Welcome!

FROM OUR PRESIDENT

ABdFC Members,

In 1976 I was introduced to the Bouvier des Flandres Breed by June and Jean Pierre Tornai. They were showing a Bouvier they imported named Ch. Urus De La Buthiere. He was a very impressive French dog. I immediately fell in love with him, and the rest is history. I was all-in!

Many of you have asked why is being a member of the ABdFC so important? The obvious answer is we are the holder of the AKC Standard and the guardians of the Breed. It is our responsibility to preserve the Bouvier. As a Club we must promote and preserve the Bouvier’s health, structure and temperament.

Today, the Bouvier is on a decline and has been included in the Top 100 AKC low entry breeds. The majority of AKC registered Bouviers are being produced by non-parent club members. Less than a third of our breed’s litter and individual registrations come from club members. That means that over 70% of Bouviers are produced without our preservation goals in mind. As a breeder, I am most concerned how this will affect our gene pool with so many un-health tested sires and dams being used. What will the conformation of the puppies be like and how healthy will they be? We, as ABdFC members, need to do better promoting and creating interest in our breed with our prospective buyers and owners. You ask how can that be done? Simple! When you have a litter and sell puppies, the new owners are very excited to know and learn as much as possible about the breed and their puppy's lineage. What better way to create interest than to add an  ABdFC membership application in their puppy packet? As Club members we can also involve our puppy people and other owners with Bouviers in our Regional Club picnics, grooming seminars, training sessions, etc. We MUST do better promoting the Bouvier. Recently four to five litters from our club members have been registered. It will be fun to watch those litters grow and support them in the show and performance rings.

Shortly, we will gather for our 2025 National and Regional Specialties in Cheyenne Wyoming. Information is on our National Specialty Website, www.bouviernational.com. Prior to the Nationals, Cheyenne Kennel Club will host a weekend of All- Breed Shows. Onofrio is the Superintendent for both events. Susan Upcraft and Debra Brown, the show chairmen, have worked hard to put this together for our enjoyment. I look forward to seeing everyone gather for a wonderful time.

Sandi Lyon has taken responsibility for the new website. It is being designed to both create interest in the breed and be informative for our Club members. The BouvTale, a story of the 2024 specialty, is also online in the new site as well as our 50th Anniversary commemorative Dirty Beards. I believe the website is heading a positive direction with more recent materials. Please take the time to enjoy the site.

The Health Committee is also working very hard and keeping updates and strides that are advancing in our breed’s health. Learn more at www.bouvierhealthfoundation.org.

Many pertinent issues are being addressed by the current Board. We are moving in a positive direction for the betterment of the breed and the club. Please let us know what interests you and any concerns that you may have. My cell phone is below so you may contact me directly.

My best,

Douglas Johnson
719-661-7036

Wanted!

Longtime Bouvier journalist and show dog handler, now once again your AKC Gazette breed columnist , is eager to replace breed materials lost in the N.C.floods so I can research the best new columns. Want to buy all 9 copies of The Bouvier des Flandres Annual 1993-2002, all copies of The Dirty Beards and the Southern California Bouvier Bulletin. Members, please let me know what I can do to bring you more happy tales about our beloved Bouviers.

Thank you, Debbie Goldstein
storybookbriard@gmail.com
Cell (336) 657-7997                  

My long awaited book, Boo and Rags, the story of the famous Bouvier littermates I reunited ,without knowing they were a brother and sister, after they bounced between seven homes will be released in the next few months. Beautiful color illustrations by famous dog artist Mary Kummer (The Christmas Collie). Publishing Information forthcoming.