The French Specialty
In mid August, a large contingent of British people and quite a few dogs make the trip to the French Specialty. The weather is usually very hot and sunny, but not on the whole too hot to enjoy sitting outsidein the evening (preferably with a glass of something pleasant). The whole long weekend has a very social and festive air. The French Specialty takes place over Saturday and Sunday, with the CSAU (Certificat de Sociabilité et d'Aptitude a l'Utilisation), taking place on Friday. The Character Test (Test de Comportement or TAN) is on Friday as well. On the Sunday the sujet recommende selection takes place, where all the dogs graded Excellent and having passed the CSAU and TAN can present themselves to the committee to see if they warrant the title. It is good to know that dogs which were bred in and regularly compete in the UK can do exceptionally well when up against such strong competition. I think it can only be indicative of the quality of Belgians in this country, mainly thanks to some wonderful dogs which have been imported or people taking the trouble to travel with their bitches to best Europe can offer. Perhaps more people will now have the courage to take their dogs to this show since travel into Europe has become relatively simple. It is also great to visit a country where well behaved dogs can come into hotels and restaurants with no fuss. The first multiple times we went to the Specialty was without dogs, because of the quarantine regulations. However, from 2000 it has been possible to use a pet passport. The first Bergeau to attend was Bergeau Tintas JW. He passed the CSAU but it was very hot that year and he did not give of his best in the show ring, gaining Very Good. In 2005 Ch Bergeau Just Like a Rainbow was placed 22^nd passing the CSAU and TAN and Bergeau Northern Lights placed 18^th. However in recent years our placings have been much better, with sr Ch Bergeau Paint with Matisse for Everquest gaining 4^th place and being declared sujet recommende in 2009, Bergeau Flamboyant being placed 20^th and sr Bergeau Dazzled by the Flame gaining 3^rd place and being declared sr in 2011. We look forward to further trips over the next few years.
Ch Bergeau Just Like a Rainbow JW	Bergeau Northen Lights ,		Bergeau Tintas JW
sr Bergeau Dazzled by the Flame		sr Ch Bergeau Paint with Matisse for Everquest
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