It allt started in early 1969 when a grammar school problem had parents calling each other to discuss an issue. One of the mothers involved had just become an assistant obedience trainer and heard we had two dogs.
At that time Sue was enrolling Dick and Shadow (a seven month old Miniature Poodle) in the next class. Dick and Shadow did very well in the Sub-Novice class graduating first in the class - bug one bit. On to the Novice class where again the team was first in the class. The instructor coerced Dick to go to a couple of matches where the outcome was not the best; but further coaxing got Dick to enter an AKC Obedience trial where the team earned leg one and was highest scoring Poodle in the Novice A class - bug two bit. The second trial was a fail.
Then came trial three, the birth of the 'Wind up Toy'. Shadow had the situation well in hand and Dick was along for the ride. Lets give the credit to Shadow since Dick did not know what he was doing; he did not know the Obedience Rules and Regulations (at this time, he did not know that they even existed as our trainer never gave him a clue). Well, Shadow was awarded 1st in Novice A and was tied for high-of-day until the last class was awarded and then was beaten by only a half point by another silver Miniature Poodle. The silver tray and big blue rosette was the third bite by the bug. Three bites and you are captive.
At this stage, Sue entered the game with Renee (a three year old Toy Poodle). Things continued to improve with Shadow getting his CD and starting Open training.
Sue needed Novice and Dick needed Open matches before entering AKC shows. At one of the matches, Sue was judged by a very enthusiastic, informative person. After the awarding of the class we talked to the judge and found out that she was training director of Ramapo Kennel Club. The following week we started classes at this club under trainers that talked training, ring procedures, and the AKC Rules and Regulations. Now we were really learning the do's and don'ts.
Dick secured Shadow's CDX and Sue, Renee's CD before the end of April, 1970. Dick was asked to assist in the training class. Time moved fast in the next two years with:
. Renee obtaining her CDX and UD - Renee of Myra UD - July, 1971
. Shadow obtaining his UD - Symons' Silver Shadow UD - April, 1971
. Dick was appointed a sub-novice trainer for this Club.
. Dick was voted to the Club's board of directors.
. Dick and Shadow, and Sue and Renee participated in Dick D'Ambrise's tracking class.
And then we moved to Thousand Oaks, California, and joined the Conejo Kennel Club. Dick started obedience classes there and Sue assisted. Dick was also on Conejo's board of directors. We started our Bermudian jaunts to obtain Shadow and Renee's obedience titles. After three trips, Renee had her Bermudian UD but not Shadow. He liked the travel and signed up for another trip with Sue. Sue was interviewed by the local newspaper after the 3rd show and no passes, but he passed the last two days to complete his UD and what relief! In the meanwhile Sue and Renee flew to the east coast and drove to Montreal with three friends and three other Poodles - Renee garnering her CD in three straight shows.
The remainder of our four years in Thousand Oaks was light showing with the Poodles, a little showing in obedience of our German Shepherd Dog, Missi, Maerchen's Aunumn of Burnrock CDX and a lot of time with our daughters: Beth, Nancy, Juli, and Yvonne. Renee and Shadow had a litter prior to leaving Ramsey, NJ and Michelle, the only survivor of that litter became Juli's special girl. They worked hard and Michelle earned her CDX - a girl with only one eye. The girls were in grammar and high school. Oh, yes, I do remember that we took two trips to Canada to show the Poodles.
Moving was again on the agenda and this time to our current location in Morgan Hill, CA. After another couple of trips to Canada, Shadow and Renee's show career concluded both with Am/Bda/Can UD's. Our lives shifted into a fairly routine operation where we able to enjoy and try to keep up with our children. The three dogs were excellent companions and couch potatoes.
Yes, I do remember the good old days when I could watch a little TV and I was even caught up with my reading. And then early one Sunday morning things started to change. I went to let the dogs out only to find that Missi had bloat. A quick trip to the vet could not save her and within an hour she died. The family was crushed! As much as I loved the Poodles, they did not provide me with the same companionship a medium sized dog can provide.
As poor as my memory normally is, I remembered a nice family that I met on a previous trip to Canada that showed me a lovely medium-sized dog and said "when we get our next puppy, think of a Belgian Tervuren". Her name was Betty Hilton. A quick check of our files found Ann Hilton Storniolo's business card. A phone call, a quick trip to Los Angeles six days later, and we were now in the possession of Ann's last puppy for many years to come, Tammi.
Oh, the breed? Is there any other breed? It was a Belgian Tervuren, a breed that I rapidly became to love, cherish, and respect.
Tammi was an A-typical Terv. She loved everything and everybody under all conditions. Her love of life and people was a rare match as Man's-Best-Friend.
Sue had always wanted a conformation show dog. Ann said that Tammi would be a show dog but not yet. The 'not yet' lasted for three years. Finally, Ann said that Tammi was ready for the breed ring. Since neither Sue nor I knew which end of the dog was to go into the breed ring first, Ann had the honors of showing Tammi to her Championship; and we, her obedience. She did okay in her CD level and learned open well but started having problems jumping. Tammi's obedience terminated when X-Rays revealed a calcium buildup in the rear hips -- too much calcium as a puppy. So ended Tammi's show career and any thought of breeding her.
In the meantime we lost both of our original dogs... Renee and Shadow and we were looking forward to another dog we could love and train.
Even with this major set back, our love of the Terv was now deeply etched in our lives. We went back to Ann for advice. She was aware that Starwind's Kennel had a bitch who was to whelp later in the year and this was expected to be a very fine litter. Sue asked to be considered for a female puppy. Thus Starwind's Jessi Symons came into our lives.
The Salinas / Santa Cruz Kennel Club spring shows were on the agenda when Jessi was six months of age, and Ann asked us to enter Jessi just so she could see her. At Jessi's first show, she took Winners Bitch for two points, and the second day Jeanie Henderson took her in the ring and again took Winners Bitch now for three points. What a start!!! And don't you think Sue was HOOOOOked? But now where? Mensona Kennel Club -- Jessi took Winners Bitch, but only for one point, but she went on to Best of Breed which made it four points. Jessi completed her Championship at Santa Maria Kennel Club with Best of Breed and a Group 4 at the age of 10.5 months (the big working group).
Then came the ugly teenager and the breed ring was a no-no, so Sue launched Jessi's obedience career. By the time Jessi was two years old she had her CDX, and by the age of three years and three weeks, she had her UD. Oh, by the way, in that year she had her first litter of pups.
Now the story gets very complicated. We were showing Jessi along with puppies from the litter: Dixxi, Jeff and Kelli.
The year is now 1987. At the ABTC National Specialty Symons' Treasure Dixxi was selected Sweepstakes Winner. That was a super start for the year and it continued to be great with International showing in Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda. Jessi got our first Terv foreign titles with her Canadian CH and CD, then a Mexican PC, PCE and a High-in-Trial. But, Dixxi was the big winner that year completing her Bermudian CH ahead of her mother and her AKC CH and two CD's. Jeff also picked up his AKC CH and CD.
This is when we learned to be everywhere at all times at a dog show. For two people to run three dogs in both the breed and obedience ring on the same day takes a lot of coordination along with a lot of patience by the obedience judges to schedule us in. We learned the fortitude, flexibility, and desire to please of the Belgian Tervuren -- "Dad/Mom, if you are stupid enough to try it, count us in."
Now into that year, 1988, that we remember so well. Dixxi completed her AKC CDX. Jessi had her second litter of puppies of which we added Jenni to our Treasures. Bermuda trips have always been fun, so we tried again just taking Jessi and Jeff. Jessi was our Bermudian CH of the year and also completed her CDX. Jeff finished his CD. Sights and shopping had to be jammed in between shows which wasn't easy when showing in both conformation and obedience (all day at the shows). Jeff and Dixxi snuck in their Canadian CH/CD's along with Jessi grabbing a CDX. All of the Canadian obedience titles were completed in three shows within two days including two of them being handled in junior showmanship by a friend.
The year of '89 began something new -- HIC. Jessi, Kelli, Dixxi and now Jenni gave us a special day chasing sheep and ducks for their HIC's. Jeff performed beautifully at the ABTC National Specialty for his HIC. Dick completed his first two championships in one day with Tristan and Kelli at San Fernando Kennel Club. Sue wasn't even at the Mission Circuit to see it as she was home with Dixxi waiting to whelp puppies. Later in the year, Sue went to visit Judy Taylor and Wheeler in Canada and while there attended shows in B.C. where Jessi completed her UD in three shows with a first place each time and became a Canadian CH/OTCH.
Dixxi and Jeff accompanied us for a week of fun in Bermuda. Jeff was our star becoming a champion by placing in the group. Jeff also earned his Bermudian CDX. As for Dixxi, oh, she was along for a 'fun-in-the-sun' vacation.
Still in '89 it was time for a new adventure. Jessi, Dixxi and Jeff flapped their paws to Mexico City. The shows went well as Jessi and Jeff completed the INT CH of Beauty but Dixxi was one point short. A couple of UD legs for Jessi and a CD for Jeff rounded out the hectic week. Traveling may be fun, but it sure can be tiring.
The kids were doing other things as well. Both Jessi and Jeff had become multi-group placers by this time and Jeff received an invitation to the Purina Dog Show which was a lovely honor.
1990 began and ended with puppies. Jessi began in early January and Kelli had our wonderful Christmas litter with three girls and eight 'reindeer'. Between the two litters came a few shows. Then Bermuda time was here again. This trip was full of surprises and we came home with three obedience titles, one at each level. Jenni attended her first trials anywhere and completed her CD in three days. Dixxi finally completed her CDX. Jessi amazed us again with a first place for each of her utility legs, coming home the first Belgian Sheepdog to have completed the coveted CH/OTCH. Hats off to Dick for this special accomplishment.
And now out for our newest venture: the States Kennel Club shows were two days after our return from Bermuda. Jessi became the first Belgian Tervuren to become a States Kennel Club champion in California and Jeff earned three of his four certificates.
Our second trip to Mexico City made a 'dream a reality'. It was one of the biggest weeks of our life in dogs. Jeff finished his CDX. Dixxi completed her INT CH of Beauty. But, Jessi was fabulous...!!! On her 1st working day, she passed her Temperament Test which made her a Mexican Kennel Club CH. The second day she passed the International Tracking Test to achieve the title of International Champion - FCI. The third day she passed her last PU - Perro Utilidad leg with another first place. This was Jessi's ninth foreign utility leg and her ninth foreign 1st place in utility. The last day of the show both Jeff and Jessi became a CH of the Americas for 1990. What a trip! What a year!
When we first started in dogs we met a wonderful lady who had a Poodle that had a UD in four countries. Our goal for Jessi was a CH UD in four countries and WE DID IT!!!!!
This year has been a busy one. It began with Dick finishing Benn's CH followed by Wheeler who is a Canadian resident. Meanwhile Jeff became the 2nd Belgian Tervuren States KC champion in California. Dick and Wheeler did well in the Group ring and then Dick and Dixxi made a Group placement. Jenni went to Canada as part of a trade with Wheeler and completed her CD in three shows. What a start for the year!
This little account has quickly covered a 22-year period of the Symons' dogs. Sorry to leave out the stories of our daughters, but you would have been reading for the next week. They did have their doggie activities such as 4-H Dog Care, Junior Showmanship, and obedience -- they all did very well in all of the endeavors that they attempted.
It has been easy for us to write all the good events that have taken place and easy to forget the bad times. We, too, have had some memories (nightmares) -- the dog who relieves itself in the obedience ring; trudging through rain and snow only to fail; showing up late to the group ring. For the experienced exhibitor, we bet you remember these. For the beginning exhibitor, when something goes wrong, you will not be the first nor the last; but may your overall experience in dogs be as rewarding to you as ours has been to us.
We want to thank you for joining us in our journey through a most interesting and enjoyable portion of our lives. For those of you who have helped us in our accomplishments, we extend our deepest gratitude for your guidance. For all of the many new friends that we have met throughout these years, we hope that we have provided you with the same degree of inspiration and encouragement that you have given us.
Kennel Name : Symons' Treasure (not AKC registered)
Titles Earned : More than 100 - Conformation, Obedience, Temperament, Tracking, Herding Instinct, Herding Tested, and Pet Assisted Therapy dogs
Including : CH Starwind's Jessi Symons UDT HT TDI BARX
: CH Symons' Treasure Jeff UDT PT TDI
: CH Symons' Treasure Dixxi UDT HS TDIA
: CH Symons' Treasure Jenni UDT HIC TDI
: Symons' Treasure Franni CD TDI
: CH Symons' Treasure Harbor Light (Toro) CD OA OAJ PT HIC TDIA
: CH CT Symons' Treasure Izzi UD OA OAJ PT HIC TDIA
: CH Symons' Treasure Kurtiss UDT OA OAJ PT HIC TDI
Pups Available : Inquire
Guarantee : All puppies guaranteed via contract
Members : American Belgian Tervuren Club, Ramapo KC (Life Member), Redwood Belgian Tervuren Fanciers, Palo Alto Foothill Tracking Association.
What the Breeder is looking for in his/her dogs?
Our breeding program is based on:
Good temperament - a family friend, companion to children, alert to surrounding conditions, soft mouth, well behaved.
Sound health - Sire / Dam must have OFA no less than Good, CERF passed.
Show quality - We strive to select parent matches that will provide quality offspring.
What does breeder expect from purchaser:
Provide the puppy with a loving home, for the puppy to be considered a household member, a safe and secure environment and normal medical attention.
We expect that all puppies will be shown in obedience and/or tracking and/or herding and/or agility events to the best of the purchaser's ability. We are available to assist in training the owner in conformation/obedience handling and ring procedure.
Also, we expect that all show quality pups will be shown in conformation events. If requested, we will show the dog for the owner.
Return to Table of Contents Last Updated 9/12/7 by Sue and Dick Symons