Zidane was born on 4th August, 2009, the result of an inter variety mating carried out after receiving permission from the Irish Kennel Club.  His sire was a tervueren that we bred IR CH Revloch Ready To Rumble with Nulikim  and his dam was our Belgian imported Groenendael IR CH Duchesse du Pre du Vieux Pont at Revloch.  He was the only groenendael male on the litter of 9 and stayed at home with his us….little did we know then just what he would achieve in his short life.

His show career began in Ireland in February, 2010 at 6 months when he won the Dog GS and BOB under Irish all rounder Vincent O'Brien who remarked on the day that he thought he was something special and predicted he would go far.

Zidane's first CC came in August, 2010 when he won the Dog CC, Res BOB, Res Best in Show and Best Puppy in Show at the BSDA of GB Club Ch Show, under breed specialists Sandra Smith, Lebeau (breed) and Kathy Bird, (BIS).  He finished up Top Puppy in the UK that year and Top Groenendael in Ireland, having won more then the required 7 Green Stars for his Irish Title but this didn't come until after he had reached the age of 15 months in November, 2010.

Over the next three years he amassed a total of 18 CC's (12 with BOB) and 3 Res CC's, including the CC and BOB at Crufts in 2011 and 2012 and the Res CC in 2013, plus CC, BOB and BIS at the NORBEL Club Ch Show in August, 2012 under Jesper Anderssen from Sweden (breed) and Gil Cooper, Zantal (BIS).  He won the Pastoral Group at Belfast Championship Show in 2011 under Jean Lanning  and was Top Groenendael in the UK in 2011 and 2012. Also a multi Group and Champion Stakes winner in Ireland and Top Irish Show Dog qualifier 2011.  His 18th CC (with BOB was won at East of England in July, 2013 under Gordon Rual.

Zidane also gained his Luxembourg and Dutch Champion titles, won the CAC at the Paris International Show in 2012 and at the prestigious French Speciality the following August, he was placed 16th Ex from an entry of 59 dogs in the Open Class, passed the CSAU (Social) and TAN (Gunshot) tests, and was only one of 5 Groenendael males selected SR  (recommended for breeding) the following day.

Zidane has also sired some successful winners.   In a litter born in Norway early last year two were exported to the US and Canada and have become Champions before the age of 9 months. Another one from that litter exported to Portugal was Junior European Winner and placed 2nd BIS Junior in Geneva.  In the UK he is the sire of the young female CH Chrisvale Loving Feeling at Vanisticawho gained her 3rd CC at only 14 months at Bournemouth Ch Show in August, under specialist Jeff Luscott. Another young female Ebontide Vision in Black at  Groenveld has 1 CC and 8 Res CC's and our own youngster Revloch Figo won his 1st CC from puppy at National Working & Pastoral Breeds in July at just 9 months under breed specialist Lyn Salt (Woodlyn) and is currently Top Groenendael Puppy in the UK.

Besides being an outstanding Belgian Shepherd of excellent type with a beautiful head, eye and expression and typical harmonious silhouette, Zidane also had the most wonderful character and made a huge impression on people from all around the world. Those who met him in the flesh were completely won over by his lovely personality and have been firm admirers and supporters of his many successes. He has passed on this outstanding temperament to his puppies.

We had hoped to have Zidane back in the ring for Darlington Ch Show but our world was turned upside when he took ill quite suddenly and unexpectedly and tests revealed he had lymphoma cancer (linked to Pesticides) which was aggressive. Despite immediate treatment he failed to respond and the decision was made a few days later on 11th September to spare him from any further suffering.  His passing has left us devastated and in shock.  He had only turned 4 years and was just entering his prime years. We were looking forward to enjoying many more years with him in the ring as he was the ultimate showman and loved the limelight. But aside from the wins and glory, he was just quite simply a much loved companion, a joy to live with, a 'dog in a million'.

We have been overwhelmed by the hundreds of messages, posts and calls of sympathy and support on the news of his passing from his admirers and supporters around the world, we are so proud that he touched so many people and that this legacy lives on in his offspring.  He will never be replaced or forgotten.

* Breed Specialist