The Belgian Bouvier des Ardennes is a herding
breed that originated in the Ardennes area. He's a big dog with a gruff
appearance who can adapt to his environment. The Bouvier des Ardennes is not
only a working dog; he also likes playing with his family and spending time
with them. He is a bright young man who is pretty easy to instruct. He is not
well adapted to apartment living since he is a big herding breed; he need a
huge enclosed yard in which to run and play. He does require a job in order to
stay healthy and avoid becoming a nuisance. Even in his native Belgium, the
Bouvier des Ardennes is an uncommon breed.
Bouvier des Ardennes Highlights
Breed Size
Large
Nature
Playful, Friendly
Energy Level
N/A
Intelligence
N/A
Barking Level
Frequent
Coat Length
Short
Breed Group
Working
Droll Amount
Low
Good with
Familes, Children, Dog
Feed Level
Medium, High
Colour Type
Color except white
Other Facts
Easy to train, groom, energetic, loyal to their owners, and easy to kept at home.
Dog History
Before records were kept, the breed was said to
have originated in the Ardennes area of Belgium. Best assumptions are that the
breed was initially produced in the 17th century. The Bouvier des Ardennes is a
working dog through and through, developed by farmers who concentrated on the
dogs' talents rather than their physical features. While they were originally
used primarily for herding cattle, they were eventually effectively deployed as
hunting dogs, following wild boar throughout the countryside. They were also
used as watchdogs, and they still serve as watchful livestock guardians today.
During World War I, Belgium was heavily affected,
and the Bouvier des Ardennes proved to be a valued friend, helping to hunt
animals and feed starving families. They were subsequently recognised by the
Belgian Kennel Club in 1923. The number of Bouvier des Ardennes dropped over
several decades after that, mostly due to the demise of local dairy farms, to
the point that their existence was questioned.
Surprisingly, a tiny community was uncovered
after they were assumed to have gone into history. According to legend, a group
of experts were analysing the milk on a Belgian farm when they saw the farmer's
dogs were Bouvier des Ardennes. Following then, a deliberate attempt to
re-populate the breed began. In 1996, another tiny colony of the breed was
discovered on another property, bolstering the population. The remaining
Bouvier breeds, with the exception of the popular Bouvier des Flandres, did not
fare as well, and the Bouvier des Roulers, Bouvier de Moermon, and Bouvier de
Paret are now extinct.The Bouvier des Ardennes is still in use on Belgian farms
today, performing its traditional cow herding responsibilities. In fact, it is
rarely kept as a alone dog.
18-22 inch 18-25 kg 10-13 yearHeight
Weight
Life Span
Health and Care
Due to the breed's rarity, it has yet to engage
in any health studies, making genuine statistics on the Bouvier des Ardennes'
overall health difficult to come by. They are more susceptible to a number of
illnesses than the typical dog, and many of these can be checked for in
breeding populations, therefore they are worth discussing. In such a limited
gene pool, weeding out these illnesses is critical.
- Hip Dysplasia
- Elbow Dysplasia
- Epilepsy
- Eye Conditions
Care
The Ardennes is a sturdy breed with little health
issues to worry about. They can, however, contract any disease that affects
dogs as a species. Vetting is necessary to stay ahead of any potential health
problems. Every year, take your dog to their annual check-up for a thorough
examination and health check.
Dog Breed Care Tips and
Important Instructions
- The Ardennes aren't going to make a fuss about
getting out of the home. They don't mind if you take them out for a variety of
interactive games or a lengthy stroll.
- They'll be just as thrilled if you take them out
for some good old-fashioned labour. These dogs benefit from at least one hour
of daily activity, but would cheerfully accept more.
- They are happiest when they are not confined in
any way, which is why houses with plenty of open space function best.
- Prepare yourself for the truth about Bouvier's
hair. The coat of these canines is coarse and wiry, and it mats and tangles
like no other. Brushing on a regular basis is therefore necessary to avoid
knots. However, because this breed doesn't shed much, it balances out.
- No matter how much they despise it, you should
give them a good cleaning in the tub once every 2-3 weeks as usual procedure.
Nail cutting, war cleaning, and tooth brushing should all be included in the
follow-up.
Feeding
If you bring an Ardennes puppy home, be sure to
introduce them to your preferred diet carefully. They should eat a
nutrient-dense, healthful dish that fits all nutritional profile requirements.
Always feed your dog according to their weight
and life stage, so check the package for amount instructions. To keep your pet
as healthy as possible, stay away from artificial substances and fillers.
Dry kibble, wet food, or raw diets are all
suitable for Ardennes. However, before making any changes, consult your veterinarian.
Fun Facts
- Because the Bouvier des Flandres is a dog, and
dogs are mammals, it belongs to the Mammalia class.
- Wolfhounds and deerhounds were mixed with farm
dogs in France and Belgium to create the Bouvier des Flandres dog breed. As a
result, Belgium and France are the most common areas where they may be found.
- Because the Bouvier is a cattle dog, it thrives
in an open environment. Farms and broad fields, where they can run and feel the
wind on their faces, are ideal habitats for them.
- The Bouvier des Flandres is a sociable dog who
gets along well with its owners and other animals. Bouvier des Flandres is a
cow dog that is ideal for farm owners since they are noted for herding cattle.
- The life span of the Bouvier des Flandres (10-12
years) is exceptional. If these farm dogs are well-loved and become an integral
part of your life, they can live for an average of 10-12 years.
- Bouviers are huge canines with weights ranging
from 60 to 88 pounds (27 to 40 kilogrammes) and lengths ranging from 23 to 27
inches (59-68 cm). Females are a few inches shorter than their male
counterparts. The Great Dane, English mastiff, and Spanish mastiff are among
more huge canines.
Home Training Tips and General
Information
You must always keep an eye on your puppy until
she is trained. If you are unable to do so, you must box him. Establish a
routine for the puppy; this will assist him in swiftly calming down. Regular
toilet breaks, feeding times, rest intervals, strolls, play time, instruction,
and so on should all be part of the routine. A puppy who has a full day has no
time to get bored and misbehave.
Teach your dog to respect you. Bouvier Des
Ardenness live in packs and require a leader naturally. When you establish your
authority in no uncertain terms, teaching will become simple since the puppy
will always obey you and will not question you.
Only use positive training methods. Never yell
at, attack, or discipline your Bouvier Des Ardennes. It's not just abrasive,
but it can also cause behavioural issues. Electric shocks, prong collars,
sprays, and other methods may cause harm to the animal.
Demonstrate to the puppy that "nothing in
life is free." This is a mantra that is widely recognised as an effective
coaching tool. As you do this, your dog will learn that in order to receive
anything good, such as affection, a walk, or a treat, he must behave nicely.
Demonstrate the meaning of the word
"no" from the start. Jumping, snarling, tug-of-war, yipping, or
bolting out of open gates and doors are not recommended. When there is poor
behaviour, celebrate civility and ignore or move away. The puppy will learn
that if he misbehaves, he will be separated from his playmate.
You should catch the Bouvier Des Ardennes in the
act and surprise her by shaking a jar of rocks. As soon as you've done that,
assist him in correcting his behaviour by giving him a reward and expressing
your approval. Bouvier Des Ardenness has no recollection of previous events,
therefore reprimanding him after an occurrence is pointless.
Make a point of calling/using his name in a
pleasant manner. Saying "Bad TOM" or "No Tom" will generate
confusion, and the Bouvier Des Ardennes will assume you are calling his name
for a bad reason. Hugs, stroking, strolls, treats, and other pleasant experiences
should be associated with the puppy's name. If this happens, he will cheerfully
react anytime you call his name.
Make a short and simple teaching schedule, around
10 minutes three times a day. Long, monotonous training sessions might bore the
Bouvier Des Ardennes and cause him to lose interest in learning. Make teaching
more engaging by using trick training to illustrate commands like as sit, down,
and come.
Learn everything there is to know about cage
training, leash walking, housebreaking, and food training. These are the fundamentals
that every Bouvier Des Ardennes puppy must learn. Recognize all of the breed's
qualities and distinguishing features. This will provide you with helpful tips
on how to properly teach your dog.
FAQS
How quickly do Bouviers develop? |
The contemporary Bouvier des Flandres is a huge dog with a 12-year
lifespan. They will have a shoulder measurement of up to 28 inches and weigh
up to 100 pounds for males and roughly 80 pounds for girls. These dogs take a
long time to mature, and they won't be completely grown until their second or
third year. |
Is it true that Bouvier dogs are aggressive? |
Bouviers cherish their family, and their calm, even-tempered friendship
reflects this. Though they are strong-willed and known to be aggressive with
other dogs, this is not an exuberant breed. |
Are Bouviers obstinate? |
A Bouvier may be obstinate and even deceitful when it comes to getting
his way, but with the right training, he can be trained to do practically
anything. Owners must be willing to dedicate not just to meeting their dogs'
mental and emotional demands, but also to keeping the Bouvier's distinctive
hallmark coat. |
What kind of exercise does a Bouvier require? |
Bouviers like running and require daily walks (totaling 90 minutes).
Off-leash parks are terrific for unrestricted roaming, but they also make
excellent running companions. If they can burn off energy outside, they will
be rather inactive indoors. |
Do Bouviers make good watchdogs? |
Bouviers require socialisation and obedience training, but, like other
shepherds, they learn quickly, get along well with children, and make ideal
protection dogs. |
Are Bouviers excellent with children? |
The Bouvier is an excellent family dog who is loyal and protective of his
family, which includes youngsters. He might want to use nudges and growls to
herd his children. To best educate him how to get along with children, he
should be raised with them or, if he doesn't live with them, be exposed to them
as he grows up. |
Bouvier des Ardennes Unique Name
Male Name | Female Name |
---|---|
Brody | Alyssa |
Charlie | Bear |
Chewy | Beau |
Diesel | Chanel |
Evan | Gidget |
Hawkeye | Gracie |
Jake | Harper |
Johnny | Jersey |
Marty | Julia |
Milo | Juno |
Otto | Mocha |
Rufus | Molly |
Toby | Morgan |
Willy | Paris |
Tilly | Sam |
Wrigley | Shelby |
Yukon | Brooke |
T-bird | Butter |
Teddy-bear | Cha Cha |
Willow | Vava |