The Bouvier des Flandres is a truly impressive dog. Large, powerful and dark, they are remarkable for their thick dark coats and heavy bearded heads. Founded in Flanders in the middle ages, the Bouvier was bred to herd and guard cattle. In fact, the name Bouvier des Flandres means “the cowheard of Flanders”
Over time, the Bouviers became prized by farmers in present-day France, the Netherlands, and Belgium for their versatility and trustworthiness. They became known as excellent watchdogs, herders, cart pullers and overall guardians.
Sadly, the destruction and ravages of the first and second World Wars did tremendous damage to the breed. Not only were the economies and social structures of the Bouviers’ native regions destroyed, but the dogs themselves were threatened. They were found to be useful to the armies, though, and may have helped to save them.
BOUVIERS DES FLANDRES BREED CHARACTERISTICS
Now let’s take a closer look and get to know these talented dogs!
Appearance
With their thick, rough coats and powerful bodies, Bouviers are often thought to resemble bears! Coming in dark shades of black, grey, salt and pepper, fawn, and brindle, the Bouvier’s double coat requires dedicated upkeep.
The outer coat is somewhat rough and tousled but not curly, while the undercoat is soft and dense. While the don’t shed too much, that coat definitely has a tendency to pick up debris and mud. It takes some effort to keep these guys tidy!
The build and stature of the Bouvier is also striking. They are quite large, standing over two feet at the shoulders. Their weight averages 70-110 pounds. The breed’s original purpose is more than evident when looking at them. The large, square head is set off by bright eyes and a shaggy beard, supported by a broad neck and wide shoulders.
The back is short and sturdy, and all four legs set wide with heavy bones and thick muscling. Despite their substantial builds though, Bouviers are graceful and quite light on their feet.
Temperament and Personality
Bouviers are known to be serious, dedicated independent, dogs. With their deep roots as herders, they have a deep need to be close to their owners, yet at the same time, to have the space to make their decisions. They can adapt to a variety of living arrangements, even tolerating apartment or urban living given proper exercise.
Excellent family pets, Bouviers are gentle and devoted to the owners, especially children. Their herding and guarding nature make them cautious protectors. They enjoy being involved in all aspects of family life, and do not do well when left alone for extended periods of time.
Bouviers tend to be somewhat emotionally reserved; don’t expect a silly, jovial personality from this dog. Their loyalty is more low key than many other breeds, but it is unending. They are not by their natures open to strangers and other dogs. With consistent, early socialization though, they will easily learn to be more adaptable and friendly to making new friends!
Bouviers are easy to train and very smart, but do require a confident leader. In the absence of firm guidance, Bouviers have a tendency to make their own decisions, which may result in the development of bad habits. This makes them more a better fit for experienced dog owners and handlers.
The herding nature of the Bouvier comes out frequently, whether in gathering and protecting the family, or in attempting to move and manage bikers, joggers, or other animals in public. This makes leash training an absolute must- they aren’t known to be wanderers, but for their own safety and the safety of others, a strong leash and good leash skills are invaluable!
CARING FOR YOUR BOUVIER DES FLANDRES
The specialized nature of the Bouvier des Flandres dog also requires some specialized care, but not so much that your average owner can’t be successful.
Nutrition
The Bouvier’s substantial size requires quite a bit of feeding to maintain! These dogs will require about 3-5 cups of food a day to stay healthy. Bouviers thrive on a low protein dog food, but talk with your veterinarian to tailor a nutrition plan that best suits your Bouvier. Large breeds like the Bouvier who grow so quickly need a customized diet to protect them from bone and joint disorders in their adulthood.
As Bouviers age, many tend toward obesity. Be sure to carefully monitor every dog’s weight and body condition, balancing their size with their activity levels to make sure they’re not being overfed. Also, try to maintain a good feeding schedule, making food available only once or twice a day and not out all of the time. A quality automatic dog feeder can help with this.
Exercise
Athletic and strong, Bouviers need consistent activity to remain happy and healthy. They are not known to be high energy dogs, being happy to relax indoors with their families. However, they need a regular, strenuous exercise regimen.
Bred for heavy farm work and herding, Bouviers make excellent partners for active, outdoorsy owners. They can hike, run or even accompany their owners on bike rides. They have a strong need to be busy, and if deprived of this, can become destructive.
Because of their large size and fast growth as puppies, Bouviers should avoid strenuous exercise when they are young. Overly taxing their skeletal systems and muscles can lead to injuries.
Whenever possible, allow your Bouvier access to the outdoors, making sure to keep them safely enclosed in a kennel, or with strong fences.
Training
Bouviers were bred to have a purpose. They are dogs that excel when they are learning and performing a valuable job. Whether herding, guarding, working in search and rescue or tracking, Bouviers enjoy working alongside their owners to achieve a task.
They are intelligent and learn quickly, but are not always intrinsically motivated to do as their owner asks! As a result, an experienced dog owner best handles them. Training should be consistent, frequent and well planned by a patient and capable handler.
Early socialization and even puppy school will help to ensure that the Bouvier is comfortable around people and other animals, and will establish the precedent for the dog’s life for learning and partnership with their owner.
Health
Bouviers are generally robust, healthy dogs. Unfortunately, like all breeds, they can be predisposed toward certain health conditions. Reliable breeders consistently test for and attempt to control many medical conditions.
Some common health concerns for Bouviers include cataracts, glaucoma, deafness, epilepsy, uterine abnormalities, hypothyroidism and certain cancers. Other large breed medical issues like hip and elbow dysplasia can also occur. Joint dysplasias are degenerative joint diseases often occurring in the leg joints. These are generally caused by malformation of the bones and their connections in the joints. They should also be screened for heart conditions like aortic stenosis, and condition resulting from an inefficient connection between the heart and the aorta.
Another large breed issue that can occur in Bouviers is bloat, or gastric torsion. Deep-chested dogs frequently experience bloat if they are exercising heavily after eating or drinking copiously. This emergency condition strikes when the stomach twists within the abdominal cavity, resulting in reduced blood circulation and often respiratory distress.
As mentioned previously, obesity is another common issue that can arise among Bouvier dogs. Owners should take care to frequently monitor their dogs’ weights and body conditions, using both visual and physical methods.
SIMILAR BREEDS
- Giant Schnauzer
- Briard
- Black Russian Terrier
- Belgian Tervuran
- Dutch Shepherd
Best Dog Food For Bouviers Des Flandres
For proper growth and active lifestyle, dogs need top quality food, and the best dog food for Bouviers des Flandres is Merrick Real Texas Beef + Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Adult Dry Dog Food. This omega fatty acid-rich diet consists of lamb and salmon as vital ingredients too. This grain-free diet diminishes digestive upsets and strengthens the muscle tissue.
- The manufacturers throw out artificial preservatives, corn, wheat, etc.
- This well-balanced diet comprises around 35% fiber.
- Crafted with real meat and vegetables, the recipe maintains healthy joints.
Best Puppy Food For Bouviers Des Flandres
Puppies have a finicky appetite, and because of their sensitive stomach, they are not allowed to eat everything, which is why we think the best puppy food for Bouviers des Flandres is Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Healthy Development Small Bites Dry Dog Food. This protein-packed diet supports bone, muscle, a healthy brain, eyes, and the body’s defensive system. This heart-friendly recipe combines wheat, corn, barley, etc., for overall growth.
- This nourishing recipe provides moderate calorie content, which is 374 Kcal/cup.
- Vitamin B12 supplements make the food good for oral health.
- This all-natural puppy food is apposite for the first year only.
Best Dog Bed For Bouviers Des Flandres
After a hectic day, all your dog needs is a soft and comfortable bed to recharge itself for the next morning, and the best dog bed for Bouviers des Flandres is FurHaven Plush Ball Pillow Dog Bed w/Removable Cover. This cuddly bed is designed out of plush faux fur and provides a comfortable sitting experience for dogs. It is stuffed with a generous amount of recycled fillers.
- This zippered bed features shredded foam.
- The bed has interior liners for shapeshifting.
- This bed can be 14.2 to 29.5 inches high.
Best Dog Crate For Bouviers Des Flandres
A durable yet comfortable dog crate can keep your Bouviers des Flandres in a happy mood despite its confinement, and the best dog crate for Bouviers des Flandres is MidWest LifeStages Single Door Collapsible Wire Dog Crate. This black wired crate accommodates the dog in their different life stages. With the help of carrying handles, one can easily relocate the bed.
- The slide bolt latches are there for the dog’s safe confinement.
- The leak-proof tray comes with the order absolutely free of cost and facilitates clean-up.
- This sturdy metal crate can be cleaned with mild cleaning liquids.
Best Dog Harness For Bouviers Des Flandres
Dog harnesses are imperative for house training of dogs, and it puts you in charge while guiding the dog on the road, according to many dog breed experts the best dog harness for Bouviers des Flandres is Sporn Training Halter Nylon No Pull Dog Harness. This high-quality collar features padded sleeves. The buckles and other components are nickel-plated.
- Crafted with nylon, the harness deters choking.
- One can convert this convenient harness into a standardized collar in no time.
- This daily walking harness relaxes the front leg while running and playing.
Best Dog Collar For Bouviers Des Flandres
The best dog collar for Bouviers des Flandres is Blueberry Pet Floral Prints Polyester Dog Collar as it provides a trendy look and comforts the dog during walking as well as running. This fashionable collar features summer blossoms like daisy, rose, etc. This eco-friendly collar is crafted with polyester webbing for extra durability and flexibility.
- The inner layer of the collar combines neoprene padding for superior comfort.
- It has a Squeezable buckle for easy on and off.
- One can hang a tag or ID by the logo in the front part of the collar.
Best Dog Muzzle For Bouviers Des Flandres
There is no better item for obedience training and behavioral modification than a dog muzzle, and the best dog muzzle for Bouviers des Flandres is Baskerville Ultra Dog Muzzle. This lightweight dog muzzle features safety strapping, and it can be adjusted to a customized fit. The pre-holed grills make it easy for dogs to breathe and open their jaws.
- Apart from a lifetime warranty, the muzzle model also offers an array of size and color varieties.
- This dog-friendly muzzle features a secured loop.
- This flexible muzzle discourages the biting, chewing, and barking habits of dogs.
Best Dog Toy For Bouviers Des Flandres
A toy can occupy most of the hours of the Bouviers des Flandres keeping it happy and cheerful, so we think the best dog toy for Bouviers des Flandres would be ZippyPaws Loopy Hedgehog 6 Squeaker Plush Dog Toy. This soft and flexible holed toy includes large squeakers to entice the dogs. To make it last long and extra safe, there is no stuffing in it.
- This plush toy can be washed with a gentle cycle or spot cleaned.
- This high-quality plush hedgehog can tolerate any amount of heavy chewing.
- Due to its disc-like shape, the toy can fly in the air for a few seconds, and that is why it is ideal for catching games.
Best Dog Brush For Bouviers Des Flandres
A well-managed coat can make a big difference in your dog’s physical appearance, and for this purpose, the best dog brush for Bouviers des Flandres is Hartz Groomer’s Best Slicker Dog Brush. For gentle grooming, the brush has coated pin tops, and without causing any injury, it reaches the deepest part of the coat. This elegant brush removes mats from the surface almost instantly.
- This deshedding bristle brush can be applied on a wet coat.
- This fine brush has a long and soft anti-slip handle.
- Everyday use of this brush can increase oil production in the body and helps the coat look shinier.
Best Dog Shampoo For Bouviers Des Flandres
Apart from cleaning the coat, good dog shampoo is instrumental in strengthening fur fiber, and the best dog shampoo for Bouviers des Flandres is PetAg Fresh ‘N Clean Tropical Fresh Oatmeal ‘N Baking Soda Conditioner, 18-oz bottle. Baking soda is a popular cleaning agent, and it removes the last debris particle from the coat. This mild shampoo can be used on wounded skin, and it always leaves behind a tropical perfume.
- It adds thickness to the coat.
- This organic shampoo promotes nourished skin because there is vitamin E in it.
- Gentle rubbing with this shampoo promotes elongated fur.
Recommended Reading:
- How Much Does A Bouvier des Flandres Cost?
- Best Dog Food
- Best Dog Bowl
- Best Automatic Dog Feeder
- Best Interactive Dog Toys
- Best Dog Playpen
- Best Outdoor Dog Kennel
- Best Dog House
- Best Dog Crate
- Best Dog Treat
- Best Automatic Fetch Machine
- Best Dog Activity Monitor
- Best Dog Food Container
- Best Electronic Dog Door
- Best Dog Ramp
- Best Dog Cooling Vest
- Best GPS Tracker for Dogs
- Best Dog Bed
- Best Dog Cooling Pad
- Best Indestructible Dog Bed
- Best Dog Training Book
- 10 Breeds Most Compatible with Bouvier des Flandres
Sources
