Hi from a Bouv lover

[Vermontlori]

Hi all-
I noticed that people tend to read posts and never post, so after reading three or so posts, I decided to introduce myself.
I was led to this forum because we have three dogs at present (a bouvier, a cockapoo and a goldendoodle----all black). My son wants a dog that he can pick up, so we're looking into a Havanese, but my husband wants our next dog to be another Bouv. My hubby has major allergies and asthma, so all our dogs are non-shedding and rather expensive, as a result!!!
When we got our Bouvier, Monk, 12 years ago, we picked the sleepiest, most unresponsive pup in the litter because we had done our research, and had never owned a dog before, so we knew what we were getting into with a Bouv. We were also a single professional couple. Monk quickly stole our hearts with his bouncy Bouvier antics and his momma-boy personality. He was also very responsive to training (both housetraining and obedience training), although he never, ever, ever took to his crate, which we quickly abandoned.
When we had our son 10 years ago, Monk had a job! He stayed with me all through the labor and delivery process and kissed our son on the top of the head as soon as he came out. Ever since then, he has kept a watchful eye on our son, and the two of them have the most incredible, loving bond.
Since the arrival of our other two dogs, Monk has been a respectful big brother after an initial dose of complete indifference to the puppies.
Anyway, he is now 12 years old, and although he can't run as fast as he once did, he is still just as frisky and just as much a puppy and momma's boy as ever.
So, although my husband said no to a Havanese because three dogs is too many, and four would be way over the top, he is now open to the idea of a Havanese, as long as he can get a second Bouvier. Are five dogs in our near future????
Oh, back to how I found this forum....we live in Vermont, so I Googled "Vermont Bouvier" and found Dalmar Bouvier's posts (she's from Vermont). It turns out that her breeding bitch comes from the same highly discriminating breeder as our Monk, Mapleridge Bouviers.
We had to visit Mapleridge a few times prior to being "approved" by herself as well as her older Bouvs, who have a way of telling her if the visitor is an acceptable Bouvier "owner" (for lack of a better term) or not.
Anyhow, sorry for the long-winded initial message, but I just wanted to let y'all know that there is a new member out there who hasn't been perusing the forum for very long before posting.