Bouvier des Flandres

OVERVIEW OF THE BOUVIER DES FLANDRES

The Bouvier des Flandres is a big Belgian herding breed with a strong body to complement its wiry coat, beard, and fluffy appearance. This self-assured, strong dog is excellent at putting its intelligence and size to use, with its beard being among its most distinctive characteristics. This large, sturdy herding dog is renowned for its agility in work, but it’s also a loyal companion who loves to be with its owner.

This breed is famous for its family-oriented behavior and loving nature. Lacking regular mental and physical exercise, it will become destructive because of its boundless energy. It’s very fond of kids and loyal to its family but doesn’t get along with cats and can be aggressive with other dogs if not raised with them. The Bouvier is a skilled and clever dog who is up for any activity you wish to plan with it. Properly raising this breed can result in a happy, long and rewarding friendship.

HISTORY

Bouvier des Flandres translates roughly to “cowherd from Flanders.” In its early years, this majestic herder was known as “vuilbaard” (“dirty beard”), “koehond” (“cow hound”), and “toucher de boeuf or pic” (“cattle driver”). Belgium once had multiple “Bouvier” breeds; the Bouvier des Flandres is the only one in significant numbers now.

Flanders was a medieval principality comprising parts of modern-day Belgium, France, and the Netherlands when the Bouvier was founded. (France and Belgium continue to identify the Bouvier as a native breed.) As indicated by the breed’s several early names, the primary function of the Bouvier was the cattle movement. Bouviers gained their keep as watchdogs, herders, guards, and cart-pullers because thrifty farmers in France and the Low Countries preferred to use a single versatile dog rather than a group of experts.

By the turn of the 20th century, far from the fields and pastures of Flanders, Bouviers were capturing the interest of international dog lovers. A Belgian breed club was established, and experts from France and Belgium drafted a written standard. With the onset of World War I, though, the pastoral homeland of the Bouviers was turned into a nightmare battlefield. Farmers in the region were disturbed, and their dogs were destroyed or lost.

The Belgian army became responsible for the breed’s survival, and Bouviers have proven themselves as brave and resourceful fighting dogs. During times of peace, Bouviers gained experience as guide dogs for the blind and European police K-9s.

Again facing extinction after World War II, European immigrants saved the Bouvier in the United States.

BOUVIER DES FLANDRES TRAITS

Appearance

The Bouvier is a powerful, rough-coated dog with a rugged appearance. The Bouvier, despite its huge size, is a gentle, obedient dog with a good temperament that makes a wonderful family pet. Its most notable trait is its large head, accented by a thick beard and mustache. Tails were initially docked to prevent damage caused by herding and cart-pulling, although this practice is now primarily performed for aesthetic purposes. Males weigh between 80 and 120 pounds, while females weigh slightly less. They have a thick double coat that might be black, fawn, or gray brindle. Although Bouviers are sometimes called non-shedding dogs, they, like all dogs, do lose hair.

Temperament

Bouviers des Flandres are intelligent, loyal, loving, and protective by nature. The breed’s unique traits make them excellent family pets and watchful guard dogs. Unlike certain animals raised for aggression and strength, the Bouvier has sophisticated traits such as cognitive control, intelligence, and responsibility.

The Bouvier has a pleasant temperament and is obedient, and although it looks threatening, it’s truly friendly and calm. Bouviers are energetic, responsible, even-tempered, brave, and easy to train, making them great guards and watchdogs. They learn commands relatively quickly and learn best with minimum repetition.

These dogs must undergo well-rounded training and consistently be shown that the owner is still in charge without being harsh. This breed requires a skilled owner to avoid dominance issues. Bouviers should be socialized effectively, preferably at a young age, to avoid shyness, suspicion, and being excessively reserved around strangers. They don’t achieve complete physical and mental maturity until two to three years.

Multiple-pet households are not usually a good match for Bouviers. While they learn to coexist nicely with cats and dogs when raised as infants with them, they have a great prey drive and frequently compete for dominance with dogs of the same breed.  Protection and vigilance are in Bouvier’s genes, and they will guard your property, alert you to danger, and go on the offensive if they feel an intruder has ill intentions. They aren’t aggressive toward others without cause.

FOOD AND HEALTH OF THE BOUVIER DES FLANDRES

Diet

Bouviers must be fed two premium dog meals a day. You can also feed it numerous smaller meals a day or use a slow-feeder bowl to avoid bloat, but it should not consume a single huge meal. Overeating or eating too quickly might cause stomach torsion and bloat in Bouviers.

Bouvier puppies require a low-calorie diet to prevent excessive growth, increasing their risk of bone diseases. The nutritional demands of your dog will fluctuate as it ages. Proper feeding schedules and the ideal amount and type of food keep your dog healthy and active.

Bouviers tend to put on weight, so it’s important to feed them a diet that includes biologically suitable proteins, healthy fats, and vegetables, which are rich in vitamins and minerals. Inspect your dog’s weight frequently to ensure it doesn’t grow overweight, which would increase its susceptibility to health problems. Several factors influence how much dog food you should give your pet each day, including:

• Your dog’s calorie consumption
• The quality and quantity of food you are providing
• Your dog’s activity level
• Your dog’s age and health

So, talk to your vet about how often you should feed your dog, how much of each type of food, and how much exercise it must have each day.

Exercise

The Bouviers are strong, energetic, and have an abundance of stamina. Ideally, you should identify activities that can quickly expend energy and give them a task to do. It’s recommended that they engage in high-intensity activities and strength training to keep their muscles excellent. Maintaining muscle strength will ensure that the tendons and joints are protected from injury.

Bouviers are extremely trainable and can learn most commands with between 15 and 25 repetitions. It’s commonly believed that once it has learned a command, it will never forget it.

As a herding breed, Bouviers need between 60 and 90 minutes of daily exercise and activity. Due to their intelligence, they demand a great deal of intellectual stimulation and enrichment. Exercise is crucial for them as they may be prone to gaining weight.

Playing fetch with your Bouvier is another excellent way to release extra energy. Usually, ball or toy-obsessed working dogs can play this game for dozens of throws. These types require significantly more throws of fetch than you are capable or willing to perform. You can consider getting an automatic ball launcher as an alternative so your dog can play fetch independently.

Most Bouviers can keep chasing and catching a ball. A frisbee requires slightly more ability, coordination, and timing. Throw the frisbee towards your dog on the ground. They will run after it and want to put it in their mouths instinctively. It requires their complete engagement and interest and helps them burn off some of their loads of energy.

Bouviers don’t seem like the most agile of dogs, but they’re surprisingly athletic and agile. Create an obstacle course or agility course in your yard using your household objects to engage your dog in certain exercises.

Training and socialization

Bouviers are intelligent and eager to engage in daily training, like activity in its own freedom rather than a means to an end. They will not like being left alone or away from their family for an extended period. These dogs enjoy spending time with their families and will consider training an opportunity for bonding. Bouviers can participate in a range of dog sports, but their size and weight may prevent them from excelling in others. A Bouvier could be a great companion for someone who enjoys participating in various canine sports. With constant training, Bouviers may learn any form of fundamental instructions and tricks for essential tasks like search and rescue. Concentrate on positive reinforcement and training based on rewards, but avoid those activities that can result in losing their interest in training.

Like most herding dogs, it has a high prey drive. So, the breed necessitates a good obedience training foundation and strict discipline. The Bouvier is a huge dog breed, and without adequate training, it can be difficult to control.

When Bouviers are raised around smaller animals, they won’t react and would learn to live with them. They’re excellent companion dogs for various households, but this breed isn’t suitable for everyone. They’re affectionate towards children, but young Bouviers may be unaware of their size and frequently knock over young children or attempt to herd them. So, consistent training and exercise are essential to keep them disciplined and active. Be vigilant around cats or other small animals until you know your Bouvier’s prey drive. Otherwise, your dog may develop gnawing and barking habits. They’re reserved around guests and strangers, and if not socialized properly, they may become excessively protective or shy. Take your Bouvier to new locations and expose it to new people to give vital socialization; these experiences and training can help control or reduce its intense prey drive.

Health concerns of Bouvier des Flandres

The average lifespan of a Bouvier Des Flandres is between 10 and 11 years, indicating the breed’s high level of health. At age two, dental health issues impact 80% of Bouvier des Flandres. Tartar accumulation on the teeth leads to gum disease and tooth decay and if you don’t treat or prevent the dental disease, your furry friend can lose teeth and be at risk of kidney, heart, liver, and joint damage. In fact, the lifespan of your Bouvier Des Flandres may be reduced by one to three years!

Bouviers are susceptible to viral and bacterial infections, such as rabies, parvo, and diarrhea. Most of these infections are vaccine-preventable. They’re also at risk of bloat, a condition where the stomach fills with air. If the stomach twists and cuts blood flow, this condition can develop a more serious gastric volvulus. The abrupt onset of stomach torsion also termed gastric dilatation volvulus, can lead to the death of a perfectly healthy dog within a few hours. Most of the dogs that undergo surgery for gastric torsion will bloat again. A sensible choice to prevent the stomach from twisting in the future is stomach tacking.

Various worms and insects can infect the body of your Bouvier, both inside and out. Hookworms, heartworms, roundworms, and whipworms can enter the body in various ways, including walking on contaminated soil, drinking contaminated water, or being bitten by an infected mosquito. These worms can cause discomfort, pain, and even death for your furry friend, so it’s crucial to check on them regularly to ensure their health.

GROOMING INSIGHTS FOR BOUVIER DES FLANDRES

The rough coat of the Bouvier requires a thorough cleaning or brushing at least once every week to prevent mats and tangles. It may take more than an hour to complete this task effectively. Many Bouvier owners cut the beard and coat of their dog to make it much more manageable. Bouviers require a bath once a month to enhance their health and cleanliness. Once a week, you should use a cleanser recommended by your veterinarian to remove grime that might cause ear infections.

The nails of Bouviers must be cut twice a month to prevent them from being overgrown and causing irritation or pain when walking. As with many dog breeds, Bouviers des Flandres benefits from a regular dental care regimen consisting of home tooth brushing and expert cleanings.