Bouvier des Flandres Dog Breed Information

Posted on Mar 9, 2019, Modified : Jun 25, 2021 Miryana

Breeds

General Information

Dog Name	Bouvier des Flandres
Other Names	Flanders Cattle Dog
Scientific Name	Canis lupus familiaris
Breed Type	Working Dog
Group	Herding
Extinct	No
Country of Origin	Belgium, France

Physical And Size

Min Life Span	10
Max Life Span	12
Min Ideal Weight for male	36
Max Ideal Weight for male	36
Min Ideal Weight for female	27
Max Ideal Weight for male	36

Ranking

Intelligent Rank
Trainability
Playfulness
Affection Level
Social Needs
Barking
Watchdog Ability
Territorial
Mouthiness
Adaptability

Characterisitics

Temperament	Courageous, Affectionate, Hardworking
Prey Drive	No
Fighting Dog	No

Friendliness

Stranger Friendly	Medium
Child Friendly	Medium
Cat Friendly	Medium
Apartment Friendly	Low
Senior Citizens Friendly	Low
Service Dog	Low
Search and Rescue Dog	Low
Biting Potential	Medium

Country of Origin	Belgium and France
Nicknames and Other Names	Flanders Cattle Dog Vlaamse Koehond
Scientific Name	Canis lupus familiaris
Breed Type	Working Dog
Group	Herding Group
Bred For	Herding, Guarding, Pulling cart
Size	Medium-Sized
Recognized By	AKC, UKC, FCI, ANKC, NZKC, KC, CKC
Life Span	10-12 years
Ideal Weight	Male: 80-120 pounds Female: 60-80 pounds
Ideal Height	Male: 23-28 inches Female: 22-27 inches
Fur Type	Double coated with a harsh outer coat, slightly longer hair on the face
Common Colors	Black, Pepper and Salt, Fawn, Brindle, Gray Brindle
Markings	White markings, Black Mask, Brindle markings
Availability	Widely available
Achievements	Served as Police dogs, Military dogs, Rescue dogs
Suitable for Apartments	No
Used in World War	No
Most Similar To	Black Russian Terrier

The powerful dogs with a large head and sturdy body, walrus-like mustache, and bushy eyebrows, the Bouvier des Flandres are truly a herding dog full of energy and independence.

They are agile, bold yet serene and well-behaved dogs. If you are planning to add a Bouvier des Flandres in your family then it can be the right choice for you. The fearless dog will make a good companion in the house.

Origin And History

The Bouvier des Flandres was originated in Flemish region of Belgium and in northern France where they were bred to herd and as a working dog. It is believed that they were crossed between the local dogs with imported Irish Wolfhounds, Tibetan Mastiff, Brabanters, Schnauzers, Griffons, and Beaucerons.

In 1910, the first Bouvier caught the eye of Societe Royale Saint-Hubert at the International dog show in Brussels. Then after in 1912, a group of Bouvier gathered and decided to breed even more refined version of ‘Standard of Perfection’ which became the first-ever official Standards recognized by the Societe Royale Saint-Hubert.

Is Bouvier Child-Friendly?

Bouvier des Flandres are known to be very friendly among children. They enjoy playing with kids and staying under the supervision of them. However, they may try to rule the pack by barking and nipping.

As with every breed no matter how friendly your pet are they should always be kept under supervision while playing. They might unintentionally hurt your child.

Bouvier Loves Playing With Baby.

Behavior, Temperament And Personality

Bouvier des Flandres are wonderful house dogs. They are rambunctious and rowdy as puppies but when they are grown-ups, they tend to be dignified housemates. They are calm and friendly with other animals if they are raised with them. Bouvier loves their family and is happiest when they are surrounded by the flock of human counterparts.

Bouvier is known for its intelligence and strong-willed of their own. They may try to herd and lead the pack if he senses the lack of leadership. The modern Bouvier are prone to herd bicycles, children, and bikes. Chasing is the most considerable behavior so it is important to keep them on the leash or a fenced yard.

Their herding nature makes them protective towards their family, which often leads to aggression if they don’t feel like welcoming an intruder. However, it is important for a Bouvier des Flandres to get early socialization to people as well as other animals.

Trainability

Training a Bouvier means having a strong, confident and consistent training leader. This breed is not recommended for first-time owners or who cannot give them enough time and training.

Because of their strong-willed nature, sometimes it becomes hard to train them. However, positive reinforcements and treats may help you. Harsh behavior may lead to stubbornness and avoidance behavior. They are highly intelligent dogs who can thrive on agility training and dog competitions.

Common Health Issues

General Health	Healthy
Common Health Issues	Elbow Dysplasia, Glaucoma, Hip Dysplasia, Cataracts, Heart Problem, Cancer
Hypoallergenic	Yes
Vaccination Required	Rabies, Canine Coronavirus, Canine Distemper, Canine Parvovirus, Leptospirosis, Canine Parainfluenza, Kennel Cough
Shedding	Moderate
Drooling	Low
Grooming	Hard and lot of Grooming required
Weight Gain Potential	Average to High
Separation Anxiety	Moderate Chance
Allergies	None
Diets and Supplements	Protein: 23% Fat: 10% Fish Oil Antioxidant Probiotics

The average life span of the Bouvier is 10-12 years. As with many other dog breeds, they are prone to have diseases like cancer, hip dysplasia as they age.

Facts About Bouvier des Flandres

Bouvier des Flandres are known to be dirty frequently because of which they are not recommended for fastidious people who can’t stand a mess.
Because of their assertive nature this breed is not recommended for novice owners.
Their name means either “cow herders” or “ox herders from Flandres”.