later with the first two legs of her AKC HSCs (Herding Started - C Course - Sheep) title. Phrygia received a first place and a High In Trial for her second leg! Congratulations Phrygia and Geary!
Update - Phrygia not only earned an HGH title once, but she followed it up by earning it AGAIN the following year!!! Phrygia and Geary are quite an awesome team!
UPDATE
Piman de la Prahas (Phantom) (D) DL869186/01
(Neron x Milane de la Prahas)
Breeder: Michel Pillard
Owner: Judy Butler
AHBA Parcours A La Francaise, Level II - October 2, 2000
AHBA Herding Ranch Dog III Sheep - HRDIII(s) - November 10, 2002
AHBA Herding Trial Dog II Sheep - HTDII(s) - May 25, 2003
ASCA Started Ducks (STDd) - June 7, 2003
AKC Herding Started Course A Sheep (HSAs) - ???
AKC Herding Intermediate Course A Sheep (HIAs) - August 10, 2003
AKC Herding Excellent Course A Sheep (HXAs) - March 26, 2005
AKC Herding Excellent Course A Ducks (HXAd) - August 13, 2006
** News Flash ** First Beauceron to earn HX ** News Flash **
Phantom is the first Beauceron to earn the AKC Herding Excellent title! Congratulations Judy and Phantom!
By far the most accomplished Beauceron in herding in the United States is Piman de la Prahas, aka Phantom. Phantom and Judy compete in AKC, AHBA, and ASCA herding events. Phantom not only competes with Judy in herding events, he also is a real working farm dog and helps her daily on their sheep farm in California. Phantom's mother, Milane, is also a great herding dog. She is a French herding Champion (one of only a handful of Beaucerons who hold this title). I have had the opportunity to watch Phantom work sheep, and it is just awe inspiring to watch him control the sheep using his natural abilities (with the help of Judy's expert training and handling).
** News Flash ** First Beauceron to earn TDX ** News Flash **
Not only is Phantom the most accomplished Beauceron in herding, but he is also the most accomplished Beauceron in tracking being the only Beauceron to earn a TDX. Check out Phantom's tracking accomplishments on the tracking page. You guys ROCK!!!
NEW RT (B) ILP154677
Owner: Susan Walls
AKC Herding Pre-Trial Tested (PT) - April 2, 2006
Congratulations RT and Susan.
NEW Virgel du Chateau Rocher (D) DN083621/01
(Sloan Du Chateau Rocher x Ruffian Du Chateau Rocher)
Breeder: Karla Davis
Owner: Debbie Baker
AKC Herding Tested (HT) - March 18, 2006
AKC Herding Pre-Trial Tested (PT) - April 22, 2007
Congratulations Virgel and Debbie. You can also catch Virgel showing in the breed, obedience and rally rings. Keep up the good work Virgel and Debbie!
NEW Voila des Ombres Valeureux (B) DN081241/07
(Phantom des Ombres Valeureux x Sydney des Ombres Valeureux)
Breeder: Debbie Pluss
Owner: Cristina Maxwell
AKC Herding Tested (HT) - April 22, 2007
Congratulations Voila and Cris. You can also find Voila wowing the judges in the conformation ring and also competing in the rally ring.
Permission has been granted to AboutBeaucerons.com to use the herding photo of Phrygia. Photo © Copyright 2002 First HGH Herding Club. All rights reserved.