The first black mask Dogue de Bordeaux imported into Australia was the bitch “Ch. Gravin Scherin von Ruflohof (Imp Ndl)” (Frn Ch. Ismar de L’Etoile Saint Hubert x Lux. Ch. Pipo) imported by Leo & Robyn Spierenburg of Runderkraal Kennels. She was re-registered in Australia in January 1999.

“Scherin” was the first black mask to win Best of Breed at a major Royal show when she took Best of Breed over strong competition at Sydney Royal in 1999. She was also the first black mask to gain her Australian Champion title. "Sherin" is pictured below winning BOB at Sydney Royal 1999.

“Scherin” produced three litters, but only one black mask offspring, the male “Runderkraal Indigo” in her litter to “Int., Ndl Ch., Blg Ch., Aust. Ch. Leeuw de la Maison de Hollande (Imp Blg)”. “Runderkraal Indigo” sired a black mask male “Ch. Rubyrock Napolean” in his litter to “Bersilat Miss Attitude”. “Ch. Rubyrock Napolean” (b: C. Tulk / o: C. Cameron) became the first black mask Dogue de Bordeaux in Australia to be awarded a major Group placement when he was awarded Best in Group 2nd at Championship Show level in February 2006 under Queensland judge, Mrs Mickey McLennan. He sired one litter of three red mask pups. Unfortunately Napolean died from a brown snake bite in 2007. "Napolean" is pictured below at age 19 months.

The first black mask male imported in to Australia was “Yogy from Waitomo Caves (Imp NZ)” - (Am. Ch. Rangaura Blade Runner (NZ) x Crusade Cruise Liner (NZ). (b: R. Wilson/o: R. Kenny). He was imported in 2002 by Rhonda Kenny of Kenston Kennel. He would go on to sire four litters resulting in 20 puppies. Several of his puppies would be exported to countries such as America and Japan.

The next black mask male imported in to Australia was “Ch. Zamadeus Garde d’Honneur du Monde (Imp Blg)” - (Buddy-Kobus vd Weelsedijkhoeve x Melody v Douvergenhout). (b: C. Mevrouw Spits/o: C. Girling & Y. Clark). He was imported in 2002 and has had a significant impact on the black mask Dogues in Australia. The Australian studbook will show that he sired 39 pups, but not all pups sired by him were registered.

In 2011 “Vivaldi z’Orisku (Imp Czech)” - (Int. Ch. Lincoln z’Orisku x Heimers Falanghina de Boncha) (b: M. Schreiber/o: N. Swart) came to Australia with his owner who was returning home to live. Vivaldi has not sired any offspring and he has been desexed.

At the time of writing (2017) there have been no further black mask males imported in to Australia. Frozen semen from the black mask male, Payk z'Orisku (Czech/USA) has been imported by several kennels and frozen semen from Lounatkarin Phaeton (FIN) has been imported by Moloscyg Kennel.

After “Scherin” the next black mask female imported was “Cora la Poussee (Imp Ndl)” - (Nero x Tarra Emely v Bella Donna). (b: A. Pigmans / o: L. & R. Spierenburg). She was imported by Leo & Robyn Spierenburg in 2000. Cora only produced one red mask male puppy and then unfortunately died of bloat.

There were no further black mask females imported until 2006 when Debbie Marshall of Chienparadis Kennel imported “Ch. Kancara Angelique (Imp NZ)” - (Amiantan Caruso x Shemyaza of Whitevalley) (b: T. Lane / o: D. Marshall). Angelique achieved her Australian Champion title, was a multi Class in Group winner and also won Best Minor Puppy in Show.

In 2010 the black mask litter sisters “Unique z’Orisku (Imp Czech)” ("Niki") and “Upsy z’Orisku (Imp Czech)” ("Sutton") arrived in Australia. They are sired by “Multi Ch. Moby de Legeane (Ndl)” out of “Chiara de Russeau de La Noue (Cze)”. Both we bred by M. Schreiber. "Niki" was imported by Keith & Kylie Reid of Bordogue Kennel and "Sutton" was imported by Lionel Mills and Stacey Daniels of Surveiller Kennel. "Niki" gained her Australian Champion title, is a Class in Group winner and is one of the few black mask Dogues to win a Royal Challenge. The outstanding achievements of some of her offspring are mentioned below.

In 2012 the mahogany black mask female “Ch. Call Me Bibi Orisku Esbrella (Imp Czech)” - (Payk z’Orisku x Ella Z Vlckovskeho Mlyna) (b: J. Van Geetova/o: R. & K. Reid) was imported by Keith & Kylie Reid of Bordogue Kennel. Upon arriving in Australia, "Bibi" gained half of the points required for her Australian Champion title before straining her cruciate. She returned to the show ring three years later and easily gained the remaining points for her Australian Champion title.

At the time of writing the above ten dogs are the only black mask Dogues imported in to Australia, along with the frozen semen from two black mask males. Given that approximately 130 Dogues/semen have been imported, ten black masks and frozen semen from two black mask males is a very small number.

While “Scherin” was the first black mask female to win a Challenge Certificate at a Royal Show, the first black mask male to win a Challenge Certificate at a Royal Show was “Ch. Moloscyg Connor” - (Ch. Zamadeus Garde d’Honneur du Monde (Imp Blg) x Moloscyg Callista) (b: C. Girling & Y. Clark / o: R. & K. Reid). “Connor” took Challenge Dog and Runner-up Best of Breed at the Royal Canberra Show in February 2007. As indicated above, “Connor” is a son of “Zamadeus”. He is one of the four “Zamadeus” offspring to win a Royal Challenge Certificate and three of them are black masks.

It would take until 2010 (11 years after “Scherin”) for another black mask to win Best of Breed at Royal level. “Ch. Moloscyg Baby Brougham” - (Ch. Moloscyg Oste x Ch. Bakervill’s Style Verona (Imp Ndl)) (b: C. Girling & Y. Clark / o: C. & K. Stirling/C. Girling & Y. Clark) took Challenge Dog and Best of Breed at the 2010 Sydney Royal. “Hudson” also took Runner-up Best of Breed at the 2008 and 2011 Royal Brisbane Shows and is a multi Class in Group 1st winner.

To date, there are only three black mask Royal Best of Breed winners - "Sherin", "Hudson" and the third is "Durhamdogues Blackfairs" ("Midas") - (Ch. Lambda Ramon Magnifique x Durhamdogues Accolade) (b: Healey / o: Godden) who won Best of Breed at Adelaide Royal in 2014.

Since “Scherin” took Best of Breed at Sydney Royal in 1999, there have been another 13 black mask Dogues awarded Royal Challenges and all but two of them are children, grandchildren or great grandchildren of “Zamadeus”. In addition to “Connor”, “Hudson” and "Midas" mentioned above, they include:

Ch. Moloscyg French Kissn - (Ch. Zamadeus Garde d’Honneur du Monde (Imp Blg) x Moloscyg Amabelle)
Ch. Oakview Dutchtreat” - (Ch. Zamadeus Garde d’Honneur du Monde (Imp Blg)” x Ch. Runderkraal Holly)
Moloscyg Beaute in Black - (Ch. Bakervill’s Style Valton x Moloscyg Odessa)
Ch. Bordogue Sian - (Grand Ch. Bordogue Benjamin x Ch. Moloscyg Blond Bombshell)
Ch. Amiantan Lil Miss Divine - (Ch. Solomon de Legeane (Imp Ndl x Moloscyg Mieta)
Lambda Black Shiraz - (Durhamdogues Blackjack x Lambda What Luck)
Ch. Bordogue Beatrix - (Ch. Bordogue Darius (AI) x Grand Ch. Bordogue Joelle)
Ch. Bordogue Burning Ember (Bordogue Black Ash (AI) x Ch. Unique z'Orisku (Imp Czech)

The other two black mask Royal Challenge winners are “Ch. Unique z’Orisku (Imp Czech)” - (Multi Ch. Moby de Legeane x Chiara de Russeau de La Noue ) and "Ch. Atsamanies Love Affair (AI)" - (Payk z'Orisku x Ch. Atsamanies Show Me Love) both of whom have “Zamadeaus'” black mask litter sister, “Zoraya” in their pedigree.

Actually, "Ch. Bordogue Burning Ember" is interesting as she has both "Zamadeaus" and his sister “Zoraya” in her pedigree.

Photos of three of the Royal Challenge winners not included elsewhere in the article are below.

In April 2003 a little black mask fawn bitch was born at Moloscyg Kennel from a mating between “Ch. Zamadeus Garde d’Honneur du Monde (Imp Blg)” and “Ch. Moloscyg Amabelle”. Her registered name was “Moloscyg French Kissn” and she would become best known by her call name, “Blondie”.

She was awarded Challenge Bitch in 2005 at Sydney Royal and later that year also took Runner-up Best of Breed under Mr Jacques Menard-Ringuet (France), the first breed specialist to judge in Australia, at a show in Victoria. In 2006 she would produce her first litter sired by “Ch. Bakervill’s Style Valton (Imp Ndl)” and amongst the pups was a black mask fawn male, “Moloscyg Too Kewell” of which more will be written later in the article.

Later in 2006 “Blondie” would be flown to Holland to compete in both the Dutch and French Clubmatches. She was placed 2nd in the Champion Bitch Class at the Dutch Clubmatch and 3rd in the Champion Bitch Class at the French Clubmatch. This was a significant achievement for an Australian bred bitch given the competition at that level. She also completed the TAN test with a Pass for both character and movement.

Unfortunately the Australian judges never warmed to this beautiful bitch and despite “Blondie’s” achievements at the two biggest shows in the world for this breed, she was largely ignored by Australian judges.

While in Holland, "Blondie" was bred to “Royaume v Douvergenhout” and she would whelp a litter of five puppies to him upon her return to Australia. In this litter was a red mask daughter “Moloscyg Champane Kisses (IID)” who took Challenge Bitch and Runner-up Best of Breed under Rafel Malo Alcrudo (Spain) on two occasions.

In 2004 the black mask fawn female puppy “Moloscyg Blond Bombshell” ("Shelby") (Ch. Larcusades Hugo (Imp UK) x Moloscyg Odessa) (b: C. Girling & Y. Clark / o: R. & K. Reid) was sold to Keith & Kylie Reid of Bordogue Kennel. Her name was chosen to match her explosive personality and she was a bombshell child for the whole of her eleven years. For her first litter "Shelby" was bred to “Aust. Grand Ch. Bordogue Benjamin” in 2006 and two of the puppies from that litter are worth mentioning.

In May 2009 the "Shelby's black mask daughter, “Ch. Bordogue Sian” was the first black mask female to be awarded Best in Group 1st at any show in Australia. She was awarded it at an Open Show. “Sian” went on to take Reserve Challenge Bitch at the 2008 Brisbane Royal, Challenge Bitch at the 2009 Toowoomba Royal, Challenge Bitch and Runner-up Best of Breed at the 2011 Toowoomba Royal and Challenge Bitch at the 2012 Toowoomba Royal. She is also a multi Class in Group 1st winner.

In July 2015 "Sian" became the first black mask Dogue to grace the cover of an official State magazine when she was published on the front cover of the Dogs Queensland magazine French Breeds feature. "Sian's" front cover is pictured at the beginning of the article.

“Sian’s” red mask litter sister, “Aust. Grand Ch. Bordogue Joelle” became the first Australian bred female to win Best in Group 1st at All Breeds Championship level. This was achieved in March 2012. Both “Sian” and “Joelle” are daughters of the black mask “Shelby” and are also “Zamadeus” great granddaughters.

For her second litter, “Ch. Moloscyg Blond Bombshell” was bred to “Nathaniel z’Orisku (Imp Czech)”. She produced a black mask son, “Ch. Bordogue Darius (AI)” in 2009. “Darius” was “Puppy of Breed” at the 2010 Royal Brisbane Show. He achieved 9 x Classes in Group 1st at All Breeds Championship Shows and a Best in Group 2nd at an Open Show in 2011. He won several Best of Breeds under international judges with around 20 DDB entered. He was the No. 1. Dogue Rising Star in 2010 and No. 2 Dogue Best of Breed winner in 2011.

The first black mask x black mask breeding in Australia occurred in December 2011 when “Ch. Bordogue Darius (AI)” was bred to “Ch. Unique z’Orisku (Imp Czech)”. A litter of 4 puppies was born in February 2012. There were 2 black mask males, 1 red mask male and a red mask female. One of the black mask males, “Ch. Bordogue Alexander”, excelled in the show ring in 2012. He was awarded Best in Show Baby Puppy 1st and 9 x Classes in Group 1st at Championship Show level. Three of the Classes in Group were awarded by international judges. He finished 2012 as the No. 1 Dogue de Bordeaux Rising Star on Dogzonline. Unfortunately an injury to his cruciate ligament all but ended his show career, although he returned to the ring two years later and completed his Australian Champion title in nine shows, taking Best of Breed under international judges at five of the nine shows. His black mask brother, "Ch. Bordogue Thomas", is a multi Class in Group 1st winner. His red mask brother, "Ch. Bordogue Ethan", has gone on to win multiple Best in Group 1st and Best in Group 2nd and his red mask litter sister, "Grand Ch. Bordogue Alexandria" "Lexie", is the first Australian Bred Dogue de Bordeaux female to win All Breeds Best in Show 1st. She has also won multiple Best in Group 2nd and Best of Breed at Brisbane and Toowoomba Royals (where she was shortlisted for Group on both occasions).

The first black mask female to win at Group level at an All Breeds Championship Show was “Ch. Amiantan Lil Miss Divine” (Ch. Solomon de Legeane (Imp Ndl) x Moloscyg Mieta) (b: A. & M. Madgwick / o: K. Griffin). “Phoenix” was awarded Best in Group 2nd in August 2007. She was also Challenge Bitch at the 2008 Royal Brisbane Show and Challenge Bitch and Runner-up Best of Breed at the 2010 Royal Brisbane Show. She is also a multiple Class in Group 1st winner and a multi Class in Show 1st winner.

Actually the 2008 Royal Brisbane Show was interesting as the Runner-up Best of Breed, Challenge Bitch and Reserve Challenge Bitch were all black masks. The judge was Mr K Nakano (Japan).

In August 2008 Mr Ralphael Malo Alcrudo (Spain) came to Australia to judge at a show in Sydney. Eighteen Dogues would be exhibited under him - 7 males and 11 bitches. He would award the black mask male “Moloscyg Too Kewell” ("Harry") (Ch. Bakervill’s Style Valton x Ch Moloscyg French Kissn) Challenge Dog, Best of Breed and Best in Group 4th. The Reserve Challenge Dog was also a black mask “Ch. Moloscyg Baby Brougham”.

“Ch. Beaurumba Big Time” ("Rocky") (Moloscyg Fonz x Moloscyg Gabrielle) (b: J. & A. Douglass/o: A. Curtotti) was awarded Best in Group 2nd at All Breeds Championship Show level in October 2011 and also Best Australian Bred in Show 1st. He has also been awarded several Classes in Group 1st at Championship Show level. His mother, "Moloscyg Gabrielle", was litter sister to "Moloscyg Too Kewell".

The second black mask x black mask mating in Australia occurred when Jason & Angie Douglass of Beaurumba Kennel bred “Ch. Deauxrogue Nemesis” (Durhamdogues Blackjack x Ch. Deauxrogue Genesis) (b: M. Gondar & D. Thompson/o: J. & A. Douglass and M. Gondar & D. Thompson) to “Beaurumba Hot N Spicy” (Ch. Moloscyg Th Salty Seaman x Moloscyg Gabrielle) (b/o: J. & A. Douglass). The mating produced the black mask puppy bitch “Beaurumba Twice the Spice”. “Dolly” as she was called, had a very successful 2013 winning Puppy in Show at The Association of All Mastiff Breeds of Victorian Club show, Puppy in Show at the NSW Utility Dog Club Show and several Puppy in Group awards. Although only 10 months old, “Dolly” was also awarded Reserve Challenge Bitch and Best Puppy in Group by breed specialist Mr Ralphael Malo Alcrudo (Spain) when he judged in Sydney. Dolly finished 2013 as the No. 1 Dogue de Bordeaux Rising Star on Dogzonline. "Dolly" also won Best in Group 2nd at Championship Show level in 2014. Although achieving her Australian Champion title, unfortunately, Dolly's show career was hindered by a cruciate ligament injury. Dolly is pictured below winning Puppy in Show.

In 2014 "Ch. Chienparadis Miss Capucine" - (Ch. Beaurumba Big Time x Chienparadis Jaela) (b/o: D Marshall) was awarded Best in Group 2nd. "Capucine" achieved her Australian Champion title and is also a multi Class in Group 1st winner.

In 2017 "Capucine's" daughter "Ch. Chienparadis I Am Neala" - (Rozeldogue Euro Star (Imp UK) x Ch. Chienparadis Miss Capucine) (b: D. Marshall / o: D. & A. O'Hara) would also win Best in Group 2nd at a Championship Show and also Best in Group 2nd at an Open Show. Like her mother, "Neala" is also an Australian Champion and a multi Class in Group 1st winner.

The 2016 Dogzonline Dogue de Bordeaux Rising Star Award winner was the young black mask bitch "Bordogue Burning Ember" ("Ember"). "Ember" is also the result of a black mask x black mask mating when "Bordogue Black Ash (AI)" (Multi Ch. Enferno van de Paterhoek x Ch. Moloscyg Blond Bombshell) was bred to "Ch. Unique z'Orisku" (b&o: R. & K. Reid). "Ember" is a multi Class in Group 1st winner and has attained her Australian Champion title. "Ember" has become the first black mask to be awarded the CACIB at an FCI show held in Australia. She achieved the CACIB at the 2018 FCI International Spring Fair under Irish judge, Mrs June Wall. A limited number of FCI shows were introduced in Australia in 2018. In March 2019 Ember was awarded Challenge Bitch at the Toowoomba Royal Show by Mr Nicon Chin (Singapore). In 2019 Ember was awarded the CACIB at the 2019 DogsNSW FCI Spring Fair by Mr J. S. Pawar (India). This is her second CACIB.

As of October 2019 that is the history of the black mask Dogues in Australia and their success in the showring. As a black mask enthusiast I can only hope that we will see more black masks Dogues imported in the coming years and see them continue to build upon their initial success in the showring. We can only hope that we will soon see another black mask Best in Group 1st winner, or better still, a black mask Best in Show winner. Hopefully we will also see more black masks winning Best of Breed at Royal level. Showing them is a challenge due to a lack of understanding by many judges, but it is great to see a number of kennels around Australia taking the time and effort to promote them. They are a very important part of our breed.

Errors and omissions in this article accepted. If you can provide further information or photographs, please advise me. Updated 3 April 2019

This article is copyright and may not be reproduced without my written permission. Kylie Reid