Antoine and Brigitte Marchal were married in 1983. Two years later Magicstar Puymeras poodles was started at Les Forges, a small village in France.

Le Courrier de L'Ouest (a french newspaper) said it best.

At Forges, the Marchals live off their passion for Poodles

Forges is well known for its community and social services center, which attracts people from all over Poitou-Charentes to this small town.

There is however another reason to come to Forges, and that is on order to acquire a Poodle, a genuine and beautiful specimen which will not disappoint at maturity....

Antoine and Brigitte Marchal raise Poodles at the chateau des Forges. What was once a childhood passion, kindled when their parents offered them their first Poodle, has become a true calling. Today, breeding Poodles is their livelihood. Antoine and Brigitte are determined to focus on quality and integrity of their lines, pursuing their efforts to improve the breed through a careful selection of brood bitches and stud dogs and their presence at numerous national and international dog shows. Disappointed by any shady dealings involving "man's best friend", Antoine and Brigitte are always happy when one of their dog's offspring wins a ribbon: such are the rewards which keep them going.

1984- birth of first daughter, Magali

1985- move to Clermont, France

1986- birth of second daughter, Anne-Sophie

1987- Brown Coco de Puymeras named number one poodle in France

Revue du Conseil General de L'Oise

Best Dog in France

Strutting around, head and tail high, with a spring in their step and a proud carriage, such is the look of the one who became best poodle in France in 1987, 1988 and again in 1989, when he defeated 450 representatives of his breed.

"For several years now, Brigitte and Antoine Marchal have been raising Poodles in the Bresles area. Their kennel is one of the best in all of France, judging by their 90 champions and 3 world champions"

In 1992 their white standard male, Magicstar French White Hobby became a world champion in Valencia. He was also a French, Belgian, Luxembourgian, and Spanish Champion.

Ouest-France (1994)

Best in Show, Magicstar shines again

Magicstar took home the Best in Show prize Sunday. This toy poodle won over the judges with its regal bearing. Antoine Marchal and his wife, Brigitte, the owners, were handed the winner's cup by Henri Caillemet, the show's president, and Pierre Belanger, assistant deputy minister in charge of Agricultural Affairs.

This dog is worth its weight in gold! On Sunday its star shone bright in the ring. Magicstar created quite a stir. After a tough process of elimination, it beat the best of 9 other breeds. With its jet black coat, its head held high the Poodle mesmerized judges.

After an incredible run in France  Brigitte and Antoine decided that moving to the United States would be a challenge worth undertaking. They felt  the quality of the breed was superior in the USA.

Moving a kennel across the Atlantic, not knowing the language, while trying to establish presence in a competitive show atmosphere required a lot of strength.

A good attitude, self confidence, and strong values was just the combination which allowed Magicstar to keep flouishing.

In 2005, Antoine moved back to France to regain presence in Europe's show world.

Brigitte du Puy remained in Sharps, Virginia. She lives in a small community where her dogs can play in the river and run in the fields. Her kennel, DuPuy poodles, is running as strong as ever. A climate controlled kennel offers all the space and comfort her animals deserve while providing a safe place for people to board their dogs.

She is still breeding top quality poodles for the show ring; selling her dogs all over the world from Finland to Japan.

Breeding has been very fulfilling for Brigitte. She has established strong work ethics and offered her animals superior care. "Buying a poodle from you was the best decision I have ever made" has echoed through many emails, phone conversations, and from the mouths of clients that keep coming back to add to their families.