48 Saber Tails Fall 2017
Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Club of America
ten with the breed. After much research, she acquired her first PBGV in 1996 from Denise Ross. Ch Afriels Custom Low
Rider, fondly known as Harley, quickly became her heart dog. In 1998, she purchased a little female from Valerie Link
of Jamar PBGV’s. Ch Jamars Westwinds Destiny, aka Desi Lou, went on to show under the kennel name of Westwinds.
Pat’s goal as a breeder is first and foremost to produce the healthiest dogs possible with temperaments being number
one. While striving to produce dogs that conformed to the AKC PBGV standard, Pat did health testing for eyes, hips and
hearts right from the start. She performed these health clearances long before the PBGVCA recommended any health
testing. Westwinds PBGVs have excelled in conformation, placing and winning numerous times at the PBGV Nationals.
Co-owned dogs, bred by Pat, have done exceptionally well in agility, hunting, obedience, therapy, and even a few have
been certified with search and rescue titles. Most important, her dogs have become wonderful family pets. Pat is the
newest member of the Health Committee and hopes to contribute her years of experience and time in the breed. As a
breeder, her dream is to continue to educate and to improve the health of these beloved little hounds.
Linda Murray obtained her first PBGV in 1991. With Paula DePalma, she founded Bel Canto PBGVs, so named because
they hear the ‘good voice, freely used’ as a beautiful song. Linda has whelped several PBGV litters and has assisted with
whelping other breeds as well. Linda brings expertise in both human health (as a registered nurse) and canine health
(as a veterinarian) to the Health Committee. For the Health Committee, she researches canine health issues and directs
information to the appropriate people. For many years, Linda has been the PBGVCA representative to the Canine Health
Foundation Parent Club Conference. As a conference attendee, I have witnessed her knack for befriending representa-
tives from other breed clubs and gleaning information that can be applied to PBGVs. In addition, Linda serves as Presi-
dent of the PBGV Health and Rescue Foundation.
Veronica Scheer has been a member of PBGVCA since 1998, the webmas-
ter and technology coordinator for the last 15 years, and is a new member
of the Board as the Director-Eastern Region. Veronica is a relatively new
member of the Health Committee, but we have benefited from her com-
puter expertise for many years. Veronica worked for one of the largest
US-based educational publishers, Scholastic, for over 24 years in various
management positions including Director of Educational Sales & Market-
ing and Director of Online Services. She started a computer consulting
business in 2001. Veronica applied her knowledge to PBGV health by de-
veloping the club’s pedigree/health database, which now includes almost
5,000 dogs. She recently initiated a new project to collect clinical health
data during a dog’s life span. The purpose is to identify current health
problems in the breed with the goal of shaping medical research priori-
ties, and providing information that may be useful in a breeding program.
Veronica’s first PBGV was the strong-willed and smart Tory, who was ac-
quired in 1995. Tory’s energy was put to work in obedience, where she
earned a Canine Good Citizen award, and rally obedience. When Tory
worked in the obedience ring, she always put a smile on everyone’s face
when called back after a long sit, stay. Next to arrive was Coco, who was finished by 8 months with a 5-point major and
won an Award of Merit at the 1999 PBGVCA national. Coco was a therapy dog who worked miracles with Alzheimer’s
patients. Eve was next in the door and her main job in life was making the household happy; a job she was extremely
skilled at. Nikki arrived in 2012, has a 5-point major, and was bred to Buddy (GCHG CH Celestial CJ's Ringmaster at Talus)
in 2015. Bryce (CH Vichon-CJ's Sir Bryce of Sherman), who is from this litter, just finished his championship that included
a Group 1 win. Veronica has been a member of The Greenwich Kennel Club since 1999 and has held various board posi-
tions. She lives in the northwest hills of Connecticut with her four PBGVs, and enjoys boating on a local lake.
Please explore the Health Committee web pages (https://www.pbgv.org/Health/HealthGenetics.shtml). There you can
read our Committee Reports and learn about our projects. And, try out our Pedigree/Health database. Go to (https://
www.pbgv.org/pedigree/ped-home.shtml ).
Veronica Scheer with her pack