The Briard Club of America was founded in 1928 to preserve, protect, and promote the welfare of the breed and to educate its members in all aspects of stewardship of the Briard. These include maintaining standards of conformation and physical soundness through responsible breeding, promoting canine medical and health research, and sponsoring breed rescue initiatives. The BCA was recognized by the American Kennel Club the year it was founded and is the parent organization to Regional Clubs throughout the United States. BCA membership includes people from all walks of life. Whether their Briards are involved in Agility, Conformation, Herding, Obedience, Rally, Tracking, working as service/assistance dogs, or full-time beloved canine companions and family pets, all BCA members share their intense love, respect, and an enormous sense of responsibility for the Briard. In addition to annual National Specialty events, periodically the BCA sponsors a National Rassemblement (Rass). Briards are evaluated in a non-competitive, learning environment by European experts who have bred or judged Briards for many years. Participants receive a detailed written assessment of their Briard. The BCA has founded two independent, non-profit Trusts: the Briard Medical Trust and the Briard Rescue Trust. The Briard Medical Trust is charged with promoting breed health research and educating owners and breeders on the health concerns of the breed. The Briard Rescue Trust funds expenses for rescuing and re-homing Briards at risk or in need of placement. The Briard Club of America is the official national representative of the Briard to the American Kennel Club. In addition to keeping the records pertinent to its function, the club maintains liaison with Briard clubs throughout the world; holds an annual specialty show; and publishes informative material on the Briard in addition to a club magazine, the DewClaw. Individual copies of educational materials are made available, without cost, to anyone requesting information on the breed. The DewClaw is sent to all members, and is also available to non-members for $45 per year for domestic, $55 for Canadian, and $60 per year for foreign. The club has also has a publication called MinutesPlus sent out monthly to help keep members better informed of club business and to encourage a healthy interchange within the club about various issues. The Briard Club of America encourages the formation of local Briard specialty clubs to increase contact with new owners and to work for the best interests of the breed. Any local group will be granted BCA association provided that the local group is willing to abide by the objectives and rules of the BCA and the rules and regulations of the American Kennel Club.