Bouvier des Flandres

Hypoallergenic: YesProne to hip dysplasia, eye problems such as cataracts. The Bouvier has a very high pain threshold. They can take a lot of contact with the cattle's legs without feeling it. This does not make them a veterinarian's favorite patient, as they cannot tell where the dog is hurting by manipulating the legs and/or other body parts. Tends to pass gas.

Moderately Easy Training: Training for the Bouvier Des Flandres is no arduous task. The breed is quite intelligent and will remember any command that is learned for the rest of their life. A firm and consistent pack leader is a necessity with this breed. Obedience school is recommended at a young age to assist in ensuring that it is very clear who the boss is.

The Bouvier des Flandres is a versatile breed able to perform a variety of functions, including cattle herder, draft dog and guard. As such, it combines great strength with agility and endurance. The bouvier is a compact, short-coupled dog, of square proportion and rugged appearance. Its gait is free, bold and proud. Its weatherproof coat is tousled and double, with a fine undercoat and a harsh, dry outer coat. It is trimmed (if necessary) to a length of about 2.5 inches. The head is accentuated by a beard and moustache, which adds to the dog's bold and alert expression.

The bouvier is a steady, stalwart companion that is loyal, devoted, fearless and protective. Given daily exercise, it is calm and well-mannered indoors, but ready for an adventure in the great outdoors. It is independent and confident of its own judgment, yet biddable and willing to please. It can be domineering. It is reserved, even protective, toward strangers and can be aggressive with strange dogs. It is very good with children, although it may nip at heels in play.

The Bouvier Des Flandres, also referred to as the Flanders Cattle Dog or the Vlaamse Koehond, originated in Belgium and the Ter Duinen monastery monks are some of the earliest contributors to the breed. There is no definitive documentation stating how exactly the Bouvier Des Flandres was created. However there is belief that breeds such as the Irish Wolfhound, Scottish Deerhound, Brussels Griffon and Beauceron may have played a part in the creation of the breed. The Bouvier Des Flandres was not created for show purposes. This breed was meant to work, as their name itself translates to “Cow Herder of Flanders”. The Bouvier Des Flandres was typically utilized for work such as cart pulling, cattle driving and sheep herding. After the industrial revolution, they were put to use in police and protection work. They also ended up hauling weapons and ambulance filters in the Belgium and French armies. The Bouvier des Flandres was also the breed of the childhood dog of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy.