Michelle Detour: I was introduced to dog shows when I was a child. My mother bred dogs and both she and I got into showing various breeds when I was 12. I was introduced to the Briard when a friend, Marsha Clamp, moved in with my mother and sister. I met the breed I am currently showing in Owner-Handled, the Barbet, when we were showing in Canada. We walked past this beautiful dog and had to stop in our tracks to admire him. That was several years before the breed was accepted into the AKC.
Michelle Detour: I have been showing dogs for 46 years. I have been quite fortunate and blessed to be able to show many different breeds as a child. I competed in Junior Showmanship and finished my first champion at 15. I have shown many dogs to their championships and grand championships, but my Barbet, Atticus, is the first dog I have shown in O/H.
Michelle Detour: All my dogs are trained by going to handling class. I find it’s the best way to get experience and to replicate the show ring as close as possible. While I have not done handling seminars specifically and do not rule out the possibility in the future, my seminar attendance has been limited to breeding.
Michelle Detour: Videos and webcasts are very useful tools for both learning about a breed and evaluating dogs. Since I am relatively new to the Barbet, and the Barbet is relatively new to the AKC, these tools are a must for learning pedigrees, understanding movement and composition, and honestly, in developing one’s own preferences.
Michelle Detour: I have handled the Number One Barbet in O/H in 2022, 2023, and now in 2024. I am proud of these achievements, since Atticus is now only about 85 points away from an O/H Platinum. When you have a new, rare breed, judges’ recognition, whether in the regular class or O/H, is so deeply appreciated.
Michelle Detour: I feel that the Bred-By Class is the most important class. If it wasn’t for our breeders there wouldn’t be dogs to show or breeds being preserved. Atticus has gotten four Best Bred-By Exhibitor in Show, and to me, these awards are the ones I am most proud of.
Over the years, I have been privileged to attend many Nationals. The ability to talk with other breeders, see many examples of the breed, and potentially, find a breeding partner have been invaluable. For the Barbet, Nationals are where we see the largest numbers, since there are very few showing on the East Coast where I live.
Michelle Detour: Given that the Barbet has only been recognized by the AKC since 2020 (just in time for a worldwide pandemic), it is sometimes challenging to capture the judges’ attention since the breed is a bit of an “unknown” and judges have not seen many examples. Despite this, Atticus has done very well (four O/H Bests in Show and four O/H Reserve Bests in Show). While the wins feel amazing, it is sometimes those kind words of praise from the judge that make my day.
Michelle Detour: Since I have shown my own dogs for many years but only recently (2021) began showing in O/H, I have looked to the many people in the dog show world that I know and respect to “show me the ropes.” Competing in O/H was a natural and easy transition.
As a Briard breeder, my mentors have been Meg Weitz (de Bejaune Briards) and Terry Miller (Déjà Vu Briards). Both of these renowned Briard breeders have taught me lessons that have translated to my breeding of Briards and Barbets. Meg taught me to see the good in all dogs and Terry taught me that breeding, while science, is also art.
Michelle Detour: In a sport dominated by Professional Handlers, having a venue where the “little guy” can get recognition for the dogs they live with and love is paramount. I do believe it keeps people interested and coming back—something the sport must have to survive on the scale it currently does. In terms of my breed, the Barbet, it is another opportunity to put a rare breed in front of judges so that they can get an opportunity to put hands on and appreciate the breed.
Michelle Detour: Breeding dogs should never be taken lightly. It is complex, expensive, time-consuming, and sometimes, heart-breaking. My advice? Learn all you can. Befriend a breeder whose dogs you admire. Attend breeding seminars, and get ready for the best and most exhausting experience of your life.
Michelle Detour: This is a funny question. Of course, we would all like a regular AKC BIS. It may elude me forever, but it is the possibility, as remote as it may be, that one day a judge will point at my dog and I will have that one special moment. I do have multiple Canadian BISs (with a Briard), but an AKC BIS is still a dream.
Michelle Detour: I don’t know if it is funny, but it was super enjoyable. Over the past few years, I have gotten to know many of the owners in O/H and many of the dogs. Of course, I have my favorite dogs, and when we compete against them, and they win, I still feel as if I have won something too. One of my best stories was the day I got an O/H BIS and my friend’s dog, whom I love, got an O/H RBIS. At the next show, she got the O/H BIS and I got the O/H RBIS. What joy that brought us both!
