# Bouvier des Flandres Also known as: Toucheur de Boeuf, Vlaamse Koehond, Vuilbaard, Flanders Cattle Dog - **Group:** Herding (FCI group 1) - **Size:** Large - **Origin:** Belgium - **Height:** 59โ€“68 cm - **Weight:** 27โ€“40 kg - **Life expectancy:** 10โ€“12 years - **Temperament:** Gentle, Loyal, Even-tempered, Protective, Rational - **FCI standard:** No. 191 A rugged, bearded Belgian farm dog once used to drive cattle and pull carts. Today it is a calm, loyal guardian and family companion with a shaggy, weatherproof coat. ## Overview The Bouvier des Flandres comes from Flanders in Belgium, where it worked on farms driving cattle, herding sheep and pulling carts. Its French name means cow herder of Flanders. Today it serves as a guard dog, police dog and family companion. It is strong and imposing yet steady and thoughtful, devoted to its household and naturally watchful with strangers. ## History Flemish monks were among the first to breed these dogs, and local farm dogs were reportedly crossed with large imports such as Irish Wolfhounds and Scottish Deerhounds. The result was a hardy, strong all-round worker with a thick weatherproof coat. Until the early twentieth century the breed had several competing variants, and disagreement between their supporters slowed development. Both world wars nearly wiped the breed out, since the Flemish homeland was devastated and many dogs served in the military. A joint French-Belgian standard was written in 1936, and the FCI standard was adopted in 1965. ## Appearance The Bouvier is a powerful, compact, rough-coated dog that gives an impression of strength without clumsiness. A heavy beard and moustache give the head its distinctive expression. Males typically weigh about 36 to 54 kg, and females are slightly lighter. The tail was traditionally docked and ears cropped, but these practices are now illegal in Belgium and increasingly rare elsewhere. ## Temperament Bouviers are described as gentle, rational, even-tempered and loyal. They are naturally protective and aloof with strangers, and they are devoted to their family and usually good with children. They learn quickly but can become bored with endless repetition. Early socialisation and clear, consistent leadership matter, and they mature slowly, often not until two or three years of age. ## Care and exercise The Bouvier needs daily exercise and meaningful work, and it enjoys obedience, tracking, carting, agility and herding. A bored dog can become restless. The thick double coat mats easily and needs thorough brushing and combing at least weekly, with trimming every few weeks for show dogs. The beard needs frequent attention because it collects food and water. ## Health A 2024 UK study found an average life expectancy of about 11.3 years. Large, deep-chested dogs of this kind should be watched for bloat, and responsible breeders screen hips, elbows, eyes and heart. ## Ratings (1 to 5) - Energy: 3 - Exercise needs: 4 - Grooming: 4 - Shedding: 2 - Trainability: 4 - Barking: 3 - Good with children: 4 - Good with other dogs: 3 Page: https://techtools.cz/tools/dog-atlas/bouvier-des-flandres Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bouvier_des_Flandres ยท https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q37896 Photo: Basco at Dutch Wikipedia (Original text: annekedirven@tiscali.nl) (CC BY-SA 3.0), https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bouvier.JPG Profile written by an AI model from the sources above.