Bouvier des Flandres
A Flemish cattle drover under a tousled weatherproof coat. It pulled carts, drove cattle and carried messages in the First World War, which nearly wiped it out.
Photo by Svenska Mässan, CC BY 2.0
Overview
The Bouvier is a Flemish farm dog, used to drive cattle, pull carts and turn butter churns, and the name simply means cow herder. It nearly died out in the First World War, when Flanders was the front line, and was rebuilt afterwards.
It is a large, powerfully built dog under a rough tousled double coat, with a heavy beard and eyebrows that hide the eyes.
Temperament
Steady, confident and protective. Bouviers are calmer than most herding breeds, deeply loyal to their families, and naturally watchful with strangers.
They are intelligent and strong willed and they need an owner who is consistent. They can be dog reactive and they are big enough that it matters. They are also famously slow to mature and stay adolescent for two to three years.
Care and grooming
A serious grooming commitment. The rough double coat mats and needs thorough brushing two or three times a week plus professional trimming every couple of months. The beard collects food and water and needs daily attention.
Hip and elbow dysplasia, glaucoma and laryngeal paralysis occur. Bloat is a risk in this deep chested breed. Ten to twelve years is the expectation.
Living and exercise
Ninety minutes to two hours a day plus training. They enjoy herding, carting, obedience and protection work.
They want to be with their people and they do badly kennelled or ignored. A Bouvier with a job and a family is a superb dog, and one without either is a large bored problem.
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