UPDATE: 11 black Briard pups born March 19. 2018. 6 Females, 5 Males. Bam Bam is acting like she's done this many times before, and I really like what I am seeing!
OOPS! To be honest, the timing of this litter wasn't planned. Bam Bam and Fate just took advantage of a sleepy owner who opened the wrong door, and took too long to wake up. That said, the breeding is what I would have done next year. It was not on this year's calendar because both Honor and Panache are older, and I had plans to breed one of them later this year. Final health clearances are in process (both parents are over 2 years of age), and will be posted as they are certified. Both Bam Bam and Fate will be first time parents. I expect a range of sizes, as Bam Bam and her mother are large girls, and Fate is a moderate sized boy. These should be elegant puppies, with great coat texture and movement, and striking heads. Fate has never met a stranger, while Bam Bam likes to be introduced before she accepts attention from new people. Fate adored showing, Bam Bam is less enthusiastic. Both are a real pleasure to live with.
TWO GIRLS AVAILABLE:
Miss Red is a happy, happy natural ear girl. Her tail is always wagging, and her tongue is always giving kisses! She follows me everywhere.
Miss Yellow is a smart, elegant girl who loves her toys, playing, and figuring things out. She also loves to cuddle.
If you would like any more information about this litter, Lebec Briards, or Briards in general, please email or call me.
Bam Bam is a mix of European and American lines. Her grandfather Fracasse de Lindeau (Shaka) was a well known multiple Best of Breed at the Briard Club of America National Specialty. Her mother Wilma is a lovely import from the Czech Republic. Bam Bam is the result of a frozen semen breeding, with her sire having been born 20 years ago. I hope to get Bam Bam back into the show ring soon. Her coat quality is fantastic, but has been slow to regrow following a trim last year.
We often call Bam Bam "Slam Bam". She is an enthusiastic girl who thinks cuddling is a contact sport. She is reserved with strangers initially, as the AKC standard for the Briard calls for. She loves her friends, and accepts new people after a short introduction. She is such an easy girl to live with!
Fate is a very sweet boy. Like his father Sasi and his half brother Hermes, Fate just loves people. He loves to put his head in a lap, or lean against legs, and just be petted. Stop petting, he moves on to the next person with free hands. He has never met a stranger.
Fate was a pleasure to show, finishing his Championship easily, and enjoying the process. Like his mother Mai Tai, his tawny color continues to change, getting darker as he gets older.
Fate is the Briard my 94 year old Dad always asks about, hoping Fate will be coming to see him. His gentleness with the elderly and kids contrasts with his energy when playing with his housemates. He loves to go on walks, and to tear around the yard. He also loves to lay quietly next to me on the couch. This boy is a pleasure to live with.
How we raise our puppies
The quality of a puppy is determined by both genetics and environment. How they are raised before you ever meet them is a major influence! Lebec and l'Hermitage believe in several things:
1) Mom knows best. We don't try to override or interfere with a bitch raising her pups. We add the human element, but Mom is in charge. Unless health issues interfere, she has complete access to her pups from day 1 to the day they leave. At 3 weeks, we start adding our food to the puppies diet, but Mom is always allowed to feed as long as she wants. And she is in charge of discipline!
2) Socialization begins at birth. We handle all the pups daily. Once eyes are open, we try to introduce new items and experiences regularly. In raising pups, doing things "later" is too late. "Now" is always the right time. Visitors start young, with friends handling pups within the first week.
3) At 3 1/2 weeks, pups are moved into the puppy pen in the living room, with all the activity of living. Pups get turned loose several times a day to explore and broaden their world. The outside is added at about 4 weeks. The puppy pen has play and poop areas, to begin housebreaking. The play area is continually enhanced with toys, obstacles, and an environment to stimulate the puppies. Mom can hop in and out. The older dogs get to visit through the pen bars, and gradually get to meet pups in person.
4) Outside exposure to new places is the key. Starting at week five, we do field trips every weekend, to friend's houses, to puppy parties - anywhere a car ride and a new (safe) place can be experienced. We try for different surfaces, different ages of people, even different temperatures, at each new place. Thanks goodness for good friends!
5) We continually encourage visitors, be it the kids from around the neighborhood, prospective buyers, friends - anyone we can get! The more people the puppies meet, the better.
6) Starting at 7 weeks, pups are fed in crates to prepare them for new homes. They spend several nights in their crates before leaving, giving puppy buyers a head start on house training.
7) Puppy buyers are provided with a long document giving our take on raising Briards, a puppy crate, collar and leash, a scented toy, and ready access to us for help and advice at any time. Pups are microchipped before leaving.
Pups from Lebec and l'Hermitage are raised with love and experience - it's a winning combination.
Email Jeanne
Cell 661-618-8798