Your puppy research starts here!
If you are considering getting a puppy, regardless of which breed you are interested in, you should do your homework! You need to determine whether the breed has a temperament, size, grooming requirement and exercise requirement that match your experience level, accommodation, lifestyle and schedule. Ultimately you may have to decided whether you are willing to make changes to your home, budget or schedule to accommodate the breed that you are interested in owning.
If you are here you are probably considering the Bouvier des Flandres. Here are some resources to help you make your decision easier.
If you are here you are probably considering the Bouvier des Flandres. Here are some resources to help you make your decision easier.
Is the Bouvier des Flanders the right dog breed for you?
EXERCISE
This farm dog was bred to herd cattle so it's not a surprise that the Bouvier des Flanders requires daily exercise. Regular walks with his owner or running alongside a bike is recommended and it also helps with bonding and establishing hierarchy. Consideration should also be given to mentally stimulating activities like carting and agility to ensure a well-balanced, happy bouv.
This farm dog was bred to herd cattle so it's not a surprise that the Bouvier des Flanders requires daily exercise. Regular walks with his owner or running alongside a bike is recommended and it also helps with bonding and establishing hierarchy. Consideration should also be given to mentally stimulating activities like carting and agility to ensure a well-balanced, happy bouv.
GROOMING
Bouviers are double-coated. The colour is generally grey, brindle or smoky and ranges from black to fawn. The outer coat is rough and harsh, with the undercoat being fine, soft and dense. He is known for his heavy moustache, rough beard and erect eyebrows which gives a forbidding expression. Needless to say the show coat requires significant effort to maintain. For a pet it is recommended to keep the coat short but not too short (1 to 2") for ease of maintenance and to prevent sun burn. Some lines of this breed are considered to be hypoallergenic as they do not shed.
I recommend grooming your dog twice per week to keep the coat detangled. This is particularly important in the tropics to ensure proper air flow through the coat to keep the dog cool. Regular grooming also ensures you identify skin issues like hot spots, dry skin, cuts, lumps/bumps etc. in the early stages. In the tropics too often dogs suffer needlessly or even die due to maggot infestation.
Bouviers are double-coated. The colour is generally grey, brindle or smoky and ranges from black to fawn. The outer coat is rough and harsh, with the undercoat being fine, soft and dense. He is known for his heavy moustache, rough beard and erect eyebrows which gives a forbidding expression. Needless to say the show coat requires significant effort to maintain. For a pet it is recommended to keep the coat short but not too short (1 to 2") for ease of maintenance and to prevent sun burn. Some lines of this breed are considered to be hypoallergenic as they do not shed.
I recommend grooming your dog twice per week to keep the coat detangled. This is particularly important in the tropics to ensure proper air flow through the coat to keep the dog cool. Regular grooming also ensures you identify skin issues like hot spots, dry skin, cuts, lumps/bumps etc. in the early stages. In the tropics too often dogs suffer needlessly or even die due to maggot infestation.
FAMILY DOG
The bouvier is an excellent family dog. He's great with children but supervision is required as he may nip at their heels while at play ('cause that's what cattle dogs do!). My dogs are great with my young kids (3 -5yrs old)! And we've never had a nipping incident. We've had unwarranted licking for which I coach my kids to stand their ground and firmly say no! to the dogs.
The bouvier is an excellent family dog. He's great with children but supervision is required as he may nip at their heels while at play ('cause that's what cattle dogs do!). My dogs are great with my young kids (3 -5yrs old)! And we've never had a nipping incident. We've had unwarranted licking for which I coach my kids to stand their ground and firmly say no! to the dogs.
OBEDIENCE TRAINING
The bouvier is a strong, intelligent and independent thinker. So training is required from early by a firm, experienced handler to prevent behavioral problems, like dominance, aggression and over-protectiveness later on. The owner must make the dog aware that he/she is in charge without being harsh or rough.
The bouvier is a strong, intelligent and independent thinker. So training is required from early by a firm, experienced handler to prevent behavioral problems, like dominance, aggression and over-protectiveness later on. The owner must make the dog aware that he/she is in charge without being harsh or rough.
SPACE
Bouviers require space to exercise and explore so a fenced yard is recommended.
Bouviers require space to exercise and explore so a fenced yard is recommended.