Mission & Philosophy

Southern California Bouvier des Flandres Club, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization formed in 1972 with the following purposes:

To promote and advance the breeding of purebred Bouviers des Flandres and the dissemination of knowledge regarding Bouvier des Flandres
To urge members and breeders to accept the standard of the breed as approved by the American Kennel Club as the only standard of excellence by which Bouvier des Flandres shall be judged
To do all in its power to protect and advance the interests of the breed and owners by encouraging sportsmanlike competition at dog shows and obedience trials
To conduct sanctioned matches and specialty shows and obedience trials under the rules of the American Kennel Club
To lend air, encouragement, counsel and advice to novices, breeders, and/or exhibitors
To operate as a social and recreational club for the exclusive use and enjoyment of its members

The Club is designed to be well-rounded and to encompass all interests of Bouvier owners, from the show ring to the family pet. We strive to nurture the herding and working breed of the Bouvier des Flandres, and to build solid relationships with those who own Bouviers. Anyone who has owned a Bouvier can recognize the specialness of this breed, and likewise, it takes a special kind of person to own a Bouvier; the two go hand-in-hand.

Club members receive our monthly Bulletin which keeps you abreast of upcoming Bouvier events and oftentimes provides articles written or contributed by the general membership. The Bulletin is very informative with timely topics for and about the Bouvier, covering everyone's area of interest.

Events are scheduled throughout the year such as introduction to agility (the dogs love this--they can crawl through tunnels, cross planks, and weave through obstacles), sheep and cattle herding (where they can develop their natural instinct to herd), protective training, police work (tracking), obedience, carting, and just plain fun in the Park (our annual Valentine's Day Fun Match and our BouvAlympics event). We hold grooming seminars where you can learn the anatomy of your dog and how to groom your own dog, as well as what to look for when choosing a groomer. We include guest speakers at our events, such as veterinarians, judges, and others who can give you more information on the care, nutritional needs, and background history of the Bouvier.

Our annual Specialty is held every year on approximately the first weekend of June. Bouvier enthusiasts from all over the country come to show their dogs in conformation and/or obedience. A dinner is offered afterwards which provides an opportunity to meet and socialize with fellow Club members and other Bouvier exhibitors. It's a perfect time to exchange information and develop new friendships.

At year's end, we hold our annual Awards Brunch, Elections and Auction. Members gather at a restaurant banquet room to enjoy a delicious brunch among good company. Awards are issued to those members whose dogs have earned titles throughout the year. Many look forward to the "traditional" auction where you can bid on purchasing a wide variety of interesting Bouvier-related items, ranging from T-shirts, artwork and unique gifts, to crates and ex-pens (one year, a vacation condo in Hawaii was auctioned off!). This is a fun way to close each year, and another occasion to get to know Club members and Bouvier owners on a more personal basis.

Constitution and Bylaws