Versatility
The Bouvier has developed into an intelligent dog with many talents. They are successful in search and rescue, agility, barn hunt, dock diving, herding, lure coursing, nose work, obedience/rally, conformation, tracking, working dog sport, and therapy dogs.
Do you belong to ABdFC with a versatile Bouvier. There is a Versatility Program built especially for you.
Learn more!
Agility | Carting | Herding | Obedience | Conformation | Rally | Dock Diving | Barn Hunt | Lure Coursing | Tracking | Therapy | Scent Work | Working Dog | Police Work | Search & Rescue
Agility
AKC Agility is a sport that combines athleticism, teamwork, and mental stimulation, making it a rewarding experience for both dogs and their handlers. It fosters a strong bond, provides excellent physical exercise and encourages teamwork and communication between the dog and handler. A Bouvier loves it!
There are three classes of agility competition: the Standard Class and the Jumpers with Weaves Class and the Fifteen and Send Time (FAST) Class, offering increasing levels of difficulty to earn Novice, Open, Excellent and Master titles.
Carting
The Carting Tests of the American Bouvier des Flandres Club are a series of exercises designed to develop and demonstrate the natural abilities of the Bouvier des Flandres when pulling a cart with a handler.
This sport offers both exercise and discipline opportunities, and is a natural extension of the Bouvier pulling milk carts to town at the breed’s inception. ABdFC offers levels of titles for this sport.
Herding
AKC’s Herding program offers both tests and trials. The herding test is offered in a non-competitive pass/fail format as an Instinct Test, Herding Test, and Pre-Trial test. All are conducted within a fenced arena and include the use of livestock such as ducks, sheep, or cattle. Herding Trials are competitive and dogs are scored on their herding abilities according to test level, course type, and livestock type. There are three trial levels – started, intermediate, and advanced, and three courses to choose from: A, B, C, with each course type focusing on various aspects of herding work.
It is great fun to watch the Bouvier’s natural instinct at work and train them to move the stock under control.
Obedience
Developed in the 1930s, Obedience is one of the AKC’s oldest sporting events. From walking on- and off-leash to retrieving and jumping, or demonstrating your dog’s ability to stay, Obedience trials feature dogs that are well-behaved at home, in public places, and in the presence of other dogs. It is essential that the obedience dog demonstrates willingness and enjoyment while it is working with the handler. There are many levels of competition, all the way to an Obedience Champion.
Rally
Just like any team sport, Rally requires both teamwork and skill. Handlers and their dogs navigate a course, side-by-side, as the handlers steer their dogs through a course of 10-20 different signs. Each of these signs provides instructions regarding the next skill that is to be performed. Bouviers and their owners find it rewarding and fun with many title levels available.
Conformation
The AKC breed ring judges how well each Bouvier conforms to the Breed Standard. Join the fun to test your exhibiting skills and meet and learn from other exhibitors.
Dock Diving
Splish spash! There are just a few simple rules for competing in dock diving. You throw your dog’s favorite toy into a pool while they wait on a dock about 40 feet long. On your command, they run along the dock and launch themselves off the end of it, then land in the water and grab their toy. The goal? To have the longest jump possible. Fun for the dog and his owner plus AKC titles to obtain.
Barn Hunt
Not everyone will understand the importance of “rat catchers” but if you live in the countryside, you sure do!
Events are held either indoors or outdoors in a barn-like setting. It is for any breed who loves to hunt and who can fit through an 18” by approximately 22 “ tall wide tunnel made of hay bales. Barn Hunt tests the nose, speed, agility, and surefootedness of dogs that have a history of above-ground vermin hunting,” said Robin Nuttall, founder of the Barn Hunt Association.”
Barn Hunt is all inclusive and fun for any dog and human who want to play the game.
Lure Coursing & Fast Cat
So how do you satisfy your dog’s high-energy, inner instincts? AKC Lure Coursing or Fast Cat may be the perfect answer! They are an exciting way for him to do what comes naturally, but in a safe, controlled environment. Dogs chase a mechanized, white plastic lure around either a 600+ yard lure course that simulates the unpredictability of chasing live prey or a straight line dash for Fast Cat. This is heaven for the dogs! At the same time, it helps improve their focus, agility and sportsmanship.
Tracking
Your Bouvier’s keen sense of smell – which is 100,000 times stronger than humans – makes him naturally “nosey,” and thus innately ideal for the sport of Tracking. It’s the perfect way for you and your dog to enjoy many hours together, outside in the fresh air, honing those natural abilities. There are multiple levels of tracking titles and surfaces for competition titles.
Therapy
Therapy dogs are dogs who go with their owners to volunteer in settings such as schools, hospitals, and nursing homes.
From working with a child who is learning to read to visiting a senior in assisted living, therapy dogs and their owners work together as a team to improve the lives of other people.
Scent Work
The sport of Scent Work celebrates the joy of sniffing, and asks a dog to sniff to their heart’s content thus turning your dog’s favorite activity into a rewarding game. Neither the dog nor handler knows where the target odor is hidden. The handler has to rely on the dog, and follow the dog’s nose to success. In Scent Work, it is the canine who is the star of the show. Teamwork is necessary: when the dog finds the scent, he has to communicate the find to the handler, who calls it out to the judge.
Working Dog Sport & Protection
The Working Dog Sport is a competitive AKC Performance Event designed to demonstrate the progress that has been made in breeding for the physical and mental abilities necessary for performing scent and protection work, while maintaining a high level of control and a strong degree of obedience. The Bouvier history includes participation in Schutzhund and Ring Sport
Search & Rescue
Search and rescue dogs spring into action assisting humans during difficult times. They track people lost in the wilderness or after a natural disaster. They find Alzheimers patients who have wandered from a care facility and people trapped in debris after an earthquake, flood or avalanche. They adapt to a variety of circumstances and work well under pressure.
Police
The Bouvier has a history in police work using it’s natural abilities for search and rescue, tracking and protection.
