I grew up with dogs, and did some training with one of my family's crossbreeds, where I met GSDs and BCs, and in fact one of the club members had obedience Class C BCs who were amazing to watch working. So I grew up knowing that when I could have a dog of my own, I wanted a breed I could do things with... so either a BC or GSD.

Couldn't have a dog for many years as it turned out, as I went to live in London but my sister in the meantime had GSDs.

Only 3 years after moving though I met some people who had GSDs and ran a small training club. They invited me to jusdge two novelty classes at their tiny little fun charity dog show and there I met and handled a breed I'd never heard of before, and fell in love - they were Tervuerens, a pair, dog and bitch.

It was hard to find out any information about them pre-internet but I guessed they might be like GSDs (wrong!) although healthier. But every time I looked through dog books or magazines and saw a photo I fell in love all over again, though I was more drawn to the shorthaired version as I don't generally do "fluffy" animals.

That was it really - the more I found out about them the more I knew they were right for me, and I didn't even known how good they are for obedience and agility, for years! I know Merlin's just half Belgian but he takes after his BSD father's side more, and all the Belgian traits he has are the ones I like the best. It's been fun getting to know him and decide which of his little quirks are BC versus Belgian - and I just love the character that Belgians have, they have great personalities.

So I would say that my fate was sealed that day in November 1987 when those serene and elegant Tervs were entered in my class - Dog the Judge Would Most Like To Take Home, even though it was 19 years before I got to take one home for real

A lovely story

I must say DD, because of you I have learnt so much about the Cresties... I had seen them in books etc, but knew nothing about them, but after seeing you and your Mum's fab bunch on here, hey I may even add a CC to Baubee Towers one day in the future, I reckon they could handle the daft setters!!
You really are a credit to your breed hun x

I've always had a soft spot for the Powderpuffs - a small dog, with hair, which is not a terrier and definitely nothing like other companion and toy breeds. Pity they have such a wussy name though....