1st Setember 1990 to 10th January 2001

Enjoy your new life at the Rainbow Bridge

copyright Susan Harper

Hip score 6:6
BVA/KC "Unaffected" CPRA certificate throughout his life.

Sparky arrived when Delle and Gill, his breeders, offered him to me as they were unable to get him to many shows and knew that his quality was such that he could do very well, if campaigned. He took a while to settle and it was not an easy task but it was well worth while. If only he could have grasped the concept of standing still and not fidgeting he could have won a lot more in the show ring. His breeding combined the famous Desamee and Farouche lines, incorporating as his grandsire Oukhase de Mille Poils who was a prominent sire both in Europe and during his short time in England.

 
Champion in England and Ireland

Sparky attained both his British and Irish Champion titles, making Briard history as the FIRST Briard ever to achieve this accolade. He was also the FIRST Briard to be honoured as an Irish Annual Champion, which he achieved in 1997.

Even when a veteran he was still winning at top levels.

 
Into the new millenium - 2000

On 20 February 2000 Sparky was Best Dog, Reserve Best in Show, and Best Veteran in Show at the Briard Association Open show. What a lovely start to the new millenium.

He was declared Top Veteran 1998, 1999 and 2000
(courtesy of British Briard Club points) and 2nd top black dog 1999, a big achievement for a nine year old dog to still be competetive enough to beat the youngsters.

 At nine years of age Sparky was 1st in Briard Veteran Dog at Crufts 2000, and took the Dog Green star and CACIB at the St Patricks Day show in Ireland a week later. He won RCC at Working & Pastoral Breeds of Wales 2000, RCC at WELKS 2000 and Green Star & CACIB at Combined Canine IKC show. In June 2000 he was Reserve Best Dog at the British Briard Club Open show where he was also Best Veteran in Show. At Three Counties Show 2000 he won RCC, and he was BOB (no CCs) at South Wales Championship Show in July 2000. His last appearance in the show ring was on 3rd December 2000, aged ten years, at the British Briard Club show where he was placed 2nd in Open Dog.

He won a total of 7 CC, 13 RCC , 24 Green Stars, 2 CACIB and 1 Reserve CACIB.

Sadly he became ill in 2000. Despite rallying round several times he was unable to fight the infection and, still proud and dignified, drifted away at home on 10th January 2001. God bless.

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© Jane Paradise 2003