The Bouviers of  Australia

by John Mitchell
http://www.rainbow.net.au/~bascia

Welcome to the first of a few newsletters for Bouvzine...  I will try and present  a   brief look at what is  happening in Australia in a "doggy sense".

In Australia, we have Bouviers that participate in Agility Sports, Obedience Trials, Endurance and  some in Tracking.  Bouviers have been exhibited now for nearly 20 years with some success.

What is not known in this country is the abilities that these dogs have in ‘Police Sports’.  Currently in Europe and America, many dogs participate in Shutzhund Sports.    They also work well in the Belgian and French Ring Sports, enjoying the challenge of new situations.  Bouviers are also represented in KNPV   and IPO Trials throughout Europe.  In many European Countries, it is essential that a Bouvier have a working title before a confirmation title will be accredited to the dog.   In this country it is not important for a Bouvier to have a working title to have its confirmation title recognized.   In fact, it only takes 17, 6 point challenges to get an Australian Championship. ( I will discuss the Australian Show system in the next letter.)

Bouviers participate in many types of herding trials through out the American   Continent.  Many Bouvier Clubs devote a lot of time to Herding trials of different animals including ducks, sheep and cattle.  Dogs can be awarded titles on their ability to herd.   In Australia, we have no official herding competitions, but I know of many Bouviers that work on cattle farms with Beef and Diary Cattle.

Carting trials are a common feature of many American Working Competitions.  These animals work with special light weight carts and specially designed harnesses.  The Victorian Club has several animals that are cart trained and demonstrate their abilities during the Dutch Fair Days and the various parades around Melbourne.

Fun activities such as Fly Ball & Lure Coursing are also a domain
that the Bouvier excels in.  Bouviers can attain FlyBall Titles as well as participate in Lure Coursing Competitions in this country.  

Bouviers have excelled in these sports.  Zodi the Wonder Dog has even won the Summer Cup, a prestigious Lure Coursing Event, in the last few years.  Heidi ( Cal's Mum) is a whiz at Fly Ball and can be seen trotting her stuff out around the obedience and show circuits in Central Queensland.

We do have 2 Bouviers that have been  Endurance qualified in South Australia.   It is not a common sport for Bouviers, but a growing interest is developing in this with a lot of the working dogs.

The Canine Control Council  currently does not recognize the following dog sports:

Sports that have a “protection” component to them.  Sports such as Schutzhund, IPO or KNPV are included in this list. These activities are not sanctioned by the C.C.C.   There is a Dog Club in Brisbane that runs Schutzhund Classes, although it is in no way affiliated with the main governing  Dog Body (C.C.C.) in Australia.

Lure Coursing Awards are not recognized by the C.C.C. , although the Club is affiliated with the C.C.C.

Herding.  This is not a recognized sport here in this country, although there are Bouviers working on farms at this point of time.

Carting: Bouviers have been taught to cart in several parts of the country and perform at   club day activities.... but not for awards.

Bouviers also work in the service of man in several fields.  

Most well known are the “Therapy Dogs”.  These animals are trained to interact in a gentle, positive manner with all types of people. I know of a few that have been used 'unofficially' in this field.  ...... my girl Bascia comes to mind with her care of the physically  & multiply impaired.

“SAR”  aka Search and Rescue Dogs are trained in many continents.   There are none in Australia at this point of time.


The Bouvier is now a popular dog in many countries.  Bouvs have been in Australia since around 1972.  The first animals that were brought in  from England and from then we have seen imports from the USA, Holland, New Zealand and Canada.   Currently it is considered to be a rare breed in this country with between 5 and 10 litters being born a year.   The first Kennels to be established in Australia belonged to Doug Mummery.  The Delardenoi & Tweevanon Kennels obtained their first stock from there.  Several kennels have come and gone since then. 

Currently in this country we have 6 main breeders of Bouviers.

¨ Estrik Kennels - Mary Kylstra  - Victoria
¨ Delardenoi Kennels - Lyn and Peter Lardenoye - Victoria
¨ Tweevanons Kennels- Peter Renwick - Victoria
¨ Jijapark Kennels - Janice Parker - South Australia
¨ Stavast Kennels - Ralph Kamer - New South Wales
¨ Calstonia Kennels - Waine and Janet Scott - Queensland

Next edition I will look at the Bouvier in the show ring and how it  can gain an "Australian Championship"  and try and look at the Bouvier in Australian Society as a pet.

Well from  all in OZ.... have a wonderful  WINTER/SUMMER!!!!!!!

John Mitchell

To see some Australian Bouvs, click here