A large and very powerful dog, the Bouvier des Flandres was created by crossing the Beauceron with various Griffin type dog breeds, the idea being to create a versatile working dog. They were commonly used in the cattle trade to herd livestock to market and to guard butcher’s establishments. In fact, the name “Bouvier” means “butcher.”
No breed standard existed in the early days and the name Bouvier was applied based on a dog’s attitude and appetite for hard work, rather than on any physical characteristics.
When the First World War broke out, Bouviers were pressed in to service as messengers on the front lines. As a result they suffered heavy casualties and the breed was almost driven to the brink of extinction.The Bouvier was saved by a group of dedicated breeders who simultaneously set about defining a breed standard, and creating the dog we know today. What was retained though, was the Bouviers versatility and hard working nature. These dogs excel at all kinds of work, including guarding, police work, military work and search and rescue.
Looking at a Bouvier you are immediately impressed by the power of the dog. They have a muscular, square profile with a strong muzzle and defining bushy eyebrows. The coat is rough and can be black, blonde, brindle, fawn, grey, or salt-and-pepper in color.
The Bouvier looks intimidating, but is actually a friendly, balanced dog. However, this is not a dog to be trifled with, the Bouvier has strong guarding instincts and is fiercely protective of its family. In general though, they are obedient and well-behaved with a playfulness that extends well into adulthood. They are intelligent dogs, and take well to training.
A Bouvier that has been trained and socialized makes an excellent pet, that gets on well with children, other dogs and non canine pets. And training is most definitely required. Not that this is an aggressive breed, but any dog this big will be difficult to control if it hasn’t been trained.
This is a generally robust and healthy breed although they are prone to hip dysplasia and various eye problems. These dogs have a very pain tolerance, and will actually hide symptoms from you, so you’ll have to be alert for any sign that all is not well.
Grooming can be quite a challenge as the coat will need daily brushing to keep it in good order. The coat will also have to be cut a few times a year.
If you’ve decided to adopt a Bouvier, be prepared for a lot of exercise. Remember that, these are working dogs so they need plenty of exercise. You’ll need to give your dog a long walk every day, plus games and other activities to keep him happy. While a Bouvier can adapt to an apartment, a house with garden is a much better option.
Good dog names can be hard to find. The best advice is to try one of the online puppy names, sites. My personal favorite is Puppy Names HQ, a site that has tons of excellent dog names to pick from, including thousands of male dog names.
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