View True's Pedigree

True came into my life at a time when I had suffered the tremendous loss of my previous Belgian Tervuren, Task to cancer. I wasn't planning on getting another terv until the spring of 2000, and would spend a half year looking at what was out and about.

A dear friend Judy Bradley of Chateau de Vie Tervuren, who owned Task's sire, gently informed me about a litter in Connecticut that she thought was nice. The seed was planted.

I thought about it and decided that it "wouldn't hurt to inquire". So I emailed Janina Laurin. She talked about the litter and sent me pictures - just casual puppy shots of them at play - no stacked show shots that I longed for. Okay, so now I was thinking about them a little more. Janina forwarded the pedigree. That was the clincher - a pedigree lined with dogs I'd admired over the last decade, and if I bred tervs, would have proudly incorporated into a breeding program.

Through clicker training from the moment True stepped onto Canadian turf, he was a confident, affectionate boy, with a charisma that shines in whatever he does. The first time he stepped into the show ring at 7 months, he went Group 1st, Best Puppy in Group and Best Puppy in Show! He finished his Canadian championship in 2 weekends. His limited showing career has been nothing less than spectacular, having had 2 other Best Puppy in Show's back to back, multiple 1st in groups, and multiple other group placings and Puppy Groups - all owner handled!

His first weekend in the U.S., as a senior puppy, he gained 5 points - one 3 point major over specials to go Best of Opposite Sex.

In September 2000, just over a year of age, he earned his Canadian Tracking Dog title and also qualified in a Temperament Test. The testor of the TT, Sandy Bingely could not say enough about what an amazing temperament he had, and that she does not come across tervs with such stability.

In the summer of 2001, we ventured to Lake Elmo, Minnesota where he went Best of Winners both days for two 4 point majors! While at Lake Elmo, he also qualified on all 4 AKC agility trials earning 2 legs in Novice and 2 in Novice Jumpers with Weaves, placing in all four classes. He also earned 2 NADAC Novice legs that summer.

That fall, we went to Wisconsin and True earned his American Tracking Dog title. Later that month he completed his AKC Novice Agility title and his AKC Novice Jumpers with Weaves title, qualifying in all and placing in his class.

In December of 2001, True passed the St. John's Ambulance Pet Therapy Test and has now begun visits to an old folks home. On his first visit, nothing phased him - he was nosy - sticking his nose in purses, closets, anywhere. He would try to scam sandwiches from the residents, showed off his repetoir of tricks, and pulled from room to room to make new acquaintances.

The weekend of June 15 & 16, True qualified in 3 of 4 NADAC trials in Duluth MN to complete his Novice title.

On June 21 to 23, 2002, True won 3 Group 1sts and our very first BEST IN SHOW at the Argus Kennel Club show in Thunder Bay, ON. Having been shown on a limited basis this year, he has 4 First in Group, 4 Second in Group, and 2 Fourth in Group. He also placed in Group in our September show.

True was entered in a second obedience trial in November of 2002. Due to injuries from a vehicle accident (an accident that True was also in, but crated and uninjured - thank goodness!!!) I could not handle him, and he was handled in the trial by a very good friend, Cindy Slongo. With her expertise, and True's excellent workmanship, he not only won first in Novice B, but also earned a High in Trial!

True was the #4 Belgian Sheepdog in Canada in 2002.

True began 2003 with 2 Group 3rds at his first show in February. He is, and has provided me with the support much needed to continue working at my recovery and rehabilitation. In March, we qualified in all four obedience trials, earning his Canadian Companion Dog title with 3 legs to spare. The evening before the trials, he won a High Score in Match with a score of 197. He placed 2nd in his class in one trial, and earned High Aggregate Score of a K-9 Studio Student/Instructor, High Aggregate for a local kennel club member, and High Aggregate for a Belgian Tervuren. Overall a very successful weekend!

In the Argus Kennel Club Show in June, a six show weekend, he won the breed 5 times, and earned a 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th in Group expertly handled by Trish McGonigal for these placements - I managed to handle him through to Best of Breed. I could not have asked for more from a great dog and my very dear friend.

In September 2003 a photo of True performing Urban Tracking was featured in a story in the AKC Gazette titled "Dog Day America" and later that month at the Thunder Bay Kennel & Training Club Tracking Test, True earned his TDX title with a flawless performance of his tracking.

True was the #4 Belgian Sheepdog in Canada in 2003.

In November 2003, he earned his first Open leg, and in March 2004, passed all four Open trials, completing his Companion Dog Excellent title!!! with scores of 192.5, 195.5, 193 & 195, placing 2nd in his class twice, and 3rd in his class twice. With each step, he exuded his love and willingness to work and please.

True was the #3 Belgian Shepherd Dog in Canada in 2004.

2005 has continued with more True success. Earning his American TDX at the Croix Valley Tracking Club trial in April, he was the only dog of 6 to qualify. It was a very important test for both him and I, since I travelled with only him to River Fall, Wisconsin, and managed to get there and not get lost! His articles were rather unique: article #1 bra, article #2 panties, article #3 sock, and of course, article #4 a glove!!

He earned another Best in Show. multiple group placements, more CDX legs as "extras" and began serious work in VST.

True's energy and sportsmanship continue to make him the exceptional pet and performance companion. Once again Janina, thank you for the belgian beast.