About
AboutAll about Phoenix
KC Registered Name: Bergeau From The Flames to Everquest
DOB: 21st June 2005
Sex: Male (Neutered)
Breed: Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervueren)
Colour: Red with Black Mask
Hips: Not scored.
Eyes: Unaffected by HC (2008)
KC Good Citizens Award: Bronze
Trained at: Newark Dog Training Club
Listed at:
Phoenix was bred by Dr. Margy Pratten of Bergeau Tervuerens out of the combination of Malory de Condivicnum at Corsini with Lancetti and Bergeau Kindle A Light (Zippy). The litter were given Winnie the Pooh nest names, of which Phoenix was "Eeyore"! Unfortunately, Phoenix and his littermates suffered an early tragedy when their mother, Zippy, died a few days after their birth. The litter were thus hand-reared. This has left the pups with some rather curious behavioural quirks and a high regard for human company. (They're inclined to believe that they are human, after all! Bless them.)
Once old enough, Phoenix left Dr. Pratten's care and became part of the "Everquest" team of Tervuerens. Helen, Dominic and Alex Wetherell & Cassie Grimes became Phoenix's human family, whilst the Belgian boys, Jasper (Kimbesha Jasper), Tial'q (Kimbesha Azurite), and the late and much-missed TC (Corsini Matisse) helped tutor him in the ways of the Belgian. When Phoenix embarked on his conformation-show career not long afterwards, he demonstrated much early success, and even gained a "Reserve Best Puppy in Show" at Newark & Notts Agricultural Show! As Phoenix hit his adolescence, he decided he was not going to grow a coat, no matter how nicely he was asked, so he was out of the show ring for some time. He is now beginning to make a re-appearance at some dog shows, and we're hoping the coat he needs will make an appearance at some point in time!
Grace met Phoenix in summer 2006 and quickly grew a close bond with him. This cumulated in the transfer of Phoenix from the "Everquest" family into shared ownership between Grace and breeder, Dr. Pratten, in 2007.
Phoenix now lives with Grace in Bathley near Newark and goes to agility training at Newark Dog Training Club once a week, as well as doing his silver good citizen's training on Monday evenings at Ichthus. He restarted his show career with a bang in summer 2009 by gaining a "Best Pedigree in Show" at Laxton charity show and by qualifying for the YKC Stakes finals at Crufts by winning the YKC Pastoral stakes at East of England Champ' Show in June 2009! Go Phoenix!
--Character
Phoenix shows the typical traits of a Belgian Shepherd - he's clingy, affectionate and super-smart, but also arsey, crafty and quite stubborn. He tends to think that he's a bigger man than he really is, loves the sound of his own voice, and believes that everyone should share his opinion. He has a great love for puppies and for all canines of the female persuasion (naturally). He is a little selective when it comes to training, of course - some days he's as good as gold, whilst on others one wonders if he's every really been trained at all! But if he wasn't so stubborn he'd be a Border Collie. :)
--Future
Phoenix has now retired from conformation showing and has been castrated. He began his "career" in agility last year and is doing well so far. He enters his first Kennel Club agility show in March 2011 and is aiming to get his Bronze Agility Warrant at the very least and qualify out of grade 1.
Phoenix was born on the summer solstice, June 21st, so his astrological sign could potentially be a Gemini or a Cancer. What's more interesting, though, is his Chinese sign, which is the Rooster, sometimes referred to as the PHOENIX! :D