Marlee - Last AKC FSS Appearance for the Barbet

This shot by Candid Canine Photography is the last appearance ever for a Barbet in the AKC FSS Group. Taken in Orlando during the AKC National Championship, our Marlee won a Group 2. As of January 1, the Barbet moves into Miscellaneous and the wider world of AKC dog shows! We are so proud of the advancement of this beautiful breed and look forward to showing a lot more in 2017. Local shows, favorite shows, new shows...America is open to the Barbet!

So Lucky!

We are so lucky to share our home with our beautiful dogs. This fun Facebook creation of our most used words reflects an exciting year past :)

Marlee Wins at the AKC National Championship!

Marlee wrapped up the show year with another spectacular win, Best of Breed and FSS Group 2 at the AKC National Championship in Orlando, FL. Beginning in January, the Barbet moves on to the Miscellaneous group, making our AKC show opportunities much more accessible. We are so proud of our dogs and have enjoyed helping this beautiful breed get started with the American Kennel Club.   Look for us around the dog shows as we make this next step in America!

Hickory Tavern Final Grade CAA RN CGC THDN, one of America's Most Titled Barbet

Last weekend, little spitfire Hickory Tavern Final Grade CAA RN CGC THDN, also known as Fia, earned her AKC Coursing Ability Advanced title. From her first serendipitous lure course last May, Fia has become a fierce girl on the chase! Amazing to watch her in action. Congratulations to Leonard Tena for handling Fia to her CAA title, and to the entire Tena Family for their devotion to Barbet Fia!

Marlee Wins AKC CM Title

Our Marlee Girl is on a roll! Last week Best in Show; this week a special new AKC title. Marlee earned her final points to become the 4th Barbet to earn the Certificate of Merit from the FSS Group under judge Alice Watkins. Marlee joins her mom, Solene; brother, Micah; and Stacy Able's Cinna as the only Barbet with CM titles. We are so proud of the dogs we have bred and thrilled with the judge's appreciation of them in the ring.

Our AKC Certificate of Merit Barbet

Hickory Tavern Intl Intrigue CM

Hickory Tavern Secret Liaison CM

Hickory Tavern Secret Entourage CM

Marlee Wins Best in Show!

Canadian Grand Champion Hickory Tavern Secret Entourage

Last Friday, our beautiful Marlee (Hickory Tavern Secret Entourage) added to her impressive list of wins by earning Best in Open Show under judge Jerry Watson at the Rock Creek Kennel Club show in West Friendship, Maryland. We are so proud of her since her mom Solene, grandmother Claire, and brother Micah all won Best in Shows in their AKC career. Marlee is the 8th Barbet to win a Best at the AKC Open Shows. We are really looking forward to showing her next year in the Miscellaneous class as the Barbet makes this next step in the AKC world. 

Fall Farm Fun!

These blustery days of fall have certainly pleased the Barbet! They are thoroughly enjoying the leaves flying and the chilly air. Marlee, Solene, and baby Flynn play for hours in the yard. They are in excellent condition and are very agile! We are getting ready for dog shows near Baltimore over Thanksgiving. We'll also be in Maryland showing at the beginning of December, then head out to Florida for the AKC National Championship in Orlando. Can't wait!

Last weekend, David and I went to Florida and ran in Disney's Wine and Dine 10K and Half Marathon. It was the first Half for both of us. We had a great time! David finished way ahead of me, but as a new runner, I was happy just to finish ahead of my goal time. 

Catching Up

We finally made it back to the show ring after a very busy summer and fall. I took Marlee and Flynn to Wilmington, Ohio, where the largest entry of American Barbet to date competed at the AKC shows at the Roberts Centre. Marlee won Best of Breed and then the FSS Group 1 on Saturday under judge Neil McDevitt. Sunday she was Best Opposite under Monika Pinsker, bringing her halfway to her Certificate of Merit title. Little Flynn made her debut in points competition and she did great! She was brave and showy, having a lot of fun; exactly what I want for her first times in the ring.

Happy 6 Months!!

Here's our happy face Flynn, celebrating her 6 month birthday today! Flynn has had a great summer swimming, diving, and playing with her friends. She even won at a dog show! Now it's time to get busy and prepare for the bigger fall shows. 

Training Your Barbet

Here is a really useful article about understanding our dogs thought process when training. Dogs are simple creatures without agendas. Please have a look!

And so, the bottom line is this: if your dog is not doing what you want, it’s because you have failed to teach the behavior effectively, or because you have not made it worth his while to do so.  That’s it.  Dogs are fundamentally honest creatures – this is one of the things I love most about them.

Back to the Whippet Ring!

I was thrilled to return to the Whippet ring after an absence of several years to win Best of Winners Thursday with Bo-Bett Lainies Surprise under judge Dr Steve Keating in Canfield, OH. Lainie Jane is, of course, bred by my great friend Carol Harris and owned by my sister Dr Jan McMaster and me.

Whippets will always be my true love in the dog world.

Catching Up With the Weekend

Before we leave for the UKC Premier, I have some posts to catch up on.

Our little brown boy went off to New York City where he will live with Judy and Fran. They also have a place on Long Island where he will have lots of access to the beach. This little guy is named Gavroche.

Hickory Tavern Epilogue Esprit

This beautiful girl is our pick pup from this litter. She has gone to Cincinnati where she lives with Jeff and a Golden Retriever. We hope to see this girl out at the dog shows next year!

Hickory Tavern Epilogue Eclair

Finally, while we are home enjoying our puppies, it's a thrill for our dogs to be out winning at the dog shows with their owners.  Huge congratulations to Leslie Woodward and Lynn Vogt-Kinsey for winning Best in Open Show Sunday at the Longshore-Southport Kennel Club in Connecticut. Under judge Pam Lambie,  Hickory Tavern Finally Friday, 'Alainn,' won both the FSS Group and then Best in Show over a big Miscellaneous entry. Alainn is a one year old female out of our Neigenuveaux's Ermagarde (Claire) by Quaciendas Thunus Georgi (George). We are very proud of Alainn and Leslie!

Hickory Tavern Finally Friday

  

 Claire's pretty pink pup went to New Jersey to live with her half sister Blueberry. Pink Cotton Candy, now known as CC, will be spoiled by the Barones.

Hickory Tavern Epilogue Eden

Claire's little green girl now lives in Cleveland with a Havanese and the large Hurst Family to love her.

Hickory Tavern Epilogue Eva

Claire's Pups Start to Depart

Today the first pup of Claire's last litter left for his new home. Hickory Tavern Epilogue Edwin - Rush - has gone to live with Mallie, one of our Nessa/Murdoch pups from last year, in the Allegheny National Forest of Northern Pennsylvania. We are so happy that the Steber Family has chosen to add another one of our Barbet puppies to their family and we wish them all the best. 

Claire and Pascal Pups at 8 Weeks

Today the pups went to the veterinarian for their first shot and microchips. They all were very brave and were great for the ride in the car. I cannot believe these guys are already 8 weeks old and will be starting to leave this weekend. This litter has been such a pleasure!

Extra Special Visitors!

This morning we had some extra special guests for our puppies - Dad Pascal and his owners Josh and Maria stopped by en route to Arlington. Claire and Pascal are the proud parents of these beautiful 8 puppies who will soon be headed off to their new homes. It was a thrill to get them all together! We are grateful to Stephanie Dixon of Northrock Barbet for making this breeding possible.

Super Shout Out

I am so lucky to have the Tena Family included in our Hickory Tavern family. Today they came and took almost every puppy out on their own for a pleasant outing to a local park. The puppies loved their travels with the Tenas! Last year this family took home Barbet Fia as a baby puppy and now she is a very well trained and adored pet with titles/certification in Rally, Therapy, CGC, and soon to be Lure Coursing. As a breeder, they are the kind of family that we dream of for our puppies. Shout out to the Tenas!

AKC Breeder of Merit

We have received the designation of 'Breeder of Merit' from the American Kennel Club!

We are proud of the dogs we breed and are happy to be recognized for our efforts. The Breeder of Merit program selects from breeders who “demonstrate a commitment to the AKC Community, dedication to their breeds, and actively promote the sport of purebred dogs. The AKC is proud to recognize AKC Breeders who are dedicated to breeding beautiful purebred dogs whose appearance, temperament, and ability are true to their breed. These breeders are the heart of AKC.”

The following must be met in order to be accepted into the program:

• Has a history of at least 5 years involvement with AKC events
• Earned AKC Conformation, Performance, or Companion* event titles on a minimum of 4 dogs from AKC liters they bred/co-bred
• Member of an AKC Club
• Certifies that applicable health screens are performed on breeding stock as recommended by the Parent Club.
• Demonstrates a commitment to ensuring 100% of the puppies produced are AKC registered

*CGC (Canine Good Citizen) title does not meet the event requirements

Lucky Seven

Today our first girl of the litter headed to her new home.  Hickory Tavern Wishful Thinking is staying  nearby in Pittsburgh. The seventh puppy in a litter of seven, our purple girl is keeping her lucky name of 'Seven.' Her family has waited a very long time for a Barbet and Seven made a lovely anniversary present!

Our second new resident of Boston departed today for his new home on a beautiful lake. Hickory Tavern Wish List - Penn - is a very lucky puppy!

Goodbye Mr Red

Today we said farewell to our pick male from Solene's litter. Hickory Tavern Wishes Come True (Aquilla) has moved to Maryland with Krissy & Family, including two Cardigan Welsh Corgis. We will really miss this delightful and beautiful boy and wish him well in his new life along the river.

Busy Weekend

We had a busy weekend around the farm and some of our dogs were out competing with great results!

 Fia (Hickory Tavern Final Grade RN CGC) earned two legs toward her AKC Coursing Aptitude title at her first events! Fia is so naturally keen to the lure. What fun to see her enjoying the chase! Thanks to the Tena Family for always giving Fia such great opportunities.

Hickory Tavern Secret Garden, Meg, went to Canada and won a Group 3 from the classes over Specials with Leslie Woodward. 

Our first puppy went home yesterday. Hickory Tavern Wishbone, Almonzo, has gone to Boston where he will assume the role of Top Dog. 

Finally, my son Sam made me this fantastic sign for my birthday. His machining skills are pretty amazing!

Our puppies continue to grow and thrive. The older litter of Solene's will be going to the vet this week for their first vaccination and microchip. Saturday they will be 8 weeks old and the first will begin to leave for their new homes. It is unimaginable how fast the time goes when we have puppies here with us.

We had a special houseguest over the past weekend. Stephanie Dixon of Northrock Barbet came from Toronto to meet the Claire & Pascal puppies. Stephanie is the breeder/co-owner of Pascal and she wanted to see his beautiful first litter for herself! We are very pleased with how this litter is turning out. 

Judy Descutner & Stephanie Dixon

New Barbet Champion

Congratulations to Leslie Vogt Woodward and Ren (Hickory Tavern Fools Rush In) for finishing Ren's Canadian championship this weekend in Quebec with a Group 2 under judge Mike Macbeth. We are so proud of you!! Ren is 13 months old, and is by GrChEx Flacon d'Paris of Neigenuveaux out of our UKC BIS Nuphar's Gift-Wrapped. Ren is owned by Leslie Vogt Woodward, Lynn Vogt-Kinsey, Michele DeTour and Mary McEneany. Bred by us, Ren is a beautiful girl who is given the best of care by Leslie.

Can Ch Hickory Tavern Fools Rush In

Happy Friday!

Solene's Pink Girl, our keeper :)

Claire's Pups Go Outside

We've had a rainy week but this morning we took the younger puppies outside for a short visit. Claire and Solene supervised the puppies while they explored a bit. These little guys were 4 weeks old yesterday. The time flies!

Chilly weather, but enjoying the outdoors!

The Whole Crowd

Mom Provides Security

Quick Puppy Video :)

https://www.facebook.com/HickoryTavernFarm/videos/1162557540442766/

Claire's Brown Boy

What a cute little guy he is!

Morning Feeding

The puppies are growing so quickly and they enjoy their food. Their meals are hand-fed to help with socialization and reinforcing that people bring them good things!

Solene's Pups at 4 Weeks

Time is flying by! I'm really proud of how these pups are growing. They are so brave when we go outside for a few minutes. They are eating 3 meals a day in addition to nursing from mom. They still sleep most of the time, but when they're up, they are fun!