The Bouvier des Flanders: The Rough-Coated Cattle Dog

The Bouvier des Flanders Dog Breed in Brief:

Origin: France

Height: 23.5-27.5 inches at the shoulder

Weight: 60-90 pounds

Grooming Needs: Moderate

Life Expectancy: 10-12 years

Good With Kids: Yes

Trainability: Medium

A sturdy, massive, and intimidating dog, the Bouvier des Flanders was original bred as a herding dog, designed to drive and control herds of cattle. Known for his powerful body and determination, he was originally bred by those who simply wanted better working animals, with no interests in purebred dogs and the breeding of such creatures - little did they know, they were creating their very own unique breed at the time.

The History of the Bouvier des Flanders

Known by many names, such as the Koehond (cow dog), Toucheur de Boeuf (cattle driver), or the Vuilbaard (dirty beard), the Bouvier des Flanders originated in Southwest Flanders and along the French northern plain. Used as a cattle driver, the Bouvier was a large dog that averaged about 26 inches at the shoulder and possessed a very sturdy frame. Rough-coated with dark hair of a deep grey shade, the Bouvier des Flanders had a scruffy, no-nonsense appearance, and was commonly owned by butchers, cattle men, and farmers.

Not caring about whether or not the dogs were pedigreed, the original Bouvier breed varied greatly in height, weight and color, but there was enough similarity between all of the dogs to see that there was hope of establishing a breed standard with a little work. Impressed by the qualities of these great cattle dogs, Dr. Adolphe Reul from the Veterinary School of Brussels, was the first person to point out the characteristics of these unique dogs, though a standard for the Bouvier type would not be adopted until 1912.

The breed thrived until the start of World War I. With the areas with the largest population of Bouvier des Flanders dogs completely destroyed, many people fled the country, either abandoning their dogs or the animals falling into the hands of the Germans. Nevertheless, a few individuals did manage to keep their dogs throughout the war and it would be these dogs that would re-establish the breed as we know it today. One such dog was Ch. Nic de Sottegem, a Bouvier who lived as a part of the Belgian army, owned by Veterinarian Captain Barbry. Many of today’s Bouvier des Flanders dogs trace back to this beautiful specimen.

The Bouvier des Flanders Appearance

A powerful and impressive-looking individual, the Bouvier des Flanders is a large and cylindrical-built dog with a very massive head, complete with full beard and mustache. Combined with the shaggy eyebrows of the breed, they have a tendency to resemble seasoned old warriors when something captures their attention. Despite his appearance, however, the Bouvier is spry and very athletic. His limbs are strong and he is powerfully put together with a deep chest and muscular hindquarters.

The Bouvier comes in black, blonde, brindle, fawn and grey and, while a white spot is allowed on the chest, the rest of the animal should be solid in color. Their ears are large and triangular, though some breeders prefer to crop them to a point (this is just preference) and the tail is often docked. In some European countries, the practice of docking tails and cropping ears is considered unnatural, inhumane and is now illegal, with the Bouvier des Flanders shown in a natural state.

The Bouvier Temperament

While the Bouvier des Flanders appears intimidating, he is actually a rather gentle individual and gets along well with both children and other animals, provided he is acclimated to them at a young age and regularly socialized with them. If he is not, however, this can prove a serious problem as the Bouvier is prone to give chase to anything that flees from him and he can prove aggressive to smaller creatures as well as same-sex dogs - if your dog has not been raised around them and you aren’t sure, it is essential that you supervise them together.

The Bouvier’s loyalty is world famous and he is known to make an excellent family pet, as well as fulfilling his other jobs, such as cattle herder, police dog, or leader dog for the blind. One should be careful around strangers, however, as the Bouvier may prove suspicious and wary around people he doesn’t know and, if he feels threatened, will commonly defend his owner. While a wonderful companion, they can often prove to be too much of a handful for inexperienced pet owners and careful consideration should go into this.

The Bouvier des Flanders Exercise Needs

An active and high-spirited dog, the Bouvier does enjoy an active lifestyle. Fortunately, however, he does not require an over-abundance of exercise and will be quite happy with a couple of 30-minute walks per day or the opportunity to run alongside your bike. The Bouvier loves dog parks and does best when he has access to a large fenced-in area where he can open up, stretch those long legs of his, and just run.

Bouvier des Flanders Grooming Requirements

For a scruffy-looking coat, such as the one that the Bouvier possesses, it definitely takes a fair amount of upkeep to stay looking like it should. A couple of brushings, per week, will help to keep the long hairs from tangling and forming mats, but the Bouvier also will require trimming a minimum of three times per year. Between the trimmings, you will want to keep an eye on his ears and ensure that you remove any excess hair there, as well as between the pads of his feet, trimming the hair around this area so that the Bouvier appears to have neat and round little feet rather than long-haired or blocky.

The Bouvier sheds very little if he is properly maintained and, while he is not a hypoallergenic dog, he is said to cause fewer problems than more common large breeds. These beautiful canines only require bathing as necessary, or they can be dry shampooed. Care should also be taken to ensure that their toenails are kept trimmed, so as to prevent pulled or split nails.

Training Your Bouvier

The Bouvier is a very quick learner and, once he has been taught a trick, has an incredible memory, allowing him to retain it. Most enjoy learning new things and turn out to be very willing pupils, though care must be made to establish dominance at an early age. Never let this willful breed think he’s top dog in the house or he will always believe this and use it to his full advantage.

Also important to note is that the Bouvier’s body and mind to not finish maturing until he is roughly 2-3 years in age. Even though he appears an adult dog, he will still be prone to silly puppy-like moments and stubborn teenage traits. Obedience training at a young age will help to quell some of these tendencies and ensure he cooperates more with you.

Bouvier des Flanders Health Concerns

Like any breed of dog, the Bouvier is subject to a variety of genetic health concerns. When deciding to choose a new Bouvier puppy, check around with several breeders and ask about the various health issues that can affect these beautiful dogs. A reputable breeder should be well-versed in the health concerns and should be able to give you more details, as well as showing you the sire and dam of your potential puppy. Some of the health problems that can affect Bouvier des Flanders include:

• Hip dysplasia
• Elbow dysplasia
• Bloat
• Cancer
• Cataracts

Is the Bouvier des Flanders the Right Breed For You?

The Bouvier is a wonderful and loyal dog, though he is not the pet for everyone. In fact, many people find that he’s a bit more dog than they bargained for; while they are very loyal, they also have a tendency to run down smaller animals and attack same-sex dogs if not properly acclimated to them. They can also be very suspicious and wary of strangers, resorting to either barking or biting if they feel threatened. It’s very important to establish both dominance and obedience with these dogs at an early age. If you don’t mind investing the extra time and patience into this breed, they do make wonderful pets and are well-known for their usefulness, both as police dogs and as leader dogs for the blind. Highly intelligent and very powerful, they can be a handful for some but the perfect dog for others. Perhaps the Bouvier des Flanders is the perfect dog for you.

Shawna L. Krautheim

2007