The Bouvier des Flandres, or Flanders Cattle Dog, is a large, stocky dog with a very peculiar rustic appearance. With a stable, protective and loyal temperament, it is a great shepherd, herdsman and guard dog, but it can also be an excellent pet. Thanks to their great intelligence and magnificent memory, these dogs tend to learn all kinds of commands quickly. Due to their large size, it is recommended that they live in large spaces because they need to do a lot of daily physical and mental activity.
If you are interested in adopting a dog of this breed, continue reading this breed file on our site, in which we give you all the necessary information about the Flanders Mountain Dog breed, so that you can take care your pet properly.
Origin of the Flanders Mountain Dog
Cattle dogs originated in the Flemish Region, also called Flanders, shared by Belgium and France. That is why the FCI considers them to be of Franco-Belgian origin. The name bouvier des Flandres is French and in Spanish means Flanders Cattle Dog, which denotes its origin and its function as guide dogs for cattle.
The first breed standard was drawn up in 1912 and the popularity of the Bouvier des Flanders rose until the First World War, but then the breed came to the brink of extinction. One of the few surviving Cattle Dogs from the war was used as a founder to revive the breed, and his name can be found today in almost all current Flanders Cattle pedigrees. That dog was Ch. Nic de Sottegem. In 1922 the racial standard was redefined to achieve a more homogeneous race. Today, the Bouvier des Flandres is an easy dog to see at dog shows and herding events, but it is not very popular as a pet.
Physical characteristics of the Bouvier des Flanders
This dog's body is compact, strong and muscular, but without appearing heavy. It has a square profile, since the buttock-shoulder length is equal to the height at the withers. The height at the withers ranges from 62 to 68 centimeters in males and from 59 to 65 centimeters in females. The approximate weight ranges from 30 to 40 kilograms in males and from 27 to 35 kilograms in females. The legs are muscular and strongly boned.
The head of the Bouvier des Flanders is massive, well proportioned to the body and well outlined, but these characteristics may not be visible to the naked eye due to the abundant hair that covers it. He has a well-developed beard and the nose is rounded and black. The eyes, slightly oval and very dark, are arranged horizontally. The ears are set high and fall on the cheeks. Unfortunately, the FCI standard of the breed accepts and recommends the amputation of the ears in a triangular shape.
Similarly, the breed standard published by the FCI indicates that the tail must be amputated above the second or third vertebrae, except in countries where this barbaric practice is prohibited.
This dog's coat is thick and double-coated The outer coat is of medium length (about six centimeters), rough, dry and slightly disheveled. The undercoat is made up of fine, closely packed hairs. The coat can be gray, speckled or carbon, but the standard also accepts a chestnut black coat.
Character of the Flanders Mountain Dog
These dogs are intelligent, energetic and with a stable temperament. Due to their past as multipurpose dogs on Belgian farms, they tend to be excellent guards and protectors, but they need company for much of the day.
They tend to be reserved with strangers and can be aggressive towards dogs of the same sex. However, with the correct socialization, they can make excellent pets and get along with people, dogs, and other animals. It is important to start the socialization of these dogs while they are still puppies, otherwise they can become aggressive or fearful animals.
Flanders Mountain Dog care
Coat care is complicated and requires brushing and combing the dog two or three times a week, in addition to manual removal of dead hair (stripping) every three months. Of course, coat care is more intensive for show dogs than for pet dogs, but in general the coat of the Bouvier des Flanders demands more care than that of other herding and cattle dogs.
These dogs also require a lot of physical exercise and a lot of company They are not dogs that are satisfied with short walks, but rather need long walks or go jogging every day. Care must be taken, however, not to demand too great an effort from them when they are still young, as this can damage their joints. They are also not dogs to be left isolated in the garden, but must spend most of their time with their families. Thus, they can adapt to life in apartments if they receive enough exercise in the open air, but they live better in houses with large gardens. Without constant encouragement and proper obedience training, they can become bored.
Education of the Flanders Mountain Dog
In addition to being highly intelligent, Flanders Cattle Dogs have an excellent memory, which is why they surprise more than one with their cognitive abilities. When properly trained, these dogs are true gems of the animal world as they learn very quicklyThey respond well to a variety of training techniques, but it is through clicker training that the most striking and long-lasting results can be achieved.
These dogs can exhibit behavior problems when they don't get enough exercise, the attention they demand, or the training they need. In those cases, they can become destructive, aggressive or timid dogs. However, when they receive the necessary care and education, they are excellent pets that have nothing to envy to other breeds.
Flanders Mountain Dog He alth
The Bouvier des Flanders tends to be a he althy dog and tends to have fewer he alth problems than many other breeds of dog. However, it is prone to some hereditary diseases such as:
- hip dysplasia
- gastric torsion
- entropion
- waterfalls
