Bouvier des Flandres

The Bouvier Des Flandres is a powerfully built, compact, rough-coated dog. They are very agile, spirited, bold and fearless.

Most of the early Bouvier breeders were farmers, butchers, or cattle merchants. They weren't interested in breeding pedigreed dogs, just dogs to help in their work. The first Bouviers were not absolutely uniform in size, weight and color, though they all had enough in common to be recognized as Bouviers. They all had different names, Vuilbaard (dirty beard), koehond (cow dog), and toucher de boeuf (cattle driver).

The breed was making rapid progress when World War I broke out. The areas were the Bouvier was most bred and where the breed was becoming most popular were completely destroyed. The people left the country and most of the dogs were lost. Many of them were abandoned and died, others were acquired by the Germans. A few men, however, succeeded in keeping their dogs all through the war.

The Bouvier was recognized by the AKC in 1929. American fanciers imported dogs regularly from Europe until World War II. At the end of the war interest revived, and the American Bouvier des Flandres Club was founded in 1963.

Breeders haven't forgotten that the Bouvier is a working dog most of all. Although they try to standardize its type, they do not want it to lose the early qualities which first gave attention to its desirability.

They require well-balanced training which remains consistent in nature. Once they learn a command they will remember it for the rest of their life. It is important to make the dog aware, without being too hard with it, that you are and will remain the boss. This breed needs an experienced owner to prevent dominance problems. He should be socialized well at an early age to avoid over-protectiveness and shyness. A good family dog, the Bouvier adores children. This dog's loyalty is world famous. Obedience train this breed at an early age. Behavior with other animals depends on individual temperaments and character. Provided they are properly socialized at an early age, chances are they will get along well with cats and other pets, but be careful with non-canine pets. They are usually good with other dogs if they are raised with them from puppyhood. Dominant individuals can be dog-aggressive. Slow to mature both in body and mind. It does not fully mature until the dog reaches the age of 2-3 years. They can be suspicious and reserved with strangers and protective of their family.

Males should be 24 1/2 to 27 1/2 inches at the withers, females from 23 1/2 to 26 1/2 inches. They are powerfully built, strong boned and well muscled. Their coat is a double coat capable of withstanding the hardest work in the most inclement weather. The outer coat is rough and hard, and the undercoat is fine and soft. Their colors can be fawn to black, passing through salt and pepper, gray, and brindle. They require regular grooming every 4-6 weeks, and should be done by a professional groomer who is familiar with the breed.

Bouvier health issues include atopic dermatitis, cancer, cataracts, cleft lip/cleft palate, elongated soft palate, deafness, entropion, ectropion, epilepsy, glaucoma, and hip dysplasia.

Be sure to find a breeder who tests for health issues prior to breeding and your Bouvier will be less likely to have the problems mentioned above.