When inquiring after the pairing, we were impressed with the herding ability of Nikita and her lines. We knew that pairing that with the drive and workability of Goldorak was going to produce a puppy that would be a fantastic herding partner with stellar conformation. Both dogs are active companions and beloved pets which is exactly what we look forward in Des Vents puppies.
Sovereign aka Nuggy joined the Salley family in Augusta, GA, co owned with Erika Stephens.
Our Journey
Nuggy has grown up wonderfully! Though AKC conformation shows are boring for this busy goof ball, he finished his championship with 4 majors while catching the eye of many breed enthusiasts. He impressed the judges at the 2024 National Specialty and Journee, picking up another major and finding himself in the ribbons consistently.
As we have gotten to know him, we have loved his strong attitude. He is a demanding dog with opinions for the world. He is confident in every new interaction and curious about everything. He consistently offers behaviors (both desirable and undesirable) to try and get his way. He’s a dog that demonstrates just how much personality a beauceron can have.
On stock, he’s kind, but energetic. He requires, and tolerates, minimal micromanagement. He thrives when he understands the goal of the exercise where both parties act as partners to achieve it. His natural talent allowed him and his handler, Robyn, to achieve his Herding Tested title on light sheep after months off from training together.
The sky is the limit with the brain on this boy and we cannot wait to see where he goes.
4 months old
6 weeks old
2 weeks old
Days old
His Parents
“Nikita” Multi Ch. NiƱa Des Bergers Noirs Du Jedi Date of birth January 26th, 2017 Cotation 3, CANT, FCI NHAT, HWT, IHT (Jedi de la Bergerie Delan x Inti Raymi de la Bergerie Delan)
We are in the unique position to say our journey into the world of dogs began together as a team. While we both had pets before, we had never owned higher drive purebred dogs. When we purchased a cane corso together, the drive and structure required to have a happy pet in our home drew us into AKC obedience and rally, opening our worlds into a wonderful new hobby.
In deciding that guardian breeds were not an ideal fit for our home, we began to explore other breeds. Beaucerons became a breed of interest, but it was difficult to get enough experience with the breed to determine if they were the correct choice for us. To gain this valuable experience, we began fostering through the American Beauceron Club Rescue. From the first Beauceron that entered our home, we fell in love. After helping three Beaucerons find their forever homes, we were sure we wanted to add one permanently to our home. As expected, you couldn’t just stop at one! Now, in addition to our three seniors pups, we have three Beaucerons – Nyko, Reaver, and Sovereign. To keep the boys tamed, we are active in many sports including rally, obedience, conformation, and herding.
Leslie would say that our primary contribution to the Des Vents family is my enthusiasm, but I’d like to believe it’s my ability to research. Over the past five years, we have thrown ourselves into understanding pedigrees both domestically and internationally. Through that research, we have helped to expand the pack to include many wonderful dogs from incredibly diverse backgrounds. As we continue to learn, we hope to contribute an understanding of genetics and diversity breeding practices.
Breeding Goals
Currently our household is made up exclusively of males. We believe having a diverse selection of males available will be a valuable resource for the program. Dogs in our household will be well proven both within whatever sports they enjoy and as family pets within a large pack household. While we are currently focused on building and proving herding ability within the program, our loftiest goal is to continue to build drive within our lines while not sacrificing the pup’s ability to exist calmly in the home.
GCH Dissonance Valley of King’s CD RE CGC Date of Birth: April 6th, 2020 (4 years old) (Natchez de l’Ombre Rouge de Phrygie x N’Blue de l’Ombre Rouge de Phrygie) Bred by Mico Ilic of Valley of King’s Kennel
Reaver is owned and loved by Sybil Perry, and Robyn & Leslie Salley. He is primarily based in Ohio, but regularly travels between his adoring owners. We are incredibly grateful to Mico for entrusting this promising prospect with us. His pedigree shows a lot of promise and versatility. He’s shaping up to be a high energy dog that is displaying great drive and focus as he matures. He is much more likely to whine at you to do something than be comfortable lazing on the couch.
Our Goals
Currently, he’s actively training in conformation, obedience, and rally. We have tested him on goats and, while he shows promise, it will not be our focus with him. He will always need a job so we expect him to dabble in a variety of venues to keep his mind busy!
We are excited for his career in conformation given the breed type we currently see and the fluid movement he’s shown through many awkward periods of growth. Judges are already recognizing his quality, despite his young age. With limited showing, he quickly won both of his majors through AKC and his competitions wins through UKC all with a variety of compliments from both competitors and judges. After a long break from the ring, he returned to pick up two more 5 point majors, including a prestigious Winners Dog at the 2023 ABC National Specialty, finishing his AKC Championship (pending AKC confirmation). He finished out his Grand Championship with ease.
Obedience and Rally have been his area to shine as we lay the foundation for a balanced dog and an excellent sport prospect. He began showing in January of 2022 and, in two back to back weekends, finished his RN and CD with all placements in competitive classes. His enthusiastic biddability, ability to chain behaviors, and precision in his body awareness set him up to be a fantastic obedience dog. He is currently training for his CDX while picking up triple Qs for his RACH!
Reaver at the 2023 NS
Notable Accomplishments
Multiple Best of Winners/Best of Breeds at a UKC Show his first day in the USA over competition
1st AKC Major from the 6-9 month old puppy class
2nd AKC Major from the 9-12 month old puppy class
Companion Dog (CD) title with all placements at 21 months old
Completion of RN, RA, and RE titles within 2 months with all Qs, multiple perfects scores, and placements
Winners Dog at 2023 American Beauceron Club National Specialty (finishing his championship)
UKC CH Nocturne of the Ruined King Des Monts Du Lac CDX RE CA CGC RATI HIT Date of Birth March 17th, 2017 (7 years old) (Jeremiah Beowolf des Monts du Lac x Litchi Ruby de la Noe d’Orient) Bred by Eric Vavassori of des Monts du Lac
Health Testing Embark (Notable: carrier for long hair) Good hips Normal elbows Normal heart Normal eyes with breeder note
Size Height: 27.75″ Weight: 86lbs
About Nyko
Nyko is owned and loved by Robyn and Leslie Salley in Augusta, GA. On top of being a wonderful family pet, he also trains and competes in a variety of venues including conformation, obedience, and herding. He is an excellent example of the breed in terms of social stability and personality. We hope, if we choose to use him in the program, that he passes those traits on to his puppies as well as his deep rust color, fluid movement, and trainability.
Nyko has been neutered, but has frozen uses available for only the perfect match.
Robyn and NykoRobyn and Nyko
Notable Accomplishments
Received a rating of “Tres Prometteur” (Very Promising) at the 2017 American Beauceron Club’s Nationale d’Elevage – the highest rating offered in his class
Completed his Rally Novice title at 9 months old
Earned his CD (Novice Obedience) with two 1st places and one 2nd place
Earned his CDX with all 1st places
Comments on Conformation
Nyko’s strongest feature in conformation is his wide, effortless movement. He shows great balance when gaiting and covers ground quickly and efficiently. This is ideal given the intended work of the breed – acting as a living fence around sheep out in the fields. In addition, he has a strong topline and great angles both front and back. His head is correctly proportioned and exhibits strong chiseling. His ear set is correct, with just enough lift to ensure an alert expression at all times. His coat is correctly coarse and thick without being long or heavy, requiring minimal grooming for proper upkeep.
With all of his fantastic qualities, there are areas we would like to improve. His shoulder ties in high on his neck, causing him to hold at the top of the standard even though his topline is a quarter of an inch lower. He has looser flews than is preferred and a lighter mouth overall. While leanness lends itself to the function of the breed, Nyko lacks a touch of substance we would like to bring into the lines.
Overall, he has strong conformation that has been highlighted in short but fruitful show career.
Note: Nyko was out of standard until he reached full physical maturity. When his chest developed, his height dropped almost a half an inch, bringing him barely back into AKC standards for height, but well within the FCI standard.
Comments on Performance
Nyko was a slow bloomer in terms of his drive. As a puppy, he lacked food or toy drive, but worked happily when it was entertaining and he got interaction with his handlers. As he has developed, his drives have blossomed. He learned much of his obedience routines for nothing more than a squeaky ball.
He shows correct prey drive for the breed – happy to chase the plastic bag, but soft with livestock while herding.
His herding instructor continues to be thrilled with the instinct and restraint he shows with the sheep, especially given his size and late start in the sport. Despite his obedience training, he is still able to function independently to make good decisions for moving stock.
Areas of Focus
Nyko is worked most consistently in Obedience. While he also shows in Rally, we find the challenge of classic Obedience to be more our speed. We plan to trial him through Utility – an ambitious plan for a Beauceron who started in the sport at the age of 3 years old. However, his debut for his Novice title gained him two 1st and a 2nd place ribbons highlighting that he isn’t just “finishable”, but is excelling against stiff competition. We followed that performance up with a CDX with all 1st placements, confirming his potential in the sport.
At 3.5 years old, he revisited the herding arena after only a bit of dabbling as a pup. He now trains weekly so both him and his handler, Robyn, can learn more about the sport. He shows great promise and trialing is definitely in his future.
