The Bouvier des Flandres was bred to be a multi-purpose farm dog. They assisted farmers with a variety of chores, such as herding livestock (especially cattle), dragging carts, and guarding. The clever and hardworking Bouvier is still an excellent farm dog as well as a proficient service, aid, police enforcement, and protection dog.

Even though they are purebred canines, they may end up in shelters or rescue organisations. Keep in mind to adopt! If you want to bring a dog home, don't go shopping.

While Bouviers compete in obedience, agility, and herding contests, functioning as a family companion appears to be their most natural job. With all of the people in their pack, they are extremely friendly and playful. If you're thinking of adopting a child, be sure you're okay with a little mess. These pups aren't hesitant to roll around in the mud and dirt, and their coats tend to bring trash inside with them. Their coats also require some upkeep. You'll be rewarded with a clever and devoted furry family member if you can put up with a little cleaning.

Bouvier des Flandres Highlights
Breed Size	Large
Nature	Gentle, Willful, Aloof, Friendly
Energy Level	Active
Intelligence	High
Barking Level	When Necessary
Coat Length	Short, Medium, carly
Breed Group	Working
Droll Amount	Low
Good with	Familes, Children, Dog
Feed Level	Medium, High
Colour Type	Black,fawn,gray
Other Facts	Hypoallergenic,requires lots of grooming,strong loyalty tendencies,high potential for weight gain,loves water,cold weather tolerant.

Dog History

The Bouvier des Flandres comes from the European area of Flandres, and the name means "cow herder" or "ox herder from Flandres," as you might anticipate.

The Bouvier was a versatile farm dog who could herd cattle, defend the herd, pull carts, and assist the farmer and his family with a variety of activities. The evolution of the operating Bouvier appeared to be a practical concern. His precise ancestors are uncertain, however he might be a descendant of early Sheepdogs, the Dutch Griffon, or 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 for munitions and mines.

In 1912, the vice president of the Club St. Hubert du Nord in Europe created the first Bouvier standard. The Bouvier arrived in the United States in the 1920s, and the American Kennel Club recognised it in 1929.

The working legacy 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.

Health and Care

Bouviers are typically healthy, however they are susceptible to some health issues, as are other breeds. Although not all Bouviers will contract any or all of these illnesses, it's vital to be aware of them if you're thinking about getting one.

• Hip Dysplasia
• Elbow Dysplasia
• Cataracts
• Cancer
• Glaucoma
• Hypothyroidism
• Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis
• Addison's Disease
• Cushing's Disease

Find a reliable breeder who will show you health clearances for both your dog's parents if you're buying a puppy. Health clearances demonstrate that a dog has been checked for and cleared of a certain disease.

You can expect to see health clearances from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) for hip dysplasia (with a fair or better score), elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and von Willebrand's disease in Bouviers; thrombopathia from Auburn University; and normal eyes from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) in Bouviers.

Care

The Bouvier des Flandres is content to lounge around the house and bask in the comforts of company. He isn't a particularly active person, but he does require frequent exercise. He is at ease in either the city or the countryside.

If you're raising a Bouvier puppy, you'll need to be extra cautious. The Bouvier, like other big breeds, develops quickly between the ages of four and seven months, rendering him prone to bone diseases. Allow your Bouvier puppy to run and play on really hard surfaces like pavement or pull a cart only after he is fully grown and his joints have fully matured. Normal grassy play, as well as puppy agility with its one-inch leaps, are OK.

The day you bring your Bouvier puppy home, you should begin training him. Because he is typically eager to please, training him is rather simple. However, because he may be obstinate, owners must be constant and forceful in order to overcome his domineering mentality.

Socialization is an important part of training a Bouvier des Flandres puppy. Puppy or adult dogs learn how to be sociable and get along with other dogs and people via the process of socialisation.

The Bouvier may be wary of outsiders and fiercely protective of his family, all of which are desirable attributes in a herding dog. He will not become unduly bashful or protective as a result of socialisation. To acclimatise the Bouvier puppy with people and unexpected surroundings, you may take it to various locations that accept dogs, such as pet supply and building supply stores. Classes for puppy training are highly recommended.

Crate training is a vital part of housetraining since it keeps your Bouvier secure and out of mischief when you're not at home. But he shouldn't stay in it for more than a few hours at a period, unless he's napping. Bouviers aren't supposed to live their entire life in a box or kennel.

With the Bouvier, leash training is a necessary. Despite the fact that the breed is not known for roaming, he does have a strong herding instinct. He might not be able to resist the urge to follow people on motorcycles, automobiles, or other animals, putting himself and others in danger.

When puppies are young, their tails are frequently docked. You have the option of cropping his ears or not. It need surgery and follow-up treatment for several months. If you enjoy the look of clipped ears, consider the maintenance and cost.

Dog Breed Care Tips and Important Instructions

To put it bluntly, the Bouvier des Flandres is in desperate need of grooming. Plan to give him a thorough combing at least twice a week—it can take 30 minutes to an hour—and you'll want to clean up his face while you're at it. It's not for nothing that he's known as "dirty beard."

If you're going the DIY route, get the right grooming gear, such as a grooming table, and have your breeder or groomer show you how to comb and brush your dog properly so you don't miss any mats. Maintaining your Bouvier's coat and beard will make grooming a little simpler, but he'll never be low-maintenance.

According to Kuhn, the shift from a Bouvier des Flandres puppy coat to an adult coat is very challenging, and you'll need to learn how to unmat their fur from the outside in. Accept that his coat and beard may get dirty, full of debris, and knotted at times, no matter what you do—and that your house may get a bit messy, too. That's how it is when you have a Bouvier.

During obedience training, this large breed demands tolerance, praise, and ingenuity. Add stunts, agility, and games to keep his training exciting, according to Askeland.

"If you want a nice dog, you have to put in the effort to get him there," adds Larkins. "Investing more time in training, especially in the first year, will pay off when he's fully developed."

Feeding

3 to 5 cups of high-quality dry food each day, split into two meals, is the recommended daily quantity.

If you're raising a Bouvier puppy, you'll need to be extra cautious. The Bouvier, like other big breeds, develops quickly between the ages of four and seven months, rendering him prone to bone diseases. Keep your puppy from developing too quickly by feeding him a high-quality, low-calorie food (22 to 24 percent protein and 12 to 15 percent fat).

The amount of food your adult dog consumes is determined by his size, age, build, metabolism, and degree of activity. Dogs, like people, are unique individuals that require different amounts of food. It practically goes without saying that a dog that is very active will require more than a dog who is sedentary. The type of dog food you buy makes a difference as well; the better the dog food, the more it will nourish your dog and the less you'll have to shake into his bowl.

Rather than putting food out all the time, measure his food and feed him twice a day to keep your Bouvier in good form. Give him the eye test and the scale if you're not sure whether he's overweight.

Look down at him first. There should be a waist visible. Then, with your thumbs down his spine and fingers stretched downward, place your hands on his back. Without pressing too much, you should be able to feel but not see his ribs. If you can't, he'll need to eat less and exercise more.

Fun Facts

Vuilbaard ("dirty beard"), koe hund ("cow dog"), and toucheur de boeuf are some of the other names given to the Bouvier des Flandres ("cattle drover").

Lucky, the Bouvier des Flandres she and President Ronald Reagan received as a gift in December 1984, went from a "ball of fluff" to "the size of a pony," according to First Lady Nancy Reagan. Lucky proved to be too much for the White House, and the Reagans thought he'd be better suited living at their California ranch by Thanksgiving the following year.

Do you know what the "Bouvier bounce" is? Bouviers employ a bouncing action to obtain a better sight at the other side of their herd during herding, and they also use it when playing or excited. Get out of the path when they start moving! Their heads may reach six feet in height at the pinnacle of a bounce.

Home Training Tips and General Information

Housetraining a puppy or an older dog follows a similar pattern. Even though your new dog is claimed to be housebroken, it's a good idea to stick to these rules until he's settled in.

Dogs are happiest when they have a set schedule for their days. Once you've decided on a routine, stick to it every day, including on weekends! Take your dog out for a pee break at sensible times, such as when he first wakes up in the morning, when you first arrive home from work, when he wakes up from a nap, and an hour or so after each meal, for example. Use the same command every time — "outside," "go potty," and so on. Take him to the same location each time so that he remembers the odour and understands what to expect. You must be with your dog at all times so that you may reward him when he leaves. If you're not there, he won't know why he's outdoors, and he could be so eager to go back into the home with you that he forgets.

Wait patiently! It will take longer for your dog to be housetrained if you do not follow up every day, rain or shine. If you stick to his pattern, your dog should pick it up within the first week, but it may take many months for him to be entirely trustworthy, especially if he is a puppy.

When you first introduce a new dog or puppy into your home, show him his toys. Replace an improper thing with one of his own toys if he finds one. Place anything hazardous (such as some plants) or precious goods in a safe place (books, remote controls, tapes, shoes, etc.). Spraying Bitter Apple on difficult-to-put-away goods might sometimes divert the dog's interest to something more acceptable.

Your dog must be taught to walk on a leash and to behave properly. Begin with a soft nylon or leather collar and progress to a mild choke collar later. At first, only wear the collar for brief periods of time, then attach a leash that may be pulled behind you. While backing up, face the puppy/dog and beckon him towards you. Allow him to accompany you by giving him short, quick pulls on the leash, alternating with pats and "good boys." Exert a bit more power with the tugs as time goes on.

After each workout, the choke collar should be removed. A loose dog should never be left with a choke collar on. The dog may get his paw hooked in the collar, or the collar may snag on a fence or other protrusion, causing him to choke to death while attempting to release himself. Every year, thousands of pets suffer a horrible end in this manner. When using a choke collar, make sure it's tied to a leash.

You'll need a team of experts to help you with your Bouvier, including vets, groomers, and trainers (obedience, herding, agility, etc.). This is not the time to go for the cheapest or nearest supplier. Ask around for the finest references you can. Cutting shortcuts at the outset might end up costing a lot of money in the long term. Find someone you can work with and contact with inquiries, and who genuinely wants to assist you and your dog. Your breeder should be able to recommend some local Care/Training Providers who can be of great assistance.

FAQS

Bouvier des Flandres Unique Name

Male Name	Female Name
Blake	Alice
Buster	Biscuit
Colby	Cassie
Eddie	Dana
Felix	Gabby
Finn	Hannah
Jax	Harley
Kane	Heidi
Koda	Juliet
Miles	Liberty
Milo	Macy
Reese	Maddie
Sawyer	Sam
Scooby	Sasha
Shadow	Shelby
Tripp	Sissy
Tyson	Sophia
Walter	Suki
Bear	Kenya
Banjo	Lexus