Dear Members:

Welcome to the first information email from the new executive of the Bouvier des Flandres Club of Canada.  As all of our members have e-mail accessibility, the board made the decision to not publish a quarterly Newsletter, but instead will send out a short description of the up-coming events that may be of interest to you.

First, we welcome both returning and new members to the Club!  We encourage anyone who has not renewed as yet to send in their dues as soon as possible.  March 31^st   is the final day to be able to join without paying a penalty fee, (BdFCC By-Law Article 3, Section 7).  On a side note, all the cheques we have on hand will be deposited in the Bank by Friday, February 3, 2012, in case you are wondering why they are not yet cashed.  We all pay dues to support the BdFCC and we need now, more than ever, to sit up take note and speak our piece if we are not sure or satisfied with how things are being done.  It is time to be an in-your-face Bouvier fancier who gives a damn about the future of the club in the current economic times.

We expect to have all the documentation for a Treasurer’s report in the next week to be able to present the new Executive with a budget for the year.  Once 2011 has been finalized we will post financial documents, and would encourage comments and questions, which can be sent to Kathleen at kandgpollock@gmail.com following which, they will be forward to the Executive for their discussion.

Our current membership is at 27 (including new applications) people (see details below):

New members: 5 

Family renewals:  8 (16)
Single renewals: 6
Breeder List renewals: 4

The first order of business is to do some housekeeping in the By-Law department.  We need to get back to simple basic steps, for the trip back to the top.  In the new age of electronics, we plan to keep the members involved and up-to-date.  If there are any By-Laws that you may think might need updating or rewording please let us know by sending an email to Sonja van Maanen at indeliblebouviers@cogeco.ca... we can't read minds and we as a Board are human too!  All By-Laws can be found on the Canadian Bouvier Web Site (http://www.bouviercanada..com/bylaw.html), which will, also, get a face lift this year ;-) !!

The number of Bouviers entered in Confirmation, Obedience, Agility and other Dog Sport events has declined. We encourage Bouvier owners to get involved in the activity of your choice – not only will you enjoy it, but you will have a more balanced dog as well.  Club members are willing to help with any questions or problems that you might encounter while preparing for an event.


Obedience

The CKC introduced new Obedience Rules on January 1, 2012.  There are some significant changes in all levels of Obedience, such as (For a complete set of rules please consult the CKC web site or purchase a Rule Book.) –
Pre-Novice -- Figure Eight replaces (Circle Left and Right)
Novice -- Stand for Examination will be done off leash
Novice Intermediate Class – The Honouring exercise has been eliminated
Open - Prior to the start of judging, the judge will decide the order of exercises to be performed. 
Utility -- Prior to the start of judging, the judge will decide the order of exercises to be performed. 

Future Events

The National Club is holding a Booster March 10^th, at the Purina Dog show March 9/10/11, 2012 in Toronto, Ontario.  We will also have a Breed booth there.  So if you are local, please come out to visit or help!

The BC Bouvier Club will be holding their AGM on Feb 5^th, so will let you know what happens from that.  Their Specialty is being held on April 7^th, in Chilliwack, for those who may be interested in going http://www.westerndogshows.com/PLPDF/2012%20BC%20Bouv%20pl.pdf , in conjunction with the Renaissance show. 

In October, in Surrey, BC, the NAWBA trials are being held, no other information at this time.  There will be a couple of Bouviers getting into herding trails this year, one will be trailing at the started level, and the other will just be starting out.

The Alberta AGM was held January 15, 2012.  Due to the snow storm those in southern Alberta weren't able to attend.  However, a conference call was done, no change in any positions.

The Alberta Club will hold its Speciality at the AKC show Saturday Aug 4.  The venue will be held at the Spruce Meadows facility.  The confirmation judge will be Chie Ejima Yamakado and for Sweeps it is still to be determined at this time.  Further information and updates can be found at www.canuckdogs.com

The first show this year in Calgary put on by AKC only has two Bouvier's entered.

The Ontario Bouvier Club is now back in full swing... with a Grooming Seminar April 21^st, at Ren’s in Abberfoyle, Ontario.  They are also holding their Specialty the same weekend as ours in August 11-12, 2012, at Milton, Ontario.

Quebec Region -This upcoming weekend we have a Grooming Seminar for Bouvier owners (14) on Saturday Feb 4th & for the Professional Groomer (5) on Sunday Feb 5th.  In conjunction with Societe Canine de Quebec, Serge Bilodeau will give a Workshop on Genetics (AM - Basic & PM - Inbreeding/breeding program).

The Club de Bouvier des Flandres du Quebec will have a winter activity on March 11th, 2012, Snowshoes or walk with our bouviers at the Centre Canin Legardeur in the Legardeur City.  Hope most of the member (94 individual member including 7 breeders) can attend to this event, as they will have their AGM in the same day. 

There will be a herding instinct test on May 13th, 2012 at Albert, Ontario. 

CBdFQ will be holding their Specialty in June 23, 2012, at Trois-Rivière, Quebec and a Booster at the United Kennel Club in November. 

In the fall, the CBdFQ will have their Annual Pic-Nic, but it's not scheduled yet.  Eh, may be a Christmas party??

Atlantic Region - we invite your suggestion of sites to hold a Regional Specialties and/or Booster for 2012 & 2013.  Maritime Group 7 Specialty will be held at Halifax, NS on Sept 1, 2012.

We invite Club Members in each Region to contact us with your concerns, celebrations, suggestions and questions about the Bouvier breed and Club activities.  This invitation is extended to Bouvier owners who are not Club members as well.  We want to hear about the activities that you and your family enjoy with your Bouvier.

We look forward to hearing from Club members and Bouvier owners in each area.

We are a small National Club but that does not mean we can't all pull together and make this the best year yet!!!  We know we're willing to give 100%... Will You ??

The BdFCC board.