In 2001 we traveled to Long Island, New York, to adopt Ardent, MegaSpirit's Braveheart, from Nathan & Olga Barum of MegaSpirit Belgians. Ardent is the result of the Barum's impressive trip to Belgium with  their bitch Mega Spirit v. Siegestor to interview prospective studs and their owners. They chose Ch. T'Sisco van de Hoge Laer as the sire. Ardent is the male pick of his litter. He is a robust, majestic dog, with a very humorous nature, CHIC# 14143 (OFA hips-Good, OFA elbows -Clear, OFA thyroid-Normal and CERF-Normal), 26" square and 63 lbs. Ardent has an endearing, humorous personality with a tempered, protective instinct. He is cautious with strangers yet readily friendly when introduced.

Six years ago, after falling in love with Belgians, we acquired a business and our lives have been channeled into making that business a success. Although Shimmer and Ardent both come from champion rich lineages, unfortunately the completion of their show career's has been delayed. In the meantime, we have devoted our free time to developing each dog's personality into becoming a Belgian Sheepdog Ambassador to everyone they meet. 

On the show front, Maggie, Ardent and Shimmer went on the Dog Show Trail in Texas during the spring of Spring 2004. Ardent and Shimmer returned home with both their Canine Good Citizen (CGC) awards; Ardent won 2 majors for a total of 12 points and Shimmer returned home with 7 points and a love for the show ring. Maven had her debut in Albuquerque in May 2005 taking the ribbon against her parents.

Shimmer, Serack's A Mid Summer's Night (pointed)
Taos, New Mexico

Ardent, MegaSpirit's Braveheart (pointed)
Taos, New Mexico

Although our plans had always been to raise this amazing breed and train them in areas for which they were individually suited, we are no longer breeding Belgians.  

The focus of our line was to produce dogs that excel in Search & Rescue work. Among our own dogs, Ardent is 3/4 through his training in ground scenting and daughter, Maven, will begin training in human remains detection in July 2006. Rogue, with owner/handler, Michelle Shireman, is finishing his training in Urban Tracking in Portland, OR, and will be completing his certification this year. Diva finished her title Spring 2006 and is now Ch. Braveheart's Diva of Taos. She and her owner/handler, Margie Clarke, are now taking Rally competition by storm!

For questions, please call us at 575-776-0911 or email us at alpinefire@taosnet.com.

Please click on Shimmer and Ardent's pictures for their pedigrees.