Announcing the following litters on the West Coast    

"O'Neil" X "Cami" (planned for Spring, 2010)

"Titus" X "Jordan" (planned Winter/Spring)

"Jack" X "Cayenne" (planned Winter/Spring)

Scroll down for more detailed litter information.

First, a true life story:

I am currently a target for the State of California, specifically the State Board of Equalization (also known as the TAX COLLECTION branch) because of my willingness to be a representative for Belgian Malinois.  The state claims they have determined I am "engaged in the business of selling animals".  They want me to report any sales tax on the sales of such animals, and have advised me that if I should purchase any animals from out of state, I must also pay a tax upon them.  Failure to pay such taxes will subject me to penalties plus the taxes.

Let it be known that they went to some effort to TRACK ME DOWN because their letter states that I was picked from "information obtained from the AKC website" which has never mentioned my address or location, only my email and website.   My website likewise does not mention my address (because of increasing hostile legislation aimed at dog owners).  The state used the AKC info to then pursue me through our breed's parent club, the ABMC, where they were able to find my address (which has since been removed).

I believe the state did this because I have been an outspoken opponent of mandatory spay/neuter legislation and against breed-specific legislation aimed at banning specific breeds of dogs. Why else?  I have never produced even one litter of dogs (or any other animal) with my name on it, I have not bought a dog within the past 20 years (since Sushi) and I've NEVER sold one!  I have co-owned dogs with my name upon them, but before they were bred, I removed my name from their ownership record, and I've placed probably 50+ dogs through rescue, (none of which were ever related to me or anyone I knew) but none of them had my name on them, either. Therefore, the state can't say that this information came from AKC records-no such records exist with my name upon them.  In this time of budget crisis for our state, I find it appalling to think there is someone whose sole job is to spend time, effort and money harassing people such as myself, who have done NOTHING but are willing to speak out against unfair legislation and are proud to love dogs, and share that love and knowledge with others. Rest assured, if I did breed, sell or buy dogs, I would list the results of such on my taxes as any other itemized expense.  If you wish to know more about these issues, please see my links page, but I'll finish this by saying that if the breeding of dogs by responsible, ethical breeders (such as the people you will find me listing here on my website) becomes an illegal activity, who will you get your next family dog from-a criminal, a puppy mill?

Now, about Puppies:

I am a member of the AKC Breeders Referral List for Belgian Malinois and a member of the ABMC Breeders Code of Ethics Committee as well as a Ethics Code signer.  I am an Agility competitor and instructor, and teach a weekly Puppy Headstart class for puppies between 8-18 weeks of age.  I enjoy helping people determine if a Belgian Malinois will be the right dog for them, and to locate a reputable breeder if they need one. To best help you, please send me an email or call me, and include the geographical location of the world where you are located so I can put you in touch with people nearest you. I work, I'm a parent and wife, and have a full active life, so I may take a few days to respond, feel free to harass me!

While I think Belgians are amazing, they are not the right dog for everybody, and helping you to determine if a Belgian (of any coat type) is going to suit your life is the first crucial step. After that is determining what your goals are, and helping you obtain the best dog that will meet those goals. I feel strongly that our breed's Rescue Groups can provide people with wonderful dogs!  Many people think they need a puppy to properly bond with it, to teach it everything from the beginning, to create the dog that they want.  They still believe the (false) saying "you can't teach an old dog new tricks".  Belgians desperately want to bond to a person, and when they have lost their "person" (often through no fault of their own-death, divorce and a tough economy can hardly be blamed on the dog!) they are lost and searching for their next person they can fasten their hearts onto.  Not just anybody, only the "right" person for that dog, but that match can happen regardless of the ages of the people and dogs involved.  An older dog has many advantages over a puppy, such as:

• typically already housebroken and past the terrible "teething" stage
• often with some basic obedience and/or training
• usually immediately capable of enjoying a vigorous lifestyle (a puppy cannot run, jump and sustain heavy activity for its first 2 years, or until growth has stopped)
• capable of focusing intently and concentrating for longer periods than a puppy
• able to learn what you want to teach, and able to love you wholeheartedly!

Before you turn away from Rescue and the wonderful dogs there, at least contact them and see what's available.  Websites can be outdated-call someone and make sure they know of your interest.  Remember that any dog you get from Malinois Rescue can be shown in all the competition events (except Conformation) and even registered with the AKC with an ILP#. If you've set your heart on a puppy, than still please consider Rescue-several times a year we are innundated with newly whelped litters (usually from a pregnant momma who has been given up to us) and they all need homes.  Until your puppy arrives, consider fostering a "lost soul" to get yourself into practice for your future bundle of Belgian energy.  Even going through a breeder, it can take several years to get the dog you might want.  Most breeders don't breed a lot of litters, and may have a long list of potential buyers.  Don't get discouraged if you hear there are 20 people ahead of you-10 people may get dogs from somewhere else, and the bitch may whelp a large litter, and suddenly, you're there!  Also, find several breeders you like and maintain communication with all of them, as things get closer, you'll start to get an idea about where you stand and if you are in the running.  Finally, be patient.  Puppies aren't twinkies-they're not mass produced, known quantities.  Breeders don't know until they are whelped how many they'll get (despite what sonograms say, there are still surprises!) or how they'll turn out, and even after birth, pups can die far too easily.  Once they are on the ground, breeders spend the next 8 weeks observing them and trying to figure out which pup should go to which person.  Don't be offended if the breeder says "that pup is taken"-it doesn't mean that puppy is a better puppy, just a better puppy for someone else.

Upcoming Litters:

For more information about an upcoming litter, you are strongly encouraged to review the breeders websites first and then to contact the breeders directly. This is probably not a complete list of all upcoming litters, just ones I personally know about.

The "Ice" litter-breeding planned for early Spring 2010

"O'NEILL" O'Neill van Balderlo CQN HS JHD TDI CGC (s.92 B & s.93 T) owned by Catherine Shields X
"CAMI" Ch.Belgenbeau Bryscar Cameo,OB2,BH,AD,TT,CGC leased by Tasha Pluim

Please contact Tasha Pluim at: elementbelgians@sbcglobal.net  website: www.elementbelgians.com

Several litters being planned in Oregon for late 2009/early 2010

"TITUS" X "JORDAN" the "California" litter (planned Winter/Spring)

"JACK" X "CAYENNE" the "Easy" litter (planned Winter/Spring)

by Catherine Shields at www.carouselmalinois.com

Steph Bunch (Solo and Flame’s owner)
Central Coast*, CA.

Cell: 805-748-4788
E-mail: Stephanie@superfastdogs.com

*We live near San Luis Obispo, CA. Unfortunately, due to the possible passage of laws (SB 250, AB1634) aimed at punishing responsible dog owners in the state of CA, or my county, I don't post my home address on my website. Please contact me via cell phone or email.  For more information about the dog legislation, please see my links page.  Thank you for understanding.