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Your first litter is always a special one. Sometimes the road winds exactly as planned, sometimes you just have to trust you’ll end up where you need to be. Séance’s first litter has been in the works for over a year. After a failed AI attempt and difficulties traveling to studs of choice, we realized we needed to pivot. We reviewed some of the recommendations from her breeder and realized we had the perfect match for her first litter much closer to home. Happily, we reached out to Kayla about Ohkar for Séance’s first litter.

Pedigree

From a pedigree standpoint, they are a diverse match with many lovely dogs behind them. Diversity is a priority within our program, especially with the expected long term impacts of the importation restrictions.

Of particular note behind Ohkar, we are excited to bring more Aroun and Flash Gordon into our program. They exemplify the balance between beauty and work and have produced wonderfully. Ohkar has passed these traits on in the litters he produced before journeying to the United States.

That same balance is represented throughout Séance’s pedigree, and matches our goals for continuing her lines as well. Homme is an incredible Search and Rescue dog, continuing to work late into his veteran years. Her dam, Lilo, comes from well accomplished bite sport lines. Their mark on Séance is obvious in her zest to work and focus on her stock.

We expect this pedigree combination to bring the balance of rustic French type with the strong focus and work ethic seen throughout their relatives.

Phenotype

From a phenotype standpoint, at a glance you can see how similar they are. Both substantial in build though not overly so for the breed. Their rustic, classic beauceron appearance supports their confidence, bold demeanors.

From Svajonė’s website …

“Ohkar is a substantial male. He has a nice strong topline, though I would like to a little more length of loin. His croup has a sharp slope to it that is undesirable. His tail set and length is nice. He has a nice underline. A correct width and depth of chest. His upper arm is a beautiful length and set. His shoulder is a nice length, but I would love to see just a little more layback; which would help with the appearance of a short neck. He has beautiful tight cat feet. His head is of correct proportions, though he has a slight Roman nose and I’d like to see a tad more underjaw. He has a nice tight flew and a very nice natural ear set. Strong pasterns and correct hocks. The femur is a tad straight and the lower thigh is a tad short. His coat is correct and his markings are desirable.”

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Séance brings her beautiful front assembly to the table, along with a full coat, bright markings, and kind expression. She does lack in rear angulation and turn of stifle, causing her topline can be a bit soft in a stack. That weakness disappears as soon as she’s in motion. Carrying herself naturally and comfortably, as she moves like a dream. She has lovely depth and width of chest, complimenting her overall balance of substance and strength, especially considering she is on the smaller size in height for the breed. We love her coat color and texture, it is correctly weatherproof. Drying quickly even after swimming or working in the rain and mud, it protects her appropriately in her daily life as a homestead dog. Along with her coat color, we love her kind and gentle expression, focused around her dark soulful brown eyes that suit her so well.

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Temperament

In terms of temperament, we were overjoyed as soon as we saw them both together. The match in energy and style was stellar. They get the same look in their eyes when they’re about to cause mischief – making Erika’s job extra fun while she monitored their courting rituals.

While both are willing to alert and move to stand between their bonded people and a potential threat, neither intentionally seeks confrontation from people or dogs, and both are social to new people. Neither is tolerant of rude or pushy behavior from other adult dogs, but with proper introductions do well with appropriate play groups. Both do have some reactivity toward dogs of the same sex, but it is easily managed and both coexist happily with their chosen friends.

They are both goofy and silly in downtime at home. Throwing out an array of clownish behavior when trying to get their way or get away with being a little naughty during training time. Ohkar’s signature move is to flop on his back and roll, Séance prefers to smile and air snap as she play bows. Both enjoy draping themselves across you to cuddle, and taking naps at the foot of the bed or watching me do chores from the couch.

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Séance has a unique personality, often described as intelligent, confident, and bossy. A little aloof when first meeting people, but quickly warms up, throwing her butt into knees and muzzle punching people she loves. You know she likes you when you start getting tackled in greeting. She enjoys independence and thinking for herself in various chores at home and the barn, but also has the versatility to thrive in formal obedience and rally. She is a road trip do-it-all dog, unbiased by trips to major cities, beaches, uncountable rest stops and gas stations, and many hotels, houses, and camping situations. Always taking the environment in stride without a care. Truly our jack of all trades dog, even if she loves to try to throw her own brand of humor into everything.

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While Ohkar has mostly been a spoiled visitor during his extended trip to Ohio, he’s gotten a little bit of training time in as well. Showing a willingness and joy to work, truly so happy to be praised and get a little cookie here and there. Unphased by environmental factors, and always dying to meet all the new people he can for a head pat with a smile. He is a social and bubbly boy, complimenting her more serious and thoughtful attitude beautifully. While we have not worked him on stock directly, he has shown a lot of interest and appropriate reaction to beauceron-savvy goats.

In Summary

As a whole, we expect puppies with a similar phenotype to both of their parents – rustic and substantial without being overdone, with a build suitable for most chores, sports, and family activities. There should be no shortage of outgoing and confident personalities, who share the versatility of their parents.

We are not accepting new applicants for this litter. If you have contacted us before for Séance and have not heard from us, please feel free to reach out.

Health Testing

All des Vents puppy parents will have received their CHIC certifications and have current results on all relevant testing. This means they will have their heart, hips, elbows, and eyes evaluated as recommended by the American Beauceron Club.

Temperament Testing

It is important to evaluate dogs to ensure they are sound and stable. This can be done in multiple venues, but the preferred method of testing for the des Vents family is a French-style temperament test, usually only available once a year through the American Beauceron Club. If access to that testing is not available, testing through the American Temperament Test Society or other venues is acceptable.

Structural Evaluation

A Beauceron is a beautiful dog with a specific breed standard to adhere to. No dog is perfect, but it is important to understand how each dog fits the standard and ensure each dog is structurally sound. To test structure, the preferred venue is a French-style evaluation, same as the temperament test. In addition, we prefer compete in conformation through AKC to earn Championships.

Performance Evaluation

Beaucerons are active, intelligent, powerful dogs. Just like we want to ensure our Beaucerons look like Beaucerons, we also want to ensure they fit the standard in terms of trainability and personality. We require our pairings to have parents who have proven themselves in performances venues through successful training and titling. With the varied goals of the collaboration, we have many venues our dogs compete in. We use this requirement to ensure that they have proven they can not only train at home, but also apply that training in a competitive environment

The Beauceron should be discerning and confident. He is a dog with spirit and initiative, wise and fearless with no trace of timidity. Intelligent, easily trained, faithful, gentle and obedient. The Beauceron possesses an excellent memory and an ardent desire to please his master. 

AKC Beauceron standard