Margaux Bouviers

Training begins at birth with early socialization, exposure to surfaces and obstacles, and human interaction. Puppies are evaluated for temperament and matched to family needs. Ongoing support includes guidance on obedience, behavior, and performance training such as herding, agility, rally, and scent work. Training is tailored to the breed’s intelligent, willful nature and emphasizes structured, positive development. Limited registration puppies may transition to full registration upon evaluation for conformation competition.

Pricing Summary

Pricing for training services is not explicitly listed. Training support is included as part of the puppy purchase and lifelong owner assistance; no separate training fees are advertised.

Policies

Margaux Bouviers retains the right of first refusal if a puppy or adult dog needs to be rehomed. All puppies come with lifelong training and behavioral support from the breeder. Limited registration can be upgraded to full registration upon evaluation for conformation purposes.

Margaux Bouviers is a renowned Bouvier des Flandres breeding program founded by Sandi Lyon in 1989, located in Rockford, IL. While primarily focused on breeding high-quality, health-tested Bouviers with exceptional temperament and structural soundness, the program provides lifelong training support and guidance to puppy and dog owners. All puppies are socialized from birth in a home environment with exposure to varied surfaces, obstacles, and human interactions. Training principles are embedded in puppy development through early agility exposure, handling, and temperament evaluation. Owners receive ongoing assistance for the life of the dog, including guidance on obedience, behavior, and performance activities such as herding, agility, rally, and obedience. The program emphasizes positive, structured development rooted in the breed’s working heritage, with a strong commitment to ethical breeding and responsible ownership.

Although not marketed as a traditional dog training business, Margaux Bouviers offers comprehensive, breed-specific training support to owners of their puppies and adult dogs, ensuring proper integration into family life and performance roles. Their training philosophy aligns with positive reinforcement and structured guidance, grounded in decades of hands-on experience with the breed.

The program is recognized for producing Top 20 conformation and performance dogs, Register of Merit producers, and Best in Show winners, reflecting the high standards of training and socialization applied from puppyhood. Training support is included as part of their breeding commitment, not sold as a standalone service.

Accomplishments

Sandi Lyon is the 2024 AKC Breeder of the Year, an AKC Platinum Breeder of Merit, and a founding member of the Bouvier Health Foundation. Margaux Bouviers has produced 13 Best in Show winners, over 160 Champions, 36 Grand Champions, 24 Top 20 conformation qualifiers, 16 Top 20 performance qualifiers, and 3 Dual Champions. Six stud dogs and 20 bitches hold Register of Merit status, with one being the top producer in the breed.

How to Get Started!

Potential owners contact Margaux Bouviers to express interest in a puppy. Puppies are matched based on personality and family needs. Training support begins at pickup and continues for the life of the dog through direct communication with Sandi Lyon.