Dog Breed Guide

Bouvier des Flandres

Profile

Size

Large

Country of origin

Belgium, France

Origin

19th century

Bred for

Herding, Working dog

Height

male 62 - 68cm (24 - 27in), female 59 - 65cm (23 - 26in)

Weight

male 35 - 40kg (77 - 88lb), female 27 - 35kg (60 - 77lb)

Life span

10 - 12 years

A large, sturdy, square-built dog with shaggy eyebrows, a mustache and a beard that give it the face of a wise old man. A harsh, rough double coat covers the whole body and stands up well to rain and cold. Colors include fawn, gray, brindle and black.

The Bouvier is steady, intelligent and very loyal to its family. It is cautious with strangers and makes a dependable watchdog. Bred as a farm all-rounder that drove cattle, pulled carts and guarded the farm, it loves to work and is happiest with daily exercise and jobs that engage its mind.

The coat sheds little but tangles easily, so it needs brushing several times a week and regular trimming. The beard gets messy at every meal and drink, so it helps to wipe it clean.

Good to know

The name is French for "cow herder of Flanders." On farms in Flanders, a region that spans Belgium and France, these dogs were indispensable workers that drove cattle and pulled carts and even the machines used to churn butter.

During World War I the region became a major battlefield. Bouviers served as messenger and ambulance dogs, but so many were lost that the breed nearly disappeared. After the war an outstanding dog named Nic, who had served with the Belgian army, is said to have become the foundation for rebuilding the breed.

President Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan kept a Bouvier named Lucky at the White House. The energetic Lucky dragged the president along on walks, and photos show her pulling him across the lawn in front of visiting British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. In the end the White House was judged too small for her, and she moved to the Reagans' ranch in California.