about

Blaze – Retired

En Tour’s Trail Blazer of Forest Lakes

Strengths:  squareness, eyes, head, neck, topline, shelf, feet, tail set, carriage, movement

Blaze has officially retired from our breeding program. We are so grateful for all he’s contributed — including two wonderful keepers we’re thrilled to have in our program: his son, Lupin, and daughter, Phoenix. As we no longer have a suitable apricot or cream female to pair him with, and we’ve preserved his legacy through collection for his breeder, Blaze has been lovingly neutered and will enjoy the rest of his life as a cherished member of his forever family. Happy retirement, Blaze — you’ve more than earned it! 💛

Blaze was a cherished addition to our canine family, who came into our lives through a remarkable journey. Thanks to my first mentor, I had the privilege of gaining a second mentor, a seasoned breeder with over 30 years of experience in breeding and showing poodles. This generous mentor entrusted me with one of her own show prospects, and that prospect was Blaze. Bred and nurtured by En Tour Poodles, Blaze graced Forest Lakes on a crisp autumn day in 2020.

Blaze’s journey has been one marked by accomplishments and accolades. He’s not only a beloved companion but also a star pupil. He completed Obedience I and II, earned his Canine Good Citizen title, and clinched his championship in the summer of 2021. Early in 2022, Blaze continued to impress, securing his OUTSTANDING Socialized Pet Obedience title and Novice Trick title. His training extends to Rally, Agility, and Precision Coursing, making him a versatile athlete.. 

In May 2022, Blaze achieved the pinnacle of success by earning his Grand Champion title, making a stunning sweep of all the remarkable gun dogs. He stood as the champion amongst four other champions, secured the Best of Breed title against seven other standard poodles, and claimed the coveted Gun Dog Group 1 for both shows. With this grand accomplishment, Blaze decided to gracefully retire from the conformation ring to pursue performance sports.

Blaze is more than just a grand champion; he’s a bundle of boundless enthusiasm and energy. His delight in pleasing his human companions and embracing challenges knows no bounds. Blaze is a true sweetheart who effortlessly gets along with every person and animal he encounters. While he may have minimal prey drive, he excels in rally and agility, showcasing his incredible talents.  

With a robust pedigree and a lineage filled with long apricot lines, Blaze has made an indelible mark on our breeding program. We eagerly anticipate the journey of his daughter, Phoenix, who emerged as the pick of the litter from his exceptional pairing with Feia. Blaze’s legacy continues to shine brightly.

Blaze is lovingly cared for by his guardian, Crystal, and her family. Crystal has been a trusted caregiver for our poodles for a decade and Blaze is the fourth poodle she has taken home from Standard Poodles of Forest Lakes – including one of Blaze’s past pups! 

I am thrilled to share that Blaze has triumphed in all aspects of his health testing, cementing his position as a pinnacle of health and vitality. Blaze’s comprehensive evaluations included DNA screening for genetic diseases, OFA cardiac assessments, and OFA eye examinations, all of which he passed with flying colors. However, what truly sets Blaze apart is his exceptional hip health, as evidenced by his impressive PennHip scores of 0.30 and 0.38. These scores significantly outperform the breed average of 0.47, demonstrating Blaze’s exceptional structural soundness and resilience. With his stellar health profile, Blaze is a shining example of our commitment to breeding healthy and well-rounded standard poodles, and he remains a source of pride in our breeding program.