Bouvier Des Flandres Dog Breed Information

Group

Herding

Weight

35-55 kg

Height

62-68 cm

Lifespan

10-12 years

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About the Bouvier Des Flandres

Reviewed by:

Dr. Shamsul Alam Roky

Veterinarian

Initially bred to be a versatile farm dog, the Bouvier des Flandres helped farmers with a wide range of tasks. Today, they make many families happy all over the country, as well as acting as guard, law enforcement, assistance, and service dogs.

Below, we will give you a better insight into this popular guard dog, helping you to understand whether this breed or other dog breeds are best suited for your life and situation.

What is the history & origin of the Bouvier Des Flandres?

The Bouvier des Flandres is a type of herding dog breed that comes from Flanders, Belgium. They were initially used for general farm work, such as cattle droving, guarding, and pulling carts.

It is believed that Bouviers have been bred from Scottish deerhounds, Irish wolfhounds, and local farm dogs. They were used as protectors, draft animals, and drovers.

The French word “Bouvier” actually means cattle herder, and this working dog particularly excelled in that area. Nicknames for the breed include cattle driver, cow dog, and dirty beard.

By the early 20th century, the popularity of this dog had grown considerably. However, WWI and Belgium’s battlefields nearly wiped the breed out. Thankfully, some survived, and dog lovers repopulated the breed.

In the late 1920s, this dog arrived in the United States, with the American Kennel Club recognizing it in 1931.

What is a Bouvier Des Flandres Breed?

A modern Bouvier des Flandres is a big herding breed with a sturdy body, fluffy appearance, bearded face, floppy ears, and wiry fur. A powerful and confident breed, these purebred dogs know exactly how to put their intelligence and size to use.

Bouviers excel in dog sports, they are known for being incredibly agile in comparison to other dogs, and they are loyal, preferring to be around people.

Who is a Bouvier Des Flandres Best For?

A Bouvier can make a great family pet, so long as you have the time and energy to provide it with the physical stimulation it needs. Dog sports and daily walks are a must.

If you have another dog in your home, a Bouvier can live comfortably with it so long as they have been raised together. Bouviers can often become aggressive toward other dogs they don’t know.

A Bouvier des Flandres dog is also better suited to families with older children. As a Bouvier is active and big in size as an adult dog, accidents can happen. Older children tend to have the patience and extra energy that is required for a tracking dog like this.

Bouvier Des Flandres Grooming & Shedding

You will be pleased to know that this rough-coated dog is only a low-to-moderate shredder. They do tend to shed throughout the entire year, but it is not bad to the point of being unbearable. It is advisable to regularly brush their outer coat to lower the amount of shedding. This is a lot of work though, so these dogs are more high-maintenance than a lot of other dogs.

Do Bouvier Des Flandres bark a lot?

It is not uncommon for a Bouvier to bark at other animals – we’d class this dog as a moderate barker. If your dog is barking all of the time, it is important to get to the bottom of this.

It could be that your dog is attention-seeking or being territorial, and you may want to consider obedience training. However, it could be that he is bored, lonely, stressed, or worried, so do keep this in mind.

What is the average weight & height of a Bouvier Des Flandres dog?

This is an impressive, large dog, which can weigh as much as 55 kilograms. Plus, they tend to grow up to 68 centimetres in height.

Are Bouvier Des Flandres easy to train?

The fact that this breed makes a good police dog tells you that Bouviers are good learners. The best age to begin training your dog is when they turn eight weeks old. Once they have reached this age, they are going to be able to understand the gestures and commands you make.

At the start of training, take it slow and be very calm. Don’t forget that you’re presenting the dog with a completely new routine, so they may be unwilling to perform the task at first.

For first-time owners, defining a task to a Bouvier can be quite challenging. These breeds need consistent, strong, and confident leaders. Constant motivation and positive reinforcements are helpful.

As Bouviers tend to have their own mindset, positive reinforcement encourages the dog and owner to have an upbeat attitude while training. Giving them treats, encouraging, and praising constantly helps this breed to get motivated.

How do Bouvier Des Flandres behave? A look at their temperament and personality

When looking for a dog to add to your family, it is important to consider their temperament and nature to ensure they are going to be the right fit. Although Bouviers des Flandres may be big in size, they are known for being docile, calm, and having a pleasant nature.

Some Bouviers can be aggressive toward other dogs. However, if your Bouvier is raised with another dog, he or she should be able to get along well with them.

It is easy to train a Bouvier. A lot of people say that once this breed has been taught, it will never forget a command. On the flip side, these dogs are slow to mature both mentally and physically. They are not considered to be fully grown until they reach the age of two or three years old.

While they may not be natural guard dogs, the Bouvier makes an outstanding watchdog and is incredibly loyal.

Does the Bouvier Des Flandres have any common health issues?

As is the case with any breed of dog, there are a few health issues that tend to be more prevalent amongst Bouviers, so you do need to keep this in mind.

Bouviers are prone to a number of minor health issues, including glaucoma, sub-aortic stenosis (SAS), canine hip dysplasia (CHD), and elbow dysplasia, as well as conditions such as Bouvier des Flandres myopathy, cataracts, deafness, ectopic ureters, epilepsy, hypothyroidism, laryngeal paralysis, megaesophagus, and portosystemic shunt.

Make sure you ask the breeder about the medical history of the dog’s parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. Carefully think about whether or not to purchase a puppy if some of the diseases we have discussed are in the family line.

What is the lifespan of a Bouvier Des Flandres?

The Bouvier des Flandres typically enjoys a lifespan of 10 to 12 years. This robust breed requires regular exercise and mental stimulation to stay healthy. With proper care, including a balanced diet and routine vet check-ups, they can live a fulfilling life within this age range.

How much does a Bouvier Des Flandres need to be fed?

You definitely need to be careful when feeding your dog, as Bouviers are known for piling on the pounds. So, make sure that your dog’s diet is made up of biologically appropriate protein, vegetables, ground bones, and healthy fats. This sort of dog food will ensure they get all of the minerals and vitamins that are required for optimal performance and health.

How much can you expect to pay for a Bouvier Des Flandres in Australia?

You will typically pay between $1,500 and $2,000 for a Bouvier des Flandres. However, prices can differ considerably from breeder to breeder. Your location in Australia can also play a role in terms of prices so do keep this in mind as well.

Bouvier Des Flandres FAQs

Are Bouvier des Flandres dogs ideal for a first-time dog owner?

We would not recommend this dog to a first-time owner. This is because you need to make sure they get enough exercise and mental stimulation. Plus, this breed has an assertive personality. This, combined with their herding instinct and size, can make them quite difficult to handle and train if you don’t have any experience with dogs before.

Do Bouvier des Flandres suffer from separation anxiety?

While this is not the worst breed in terms of separation anxiety, it does suffer from loneliness and enjoys being around people. Bouviers love attention, which is why they are so well suited to families with older children.

Are Bouvier des Flandres hypoallergenic dogs?

Yes, this is a wonderfully hypoallergenic dog when you consider the double coat it possesses and its low-shedding nature. You can keep pet dander to a minimum by grooming your dog regularly as well. However, we must make it clear that no dog is 100% hypoallergenic.

Are Bouvier des Flandres dogs good swimmers?

Yes, Bouviers are excellent swimmers, and swimming is an effective way of getting them to burn off excess energy during the summer period. However, as is the case with any dog breed, you should never allow your dog to swim without supervision.