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Dalnavert Kennels

Bichon Frise · Winnipeg MB, Canada

About Dalnavert Kennels

Breeding Quality Bichon Frise Since 1978

We are a small kennel on 40 acres just outside of Winnipeg, Manitoba, selectively breeding quality Bichon Frise since 1978. We live on what some may call a “funny farm” — our residents have included sheep, goats, chickens, geese, ducks, a guinea pig, budgies, cats, and of course our dogs. All of our animals live their full lives in comfort and leisure.

If you have any questions about the breed or purchasing a dog, please explore our site or contact us for any additional information.

Our Family

Bernice has worked with dogs since 1965 and Brian since 1971 — the two met at the German Shepherd Dog Club of Manitoba. Carolyne was Manitoba’s top junior handler in 2003 and continues to handle dogs in the show ring. Grant works behind the scenes taking photos at dog shows and maintaining our website.

Memberships & Affiliations

  • Life Members, Canadian Kennel Club (CKC)
  • Bichon Frise Club of America (BFCA) — members since 1980
  • Bichon Frise Club of Canada (BFCC) — members since 1983; both Bernice and Brian have held board positions
  • Signers of the Breeder’s Code of Ethics
  • Life Members, German Shepherd Dog Club of Manitoba Inc.

Our Co-Breeding Partnership

In 1988, we purchased our foundation stud dog AM/CAN CH. LUVIT DALNAVERT CHICAGO BEAR from Bichon Frise breeder Linda Ross in the USA. Our friendship was solidified when we became co-breeders in 2005 with the co-ownership of our foundation female AM/CAN CH CAPICHON DALNAVERT LUVIT LAINE “Lana”.

Our partnership has become one of friendship and respect throughout the years as we have consulted and worked together to produce many of the top winning Bichon Frise in both Canada and the United States, winning top honours at the BFCA National and the BFCC National. Our geographic locations, although so far apart, have allowed us to connect with some top pedigrees in both countries, plus Norway and Argentina.

Show Ring Highlights

  • 2022 #1 Bichon Frise in Canada — “Henry” (GCH. Purejoy’s Double Legacy), son of “Ice”; owned/bred by Kathy Martin, handled by Carolyne Cybulsky
  • 2020 Westminster — “Mia” represented the breed
  • 2019 BFCA National — “Mia” (BISS AM GCH BOSS CAN GCH Luvit Dalnavert Awesome Tropical Storm) won Best of Breed; “Ice” (MBIS, MRBIS, BOSS AM GCH CAN GCH. Luvit Dalnavert Awesome Ice Storm) won Best of Opposite Sex

Bichon Frise

We became interested in the breed when CKC featured them on the front cover of Dogs in Canada in 1975. We wanted a smaller breed to work with. At the time, we lived in the city. Very few Bichon Frise were available in Canada. We bought our first dog in 1976 from Paw Paw Kennels in New York, owned by Amy Costello. Ch. Paw Paw’s Twinkle Little Star C.D. then became our foundation bitch. We had our first litter in 1978 out of Star, sired by Ch. C + D’s Duppies Is.

Since 1978, we have had many champions and many family companions. We pride ourselves on the quality and longevity of our bloodlines.

German Shepherds

Bernice began obedience training the family dog OT. CH. Luxurious Blaze of Penhaven in 1965 as a hobby. She completed two obedience trial champions, one dual (conformation and obedience) champion, and two American CDXs on her dogs.

Brian started obedience training his unregistered German Shepherd pet in 1971.

Together they owned, trained, and showed in conformation multiple champion German Shepherds, of which Ch. Wildwest’s Kandy Kane achieved her ROM. They found this breed very exciting to work with in all performance levels, but especially in obedience, tracking, and as part of a drill team.

Wiser

In 2017, they returned to the breed with their newest German Shepherd Dog, “Wiser”, a dark sable based on German bloodlines.

  • Registered name: Dutch Hill Dalnavert Wiserdlux
  • Breeder: Han Van Den Heuvel — “Dutch Hill Kennels”
  • Owners: Bernice and Brian Lucas
  • Handler: Carolyne Cybulsky

Japanese Akitas

In the 1980s, we were drawn to the Japanese Akita for their unique look and personality. We decided to purchase a red with a black overlay and black mask from a reputable breeder.

Ch. Dalnavert’s Hoshi Akari would soon become our foundation female, making Dalnavert Kennels Manitoba’s number one Akita breeder.

Golden Retrievers

We owned two male Champion Golden Retrievers: Ch. Dalnavert’s It’s Miller Time (USA) “Miller” and Ch. Dalnavert’s Michalob Goldraft (USA) “Mickey”. Both were beloved family pets and resident watchdogs. We enjoyed the Golden’s placid, easy-to-please personality.