Bouvier des Flandres

also known as Belgian Cattle Dog, Flanders Cattle Dog, Vlaamse Koehond

Pros History


The Bouvier des Flandres, also known as the Belgian Cattle Dog or simply the Bouvier, is a powerful and majestic breed that has a long and rich history. Originating in the Flanders region of Belgium, the Bouvier was originally bred as a cattle and sheep herding dog, as well as a watchdog and protector of the farm.

The breed was officially recognized by the Belgian Kennel Club in 1913, and later by the American Kennel Club in 1929. The Bouvier des Flandres is also recognized by other major kennel clubs and organizations around the world, such as the Canadian Kennel Club (1927), the United Kennel Club (1933), and the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (1949).

The breed's name, Bouvier des Flandres, translates to "cowherd of Flanders" in French, which perfectly describes the breed's original purpose. The breed was created by farmers in the Flanders region, who wanted a strong and versatile working dog that could assist with herding and protecting their cattle and sheep.

Historic figures such as General George S. Patton and President Calvin Coolidge were known to have owned Bouviers. The breed was also used during World War I as a messenger and ambulance dog, as well as for search and rescue missions.

Over the years, the Bouvier des Flandres has been developed to become an excellent companion and family dog. They are also well-suited for various work such as search and rescue, therapy, and as service dogs for those with disabilities, and for being a security dog. They are known to be protective of their family and home, and make excellent guard dogs.

Breed Information


Type

Is Bouvier des Flandres a purebred?

Purebred

Purpose

What were Bouvier des Flandress originally used for?

cattle herding

Lifespan

How Long Do Bouvier des Flandress Live? What is average life expectancy for a Bouvier des Flandres? How long can Bouvier des Flandress live?

10-12 years

The average Bouvier des Flandres lifespan is somewhere between 10-12 years, provided they aren't beset by any exceptional health issues or injuries.

Bouvier des Flandres Height & Weight


How big is a full grown Bouvier des Flandres?

What is the average height of a Bouvier des Flandres? How big is a Purebred Bouvier des Flandres height? Bouvier des Flandres dog height:
Height
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 24-27 inches (61 - 68.6 cm) 21.5 inches (54.6 cm) 23.5 inches (59.7 cm) 25.5 inches (64.8 cm)
Female 23-26 inches (58.4 - 66 cm) 20.5 inches (52.1 cm) 21.5 inches (54.6 cm) 24.5 inches (62.2 cm)
What is the average weight of a Bouvier des Flandres? How much should Bouvier des Flandress weigh?
Weight
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 70-90 pounds (32 - 41 kg) 50.0 pounds (23 kg) 65.0 pounds (29 kg) 80.0 pounds (36 kg)
Female 70-90 pounds (32 - 41 kg) 50.0 pounds (23 kg) 65.0 pounds (29 kg) 80.0 pounds (36 kg)
Weight Gain Potential

Do Bouvier des Flandress get fat easily?

The Bouvier des Flandres is a breed that has an average to high tendency to gain weight if their weight is not closely monitored. It is important to maintain a balance between exercise and food intake to keep them at a healthy weight. This can be achieved by scheduling at least one daily walk and engaging in regular playtime with them.

Hypoallergenic

Are Bouvier des Flandress Hypoallergenic?

Yes

While no dogs are truly 100% hypoallergenic, Bouvier des Flandress are about as close as it gets, making them an ideal pet if you are an allergy sufferer.

Temperament

What is a Bouvier des Flandres personality? What are Bouvier des Flandres dogs best known for?

Familiar
Intelligent
Protective
Gentle
Loyal
Rational

Shedding Level

Are Bouvier des Flandress heavy shedders? How Much Does a Bouvier des Flandres Shed?

Bouvier des Flandres dogs are not heavy shedders, but they will lose a significant amount of hair each year. To decrease the amount of shedding, you can regularly brush your Bouvier des Flandres. This will remove loose hair and keep his coat growing in the same direction.

Watchdog Ability

What is the watchdog ability of a Bouvier des Flandres dog?

The Bouvier des Flandres dog is one of the best choice if you want a good watchdog. This breed will keep watch over you and your family at all times. This breed takes this task seriously and will typically perform its guarding duty with little to no training. This dog will require obedience training, or you can consider guard dog training to sharpen its skills.

Breed History


Origin

Where do Bouvier des Flandress come from?

Belgium

Ancestry

What are Bouvier des Flandress descended from?

sheepdog, mastiff, beauceron, griffon

Breed recognition

What organizations or kennel clubs recognize/register the Bouvier des Flandres breed?

American Canine Registry
American Kennel Club
Canadian Kennel Club
Dog Registry of America Inc.
Federation Cynologique Internationale
Kennel Club of Great Britain
North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
American Canine Association, Inc.
Australian National Kennel Council
Continental Kennel Club
National Kennel Club
New Zealand Kennel Club
United Kennel Club

Date of Birth

When were Bouvier des Flandress first bred? How old is the Bouvier des Flandres breed?

1600s

Breed Group

What Breed Group is a Bouvier des Flandres?

Herding (AKC:1931 & UKC)

Bouvier des Flandres Appearance


Eye Color Possibilites

What color are Bouvier des Flandres eyes?

Brown

Nose Color Possibilites

What color can Bouvier des Flandres nose be naturally?

Black

Coat Color Possibilites

What color can Bouvier des Flandres coat be naturally?

Black
Gray
Brown
Red
Cream
Fawn
Blue
Silver
White
Brindle

Coat Length

How long is a Bouvier des Flandress coat?

The coat of a Bouvier des Flandres dog ranges in length from short to medium.

Coat Density

How Dense Is The Bouvier des Flandres Coat?

Coat Texture

What is the texture of the hair of a Bouvier des Flandres?

Straight

Litter Size

How many puppies can a Bouvier des Flandres have in a litter? How many puppies can a Bouvier des Flandres have in her first litter?

10-12 puppies per pregnancy

A Bouvier des Flandres can have a litter of 10-12 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Adaptability

Bouvier des Flandress are known for their adaptability and versatility, they are capable of adapting well to a wide range of lifestyle changes and living environments. They are a highly adaptable breed, and make great companions for families and individuals of all lifestyles.

Bouvier des Flandres Health Issues


Health Issues

Do Bouvier des Flandress have a lot of health problems?

The Bouvier des Flandres is generally considered to be healthy. However, like all breeds, they are susceptible to certain health issues and it is important to keep an eye out for them and address them with your veterinarian as needed.

Major Concerns

What are the major health concerns to be aware of when owning a Bouvier des Flandres?

Hip And Elbow Dysplasia

Minor Concerns

What are the less significant issues to keep in mind when it comes to Bouvier des Flandress?

Cataracts
Glaucoma
Bloat
Megaesophagus
Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis
Laryngeal Paralysis

Occasional Tests

What are the occasional tests recommended for Bouvier des Flandres breed?

Eye
Hip
Heart
X-Rays
Eye Examination
Throat
Endoscopy

Bouvier des Flandres Needs and Activities


Energy

Do Bouvier des Flandress have a lot of energy?

Bouvier des Flandress are known for their high energy levels, so if you're looking for a more low-key dog, this breed may not be the best choice.

Social Needs

Do Bouvier des Flandress need socialization? How social are Bouvier des Flandress?

Bouvier des Flandress have average social needs compared to other breeds. They are known to be less active and independent than other breeds, and they are content with spending time alone and with their human family.

Exercise Needed

How much exercise should Bouvier des Flandress get?

The Bouvier des Flandres dog requires a moderate amount of physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. These breeds are ideal for people who have a moderate amount of time to devote to their pet and enjoy regular physical activity themselves. They also make great family pets as they have the energy to keep up with children and the temperament to be great companions.

Sleeping Need

How much sleep should a Bouvier des Flandres have? Do Bouvier des Flandress sleep a lot?

Bouvier des Flandress dogs are tend to sleep less than other breeds, but they still require adequate sleep to maintain good health.

Drooling Tendency

Does a Bouvier des Flandres drool a lot?

The Bouvier des Flandres is a breed of dog that is characterized by its minimal drooling, making it an ideal choice for people who dislike drool marks on their clothing.

Tendency to Bark

How much does it bark?

Bouvier des Flandress tend to bark moderately, they bark when necessary, such as to alert their owner or to communicate something. They may also bark due to certain triggers like fear, alarm, boredom, greeting, separation anxiety and compulsive barking.

Territorial

Do Bouvier des Flandress exhibit aggressive behavior to safeguard their home and territory? Do they possess a natural tendency to guard?

These dogs are known for being extremely protective and make excellent guard dogs. They possess a strong instinct to defend their territory and owners and have a high level of vigilance and alertness.

Mouthiness

Are Bouvier des Flandress mouthy?

Roaming urge

What is the likelihood of a Bouvier des Flandres running away? Do they have a tendency to explore or wander frequently?

Prey Drive

Do Bouvier des Flandres dogs have a high prey drive?

Past times

What do Bouvier des Flandress enjoy doing? How do I keep my Bouvier des Flandres busy?

Walk, Everything

Activity Level

What is the energy level of a Bouvier des Flandres? How much energy does a Bouvier des Flandres have?

High

Bouvier des Flandress are high-energy dogs. They need mental as well as physical exercise. These dogs require a lot of your involvement and without it they can, and will, become problematic dogs.

Tolerance of being left alone

Walks per Week

How far should a Bouvier des Flandres walk each week? How many miles should a Bouvier des Flandres walk every week?

15 miles / week

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Bouvier des Flandres, it's at least 15 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

Activity per Day

How much a Bouvier des Flandres should exercise a day? How much activity does a Bouvier des Flandres need?

90 minutes

In general most Bouvier des Flandress usually need at least 90 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

Grooming

What level of grooming should be provided for a Bouvier des Flandres?

This breed is known for having high grooming needs.

Brushing Frequency

How often should you brush a Bouvier des Flandres?

Weekly

Bouvier des Flandres should be brushed at least once a week. Of course you can give them more frequent brushes if you find that they are still shedding a lot

Brushing Tools

What are the most commonly used brushing tools for Bouvier des Flandress?

Pin Brush
Slicker Brush
Deshedder
Nail Clipper

Costs


Cups

How many cups of food does a Bouvier des Flandres eat?

3 cups

For an average 70-90 pound (32 - 41 kg) Bouvier des Flandres feed 3 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

Daily Cost

How Much Does a Bouvier des Flandres Cost Daily?

$2.80 - $3.20 / day

The average cost of a Bouvier des Flandres is somewhere $2.80 - $3.20 per day.

Monthly Cost

How Much Does a Bouvier des Flandres Cost Per Month?

$84 - $95 / month

The average per month expenses of a Bouvier des Flandres is between $84 - $95. This makes an average of $1008 - $1140 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

Bouvier des Flandres Characteristic


Intelligence

How intelligent is a Bouvier des Flandres?

The Bouvier des Flandres breed is considered very intelligent and easy to train.

Sensitivity Level

How sensitive is a Bouvier des Flandres dog?

This dog breed is more sensitive than others and easily overwhelmed by new surroundings and people. They need gentle handling and a calm, stable home environment with positive reinforcement training.

Affection Dependance

Are Bouvier des Flandres dogs affectionate?

Apartment Friendly

Do Bouvier des Flandres do well in apartments? Are Bouvier des Flandress good indoor dogs?

The Bouvier des Flandres is not an apartment-friendly dog breed. This dog breed is best in a home with a large, fenced-in yard. They are not suited for apartment life and can become destructive due to pent up energy from being in a small space.

Child Friendly

Are Bouvier des Flandress good with kids? Are Bouvier des Flandress good around children?

A Bouvier des Flandress typical characteristics indicate that this breed of dog is an ideal companion for kids and makes them family pets. Their gentle and protective nature and calm mentality make them gel along quickly with the younger humans

Senior-friendly

Are Bouvier des Flandress good for elderly?

Cat Friendly

Are Bouvier des Flandress good with cats? How friendly Bouvier des Flandress are toward cats?

Bouvier des Flandress are an average cat friendly dog. They do well with cats, even more if raised together from puppyhood,

Dog Friendly

Do Bouvier des Flandres dogs get along with other dogs? Are Bouvier des Flandress OK with other dogs?

Bouvier des Flandress are average friendly towards other dogs. If they are raised with other dogs, they are likely to get along with them. And, if they are socialized properly from a young age, they will usually be great with other dogs.

Pet friendly

How do Bouvier des Flandres dogs interact with other pets? Are they considered pet-friendly?

Stranger Friendly

Are Bouvier des Flandress friendly with strangers?

Bouvier des Flandress are below average friendly around strangers. Keen of eye and sharp of tongue, most Bouvier des Flandress are very quick to announce strangers at the door. Once the visitor comes in, some Bouvier des Flandress will be friendly and outgoing. But many others have the standoffish or suspicious towards strangers.

Playfulness

Do Bouvier des Flandress like to play? Are Bouvier des Flandress playful?

Bouvier des Flandress have an average level of playfulness. The Bouvier des Flandress, like other dogs, like to play. But they are not the most playful dog breed.

Trainability

Are Bouvier des Flandres easily trained?

Bouvier des Flandres dogs are usually easy to train, but may require consistency to fully obey commands.

Pros Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Affectionate
    Bouvier des Flandres are known for their affection towards their owners and make great companions.
  • Active
    They have a lot of energy and require regular exercise.
  • Hypoallergenic
    With their low tendency to cause allergic reactions, Bouvier des Flandress are a great choice for those who suffers from allergies.
  • Intelligence
    They are known to be intelligent and easy to train.

Cons

  • Not suitable for office environment
    Bouvier des Flandress may not be able to handle the distractions of an office.
  • Not Apartment Friendly
    Bouvier des Flandres tend not to do well in small apartment spaces.
  • Tendency to gain weight
    The Bouvier des Flandres's weight can become an issue if not kept in check.
  • Grooming
    Their thick, coarse coat requires regular grooming to maintain its appearance.