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Dripping Springs, TX is about 20 minutes from downtown Austin
Dan and I live in Dripping Springs Texas with our 4
terrific children (two sets of twins), our many "house" Briards, one
Cavalier Kings Charles Spaniel and "the cat". My love for dogs has
been a life long passion. When my mother signed me up for
Kindergarten---she had to write one sentence about
her child--she wrote "likes dogs better than people." So----of
course, from an early age I wanted to be a veterinarian. Meanwhile I
owned and loved many dogs and cats, volunteered at the Humane Society and
ran my teenage version of "rescue" from my own backyard. I would
take a "favorite" dog whose time was short and keep them until I could
find them a forever home (funny--even then my favorites" tended to be the
"shaggy" ones.) In the 11th grade I suddenly realized that I had no
interest in performing surgery on my precious pooches and realized that a
career in genetics was my destiny. In the 11th grade I made the
decision to become a genetic counselor and then to one day breed dogs
hoping to use my knowledge and training in genetics to help make "my"
breed and my dogs healthier---
After receiving my MS in human genetics, I was very
fortunate to meet Dan, my husband. Amongst many other things he
supported me in my desire to choose a breed and make a difference. I
attended dog shows and researched every breed and decided that Briards
were PERFECT! Below I am pictured with Minois who started my
lifelong love affair. This picture was taken shortly after she
started developing symptoms of lymphoma which would steal her from me WAY
too early at the young age of 6. Minois's page
tells her story. I have always believed that a breeder's HIGHEST priority
in breeding dogs must be health and Minois makes it clear why. Losing her
broke our hearts. One of the things I have now dedicated my life to is
promoting canine health and genetics in any way possible. I
facilitate research to help find the causes and hopefully cures to the
tragic diseases that take our dogs from us prematurely.
Minois taught me about health issues that the "health
clearances" don't test for and I have studied and learned much more
since then. My concern include bloat/torsion, Cancer, hips that "pass"
at 2 but may not be okay at 5 years, urinary tract anomalies..... As a Genetic counselor---for me
it is not about breeding to the "health test" but for the overall health
and longevity of the dogs; the health tests and then some. I believe
that inbreeding can lead to health issues that no amount of testing can
find and try base my breedings on dogs that are not too closely related.
My dogs are raised with and live with my 4 children and their friends
coming and going so great temperaments are not optional.
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Although we enjoy competing with our
dogs and hope you enjoy the pictures of their accomplishments--the primary goal of this website is to
provide much information as possible to people who are interested in
learning more about these beautiful dogs. Briards are our passion,
Briard health is our responsibility.
We are always a work in progress. If there is something that you
would like to see here, please let us know. Always feel free to contact us with questions. |