| Bouvier des Flandres: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Bouvier des Flandres personality and behavior. |
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My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Bouvier des Flandres, including these excerpts:
"The Bouvier des Flandres is sober and thoughtful, rather than light-hearted or whimsical.
The AKC Standard calls him "equable, steady, resolute, and rugged."
Though they can be athletic and agile, Bouviers are often a bit lazy unless deliberately taken out and encouraged to move. Brisk walks are a must to keep them in hard condition.
Mental stimulation in the form of advanced obedience, agility, tracking, herding, carting, or Schutzhund is even more important to this highly intelligent breed.
Though he is not overly demonstrative -- he shows his loyalty in deeper, more subtle ways -- the Bouvier des Flandres must live indoors and close to his family, his "flock." When his needs are met, he is laid-back and serene.
Matching his stern appearance, he is often aloof with strangers and assertive when challenged. His air of calm appraisal can be intimidating, and he may use his big body to control people, rather than biting. Socialization must be early and frequent so that he learns to discriminate between friend and foe.
Most Bouvers des Flandres are dominant with other dogs, especially of the same sex, and those with a high prey drive are not reliable with cats and other creatures that run or flutter.
He may poke or nudge people and other animals in an attempt to gather them or move them along.
Make no mistake about it, the Bouvier des Flandres can be a pushy, strong-willed dog who requires a confident owner, especially during the challenging adolescent period."
History
The bouvier (cattle dog) of Flanders is a Belgian farm dog who herded cattle, pulled milk carts, and guarded his family.
Size
24-28 inches and 65-100 lbs |
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Bouvier des Flandres
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em
- Is large, rugged, and shaggy
- Carries himself with a dignified, impressive presence
- Looks stern and imposing and makes an effective deterrent
- Is versatile -- when well-trained, can learn and do almost anything
- Is usually steady-tempered and sensible
- Is quiet indoors
A Bouvier des Flandres may be right for you.
| If you don't want to deal with... |
- A large bulky dog who takes up a lot of space in your house and car
- Rowdiness and exuberant jumping, especially when young
- Destructiveness when bored or not exercised enough
- Aggression or fearfulness when not socialized enough
- Aggression toward other animals
- Strong-willed mind of his own, requiring a confident owner who can take charge
- Chasing and nipping at things that move: children, joggers, other animals, bikes, cars
- Frequent brushing, combing, and clipping of the rough coat
- "Shaggy dog syndrome," i.e. debris clinging to the coat, water soaking into the beard and dripping on your floors
- Gassiness (flatulence)
- Health problems
A Bouvier des Flandres may not be right for you.
| If I were considering a Bouvier des Flandres... |
My major concerns would be:
- Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. Bouviers MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and do interesting things. Otherwise they will become rambunctious and bored -- which they usually express by barking and destructive chewing. Bored Bouviers can make a shambles of your house and yard.
| If you simply want a pet for your family, and don't have the time or inclination to take your dog running or hiking or biking or swimming, or to get involved in herding, or pulling a cart, or tracking, or agility (obstacle course), or advanced obedience, or schutzhund (protection), or a similar canine activity, I do not recommend this breed.
The Bouvier des Flandres was never intended to be simply a household pet. Their working behaviors (chasing, nipping, poking, pushing) are inappropriate in a normal household setting. Trying to suppress these "hardwired" behaviors, without providing alternate outlets for their energy, can be difficult. |
- Providing enough socialization. Most Bouviers have protective instincts toward strangers. They need extensive exposure to friendly people so they learn to recognize the normal behaviors of "good guys." Then they can recognize the difference when someone acts abnormally. Without careful socialization, they may be suspicious of everyone, which could lead to biting. Some Bouviers go in the opposite direction -- without enough socialization, they become fearful of strangers, which can lead to defensive biting.
| In this day and age, the legal liabilities of owning any breed that looks intimidating and has a history as a guard dog should be seriously considered. |
- Animal aggression. Many Bouviers are dominant or aggressive toward other dogs of the same sex. Some have strong instincts to chase and seize cats and other fleeing creatures. If anything goes wrong in the breeding, socializing, training, handling, or management of this breed, it is capable of seriously injuring or killing other animals.
- The strong temperament. The Bouvier des Flandres is not a Golden Retriever. The best Bouviers are versatile working dogs, capable of learning a great deal, but they have an independent mind of their own and are not pushovers to raise and train. They can be manipulative, and some are willful, obstinate, and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.
- Grooming. To keep their coat short and free of mats, the Bouvier des Flandres requires regular brushing, and also clipping and trimming every few months. But don't expect your pet Bouvier to look like the Bouvier des Flandres show dogs you've seen in books or on TV. That particular look takes hours of work by experienced show groomers.
- "Shaggy dog syndrome." Like all shaggy dogs, the Bouvier des Flandres is a messy dog. Leaves, mud, snow, fecal matter, and other debris cling to his rough coat and ends up all over your house. When he drinks, his beard absorbs water, which drips on your floors when he walks away. When he eats, his beard absorbs food so that when he sniffs your face or presses his head against your leg, YOU end up dirty, too. Big shaggy dogs are not suited to fastidious housekeepers.
| If you have small children, or if you or anyone who lives with you is elderly or infirm, I do not recommend Bouvier des Flandres puppies. Young Bouviers (up to about two years old) romp and jump with great vigor, and things can go flying, including people. The temptation to play roughly and nip at moving people is simply too strong in many young Bouviers. |
- Gassiness (flatulence) that can send you running for cover. Fortunately, Bouviers who are fed a natural diet of real meat and other fresh foods have much less trouble with gassiness. See my Bouvier des Flandres Health Page for more information.
- Serious health problems. From hip and elbow disorders to cancer to bloat, the Bouvier des Flandres is risky in the health department.
| Frankly, most Bouviers are "too much dog" for the average household. This is a serious working dog with tremendous strength. Very few people really have the knowledge or skills necessary to manage this breed, or to provide the activities that keep him satisfied. |
| Not all Bouviers des Flandres are alike! |
- There are energetic Bouviers, and placid Bouviers.
- Hard-headed Bouviers, and sweet-natured Bouviers.
- Serious Bouviers, and good-natured goofballs.
- Introverted Bouviers, and Bouviers who love everyone.
| If you acquire a Bouvier des Flandres puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." |
| If you're considering an adult Bouvier des Flandres... |
There are plenty of adult Bouviers who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.
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