New Website - MileSquareBarbet.com

Today MileSquareBarbet.com launched to replace the TwoSistersBarbet.com blog.  As of July 1, 2011 this blog is officially retired.

Please go to www.MileSquareBarbet.com for current posts.  Thank you for viewing.

A Balanced Life - Sporting Breeds Event

A Clumber Spaniel demonstrates a blind retrieve.

Tug shows us how versatile the Barbet is as a balanced city dog who is still a gun dog at heart.  We routinely give him opportunities to swim, socialize, and get-back-to-nature.  We feel that nurturing the sporting dog in him is important for and contributes to his balanced temperament.

We spent the weekend at the Two-Day Sporting Breeds Seminars in Metamora, MI.  It was a really fun weekend -- friends, dogs, camping ... !  It was great to see Tug's instincts kick in when the shot guns fired.

Tug waits for the guns shot.

We represented the Barbet Fanciers Club of America and met up with friends from the Barbet Fanciers Association of Ontario for the judge education seminars.  We spoke with AKC and CKC judges about the Barbet.  It was educational for us as well.

The highlights for Tug were the water demos and sleeping in the tent.  Tug's lack of technique for the retrieves was made up for by instinct.  When he heard the shot gun he was focused and looking for his mark.  It was really nice that they allowed our inexperienced dog to participate.  His other favorite part was sleeping with my son and I in our little 2-man tent.  For a dog that is not allowed on the furniture it was a rare opportunity to snuggle at night.

Tug retrieves a bumper in Metamora, MI.

I left Michigan inspired and wanting to train Tug (and Shea).  It was clear that Tug loved the "work".  Now I need to do my homework (again) to find a trainer.

Tug gives it a good shake.

Voting Kicked Off for the Hero Dog Awards

Voting began today for the American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards.  You can vote for one dog in each category every 24-hours.  Tug is entered as a Therapy Dog.

Cesar Canine Cuisine will make a donation to the American Humane Association for each vote cast.  It is a great cause that will benefit not only the AHA, but the Finalists' chosen charities.

Tug's chosen charity is the Good Dog Foundation.  They are the therapy dog certifying organization that not only trained us as a therapy dog team, but they also form relationships with hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and other facilities where the teams volunteer.  I appreciate the amazing opportunities that they have given me.

The celebration was covered by Access Hollywood and MTV.

Please vote everyday.

Look for Tug's photo under Therapy Dogs

Click on the link http://www.herodogawards.org/view-entries.html, then sort for Therapy Dogs.  Find Tug's photo to vote for him.

Dog Days of Summer

Tug had an awesome dog day today.  The Lure Coursing was new and while he didn't chase he did have fun.  He also met some amazing Barbet.

Hudson, Tug and the Basenji

Joe and Valerie brought Hudson to the Lure Coursing event following Hudson's Obedience Class graduation.  They didn't get to see Tug "run," but there is a nice dog run at the site with lots of shade and the boys played.  A Basenji joined them for some serious running.

Joe with Tug and Hudson

It was really fun to meet Hudson and to see his owners again.  We first met Joe and Valerie at Meet the Breeds last fall.  They imported Hudson from Holland in January.  It was a quick visit, but given the heat the dogs were seeking water and shade after a little fetch and running around.

After the event we were invited to visit Tug's cousin Tallulah and (Hudson's brother) Ziggy.

Tug with Tallulah and Ziggy

Tallulah (Asta x Cinna) recently turned two.  She's a beautiful girl with soft, loose curls.  She has been such a welcome member of the family that when Fran and Lee's daughter's family decided to get a dog they got a Barbet.  They imported Ziggy in January.  The first thing one notices about him are his striking markings with the white chest and white feet and tail tip, but one quickly sees that his friendly, happy-go-lucky nature is his outstanding feature.  We met Ziggy's family, which was a bonus.

Tug and Ziggy

This was our first puppy play date with these 3-beautiful dogs, but not the last.  It was a really fun day.

Do I Look Like a Sighthound?

First let me say that if you've never been to a Lure Coursing event, it's alot of fun. The course is set over an open area.  The dogs chase a "bunny" which is typically white plastic bags that run along the course.  It is fun to watch the different breeds run.

The AKC opened Lure Coursing to all breeds and mixed breeds in February.  So when I saw that the Big Apple Sighthound Association was having a fun run I thought we should give it a try. Most of the dogs at the fun run were sighthounds, but there were a couple mixed breed dogs, a Doberman, a Border Terrier, and others.

It was a really fun event and the organizers were encouraging and helpful.  If you've never tried this sport and think your dog would like it, find a fun run.  There is NO experience required.  They were even good about explaining how an official run works so it was educational as well.

Our 7-year old is usually quite the shutterbug so he was my official photographer for the event.  (You should see the great shots he's taken of the pallets of cereal at Costco.)  I was looking forward to seeing the photos when we got home.  ;-)  I think he did a nice job.



The course was set up on the other side of the gravel road.  It was in a more or less figure 8.  There were some dogs that didn't pick up the chase on the initial release, but as the "bunny" made the turn and crossed the starting point for the 2nd squared oval they took off.

The sight hounds ran first.  There were Wolfhounds, Ridgebacks, Greyhounds, Whippets, Basenjis, Pharaoh Hounds, Afghans, and a Staghound.  Those dogs were amazing.

Tug followed a Chow Mix (also a first timer) who missed the first loop, but picked it up as the lure passed the starting line.  That dog really moved and looked like he was having fun so I was feeling encouraged.  When he finished Tug and I approached the start.

The Starter described how an official start works and he ran with Tug which is what they do with young puppies to get them started.  Tug being Tug was looking to the Starter and looking to me ... and completely oblivious of the Lure.  I understand that's not unusual for sporting dogs that have obedience training.  He did have fun running up the hill with the man and he was happy to bounce in the grass.  We waited for the Lure to make another pass, but it was not happening.  He was having fun in the grass so they encouraged him to just have fun on the course after all it was a "fun" run.  Tug ran twice, but did not give chase either time.

If you have a chance to try Lure Coursing, I highly recommend it.  Some Barbet do chase.  Here is Alba last November.