I don't know if anybody mentioned it, but the Beauceron amd the Briard have common ancestry and just about identical standards, right down to the double dew claws (judges are required to check them, by the way, and they're supposed to not be just vestigal flaps, but have actual bone). I've had Beaucerons in my handling classes in the past and they are pretty tough dogs. One was entered in an HGH Herding trial I attended last October and didn't do as well as the Shepherds. But, like Shepherds and Briards, they are tending dogs and have to have a steady, ground-covering gait. Steve Barbash **************Ideas to please picky eaters. Watch video on AOL Living. (http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-duffy/ 2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598) ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2007. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - www.showgsd.org ============================================================================