The Bouvier des Flandres is a large, stocky, very rustic dog. Dean of a stable, protective and loyal temperament, he is an excellent shepherd, herding and guard dog, but he can also make an excellent pet. Thanks to their high intelligence and superb memory, these dogs tend to learn all kinds of commands and tricks quickly. Since they are very large and need a lot of physical and mental activity, it is better for them to live in large spaces.
If you want to adopt a dog of this breed, you need to learn more about it to ensure that you will be able to meet all of its needs.To do this, we invite you to continue reading this breed sheet from PlanèteAnimal in which we tell you everything you need to know about the Bouvier des Flandres.
Happy reading!
Origin
- Europe
- Belgium
- France
FCI Nomenclature
- Group I
Physical Characteristics
- Rustic
- Muscular
- Proportional
Size
- Large
Height
- 55-70
Adult Weight
- 25-45
Life expectancy
- 10-12
Recommended physical activity
- High
Character
- Balanced
- Smart
- Active
Ideal for
- Apartment
- Walking
- Shepherd
- The guard
Recommendations
- Harness
Recommended climate
- Temperate
Hair type
- Medium
- Hard
- Dry
Origin of the Bouvier des Flandres
This cattle dog comes from the Flemish region, also called Flanders, shared between Belgium and France. This is why the FCI considers them to be of Franco-Belgian origin.
The first breed standard was written in 1912 and the Bouvier des Flandres grew in popularity until World War I, when the breed was driven to the brink of extinction. One of the few surviving Bouviers des Flandres of the war was used as a founder to revive the breed, and his name today appears on almost every pedigree of current Bouviers des Flandres. This dog was Ch. Nic from Sottegem. In 1922, the breed standard was redefined in order to obtain a more homogeneous breed. Today, the Bouvier des Flandres is a dog that is easily seen at dog shows and herding dog shows, but is not very popular as a pet.
Physical characteristics of the Bouvier des Flandres
This dog's body is compact, strong and muscular, but it doesn't seem that heavy. It has a square profile and the length from the buttock to the shoulder is equal to the height at the withers.Its height at the withers varies from 62 to 68 centimeters in males and from 59 to 65 centimeters in females. Its approximate weight varies from 30 to 40 kilograms in males and from 27 to 35 kilograms in females. His legs are muscular and have a strong bone.
The Bouvier de Flandre's head is massive, well proportioned to the body and well defined, but these features may not be noticeable to the naked eye due to the abundant coat covering it. His beard is well developed and his nose is rounded and black in color. His eyes, slightly oval and very dark, are arranged horizontally. Its ears are of high insertion and they fall back on its cheeks. Unfortunately, the FCI standard accepts and recommends the amputation of the ears so that they have a triangular shape.
Similarly, the breed standard published by the FCI indicates that the tail must be docked above the second or third vertebra, except in countries where this barbaric practice is prohibited.
This dog's coat is dense and double coated. The outer coat is of medium length (about six centimeters), rough, dry and slightly shaggy. The undercoat is made up of fine, tight hairs. The coat can be grey, spotted or anthracite, but the standard also accepts a black brindle coat.
Character of the Bouvier des Flandres
These dogs are intelligent, energetic and have a stable temperament. Due to their background as working dogs on Belgian farms, they are excellent watchdogs, but they still need companionship for much of the day.
They tend to be quite reserved with strangers and can even be aggressive with dogs of the same sex. With proper socialization, however, they can be great pets and end up getting along well with people, dogs, and other animals. It is important to start socializing these dogs when they are still puppies, otherwise they will develop fears that will make them aggressive.
Caring for a Bouvier des Flandres
Coat maintenance is complex and requires brushing and combing the dog two to three times a week. Of course, coat maintenance is more intensive for show dogs than for companion dogs, but in general, the coat of the Bouvier des Flandres requires more care than that of other sheep and herding dogs.
These dogs also need plenty of exercise and companionship. They are not dogs that are content with short walks and they need long walks or runs every day. However, care must be taken not to put too much strain on them when they are still young, as this could damage their joints. They are also not dogs to be left alone in the garden. So they can adapt to apartment living if they get enough outdoor exercise, but live best in houses with large gardens.If they are not stimulated enough, they will become bored and may become aggressive or destructive.
Education and training of the Bouvier des Flandres
In addition to being very intelligent, the Bouvier des Flandres has a very good memory, so much so that he surprises more than one with his cognitive abilities. When properly trained, these dogs are true gems of the animal kingdom, as they learn very quickly. They respond well to different training techniques, but best results are achieved through clicker training.
These dogs can develop behavioral issues when they don't get enough exercise or aren't given the attention they need. In this case, they can become destructive, aggressive or timid. However, when properly cared for and trained, they make excellent pets that rival other breeds.
He alth of the Bouvier des Flandres
The Bouvier des Flandres is a generally he althy dog that tends to have fewer he alth issues than many other dog breeds. However, she is prone to certain hereditary diseases such as:
- Hip Dysplasia
- Gastric Torsion
- Entropion
- Cataracts
Photos of Bouvier des Flandres
