Bouvier des Flandres FAQ
Much of this material was developed by the Southern California Bouvier des Flandres Club and was assembled by Pam Gatts. We thank Pam and the Southern California Bouivier des Flandres Club for their hard work!
Len Gaska lgaska@ibm.net, compiled this document.
This material may be used for non-commerical purposes provided proper credit is given.
The Bouvier des Flandres or "Cattle Dog of Flanders" originated in the low-lying areas of what is now Belgium and the Netherlands. Documentation of its ancestry is cloudy, but its beginnings are loosely attributed to a type of sheepdog (Berger), the Dutch Griffon, and the Barber. Bouvier ancestors were working cattle and farm dogs that herded and defended the cattle, drove the livestock to market, pulled the farmer's carts, and served as guardians of the family and farm. Those early dogs were of different physical types, but common characteristics were bobtails, cropped ears, hard, tousled coats, and natural instincts for guarding the herd, home, and family.
By the beginning of this century, breeders began selecting for uniformity of type, and the dog we know today as the Bouvier des Flandres evolved. The first "standard" for the Bouvier des Flandres was developed in 1912; the Club National Belge du Bouvier des Flandres, formed in 1922, formulated specific qualities of type for future breeding. The first and second World Wars, however, severely reduced the population of Bouviers; a few survived as ambulance bearers, as guards and messengers for the army and resistance movements, and as military tracking aids. Consequently, the Bouviers of today trace their lineage to a small and common gene pool.
Bouviers were imported into the United States in the late 1920's with the first two being registered in the AKC stud book in 1931. They remained an extremely rare breed in the United States until the late 1960's when European breeding stock began being imported in larger numbers. Since the late 1960's, the popularity of the Bouvier has been slowly but steadily increasing in the United States.
The heritage of the Bouvier is that of a working dog. In many European countries, working dogs cannot win a championship until they prove themselves by gaining a working title. The American Kennel Club includes the Bouvier in the Herding Group--and the Bouvier excels at herding. They have a unique herding style; not "heel nippers' like some of the herding dogs, the Bouvier has been known to throw a body block to bump the errant sheep or cow into place. Bouviers are also used in the United States for police work, as therapy dogs, for search and rescue, and a seeing eye dogs for the blind. The Bouvier is also an excellent competitor in the sport of Schutzhund and in tracking and obedience competitions, however, their primary function is as a loving and intelligent family companion. The Bouvier des Flandres, however is not the perfect breed for everyone. Some of the physical and temperamental characteristics that make them unique can also make them unsuitable for some families or lifestyles.
The Standard is the physical "blueprint" of the breed. It describes the physical appearance and other desired qualities of the breed otherwise known as type. Some characteristics, such as size, coat quality, and movement, are based on the original (or current) function for the dog. Other characteristics are more cosmetic such as eye color; but taken together they set this breed apart from all others. The Standard describes an ideal representative of the breed. No individual dog is perfect, but the Standard provides an ideal for the breeder to strive towards.
Because of copyright concerns over the collection of all the Standards at any single site storing all the faqs, AKC Standards are not typically included in the Breed faqs. The reader is referred to the AKC Breed Standards or to the National Breed Club for a copy of the Standard.
The Bouvier is a large, extremely powerful dog--the average male is approximately 26 inches at the shoulder and weighs approximately 90 to 100 pounds. The average female is a bit smaller, standing an average of 25 inches at the shoulder and weighing approximately 80 or 85 pounds. The head is massive (although the female's head is finer and more feminine) with a uniquely identifying beard and mustache giving the Bouvier "that gruff expression so characteristic of the breed." They have a double coat comprised of a soft, dense undercoat and a rough, harsh outer coat "capable of withstanding the hardest work in the most inclement weather."
In temperament and personality, Bouviers are unique, a direct result of their heritage as a cattle herder. They are calm, rational, and very intelligent with an independent nature. Once past puppyhood, they are normally quiet and nondestructive indoors. They can also be stubborn and headstrong, but given strong leadership and proper training methods, they are very trainable. They are excellent watchdogs, naturally protective but slow to respond aggressively, seeming to know instinctively who is, and who is not a threat. The Bouvier tends to be aloof and reserved with strangers but strongly devoted to family.
Bouviers are well-qualified manipulators, and obedience training is mandatory. They will learn quickly, but only if they perceive the owner as pack leader. Firm, fair, self-assured and assertive leadership is necessary for keeping the Bouvier's independence in check. "The Bouvier does much better with the person who perceives himself as a leader rather than a master."
Bouviers thrive on companionship; they are very sensitive and become deeply attached to their family and will develop various bad habits, as well as becoming unsociable and very unhappy if relegated to the back yard, kennel, or basement. They are happiest when allowed to sleep next to the bed at night and follow their people everywhere (even into the bathroom if allowed).
Their natural protectiveness is a direct result of their heritage as a working cattle and farm dog. They will exhibit this protectiveness by growling and barking at anyone or anything perceived to be a threat. Although they don't ten to bark excessively, the Bouvier's owner must deal with this behavior in an appropriate manner.
The Bouvier is by nature a guard dog. They are not "self-socializing" as are various other breeds, notably the Golden Retriever. The owner must assist the Bouvier puppy in the socialization process, exposing it to as many different people and situations as possible. This socialization is mandatory to avoid aggression and/or fearfulness in the adult dog.
The shaggy coat of the Bouvier requires a great deal of maintenance. That beautiful, tousled, natural-looking coat one sees in the show ring is the result of hours and hours of hand stripping, plucking, and scissoring. Even the companion Bouvier, who will never see a show ring, must be expertly groomed every six to eight weeks. Many Bouvier owners learn to groom their own dogs. The coat must be regularly combed and brushed; loose hairs are retained by the harsh outercoat and must be brushed out often to avoid matting. A minimum of 30 minutes per week is required for regular grooming. Bouviers do shed, although not excessively.
The characteristic Bouvier beard is often wet from drinking, or panting, and will drip onto floors, carpets, and people's laps. The beard will also collect particles of food, dirt, leaves, etc. and must be kept clean, :Vuilbaard," the Flemish nickname for the Bouvier, meaning, "dirty beard," accurately describes the breed.
As with other large, deep-chested breeds, Bouviers are prone to bloat. Bloat is a serious condition where the stomach rotates, closing off both ends, and starts to produce gas; this condition can kill quickly. Some preventive measures include feeding your dog in smaller multiple portions (two smaller meals a day being better than one large meal a day), refraining from exercising your dog immediately before and after his meal, and either soaking kibble in water before feeding or ensuring your dog doesn't drink a lot of water immediately after eating. You should discuss this condition with your vet: s/he can list the obvious symptoms and show you some emergency measures you can take to save his life if you find yourself rushing to the emergency room in a race against time.
If you have decided that a Bouvier will fit in with your lifestyle, get to know as many Bouviers as you can. Visit dog shows and obedience events and talk to exhibitors (after they are finished in the ring, please), ask your veterinarian or local dog trainers, the AKC, or a local Bouvier club for the names of Bouvier owners and breeders in your area. Talk to as many owners and breeders and meet as many Bouviers as possible to get a thorough overview of Bouvier ownership.
Please do not rush to buy the first Bouvier puppy available. It is very important that you purchase your puppy from a reputable breeder, a breeder dedicated to the protection and preservation of the Bouvier des Flandres as it was designed in Europe. Your breeder must stand behind the puppies "for better or for worse;" be honest about the health and temperament of the puppies; check breeding stock for health and temperament, participate in conformation, herding, Schutzhund and/or the obedience ring; and work with the puppies to provide a good start in socialization. A reputable breeder will guarantee puppies' health and temperament and will, should it become necessary, take the puppy (or dog) back, help place the puppy in a suitable home or help find a replacement. A reputable breeder will support and guide you throughout the dog's life.
Most reputable breeders will not find it necessary to advertise in the classified ads of the newspaper. Successful breeders attract buyers through their dog activities and the reputation of previous breeding and breeding stock. The fact that puppies are "AKC Registered" says nothing about the quality of the puppies. It merely means that the puppies' parents are AKC registered. Reputable breeders will have all the paperwork in order with litter registrations available for transfer when the puppy is delivered.
Expect to pay $600 to $1000 for a Bouvier pup from a reputable breeder. These breeders do not always have puppies available, but know of and can recommend other breeders expecting litters, or will take reservations for upcoming litters. Reputable breeders will screen prospective buyers before selling a puppy. Be prepared to answer a fair amount of questions concerning your family and lifestyle: there is a reason for this--breeders are interested in the life-long welfare of their dogs and want to ensure that their puppies are placed in appropriate homes.
If possible, visit prospective breeders prior to making a commitment to purchase a pup. Look at and evaluate the temperament of the dam and ask to see photos of the sire if he is not on site. Are the premises clean; do all dogs look healthy? Ask if the pups will be docked and cropped--although cropping is now banned in European countries, it remains the norm in the United States, and a reputable breeder will have their puppies cropped. Only in rare instances will a breeder sell an uncropped puppy. Ask about any guarantees and to see the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) certification for both sire and dam. If the breeder claims AKC titles for either of the parents (conformation championships, obedience, tracking, or herding titles), ask to see proof of the titles. Be wary of involved contracts requiring you to breed the dog, but don't be surprised if the breeder asks for an altering/spaying agreement: conscientious breeders will withhold the AKC papers of a pup until it is spayed or neutered if they do not feel the pup is suitable to be used for breeding.
If your lifestyle cannot handle the rough and tumble of puppyhood, and you do not with to show your Bouvier in the conformation ring, consider a rescue Bouvier. Contact a local Breed club or refer to the list of rescue contacts in this document. Rescue dogs--dogs that, usually through no fault of their own, are destined for animal shelters or dogs whose owners, for one reason or another, cannot keep them. These dogs are normally screened for temperament and are spayed or neutered prior to adoption. Most of these rescue dogs, when given the attention, care and training they need and deserve, will be loving and devoted family companions.
Finally, please read Pam Green's classic article "Don't Buy a Bouvier" at http://www.bouviers.net/info/dontbuy.html before you make a final commitment to obtain a Bouvier.
Bouvier Clubs and Organizations
Contact a local Bouvier club for reputable breeders in your area. A list of breeders is available from the ABdFC (American Bouvier des Flandres Club). Contact Dorothy Kent, Secretary at the address listed under Bouvier Clubs and Organizations. You can find a list of Bouvier breeders at http://ra.nilenet.com/~gaska/breeders.html.
If you have any additions or corrections to this document, please contact lgaska@ibm.net