Not everyone agrees on the origin of this Franco-Belgian breed. This breed may have been created by crossing the Griffon and the Beauceron. At first the Bouvier des Flandres dog was a cattle herding dog, and they were also extensively used as a rescue dog and message-carrier during the First World War. As a result of their skill during the war and the nearly entire destruction of Flandres; the breed was almost entirely killed off. In 1923, after the war, the Bouvier was reconstructed by a small number of individuals and a breed association for these dogs were also established in Belgium. Currently the Bouvier des Flandres serves as a watchdog, protector, family friend and as a tracking dog. This dog has also been used successfully as a guide for the blind and in search and rescue operations.
Temperament
Bouviers are very docile dogs that have a pleasant personality. Although they look very intimidating, they are in fact very peaceful and calm. These dogs are intense faithful, even tempered and without fear. They are exceptional guard and watchdogs, and are very trainable. Bouviers also learns commands very quickly and will need a stable training environment that is also consistent. If learned a new command, the Bouvier will remember it for the rest of its life. It is also very important to let this breed know who the boss right from the start is. Bouviers need skilled training in order to prevent dominance problems later on. They should be socialised well from puppy hood onwards to steer clear of over-protectiveness and timidity.
Care
The shaggy coat of the Bouvier requires a lot of attention, and it is vital to brush their long coats frequently. They should however only be bathed when it is really necessary. Bouviers will require a trimming about three times during the year, and surplus hair should also be removed from the inside of their ears. The hairs between the pads of their feet should also be kept trimmed. If the Bouvier is groomed well, they will not loose a lot of hair. Some people believe that Bouvier are good for allergy sufferers seeing that they do not shed a lot.
Training
Consistent training is a must for this breed. They can be very stubborn at times, and will therefore require firm training. The Bouvier is very quick to learn, and makes an excellent guard dog. In general these dogs are very easy to train.
Health problems
The Bouvier des Flanders has a very high tolerance for pain, and also a very healthy and tough constitution. These dogs are not a high demand dog due to their size, and this makes them less likely to be caught up in backyard breeding programs that have seriously damaged other more popular breeds. Some of the most common health issues with Bouvier des Flanders are hip dysplasia, bloating and entropion.
