Bouvier herding trials

This dog breed is much better suited to larger homes, especially those with a securely fenced-in backyard where they can run. They do well in just about any climate and their thick, weatherproof coat serves them well in colder climates.

As with any dog breed, they can be sensitive to extreme heat or cold. This dog breed is bored easily, so you will want to keep alone time short and to a minimum and to make sure they have plenty to keep them mentally stimulated and busy if you have to leave them alone. The Bouvier des Flandres is a relatively healthy dog breed. As with any dog breed, there are a few health conditions to be aware of, which includes glaucoma, elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, epilepsy, deafness, and cataracts.

Asking the breeder about the genetic history of the parents and asking to see any health clearances can help allay concerns about potential health issues. The Bouvier is a large dog breed and is also deep-chested, which puts them at a higher risk of bloat.

This dog breed is highly intelligent, easily picks up on things, and is eager to please. They are highly trainable, but they also have a strong will, which means they can have a stubborn streak and independent nature.

They like to be put to work and require an owner who has the time, space, and experience for the quintessential working dog. This makes them a better fit for more experienced dog owners.

First-time or novice dog owners can have success with a Bouvier des Flandres, but will want to enlist the help of a professional trainer and enroll in training and obedience classes.

The Bouvier des Flandres is known for their beard and mustache look. Their coat is practically weatherproof, so they will only need to be bathed as needed and brushed once or twice a week.

You will likely need to check in on their face a few times a week in order to brush and clean their beard and mustache. For this dog breed, you will want to check their paws every week or two and trim or file nails as needed. You will also want to regularly check and carefully clean their ears as needed. Physical Development: Bouvier puppies grow rapidly in height and length for the first months including a significant growth spurt from about months , then those growth rates slow somewhat while the adolescent "fills out" by gaining muscle mass and fat.

Dogs of this breed normally reach their full adult size an average of 26 inches at the shoulders in height and 80 pounds in weight at about 12 months of age. Social Development: Bouvier pups reach adolescence at about six months, sexual maturity at months, and full mental maturity by 21 months. For further details on Bouvier des Flandres development, refer to the chart below.

NOTE: As a large, protective breed with strong herding instincts, Bouviers might be difficult and unpredictable around unknown people and animals--which means breed owners will need to begin obedience training and socialization as early in the dogs' lives as possible. If a Bouvier learns proper behavior as a puppy, that learned conduct should continue once the dog matures.

As a herding breed, Bouvier des Flandres exercise requirements are fairly extensive overall. Though not too high-energy, these dogs are used to a good bit of physical activity on a daily basis, so they'll need a variety of exercises that both condition them physically walking, jogging, fetch and stimulate them mentally games, canine sports.

They make pretty good bicycling companions as well. The typical adult Bouvier, depending on its age and overall activity level, will need at least an hour of proper exercise each day--which you can accomplish with a couple of good walks, jogs, or bike rides and a moderate period of play.

You can start exercising your Bouvier puppy when it's three months old by taking it on short 5- to 7-minute walks, then you can increase the walks' length and frequency as the puppy grows. And these early walks are a good opportunity to begin teaching your young Bouvier obedience, through leash training : have the puppy walk beside or behind you on the leash instead of being allowed to lead or "tug" on it.

This, in the puppy's mind, establishes you as the leader, and should make training easier as the dog matures. A few precautions to consider when exercising your Bouvier: first, puppies younger than nine months old shouldn't participate in activities that include a lot of jumping, running on hard surfaces, or navigating of stairs, as doing so can injure their still-developing joints and bones.

And regardless of age, all Bouviers will definitely need to be leashed when in public. These dogs' herding instincts will make them try to "control" moving objects like people, animals, and bicyclists; they're also highly protective, so they might be defensive and confrontational around strange people and animals. A leash will help you control your Bouvier in these situations.

Even when exercising in your own yard, the area will need to be securely fenced to keep the dog from running away. These dogs are also prone to gastric torsion bloat , an often-fatal condition that occurs when deep-chested dogs like the Bouvier "wolf" their food, causing their stomachs to fill with excess air; bloat often happens when a dog eats just before or after exercising.

Nowadays, the Bouvier des Flandres is above all used as a guard dog for the estate and the farm, and as a defence and police dog. The Bouvier des Flandres is a powerfully built, compact, short-coupled, rough coated dog of notably rugged appearance.

He gives the impression of great strength without any sign of heaviness or clumsiness in his overall makeup. He is agile, spirited and bold, yet his serene, well behaved disposition denotes his steady, resolute and fearless character.

His gaze is alert and brilliant, depicting his intelligence, vigour and daring. By nature he is an equable dog. The hair must be coarse to the touch, dry and matt, neither too long nor too short about 6 cm , slightly tousled but never woolly or curly.

Shorter on the head and very short on the outside of the ears. The undercoat is padding made up of fine dense hair, which grows beneath the outer coat and together with the topcoat it forms a waterproof covering. Colours are usually grey, brindle or overlaid with black. A completely uniform black is also accepted without being favoured. Light coloured, so-called washed-out coats are not acceptable.

A white star on the chest is tolerated. Sizes: cm for males, cm for females. For both sexes the ideal size is the middle range, ie 65cm for males, 62 cm for females. The Bouvier des Flandres has the calm, thoughtful character of a sensible, but fearless dog. Its lively look indicates intelligence, energy and audacity. Bouviers should be socialised well, preferably starting at an early age, to avoid shyness, suspiciousness, and being overly reserved with strangers although the breed is naturally aloof with strangers.

Protection of the family when danger is present is not something that needs to be taught, nor is it something one can train out of them.

The dog will rise to the occasion if needed. A good family dog, the Bouvier likes, and is excellent with, children. The Bouvier is very adaptable and goes about its business quietly and calmly. Obedience training starts when they are young. They are usually good with other dogs if they are raised with them from puppyhood. Slow to mature both in body and mind, the Bouvier does not fully mature until the age of 2—3 years.