Domburg Kennel Profile

 

Whilst the Domburg kennel has been in existence since 1988, I have been involved with, and had a great love for dogs from an early age, working at a local German Shepherd kennels after school. I handled my very first dog at the Three Counties Show at the age of eleven and went on to handle a variety of different breeds at Championship level.

My first involvement with Belgian Shepherds was in the early 70's when I handled Gruline Aimee du Shane as a puppy for Anne Older at a local open show. Shane was of American type ~ glamorous, with good structure. Later, at another local show I saw a new import ~ Bandol de la Pouroffe at Snowbourn ~ I was immediately smitten, and knew instinctively this was the correct type, and certainly the type I wanted, but at that time dogs of this correct type and quality were few and far between. At this time I did not have a dog of my own, but I knew that eventually I wanted to own and breed beautiful Belgian Shepherds, the Tervueren being my passion.

 I started my Belgian education by watching, helping, handling and above all listening and talking to experienced breeders. I handled for the local Bergerac kennel, with great success. Little did I know at the time what an impact this collaboration would eventually have. One of the dogs I handled at this time was Ken & Kathy Croads first Tervueren Snowbourn Aquilon (Sam), and together we had considerable success, culminating in Best Not Separately Classified at Crufts. Most people who knew "Sam" would consider him an uncrowned Champion. Unfortunately, he died young before we got C.C. status. In addition to handling Sam, I also handled the very glamorous and famous Ch Snowbourn Dominique to most of her numerous successes, again for the Bergerac Kennel.

 I knew that in order to start my kennel and breeding programme on a sound footing I needed to have a foundation bitch of real quality and type with a pedigree that would reproduce. In 1988 my wait was over and she was well worth waiting for, my first Tervueren was a gift from Bergerac, namely Ch Bergerac Sweet Talk, "Dash". Her pedigree contained some of the most beautiful and influential imports to come to these shores, namely Fanfare of the Two at Niavana; Dancing Dolly of the Two and Ch. Norrevang Bacchus of Belamba.

From her very first BPIB at Darlington under Anne O'Shea, I knew I had a star. She won BPIS at Working Breeds of Scotland, (breed judge Vic Salt; group judge, the late Bobby James). Her first RCC came at the BSDA club championship show under Mdm Willemine van Deijl, and she went on to win 7CC's & 4 RCC's.

It is to Dash and her forbearers I owe my success, she and her wonderful pedigree gave me what I have today. Not only was she my most wonderful companion, she was legendry in the show ring and as a producer her influence is, to this day, still wide reaching and very evident, its a roll call of who's who in Tervueren in the UK. Dash was top Tervueren brood bitch in 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2002. In 1996 she was also Top Brood Bitch in the (then) Working Group and runner up All Breeds. She produced 10 Champions from three litters, a record in itself. She was taken from me long before her time but I will always be eternally grateful to have had the opportunity to own such an important and influential Belgian Shepherd.

 At this time I also acquired a male from the "Delark" kennel, Delark Northern Dancer (Ch. Bergerac Love Kills x Delark Extra Special). "Vegas" was never very impressed with the show ring and won two RCC's before deciding time spent at home was much more to his liking and we have only recently lost him at the grand age of 15 years.

At around the same time our lives were turned upside down by the arrival of "Paris" later to become Ch. Delark Private Dancer. Born in quarantine "Paris" was by Fr. Ch. Cashmire de la Clairiere aux Louves out of Ch. Delark Babycham (a Fanfare daughter). She had the most outstanding personality and character and made an immediate impression on everyone who met her. She truly was my once in a lifetime companion. Bred from only twice, she had one litter for the Delark kennel, and one Domburg litter to Ch. Domburg Dressed to Impress at Talamo (a Sweet Talk son). A son from this mating went to the Talamo kennel and two daughters to the Kehala and Delark kennels respectively.

 The first Domburg litter was born in 1991 and this was to combine "Dash" to Jacky MacAndie's Niavana On Fire, which produced the very successful "Talk" litter. On Fire was chosen for his type, obvious good looks, but mostly for his pedigree. By putting these two together we linebred to two very influential stud dogs ~ Fanfare and Bacchus, and produced eight puppies, five of which went on to become Champions. These were Ch. Domburg Lets Talk at Shalaka: Ch. Domburg Let Em Talk: Ch. Domburg Careless Talk at Nightstorm: American Ch. Domburg Talk of The Town, and my own Ch. Domburg Sweet Talking Guy.

Ch. Domburg Careless Talk at Nightstorm was mated to a Ch. Sweet Talking Guy son and produced the Group winning Ch. Nightstorms Fotocopy.

Am/ Can/U Ch. Domburg Talk of The Town (dam of Champion Tervueren and Groenendael) TD, was sold to found the De la Lune kennel and (I believe) was one of the first bitches imported to America to get a group placement. "Leia" was always very special, and has remained one of my firm favourites.

Ch. Domburg Sweet Talking Guy, "Dane" was used on just five bitches before being diagnosed with juvenile cataract and withdrawn from stud. He produced 7 Champions (5UK & 2 US).  To the Tobara kennels Ch. Delark Picotee (sister to Private Dancer) he produced Ch. Tobara Kinda Magic. To Talamo Fracas (a Bandol daughter) he produced the well known agility dog Talamo Pandamonium. When used on the imported Ch. France de la Douce Plaine at Belamba this combination produced the most successful Belamba litter to date , namely ~ Ch. Belamba Monopoly over Night storm (Group Winner); Ch. Belamba Mardi Gras at Tervanty (one time Bitch CC record holder), Am Ch. Belamba Bonheur Madrigal; Am Ch Belamba Seaflower Montage, and my own Ch. Belamba Mostly French. Another champion came from the Talamo kennel when used on Delators Indian Dream, which produced Ch Talamo Vertu & Talamo Vedette at Monamour (2 CC,s).

Domburg Talked About at Talamo was mated to Karen Ellis and Amanda McLaren's young import Ch. Opium van de Hoge Laer at Corsini and produced Talamo Berger (2 CC's, working A obedience), and my "stolen" dog Talamo Brabant, "Russia" (1 CC). "Russia" is, in turn, the sire of ticket winners for the Corsini and Delark kennels.

 Whilst visiting the Bergerac kennels I fell in love with a tall, handsome red dog, Ch. Bergerac Blue Knight. He sired "Dash's second litter ~ the "Dressed" litter. The most successful and best known of these is the Group winning Ch. Domburg Dressed to Impress at Talamo, "Rumer", 21 CC's, and second highest winning male Tervueren in the history of the breed to date.  He is the sire of 5 UK, and numerous US, Champions for the Brannock, Bandarlog, Hawksflight and Cinema kennels.  Included in these is BOB at Westminster ~ Am Ch. Cinema I Have A Dream, and the UK Group winning Ch Hawksflight In Technicolour.

Bergerac Domburg Dressed to Thrill went back to Bergerac and when line bred back to "Dash" produced their latest Champion.

 For "Dash’s final litter she was mated Ch. Opium van de Hoge Laer at Corsini. This combination produced seven dogs and one single bitch (five Champions). These were Ch. Domburg Jeu d'Amour, (Lebeau) sire of the Groenendael Joint Top Bitch CC Record Holder; Ch. Domburg Melodie d'Amour at Monamour; Ch. Domburg Parfait Amour; Aus/NZ Ch Domburg Premier d'Amour, and last, but by no means least, the bitch, my own Best in Show winning Ch. Domburg Reve d'Amour.  Jeu d'Amour, Parfait Amour and Melodie d'Amour all sired Champions for other leading UK kennels ~ Talamo, Lebeau, Corsini and Tanje.

 Ch. Domburg Reve D'Amour, "India" won her first RCC as a minor puppy, and her title from Novice!!  She was Best in Show at the BSDA Championship Show under Eric Desschans and BOB at Crufts 2002 under Jacky MacAndie. She is currently the  Bitch CC record holder, despite making only very rare appearances in the show ring.  “India” has taken over the mantle from her mother “Dash” as one of the most influential bitches in the breed in the UK.  Her contribution to the improvement and development of the breed is more important to me than any show win.  India was top Brood bitch in the breed and the Pastoral Group in 2003 and runner up top brood all breeds

When mated to the imported Ch. Lynx de la Clairiere aux Louves she produced the "Africa" litter ~ Ch. Domburg Star of Africa (Lebeau); the group 3 winning Ch. Domburg Love of Africa at Talamo (sire of  Champion and CC winners for the Talamo and Nightstorms kennels); & Domburg African Karoo (1RCC).  The bitch, Domburg Out of Africa into Tintigny, “Africa” (2CC's, 2RCC) was entrusted to close friends Teri & John Burke.  “Africa” is known affectionately at home as “My Dash Granddaughter” and will always be very special to me.  She is already fulfilling her birthright at a producer, having had a quality litter by Sandholm Continental for the Tintigny kennel, and I am excited at the prospect of  having a litter from her here at Domburg.

 "India"s next litter was to Jacky MacAndies' young Belgian import Zeffirelli van de Hoge Laer at Niavana. This was the "In" litter.CH Domburg In the Line of Fire at Namur (5CC's, 4RCC);CH Domburg In Demand (3CC's, 2RCC),CH Domburg In Envy (4 CC , 4RCC)  Domburg In Cahoots with Shalaka (2RCC). Domburg In the Movies . Domburg In Love, “Vienna” who  stayed at home as a future producer was mated to Ch Domburg Rock D J at Zantal this litter produced the youngest bitch to win three cc Domburg hot at the top at Jumasue .   This litter produced elegance and type and, whilst they are still young and need time to fulfil their potential, they are making an impact in the show ring.  In Envy is also making his mark as a producer of quality and type.

 For her final litter we took a trip to France to use the French Champion Oural de la Fureur de la Crepuscule. This was a small litter of 3 males and 1 female , already Domburg Jai Un Reve has won his first CC at 7 months , Domburg Reve De Moi at Talamo  2 RCC. ,and the very beautiful CH Domburg  Reve Enchantes at Niavana ,gain her title as a raw junior  only shown 10 times winning 5CC & 2 RCC and only being beaten once in her breed class . Oural was chosen mainly for his mother's pedigree as her lines produce the elegance, head type and expression I am looking for, combined with the body shape, sound character and glamorous coat from his father Gourou.

 "India's" impact on the breed and the Domburg kennel continues via her progeny and following in their mothers' footsteps, their best is yet to come.

 Ch Belamba Mostly French's (Ch Domburg Sweet Talking Guy x France de la Douce Plaine at Belamba) first litter was chosen by  Sharon Redmar and Mikki Capparelli-Lally.  "French"s' great grandsire "Love Kills" was the sire. The first three "picks" went to the US and all became Champions ~ Am Ch. Domburg French Silk; Am. Ch. Domburg French Flair and Am. Ch. Domburg French Lieutenant.  Her second litter, by Brannock Rhythm & Blues (a Melodie d'Amour son) produced Domburg Daydreamer at Tiffany (2CC's, 8RCC); IKC Ch Domburg Dream Lover and my own Domburg California Dreamin', “Declan“.  When “Declan” was mated back to a Jeu D’Amour daughter it produced the multi Champion (UK, American, Canadian)  Lebeau Playing With Fire.  Her third and final litter was to Ch. Lynx de la Clairiere aux Louves which produced my own Ch. Domburg First Love (15 CC's, twice Group 3winner).

 Tobara Killer Queen (Sweet Talking Guy x Ch Delark Picotee) had a litter to Dressed to Impress and produced Ch. Domburg Night in Atlanta at Voluntas (Group 2 winner).

 Ch. Brannock Impressions of Red, "Amber"11 CC  (Dressed to Impress x Questenberg Porsche) came to live at Domburg as an adult and was bred from only once under my affix, although she did have a litter previously under the Brannock affix.  Her litter at Domburg was to the “India” son Domburg In Envy, and this produced the breeds' youngest male Tervueren champion in the form of Ch. Domburg Rock DJ at Zantal, and Domburg Viva La Rock (1RCC).

 In 1998 I was given the opportunity, along with the Talamo Kennel, to borrow a French female from very influential breeding and bring her to the UK in whelp. The female was Lutece de la Clairiere aux Louves (Femto x Eden). We choose to mate her to the prolific producer Ch Gourou de la Crepescule de Loups the resulting litter born in quarantine contained 1 female and 5 males. The female Folie Bergere at Domburg (2 CCs) went to the Charbonny kennel, the plan was for her to come back to Domburg for a litter, but Caroline Harvey's very sad and untimely death meant this was not to be, and Monmartre du Domburg (2RCC).  After the litter Lutece was returned to her owners.

 In 2004 I was fortunate to be able to borrow a young grey female from Shaun and Jenny Eaves Talamo Kennels, Talamo La Nouba  (Ch. Lynx de la Clairiere aux Louves x Talamo By Design) who is a Dash great granddaughter and sister of this years Crufts BOB winner. “China” was bred to Ch Domburg In Envy, line breeding again back to the original lines, and their union has produced a very promising litter ( the “Affair” litter) Domburg Affair to remember , already a RCC winner.

 The above mentioned successes has meant that Domburg has been Top Tervueren kennel for a record number of 10 years in 1994, 96, 97 98, 99, 2002 and 2003.04,05,06 , In 2003 I was also Top Breeder Pastoral Group and runner up Top Breeder All Breeds making Domburg  the UK’s most successful Tervueren Kennels of all times, with a total of 177 CC’s & 84 RCC’s.

Amongst all the wins my dogs have achieved, I am particularly proud of their Crufts successes.  As my friend, the late Caroline Harvey once said ~ “People say Crufts is just another champ show ~ Yeah!!”.

 Ch Domburg Dressed to Impress at Talamo ~ CC & BOB 1997

Ch Domburg Melodie D’Amour at Monamour ~ CC 1998

Ch Domburg Parfait Amour ~ CC 1999, CC & BOB 2000, CC & BOB 2002

Ch Domburg First Love ~ CC 2002, CC 2004

Ch Domburg Star of Africa ~ CC 2003

Ch Domburg Reve d’ Amour ~ CC & BOB 2003, CC& BOB & group1 2005 ,CC&BOB group 3, 2006 .

CH Domburg in envy ~ CC  2006

  Despite appearances, I actually do very little breeding, the above successes are generated from a total of just 19 litters.  I am proud of my achievements in the breed, my success is based on sound foundations.  I understand my lines ~ I know where my strengths come from and where the weaknesses lie.  I line breed to the strengths in the original lines, only bringing in outside lines which will complement what I already have.  I tend not to embark on experimental matings, preferring instead that each mating I do counts, and only undertaking a mating when I feel as sure as I can possibly be, that it will produce the desired results.  Lastly,  I have very sound council to call upon when I need to discuss dogs, their lines and future plans.

 Anyone who studies and truly understands Belgian Shepherds I am sure will appreciate the following sentiments; Belgians are a slow maturing breed and my dogs epitomise that sentiment.  They generally only give a glimpse of what's to come as puppies; like fine wine their best is savoured slowly with age.  Above all, they stand the test of time, as demonstrated by Ch Domburg Reve D'Amour winning C.C. and BOB at Working & Pastoral Breeds of Scotland at 9 ½ years of age and only 7 months after giving birth to her last litter.

In 2005 CH Domburg Reve D'Amour had the most incredible year at Crufts in march she won the bitch CC & BOB then went on to win the pastoral group plus a further 9CC

Group Three Midland counties

Group One  Driffield

Group Two LKA

Ending the year being the bitch CC record holder plus the top pastoral in the UK all at 11 years young .

In 2005 we mated litter sister’s  In Love was mated to Rock D J which produced the "Top" litter . So far this has produced the triple ticket winning Hot at the top, Domburg Top That who is a  BP & RCC winner  and Domburg Tip Top, a multiple CAC  winner in Sweden .  In Cahoots was mated to Ch Talamo Notorious which produced the "Dance" litter, Dance Master  and Lap Dancer who have both won well at championship shows.

In 2006 Domburg in love was mated to the Dutch dog N’est-ce pas v, Moned this resulting in one male puppy and we look forward in seeing him in the ring in 07.

Also in 2006 we took a trip to France with Domburg love affair the stud dog Xoran van de hoge laer she has been confirmed in whelp.

 Domburg will continue to breed as before, in a very small way; strangely enough not with the show ring at the forefront of my thoughts, and certainly not swayed by fashions or trends, but striving to breed beautiful Belgian Shepherds which fit my ideal ~ correct type, the combination of elegance and strength and a typical character.  Breeding my dogs has always been a hobby through which I have made many friends all around the world.  However, I would emphasise that that is all it is ~ I have a husband, daughter, family and business, all of  which keeps my feet firmly on the ground.  When I stop getting goose bumps whenever I see a beautiful Belgian Shepherd, or fail to appreciate quality, regardless of the breeding or kennel, then I will know it’s time to stop.  I consider myself very fortunate to have started out in my breeding with such outstanding lines, but I do work very hard at breeding the best Belgians I possibly can and, Yes, I am very proud of the dogs that I have bred and their influence on the breed.  They will take their place in the history of the breed and I feel sure that history will be their true judge.