Bouvier des Flandres

Quick facts

	AKC Group:	Herding
	Height:	Male: 23-28 inches, Female: 22-27 inches
	Weight:	Male: Male: 75-90 pounds, Female: 60-80 pounds
	Colors:	black, fawn, blonde, grey, brindle, salt and pepper
AKC recognized in:		1931

Bouvier des Flandres translates to "Cowherd from Flanders" in English. Also known as Vuilbaard, Koehond,and Toucheur de Boeuf, they mean "dirty beard", "cow dog", and "cattle driver", respectively.

Powerful in built and rugged in appearance, the Bouvier is a large herding dog with a thick, rough double coat. Aside from its square profile, note its impressive head. The eyebrows are bushy and the muzzle is made more-pronounced by a heavy beard and a moustache over its black nose. The eyes are usually dark brown, oval in shape, and encircled by black rims.

What’s known about this breed is that it originated in Belgium as a working dog, but there is no certainty as to whether it really is a cross between the French Beauceron and Griffon. As to bloodlines, the Bouviers of Dutch origin are often much larger and heavier than those of the Belgian lines.

Temperament

Bouvier des Flandres Summary
Affection
Cold Tolerance
Ease of Training
Energy level
Exercise Requirements
Friendliness : Children
Friendliness: Other Animals
Friendliness: Other Pets
Grooming Requirements
Heat Tolerance
Playfulness
Protection Ability
Watchdog Ability

Although they look very sophisticated and intimidating, the Bouvier des Flandres is actually a gentle and good-natured dog. Calm and pleasant as the Bouvier is, it is also protective and loyal to owners. This makes them good household companions and family pets.

Keen guard dogs, they are characterized as being responsible, obedient, and even-tempered. They can also be fearless and enthusiastic to a point. As an easy-to-train breed, they are fast in learning commands.

However, compared with other dogs, it is said to mature slowly in both body and mind. Only at the age of 2 or 3 does a Bouvier fully mature. Thus, an owner should be able to communicate with this dog at its level of development.

To give this dog a well-balanced training, your methods should be consistent in nature. It requires a firm hand and a little experience to help this dog overcome its problem with dominance and over-protectiveness.

Health and Exercise

Given the opportunity for early socialization, a Bouvier can overcome its shyness toward people and suspiciousness of strangers. When trained at an early age, it will prove to be excellent with children and other family members.

As a household pet, the Bouvier is very adaptable. Give it the proper amount of exercise outdoors and it will be calm when kept in a home or apartment. Being a very energetic and enthusiastic dog, exercise for this pet means long, daily brisk walks and runs alongside a moving bike. As a tip, you take the lead and make him heel.

Based on its appearance, the Bouvier does need a lot of grooming! To avoid matting, your pet’s double coat should be combed regularly and brushed weekly. If it’s a show dog, you’re required to trim the coat every 3 to 5 weeks.

In terms of health, what’s so remarkable about the Bouvier is that it has an extremely-high pain threshold. The downside to this is that neither you nor the vet can easily tell what your dog is feeling or where it is hurting after an injury.

Like most other dogs, this breed is prone to hip dysplasia and eye problems like cataracts. Otherwise, it can live for an average of 10 to 12 years.

Visitor Comments

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