From our owners

I’m deeply grateful for these families’ trust and for the lives they share with our dogs. Mike describes Sisu’s wonderful demeanor with his two young boys. Steve describes staying in regular contact with me almost three years after bringing Rikku home. These are the everyday outcomes I care about: a dog who fits your life and a relationship you can continue to rely on. Read their experiences in their own words below.

Cat Noble-Nichols & Asano

The working partner and adventure buddy she hoped for.

Questions and answers in Cat’s own words

Why did you decide to commit to JDV?

I got my first Beauceron from another breeder and had a great experience, but I knew I wanted a really big, nice boy. I’d had the chance to meet a couple of JDV dogs and loved their temperament. After our first phone call, which went over an hour, I knew you were who I wanted a puppy from. I really liked your perspective and how you approach your breeding, and having met your dogs, I could see that everything you talked about is what they represent.

How does he compare to what you anticipated and what Angie described?

He’s exactly as you described, and I’m even happier with him because he’s more drivey, confident, and forward than I’d hoped for. That’s made protection work and detection work really fun with him.

How has your communication and relationship compared to what you hoped?

I love it. One of the most important things to me in a breeder is being able to say “oh, that’s interesting, I actually think this” and have a real discussion about it. I’ve had that with you, and I’m really happy with our relationship.

How well did Angie prepare you before taking him home?

Super well, especially with ear posting. I struggled a lot with that, and the support was there before I even brought him home. I really appreciate direct feedback and that’s what helped us get through the ear posting stage!

How is he away from you, in public, at work, and around other dogs?

He’s amazing. He’s traveled across the country with us and comes on work trips with me sometimes. My coworkers are obsessed with him. He’s crate trained and has no separation anxiety at all.

The one thing he’s struggled with is excitement around other dogs. At his first scent work trial when he was young, he was so over-aroused that I knew we needed to work on neutrality, and we’ve put a lot of work into it. He’s much more neutral in public now. He runs with a pack of adventure dogs and gets along with everybody, including another young intact male, and he’s obsessed with my other Beauceron. He and my male, Meatball, sometimes have standoffs because they’re both dominant boys with opinions, but it’s easily managed and something we keep training on.

Is he relaxed and social when you are, and appropriately discerning?

Yes. He’s relaxed and social when I am, but he’s aloof with strangers, which I love. I’ve never been an “everyone pet my dog” person, and unless I tell him “hey bud, this is good,” he isn’t overly friendly or exuberant. Definitely not a golden retriever personality.

How is he with children and loud noises?

He’s amazing with kids, which surprised me because we don’t live with any. Whenever he’s around them, he adjusts his play style and is super sweet and gentle. In May, he came with me for a week to watch my nephew and was the best little nanny dog. We had the best time. Loud noises don’t faze him. We lived on base near a shooting range for a while and he couldn’t have cared less.

How is he loose in the house?

He’s a sweet boy and loves to snuggle. We’ve trained a solid off switch, so he can chill in the house, and he’s crate trained if I ever need to put him up.

Does he enjoy the activities you enjoy?

That’s the best part about him. He’s our adventure buddy for hiking, backpacking, ski touring, running, and anything else you can do in Alaska. He’ll go anywhere and try any sport I want. He’s also been a lot of fun to try conformation with, since I had no experience there, and he’s gorgeous.

Anything you would do differently with your next?

Not much. I let him develop drive earlier before putting obedience on him, and I’d keep that.

How can Angie support you better?

I don’t think you can. Anything I ask, I get an answer to, and I really appreciate the personal relationship we have outside of dogs. I’m excited to see his future in your breeding program and learn more along the way about pairing/genetics/etc!

Anything else?

He’s very goofy. My female is very serious when she’s working, but Asano is still a goofy boy. In scent work he’ll be on the hunt, then spot his friends on the sideline and decide he needs to go say hi to his besties. I think some of that will mature as he does. Overall he’s an amazing dog, and I’m so grateful he was the one matched to me. I adore him and wouldn’t change anything about him.

— Cat Noble-Nichols, owner of Asano

Share your life with JDV

To our owners: thank you for loving these dogs and sharing my passion and stewardship of this breed. I would love to hear what you treasure about your dog, how your match has worked in daily life, and what our relationship has meant to you.

Share your experience, photographs, and videos

Answer whichever guided questions speak to you. Tell me about your dog’s personality and beauty, family life, adventures, work and sport, puppy development, ear-posting coaching, ongoing support, or a difficult moment we worked through together. Specific memories are more helpful than polished praise. Honest suggestions are welcome too.

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Explore our partnership · Get to know our family · Celebrate our dogs and owners’ accomplishments

During placement discussions, I can explore an introduction to an owner with similar goals, with their permission.