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Our President’s
Message
First of all, I would like to thank
those of you who attended our 2008 National Specialty in
Halifax, Nova Scotia. A National Specialty is always a great
event where we get to see old friends and meet new ones.
Congratulations to each of the winners in all the events and
also, thank you to the exhibitors – without you there would not
have been such a successful National Specialty show. As well, it
would not have happened had it not been for a lot of great
people in the Halifax area who contributed so much time , energy
and expertise as part of the show committee. They did an
extraordinary job.
And of course, a toast to David and
Sondra Riser and Elaine Paquette for all her dedication towards
putting our breed at the top of the list – GCH Quiche’s
Demitrius CGN – Number One Dog in Canada, 2008.
Congratulations.
As we start our journey into 2009
and beyond, please remember why we are all involved in this
organization.
The purpose for which this Club has
been formed is :
1. To
promote and advance the breeding of pure bred Bouviers des
Flandres and the dissemination of knowledge regarding Bouviers
des Flandres.
2. To
urge members and breeders to accept the standard of the breed as
approved by the Canadian Kennel Club as the only standard of
excellence by which Bouviers des Flandres shall be judged.
3. 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.
4. To
conduct sanctioned matches and specialty shows and obedience
trials under the rules of the Canadian Kennel Club.
5. To
lend aid, encouragement, counsel and advice to laymen and the
inexperienced.
6. To
help develop the organization of independent local Bouviers des
Flandres specialty clubs in those localities where there are
sufficient fanciers of the breed to meet the requirements of the
Canadian Kennel Club.
From time to time we will have
disagreements about something, someone or the Club and I think
we all need to be reminded from time to time that we are working
together for the good of the breed and our dogs. I have always
been told in real life, if you have a complaint, you should also
have a recommendation for a solution. If you think you can do a
better job, volunteer.
Breeders are the backbone of the
organization. Without them we would not have the sound, properly
structured dogs to compete in all the other events at which our
breed can excel. However, not everyone can be a breeder or wants
to be a breeder so we need to encourage all Bouvier enthusiasts
to participate in our Club. It takes everyone working together
to make a better organization and Club. Like always we have a
lot of work ahead of us in the coming year. Pet legislation is
not going to go away. Where ever there is an issue, please take
the time to study the actual proposals or amendments and comment
to the appropriate legislators. FAXS, letters, emails and phone
calls all count. Each individual’s comments reckon so be active
in supporting what is going on in your part of the country. And
by all means, please bring these issues to the attention of the
BdFCC as well. Serge Bilodeau the Club’s secretary is the proper
person to direct communications to. Communications are the key
to getting us all on the same page.
I want to put a personal challenge
to the membership of this Club. Even though we don’t want to
admit it at times, we are all getting older. The key to
advancement and longevity of this organization is to encourage
young people in whatever way we can to get involved in our breed
and our Club. It might be that young person that helps take
care of your dogs or kennel. It might be that young couple that
moved in down the block that are interested in Bouviers or it
might be that young handler who wants to show a Bouvier.
Whomever it is, remember we were all novices in the breed at one
point. Please take the time to nurture and mentor some new young
people that are interested in Bouviers. They are our future!
Brian R Gunther
President |
