We obtained our first Great Pyrenees in 1977 as a family companion. "Pierre" was shown several times, and as a result, we became interested in showing dogs. Our foundation bitch, CH. TIP'N CHIP PYRLESS WHITE CLOUD arrived in 1981. In 1985, she was bred to CH. RIVERGROVES RUN FOR THE ROSES, who would eventually become the #1 dog in breed history, winning

48 Best-in-Shows. That breeding produced CH. PYRLESS VERA BELLE DU MONT.

In 1987 we introduced a new pup, CH. RIVERGROVES ROLLING THUNDER (Gambit) into our home, and in 1990 we acquired "Melissa" (CH. PYR'ESSENCE PYRLESS GLORY DAYS). That same year, we built our first small kennel building, and from that time on we were able to keep some of the pups we produced.

Vera Belle and Gambit proved to be a phenomenal breeding pair. Of the 12 pups they produced, 6 became champions including 2 of our Hall of Fame dogs - CH. PYRLESS PRIME TIME and CH. PYRLESS JERSEY KID. The combination of Gambit and Melissa was also successful, producing 5 champions including another Hall of Fame entrant CH. PYRLESS LIMITED EDITION.