Bouvier des Flandres

This big dog with a slightly gruff look is a four-legged big heart. Many owners will be happy to have him as long as he is trained properly from the start. Once his training is well executed, his natural affectionate temperament will easily take over. This gentle companion will then become a full member of the family.

Height 59 to 68 cm
Weight 27 to 45 kg
Life expectancy 10 to 12 years
Hair Loss Low
Excercise Need High

Index

Personality Appearance Characteristics Price Tips Health History

Quick Overview of the Bouvier des Flandres

Temperament

  • Neither too shy nor too aggressive
  • Calm
  • Usually very gentle
  • Loves games

Appearance

  • Short and stocky
  • Muscular and very powerful limbs
  • Dry, matt and hard coat
  • Dark eyes

Health

  • Very solid and robust
  • No particular health problems

Temperament of the Bouvier des Flandres

Neither too aggressive nor too shy, the Bouvier des Flandres is generally even-tempered and calm. This dog, generally very gentle, must still learn to socialize at a very young age.

If the habit of socializing with other animals and humans is developed early, he will assimilate it very quickly and remember it for the rest of his life.

Usually forming a great team with toddlers, he loves their games and children love him because they feel like they are playing with a big doggie. However, he needs a balanced and consistent but gentle training.

He is very quick-witted and learns fast. So education is not a problem, but it still has to be fairly rigorous. Despite his somewhat gruff appearance, he is sensitive dog that will delight the people of the house with his courage, loyalty and affection.

The Bouvier des Flandres does not really have an aggressive temperament, but he is wary of strangers and tends to protect his own. Even if he never acts improperly, he will always make sure to protect his family and will be wary of potential dangers.

bouvier des flandres personnalité

Breed Appearance

cowherd of the Flandres

Rather short and stocky in appearance, he is strong and very solid and has muscular and powerful limbs giving the impression of great power with a lighter gait all the same time. His gaze exudes intelligence, boldness and great energy. At first glance, his coat gives the impression of a plush.

Height

Between 62 and 68 cm (24.41 to 26.77 inches) for the male
Between 59 and 65 cm (23.23 to 25.59 inches) for the female

Weight

Between 35 and 45 kg (77.16 to 99.21 pounds) for the male
Between 27 and 35 kg (59.52 to 77.16 pounds) for the female

Color

The Bouvier des Flandres has a coat that can vary between brindle, fawn, grey, dark grey (charcoal) and black. On his chest, the breed also allows the possibility of a white star.

Hair

His hair is rather dry and tends to be matt and hard. The standard does not tolerate curly or woolly hair, but it can be disheveled without being either too long or too short.

Morphology

His head is very massive. His eyes are dark in color. His ears are carried erect and triangular in shape. His tail is usually severed at the second or third vertebrae.

According to the FCI breeds nomenclature, this breed belongs to group 1, section 2 and is #191

Characteristics of the Bouvier des Flandres

Does this dog suit your lifestyle?

Every dog breed has its own characteristics. However, the actual character of a dog can vary from one to another within the same breed.

Find out if the Bouvier des Flandres is your ideal dog breed with our quiz.

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Life in an apartment
Good first dog
Tolerates solitude
Tolerates cold weather
Tolerates hot weather
Affectionate
Friendly with children
Friendly with strangers
Friendly with other animals
Hair loss
Drooling level
Easy to care for
Robust health
Easy to train
Intelligent
Tendency to bark
Tendency to nibble
Protective
Instinct to hunt
Adventurous spirit
Energy level
Level of intensity
Need for exercise
Playful

Price and monthly budget

Price you can expect to pay for a Bouvier des Flandres puppy: between and
These prices are indicative and may vary from breeder to breeder

Tips About this breed

The Bouvier des Flandres is an excellent dog for the family. He is protective, likes to play, is sociable, calm and full of gentleness.

He likes exercise and children. He is an ideal companion for a family with a large garden or living in the country.

He will be able to enjoy a large space and to fully develop himself in contact with children's games and family activities.

He will be able to live in a city, but only if there is enough outdoor space to allow him to exercise regularly.

City dwellers without outdoor space who want to own such a dog should provide him with daily walks to the park or elsewhere so he can spend his energy.

Health of the Bouvier des Flandres

The race is not affected by any particular health issues. This dog is very strong and robust and generally has excellent health. Some specimens may be affected by eye issues, such as cataracts, but this would be more hereditary.

Just make sure the parents are in good health when you buy the puppy and your dog should be in good general health.

GROOMING

Despite his bushy coat, this superb specimen does not require any special care except a good brushing once or twice a week. Brushing should be done in-depth to eliminate any possibility of knots in the hair. Regular brushing with the right brush will ensure a healthy coat.

There are no rules, but bathing once per season, about four times a year, also helps to keep a beautiful coat.

His eyes and ears must be cleaned regularly, but no more than any other breed. Regular and normal maintenance suits him very well.

History of this breed

Of course, as his name indicates, he is a member of the Bouvier family. From France or Belgium, some say the breed is French while others say it is Belgian. One thing is certain, whether he's from France or Belgium, the remarkable Bouvier des Flandres comes from the Flanders region.

According to the French, this big athletic dog with a real doggie look is the result of a cross between a Griffon and a Beauce Shepherd, but for the Belgians, it comes from the Berger de Roules.

Widely used on the farm for milking, butter churning and driving herds of cattle, the Bouvier des Flandres was once very popular and appreciated for his endurance at work. Following the modernization of the vast majority of farms, the Bouvier des Flandres was retrained as guardian, police, tracking and defense dog.

His outstanding physical strength accompanied by his great mental aptitudes, excellent sense of smell, remarkable intelligence and great initiative made him an outstanding dog greatly appreciated for his excellent work.

The breed was officially recognized in 1912, but World War I nearly decimated him completely. Fortunately, around 1960, French and Belgian breeders concluded an agreement that set the criteria for the breed known to everyone today. This agreement allowed the survival of the Bouvier des Flandres.

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Last Updated: 21/10/2020

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