Bouvier des Flandres

Infobox Dogbreed


image_caption = A Bouvier des Flandres
name = Bouvier des Flandres
altname = Flanders Cattle Dog
Vlaamse Koehond
country = Belgium
fcigroup = 1
fcisection = 2
fcinum = 191
fcistd = http://www.dogdomain.com/FCI/fcistandards/fci-191.htm
akcgroup = Herding
akcstd = http://www.akc.org/breeds/bouvier_des_flandres/index.cfm
ankcgroup = Group 5 (Working Dogs)
ankcstd = http://www.ankc.aust.com/bouvier.html
fcistd = http://www.dogdomain.com/FCI/fcistandards/fci-191.htm
ckcgroup = Group 7 - Herding Dogs
ckcstd = http://www.canadasguidetodogs.com/bouvier/bouvierarticle2.htm
kcukgroup = Working
kcukstd = http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/44
nzkcgroup = Working
nzkcstd = http://www.nzkc.org.nz/br517.html
ukcgroup = Herding Dog
ukcstd = http://mail.ukcdogs.com/UKCweb.nsf/80de88211ee3f2dc8525703f004ccb1e/37dccf6405bc31a885257049004e214e?OpenDocument

The Bouvier des Flandres is a dog breed originating in Flanders. They were originally used for general farm work including cattle droving, sheep herding, cart pulling, and nowadays as guard dogs, police dogs, and security dogs, as well as being kept as pets. The French name of the breed means, literally, "Herder of Flanders", referring to the Flemish origin of the breed. Other names for the breed are "Toucheur de Boeuf" (cattle driver) and "Vuilbaard" (dirty beard).

Description

Appearance

The Bouvier is a powerfully built compact rough coated dog of rugged appearance. It gives the impression of size and strength without clumsiness or heaviness. Perhaps its most notable feature is the impressive head which is accentuated by a heavy beard and mustache. The ears and tail of the Bouvier are traditionally cropped. The weight of males ranges from 100 to 120 pounds or 45 to 55 kilograms; they are powerfully built, with a thick double coat, which can be fawn, black, grey brindle, or "pepper and salt" in color. Bouviers are sometimes considered non-shedding, but in fact do lose hair, like all dogs. Most of the hair that they lose is caught within the double coat which results in matting. They require weekly brushing and combing to maintain the coat. In addition to weekly brushing, the coat should be trimmed approximately every 3-5 weeks if it is to be a show-dog. Trimming requires practice to achieve the proper look.

Temperament

Bouvier des Flandres are rational, gentle, loyal, and protective in nature. The breed's unique blend of characteristics makes them ideal family pets, as well as keen guard dogs. Unlike many animals bred for basic aggressive nature and power, the Bouvier des Flandres possess sophisticated traits, such as complex control, intelligence, and accountability.

Famous Bouvier des Flandres

* Lucky, pet of Ronald Reagan
* Patrache, a Bouvier des Flandres found by a boy named Nello in A Dog of Flanders
* Max and later his mate Madchen, fictional characters featured in W.E.B._Griffin's [http://www.webgriffin.com/president.html Presidential Agent] series

References

External links

*Breed clubs, associations, and societies
** [http://www.bouviercanada.com/ Bouvier des Flandres Club of Canada, inc.]
** [http://www.bouvier.org/ American Bouvier des Flandres Club]
** [http://www.bouvierclub.co.uk/ Bouvier des Flanders Club of Great Britain]
** [http://www.britishbouviers.org.uk/index.htm British Bouvier Association]
** [http://www.abrl.org/ American Bouvier Rescue League]
** [http://www.odysseybouviers.com/ Odyssey Bouviers]
*Information
** [http://www.bogartsdaddy.com/bouvier/ Bouvier des Flandres Resources] : +/- 1,000 page non-commercial repository of all things Bouvier, including topics on Health, Training, Gooming, History, Sports, Work, Art, Stories, Rescue, Links, Books, Photos, Internet Groups.

** [http://www.bogartsdaddy.com/bouvier/Bouv_Pages/dontbuy.htm Don't Buy A Bouvier]
** [http://www.bogartsdaddy.com/bouvier/buyersguide/ Bouvier Buyer's Guide]
** [http://www.bouvier.co.nz/ Bouvier New Zealand]