In Memoriam
DEBUCHER JAROMIR †
27/11/1996 - 16/12/2011
On a very sad note I have to report that I decided to put Debucher Jaromir to
sleep on 16th December just three weeks after his 15th Birthday. I did not feel
it fair for him to lose all dignity as he was such a noble hound, and he was
beginning to become very confused. It came so soon after the death of his
daughter Barbara Milton's Debucher Utopie the week before.
A great stud dog, whose progeny live on. In 8 litters he produced Ch Ravensbeech Bayeux and Ch Gairside I'm Still Waiting, as well as Debucher Tete- a-Tete the dam of Ch Wilmit Braconnier de Debucher, amongst many other fabulous puppies.
Jaro was shown as a youngster, but because he had a very heavy coat, which was difficult to maintain in "show" condition, his kennel mate for 14 years Ch Debucher Le Barbu went out to fly the flag, whilst he stayed home and watched over the ladies! A truly lovely dog, the image of his sire Dutch Champion Flambeur du Roc de Deymier, he was a house dog after the death of Barbu in April this year, and was loved by us all.
A great dog, missed terribly by me, it is hard, as he was the
last of the 4 old boys Dehra Esperance,
Nireau du Barbillot des Maladieres and Barbu who all reached 14. and all of whom
I lost in the last 16 months.
He was loved by us all
DEBUCHER WISPA †
3/3/2000 - 28/11/11
There is sad news of the death of "Wispa" from Hilary Cole to
whom she had been a constant companion since 2007,
Wispa’s mother was Debucher Lyrique the litter sister to le Barbu and her father
Jaclin Golfinger a Flambeur du Roc de Deymier son.
She gave me three litters, the first of which produced Ch/Aust. Ch Debucher Picobello and the second of which amongst others Debucher Creme Brulee who herself has produced some wonderful progeny, many of whom are in Scandinavia hunting as well as showing and recently 2 of her daughters flew to the USA. Her third litter to Ch Debucher Savoir Faire produced only two lovely bitches, and then she retired to my friend Hilary Cole who, having given homes to retired PBGVs from me for several years, had recently lost Isa des Rayes de Larps a GBGV from France I had imported, who had consolidated her love of the GBGVs also. Hilary is bereft, as she told me of such a lovely bitch of a sweet undemanding nature. Her friend Debucher Zinnia (PBGV) is missing her already.
Wispa has gone hunting!
DEBUCHER MALGRE TOUT †
22/11/2002 - 3/5/2011
(DEBUCHER XTROVERT - DEBUCHER LIBERTINE
The sad news of the death of "Monty" at the relatively young age of 8 ˝ came from Connecticut USA where he had lived for 6 years a much loved part of the King family. Monty was a very successful puppy and young male in the show ring, often winning reserve Best Dog behind his uncle "Barbu"... Sadly we discovered when he was two that he was sterile and as the King family in America had contacted me for a male to join their two pet males a Bernese Mountain dog and Golden Retriever as a much loved addition, he went off to live out his days in their lovely family home.
He had been limping on one foreleg and X rays had shown nothing and with pain killers rest and separation from the other dogs, seemed to improve, four weeks on, however, the limp returned and X rays this time revealed a tumor and also the spread of the cancer into his lungs and bones. The decision was made not to continue treatment. As he was only 8, the King family are devastated to lose him as they put it "halfway through his life".
They loved him dearly
CH/DUTCH CH/GER CH/
DEBUCHER LE BARBU †
20/2/1997 - 6/4/2011
"Barbu" was put to sleep today after a severe stroke. Fortunately, I was with him and able to keep him peaceful in his last moments.
Barbu was not just a great show dog but an endearing character at home. He put the GBGV on the map in the UK. He won Best in Show at the "Winners" Show in Amsterdam in 2000 becoming a Dutch Champion. He was subsequently Top Hound and no.7 All Breeds in the UK in 2001 winning 3 Hound Groups. He returned to Europe and became a World/German and European Champion also winning Best in Show at Hannover. In 2003 he was Reserve Best in Show at the "Winners" Show in Amsterdam, I believe this is the only time a dog has achieved these two awards.
He was the kindest dog with a brilliant attitude and willing to please both at home and in the ring. Top Grand Basset for 8 years, he also won Best of Breed five times at Crufts. He became the first UK GBGV Champion winning his first CC at Crufts under Jessica Holm and subsequent two from Zena Thorn Andrews and Mark Cocozza at 9 years of age!
He loved running in the woods but never strayed far from me. His best friend for 14 years was Debucher Jaromir who is still with me and missing his old friend . " Jaro" has now come into the house and is with "Sophie" Debucher Sauve Qui Peut, Barbu’s grand daughter, who won the first bitch CC at Crufts with him in 2006.
His legacy lives on but to me he is completely irreplaceable. Vivien Phillips
NIREAU DU BARBILLOT DES MALADIERES †
16/5/1997 - 4/10/10
It is with sadness that I had to put Nireau to sleep to prevent further suffering. He was 13 and a half. Nireau came to my kennels in 2001 from France via Holland where he had already produced some lovely progeny in two litters. He was quite shy and nervous when he arrived but soon became one of the gang and loved his life as a very good stud dog! He sired 25 litters here and from his last two ( one out of Debucher Idylllique) Debucher Milord became the first Australian GBGV champion owned by Darrell and Debs Matthews and from his last litter the Makey's Gairside Sans Souci (out of Ch Gairside I'm Still Waiting) who gained her first CC and BOB at Driffield on 2nd October.2010
Fortunately, I have 5 of his daughters Debucher Gitane. Zsa Zsa, Creme Brulee , Willow and Folie. Other than Willow who sadly had to be speyed, they have all produced good progeny so his line lives on here.
Although deaf and then blind, Nireau coped very well round the garden such was the power of his nose, he always knew when I was arriving with his meals! In the last few weeks though he became very unsteady on his feet and I felt it was better for him to go before he lost all dignity and was unable to get up (albeit very slowly) onto his feet at all. He is buried in the woods here and hunts now with all the other BGVs including his arch enemy Bear!
A great noble hound who leaves a huge gap here.
DUTCH CHAMPION FLAMBEUR DU ROC DE DEYMIER
9/10/90 - 20/6/03
It is with great sadness that I have to announce the death today of "Flambeur"
I made the decision to put him to sleep to avoid further suffering he was 12 ˝ .
I first saw him at 18 months at the Nationale d'Elevage in France in 1992 and Jolanda Huisman and I decided to buy him as Yves Audouy his
breeder decided to sell him to us.
He went to Holland for a year and became a Dutch Champion before I brought him though quarantine in 1993.
In 1994 he arrived in the UK Show ring and was shown in Imported Register where he became top Imported Register all breeds and Top Imported Register Hound for two years, only to be succeeded by his son Dehra Esperance de Debucher from his first litter born September 1994
Flambeur is behind so many winning GBGVs in the show ring today, but apart from that he was the most beautiful Hound with a wonderful steady loyal character.
EFFICACE DU ROC DE DEYMIER
†
14/7/89 - 22/8/04
Efficace was born at the famous Roc de Deymier kennel owned by Yves Auduoy. Through the help of Jolanda Huisman Nick Frost and I were able to buy her at the Nationale d'Elevage in 1991. She was 2 years old. When I was at the French Nationals this year it was once more at Les Riceys and I well remember sitting outside in the courtyard with Yves and Jolanda and Nick 13 years ago, and Yves talking softly to Efficace in french telling her she would be fine and would go to a wonderful new home. It still brings a lump to my throat when I think of it now. She travelled back to Holland with Jolanda who eventually took her to Eros des Erondes de Peussefier a beautiful hound back in France. When in whelp she was brought through quarantine and produced 6 puppies. Tragically they died at 2 weeks old of an unknown virus and being in quarantine there was little anyone could do about it. It could have spelt the end of GBGV in the UK. We had already lost 2 out of the 4 pups born in 1989 and the cost of quarantine and the obvious risks involved in bringing bitches in whelp through, meant that we had to rethink the future of the breed in the UK.
I decided to "go for it" and brought "Effie" through after another 5 months. She was very quiet and shy at first but in time learnt to trust me and loved hunting in the woods. When in 1994 Flambeur du Roc de Deymier came to us and they shared a kennel, they became like Darby and Joan and when Flambeur died in 2003 Efficace became a "house" dog which she took to with amazing ease!
Effie produced 5 litters in the UK. Her first to Billy Joe Peterstown a dog born in quarantine (Dampierre du Greffier du Roi - Halou Baba du Greffier du Roi. This produced the Dehra "C" litter. She then was mated to a new import Qu-Pid du Greffier du Roi and because of the lack of males in the UK at the time produced 3 litters to him. Dehra "D" "F" and the first Debucher Litter. Her last litter and probably her best was to a young dog who had come into the UK via the Balai Directive Bien Fait Du Greffier du Roi. There were seven puppies one of whom is Dutch/German Champion Debucher le Barbu. Two of the bitches from this litter Debucher Lyrique and Debucher Libertine are behind some of the top hounds in the UK today.
In the early hours of Sunday 22nd August, 2004 Effie died in her sleep. She was 15. She had become quite frail but still managed to trot around the garden and demand a biscuit last thing at night. She was a gentle soul with no malice in her whatsoever. She was never any trouble and never had a sick day in her life.
She is buried next to Flambeur in the Ashridge Woods.
Bien Fait du Greffier du Roi †
9/4/95 - 22/5/07
Sadly I have to report that Bien Fait du Greffier du Roi was put to sleep on 22nd May, he had been unwell for a couple of months since having major surgery to remove his spleen. At 12 years old he was still a great dog with a very strong character. He had lived with my Kennel Manager Helen for the past 4 years and had taken part in obedience with her at many local events.
Bien was the first BGV to come into the UK under the Balai directive in 1996 at the age of 10 months and burst onto the show scene with great success. His first litter in February 1997 to Efficace du Roc de Deymier produced Ch Debucher le Barbu and subsequent litters have give us many good hounds to carry on his blood lines including Debucher Creme de la Creme at Gairside, Debucher Idyllique Wilmit Braconnier de Debucher Wilmit Bobette and Bonnie. Holmchappell Hellion Melanter Grantully at Melwarrior. His grand daughters, Holmchappell April Fool, Debucher Wispa and Debucher Faites Vos Jeux have produced CC winning progeny.
His memory lives on here at Clipperdown
Jolanda du Hamel de la Renaudie †
Some sad news of the death of Jolanda du Hamel de la Renaudie who I imported as a puppy through quarantine nearly 15 years ago. Jolanda lived here at Clipperdown and produced 4 litters. Her sons Debucher Jaromir and Debucher Xtrovert have been two of the most important stud dogs in the breed over the past 12 years. Jaromir producing bitches like Debucher Utopie and Debucher Tete a Tete and Xtrovert was the sire of Ch Debucher Picobello and Ch Debucher Savoir Faire amongst others.
One of her daughters Debucher Delicate who now lives with the Makeys is still doing well in the show ring. Jolanda spent her last few years down in Devon with a lovely couple Nick and Karen and was known as Sand Maiden because of her habit of rolling in the sand on the beach every day.
She brought great joy wherever she was.
DEHRA ESPERANCE DE DEBUCHER "BEAR"
†
3/9/94 - 6/8/09
Just after midnight on 6th August I put "Bear" to sleep.. He would have been 15 on 3rd September. He was blind but very much still with it. But possibly due to a stomach tumour he torsioned and I was so glad I was there to help relieve him of any pain as quickly as possible. Bear came out of the first litter produced by Dutch Champion Flambeur du Roc de Deymier in the UK and his dam Bien-Venue at Dehra was born in quarantine from the second litter in the UK. He became a house dog early in 1995 because of his amazing temperament and intelligence and had his own chair in the sitting room, as many guests discovered!
Bear was top GBGV in 1996 and 1997 and won the first Best In Show twelve days after the Grands came off the import register on 1st January 1997. He was also the first GBGV to win a BOB at an all breeds championship show at Birmingham National 1997 under Zena Andrews. Bear sired some very good litters and his grandchildren are still winning in the show ring as are their progeny. Two of his grandsons Ch Debucher Savoir Faire and Ch Debucher Picobello were successful show dogs and have produced well.. In my opinion for size ( 42 ˝ cms) and construction he was one of the best GBGV I have ever owned, with a glorious head and good coat. He did however have a very low boredom threshold and his idea of showing was one quick triangle, but standing still was not really on his agenda!
Bear had been shot at by a farmer as a 2 year old and to this day was full of pellets! He had driven us all mad by insisting on sitting out in the rain, snow and hail, rather than lower himself by sitting inside a kennel during the day. He was top dog here until the end after his father died, and was well loved by all who knew him.
A truly great dog to have known.
Ch Jomil Zadok (Ch/Dk Ch. Salto de Crislaure of Morebess - Jomil Reverie)
1987 - 1998 †
Cedric’s sire Ch Jomil Zadok a dog full of joie de vivre who was a delight to own. He sired many very good puppies. Ch Dehra Ypres of Bondlea, Ch Anoroc Eire at Dehra, Ch Anoroc Tempo at Dehra, Ch Tangaer Creme Caramel, Ch Halistons Dameret, Debucher Gipsy and Helensfield Orateur de Debucher amongst them.
These dogs produced in their turn excellent type and soundness.
His spirit lives on her at Clipperdown and in many PBGVs alive today
Photo by Diane Pearce.
CH. DEHRA LALIQUE †
21.9.88 - 24.1.2003
(CH. JOMIL RIGOLO - VARON ULEMA)
On January 24th 2003 my lovely "Lalique" died. I was so glad that I was with her and that it was she who decided when it was time. She was really fit up to the last couple of months although old. She wore a bell on her collar so that I could find her at night when she went on one of her adventures!!! She had been a house dog for the last 3˝ years of her life but stood in a kennel and barked until she was fed every morning.
Lalique had several litters. Her first by Ch Jomil Zadok produced Ch Dehra Ypres who in turn sired litters producing Champions. She had 2 litters by Ch Galant des Ajoncs de L’Aulne from which I retained Dehra Oleine who won 2 Reserve CCs but sadly never had a litter. Her litter sister however Dehra Oisive was the dam of the Dehra "Y" litter which included Champions Dehra Yorrick at Pommeraie, Ch Dehra Yasmine at Sweetdean and Am. Ch.Dehra Yo Yo who went to the USA with Nick Frost and has been very successful both as a show dog and sire.
Her progeny live on, but here at Clipperdown we have the memories of a truly wonderful bitch. A typical PBGV.
Naughty, lively and full of herself but beautiful even as she grew older. She was still winning in the ring at 12 as a veteran.
Ch. Debucher Mioche †
April 1998 - June 2008
Mioche was the son of Helensfield Orateur de Debucher and Dehra Eminence.
The litter was born just before I was leaving for an AGM and I remember being so pleased that "Jo" his dam had decided to whelp in the early hours, so allowing me to leave after the 7th and last puppy was born. He and his litter sister Debucher Mange Tout had a successful show career as youngsters, but it was Mioche who went on to win his first CC as a junior under Sandy Mackenzie and subsequently his 2nd under Linda Lewis and won the 3rd from Phil Freer. In all he won 8 CCs.
He sired some lovely puppies and only last year several people commented to me that some of the soundest PBGVs in the ring at the BGV Club Championshipshow were his progeny. At 8 years of age, Mioche went to live with a lovely couple in Milton Keynes as a friend for their cross breed who was missing his pal who had recently died. These two boys got on well and had some wonderful walking holidays throughout the UK.
I was lucky to be able to "borrow" him for occasional stud work and it was
always lovely to see him again. Sadly he appeared unwell on 2nd June and during
exploratory surgery to check on what appeared to be a bowel obstruction, a large
tumour was discovered near his pancreas. Mioche was put to sleep to avoid any
further suffering.
Mercifully, he had not lived through a long illness.
A super character, easy to show, easy to live with, he died too young.
Ch Debucher C'est Ca †
August 1995 - December 2009
C'est Ca was the son of Ch Jomil Zadok & Hamanda des Rives de la Garonn
"Cedric" first made his appearance into the show ring at the BGV Club open show in 1996 under judge Linda Lewis where he won best puppy and continued to gain more such awards finishing as top puppy that year along with a Reserve CC at Houndshow along with BP under Geoff Place (Ivelsyde).
At Crufts 1997 he won his first CC under Judge Barbara Dunbar ( Maquisard) who awarded him BOB he then finished a fantastic day by winning the Hound Group under Judge Jean Lanning. In 1998 he became the first Debucher Champion ( CCs from Geoff Place and Jean Lanning) and despite many offers I had no intention of selling him and he himself produced very good progeny including Champions Debucher Farandole and Debucher N'Importe Quoi. In 2003 Cedric went to live with great friends of mine Annette and Tommy Tucker who already had his mother as a house dog and who lived ten minutes away so I was still able to be part of his life . After Hamanda died Cedric's daughter Debucher Encore Une Fois "Encore" joined him in 2006 and earlier this year her daughter Debucher Kerfuffle also became part of the household. Together they hunted every day with Tommy in the Ashridge Woods often returning with a rabbit or two!
Sadly in recent weeks Cedric became too slow to join them on their walks and on 21st December we all made the decision to put him peacefully to sleep. He is buried here at Clipperdown near his father and many more of the hounds who have lived and died here over the years. Like his father Zadok, Cedric was an incredibly happy little dog throughout his life and even though he was old, could still trot along with that happy gait that made him such a favourite in the show ring.
We are all devastated by the loss of such a wonderful friend and character.