Bouvier des Flandres Dog Breed (Complete Guide)

Bouvier Des Flandres Dog Overview

This is a versatile breed that can serve as a herder, worker, or guardian. As a result, this dog possesses exceptional strength as well as agility and endurance.

The Bouvier des Flandres is a short-coupled, compact dog with square proportions and a rough appearance. The Bouvier has a free, bold, and proud gait.

The coat is disheveled and thick, with a delicate undercoat and a rough, dry outside coat. The coat is cut (if necessary) to around 2.5′′ in length.

The dog’s bold and alert attitude is enhanced by a beard and mustache on his head.

Bouvier Des Flandres Highlights

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  • The Bouvier is not for fussy folks who can’t stand the shambles. Although he can be cleaned with a lot of elbow grease, his coat tends to accumulate dirt and debris, which is then dumped all over your house.
  • Not surprisingly, the Bouvier requires extensive grooming, which can be time-consuming and/or costly.
  • Bouvier is not recommended for first-time dog owners due to his demanding disposition.
  • Because of the Bouvier’s size, herding nature, and strong personality, leash training is strongly recommended.
  • When he is with his family, Bouvier is at his happiest.

Bouvier Des Flandres Breed Features & Ratings:

Rated base on a 5 Star Scale
ENERGY LEVEL:                                3 Star
EXERCISE REQUIREMENTS:           4 Star
PLAYFULNESS:                                  2 Star
AFFECTION LEVEL:                          3 Star
FRIENDLINESS TO DOGS:                3 Star
FRIENDLINESS TO OTHER PETS:   3 Star
FRIENDLINESS TO STRANGERS:     3 Star
WATCHFULNESS:                               5 Star
EASE OF TRAINING:                           3 Star
GROOMING REQUIREMENTS:           4 Star
HEAT SENSITIVITY:                              4 Star
VOCALITY                                             5 Star

Bouvier Des Flandres Characteristics:

  • Dog Breed Group:  Herding Dogs
  • Height:  At the shoulder, it should be 23 to 26 inches tall 
  • Weight:  70 to 100 pounds
  • Life Span: 10 to 12 years 
  • Type: Purebred 
  • AREA OF ORIGIN: Belgium 
  • DATE OF ORIGIN: 1600s 
  • OTHER NAMES:  Belgian Cattle Dog, Flanders Cattle Dog, Vlaamse Koehond
  • Temperament: Familial, Gentle, Intelligent, Loyal, Protective, Rational
  • Activities: Tracking, Herding, Police and Military Work, Search and Rescue, Carting, Agility, Obedience, Schutzhund, Conformation
  • Color: Fawn to black, salt and pepper, gray, brindle
  • Litter Size:  5 to 10 puppies 
  • Puppy Prices: $1500 – $2500 USD on average

Bouvier Des Flandres Health:

The breed’s myopathy, cataracts, deafness, ectopic ureters, epilepsy, glaucoma, hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, laryngeal paralysis, megaesophagus, elbow dysplasia, portosystemic shunt, and subaortic stenosis are all common health issues in the breed.

The Bouvier, like all large and deep-chested breeds, can suffer from stomach dilatation and bloat.

Owners should learn how to recognize this potentially fatal disease and what emergency procedures to take to address it.

The National Breed Club recommends the following health tests:

  • Hip Evaluation
  • Elbow Evaluation
  • Ophthalmologist Evaluation
  • Cardiac Exam

Bouvier Des Flandres Grooming:

The Bouvier des Flandres has a weather-resistant double coat, which is either a blessing or a burden depending on how the owner looks at it.

The outside coat is coarse and lengthy, with a fine and dense undercoat.

It comes in many colors, including fawn, black, salt and pepper, and brindle, and it sometimes has a white star on its chest.

While the attractive Bouvier does not shed much, he does require a lot of maintenance to keep his coat looking well. (It is critical to start this process when the Bouvier is a puppy so that the dog will learn to accept grooming as a normal part of life.)

His Dutch nickname, Vuilbaard, translates to “dirty beard,” because the Bouvier, like all dogs with a fluffy coat, gets dirty readily.

Muddy paws, leaves or burrs, feces on the hindquarters, or even a damp, dirty beard are all to be expected.

The Bouvier’s thick coat should be brushed several times per week, and it’s a good idea to inspect the coat every day for burrs, ticks, or weeds.

Bathe the dog every six to eight weeks and cut his coat once a year. Many owners employ a professional groomer to groom their Bouvier, but you should still brush thoroughly on a regular basis.

Consider the time and/or money required for his upkeep if you are thinking about getting a Bouvier.

Brush your Bouvier’s teeth at least twice a week to remove tartar and the bacteria that live inside it. Brushing twice a day is even preferable if you want to avoid gum disease and foul breath.

Cut your pet’s nails once or twice a month if he doesn’t wear them down naturally to avoid painful tears and other issues.

Nails are too long if it produces a sound that you can hear clicking on the floor.

Dog toenails include blood veins, and if you cut too deeply, you may cause bleeding – and your pet may refuse to comply the next time the nail clippers come out.

So, if you’re not used to clipping dog nails, get advice from a vet or groomer. His ears should be examined on a weekly basis for redness or odor, which can suggest an infection.

When cleaning your dog’s ears, use a cotton ball wet with a moderate, pH-balanced ear cleanser to help avoid infections. Do not insert anything into the breed’s ear canal; instead, clean the outside of the ear.

When your Bouvier is a puppy, start accustoming him to being brushed and examined. Handle his paws frequently – dogs’ feet are sensitive — and look into his mouth.

Make grooming a pleasurable process full of praise and prizes, and you’ll build the framework for smooth veterinarian tests and other handling when he’s an adult.

Check for sores, rashes, or symptoms of infection such as redness, tenderness, or inflammation on the skin, nose, mouth, and eyes, and feet while you groom.

There should be no explicit redness or discharge in the eyes. Your thorough weekly examination will assist you in detecting potential health issues early on.

Bouvier Des Flandres Exercise:

Except for milking the cows, the Bouvier was bred to perform all that needs to be done in a barnyard and pasture. They are happiest when they are active.

A bored Bouvier may be extremely destructive. They are ideal for an active home with an owner who hikes, jogs, or bikes.

The Bouvier needs a wide, enclosed exercise space where he can frolic and play, especially with other dogs or children who will keep him in good mental and physical health.

Heavy exercise should be avoided while he is still a puppy.

Bouvier Des Flandres Training:

Bouvier is happiest when he gets a job, whether it is babysitting, herding, obedience, guard dog employment, or rescue work.

Bouviers are easily trained and usually thrive at practically any form of dog sport or activity. Because the dogs have a strong prey drive, they should be socialized from the start.

They are consummate showmen who adore working or competing alongside their owner.

Extremely eager to please, if they understand what you want them to accomplish, they will go out of their way to please you.

This breed is well-suited to search and rescue duties and rapidly adapts to training.

Bouvier Des Flandres Food and  Nutrition:

Bouviers should be fed two meals each day, totaling three to five cups of dry dog food, with the amount decided by your dog’s unique needs and activity level.

Because they are a huge breed, they are prone to bloating and stomach torsion, which can occur if they gulp their food or eat too much at once. This is a medical situation that demands immediate attention.

Puppies of the Bouvier des Flandres breed require a low-calorie diet to avoid overgrowth, which can lead to bone abnormalities.

The odorous flatulence of Bouviers is well-known. Give your attention to  your dog’s weight to prevent it from becoming overweight, which can lead to a variety of health problems.

Your dog’s requirements will alter over time. You should consult with your veterinarian on feeding schedules, amount of food, type of food, and activity.

Bouvier Des Flandres Temperament and Personality:

The Bouvier is recognized for its intelligence, protectiveness, and strength of character. Unsurprisingly, this herding dog enjoys gathering and protecting his flock.

He is genuinely committed to and devoted to his family, and he is happiest when he is in the thick of things.

When left alone for long hours, he tends to become bored, resorting to unpleasant habits such as barking, chasing, and chewing, as well as becoming quite sad.

When it comes to demonstrating devotion for his family, Bouvier keeps a stiff upper lip.

When you arrive home, he is unlikely to leap for pleasure like a Golden Retriever, but he is more likely to display his loyalty quietly by cuddling up at your feet.

Bouvier has a strong personality: he requires an owner that can be gentle and steady in his leadership, or he will likely fill the hole.

This does not imply that you should act like a drill sergeant, but you must project confidence and regularly, albeit softly, enforce guidelines.

The Bouvier, like all dogs, requires early socialization — being exposed to a variety of people, sights, noises, and experiences — when they are young.

Socialization ensures that your Bouvier puppy develops into a well-rounded dog. Enrolling him in puppy kindergarten is a terrific place to start.

Inviting guests over regularly, as well as taking him to busy parks, stores that accept dogs, and on leisurely strolls to greet neighbors, will help him improve his social abilities.

Bouvier Des Flandres Care/Upkeep:

To preserve the shaggy coat in good condition, the bouvier requires frequent and intense care. The double coat traps loose hairs, which must be brushed out.

A lack of adequate grooming might result in severe matting. This may necessitate visits to a skilled groomer.

Some owners choose to leave the coat short, but you will need a groomer that knows how to cut this dog properly or you will not obtain the desired look.

Though the bouvier’s grooming requirements are considerable, one advantage of the coat type is that it sheds relatively little.

This dog’s coat will naturally collect detritus from daily walks.

As a result, after each exercise session, you will need to spend some time cleaning your dog and your house to remove any debris it may have tracked in.

Bouvier is a driven and intelligent individual. It, like most herding dogs, has a strong prey drive. As a result, the breed necessitates a strong foundation of obedience training and harsh discipline.

This is a huge dog that can be tough to handle if not properly trained. Although the Bouvier appears to be calm and relaxed, the breed nonetheless requires regular activity.

A fenced-in yard is beneficial, but playtime and walks are still essential.

Establish a daily regimen of walks and play for your Bouvier to provide both physical exercise and cerebral stimulation.

When you walk together, its innate herding tendency may kick in and herd you. The Bouvier can be a fantastic pet for many different households, but it is not for everyone.

Use extreme caution around cats and other small animals until you understand Bouvier’s predatory drive. When raised together, Bouviers perform better with smaller animals.

This breed gets to spend well with children, but be cautious that it may want to herd them, particularly little children.

Furthermore, juvenile bouviers may be unaware of their size and accidentally knock over small children.

Consistent and structured training, in addition to exercise, is essential. Properly raising this breed can result in a long, happy, and gratifying friendship.

The bouvier des Flandres is a devoted, amiable dog who longs for human company. A Bouvier requires interaction with its family and should not be left alone for long periods of time.

Otherwise, your dog may exhibit undesirable behaviors such as chewing and barking. Bouviers are wary of strangers and guests.

If not socialized properly, this breed may become extremely protective or shy.

Bouvier Des Flandres Relationship with Children and Other Pets

The Bouvier is an excellent family dog who is dedicated and protective of his family, which includes children. He may want to use nudges and barks to herd his children.

To learn how to get along with children, he should be raised with them or, if he does not live with them, he should be exposed to them as he grows up.

As with any breed, teach children how to approach and touch dogs, and constantly monitor any encounters between canines and small children to avoid biting or ear or tail pulling on either party’s side.

Teach your youngster to never approach a dog who is eating or sleeping, or to try to take the dog’s food. No dog, no matter how nice, should be left alone with a youngster.

To have the best chance of getting along with other dogs and animals when he grows up, the Bouvier should be raised alongside them.

He normally ignores other animals in his household if he has been properly socialized and trained. Although his herding and chasing instincts are strong, monitoring is always a good idea.

Bouvier Des Flandres Names 

RankBoy NamesGirl Names
01BuddyLucy
02CooperMolly
03BearZoey
04ZeusLulu
05JakeChloe
06CodyEllie
07SamRuby
08DexterAnnie
09MiloCoco
10GizmoLexi

All About Bouvier Des Flandres

The Bouvier des Flandres is a versatile kind of breed that may serve as a cow herder, draft dog, and guard dog.

As a result, it combines tremendous strength with agility and endurance. The bouvier is a short-coupled, small dog with square proportions and a rough appearance.

It walks freely, boldly, and proudly. It has a double, disheveled coat with a fine undercoat and a rough, dry outer coat.

It is cut (if necessary) to around 2.5 inches in length. The dog’s bold and alert attitude is enhanced by a beard and moustache on his head.

The bouvier is a dependable companion who is loyal, dedicated, fearless, and protective.

It is peaceful and well-mannered indoors, but it is ready for an adventure in the big outdoors if it gets daily exercise.

It is self-sufficient and confident in its own judgment, yet it is also biddable and eager to please. It has the potential to be dominant.

It is guarded, even protective, of strangers and can be hostile toward unfamiliar pets. It is excellent with youngsters, though it may nip at their heels during play.

Bouvier Des Flandres History:

The Bouvier des Flandres comes from the European region of Flandres, and the name means “cow herder from Flandres” or “ox herder from Flandres.”

The Bouvier, a versatile farm dog, was used to herd cattle, defend the herd, pull carts, and assist the farmer and his family with a variety of activities.

The evolution of the functioning Bouvier appeared to be a matter of necessity.

His exact ancestors are uncertain; however, he may be related to early Sheepdogs, the Dutch Griffon, and the Barbet.

During both World Wars, the Bouvier served as a service dog, as well as a courier, a sentry (particularly by the US military), and a search dog to detect ammunition and mines.

The first Bouvier standard was designed in 1912 by the vice president of Europe’s Club St. Hubert du Nord. The Bouvier arrived in America in the 1920s and was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1929.

The working heritage of the breed is highly valued. In Belgium, a Bouvier cannot be crowned conformation champion unless he has also demonstrated his abilities as a working dog.

Where to AdoptBouvier Des Flandres:

Private bouvier des Flandres breeders can be found all across the country.

These canines can be rather pricey, especially if you get a purebred dog from a reputable breeder.

The American Bouvier Rescue League is a non-profit organization dedicated to finding responsible and loving homes for bouviers who have been abandoned, neglected, or are undesired.

More Dog Breeds and Further Research:

If you believe the bouvier des Flandres is the breed for you, do plenty of study before purchasing one.

To learn more, talk to other bouvier des Flandres owners, trustworthy breeders, and rescue organizations.

If you’re looking for similar breeds, examine the benefits and downsides of these:

Bouvier Des Flandres Fun Facts:

  • Females and males can weight from 70-90 lbs.
  • Bouvier De Flandres have 2 thick coats that protect them from harsh environments.
  • Bouvier De Flanders are hypoallergenic dogs.
  • The dogs fur come in many types of colors such as, black, fawn, gray, and bindle.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

How powerful is a Bouvier?

The scent of a Bouvier des Flandres Dog is 1,000 times stronger than that of a human. The nose of a Bouvier des Flandres Dog secretes a thin layer of mucus that aids in smell absorption; they then lick their noses and sample the aroma through their mouth.

Is Bouvier Des Flandres a barker?

Bouvier des Flandres Dogs, on the other hand, get a rating of 5 out of 5 on the scale of dog breeds that bark a lot.

How large can a Bouvier des Flandres grow?

Approximately 27 inches tall.

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