Beginner's Guide to the Bouvier
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Latest edition written and compiled by Kitty Korth for the ABdFC
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Introduction
Have you asked yourself why you want a Bouvier? First and foremost, the Bouvier is a herding dog that possesses certain inherited instincts. It will be the owner's responsibility to channel these traits positively.
The Bouvier -- a versatile, intelligent and agile breed -- is not a dog for everyone. By virtue of its size and strength, it is essential that the owner be capable of providing the dog with kind and consistent training. This article is part of a series being offered in the hopes that this information will clarify for you whether indeed this is the right breed for you. If, in fact, you are inspired more than ever to experience Bouvier love, then these articles will guide you toward a positive, fun-filled and rewarding life together. For the right family the Bouvier can be the companion of a lifetime. |
Articles in this Series- Beginners Guide to the Bouvier des Flandres - How to Select a Breeder - What About a Rescue Dog? - How to Read a Pedigree - Selecting Your Bouvier Puppy Lyn St Clair artwork, courtesy of and sole property of Kathleen Kane. |
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History of the Bouvier des Flandres
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Origin: Belgium
In the late nineteenth century, a program of selective breeding, that would eventually produce the dog we know today as the Bouvier, was begun in the farming regions of Belgium. Documentation of his ancestry is cloudy, but his beginnings are loosely attributed to a type of sheepdog (berger), the Dutch griffon, and the barbet, or water dog. By 1910, specific interest in this tousled-coated herder and protector grew as far as the cattle areas near the River Lys Valley. At that time, Bouviers were being used as drovers, draft animals, activators for churning mills, and farm and family protectors. Common characteristics were bobtails, cropped ears, a harsh tousled coat, and perfect instincts for guarding his flock, home and family. In those days, tails and ears were routinely shortened because they were easy targets for farm predators. The first "standard" for the Bouvier des Flandres was developed in 1912. Then, during W.W.I (and later, W.W.II), as the home territory of the Bouvier des Flandres became a battlefield, their numbers were drastically cut – almost to extinction. Those who stayed worked as ambulance litter-pullers and military tracking aides. Only a few escaped to other countries. Those who survived, some taken to France and the Netherlands, became part of discriminating breeding programs for a particular type. The Club National Belge du Bouvier des Flandres, formed in Gent early in 1922, formulated specific qualities of type for future breeding. The Bouvier came to America in the late 1920's, and now extends throughout the US and Canada. The legacy of the Bouvier has produced many admirable qualities in this breed. He is a square, powerfully built dog, rugged and formidable in appearance. His harsh double coat protects him in all types of weather; his keen sense of smell and watchful gaze make him a most suitable farm dog. (He thrives on plenty of room to work and exercise, but he is not an "outdoor dog"; he must live with his loving people -- his "flock," his "pack".) He is agile, alert and intelligent, with character of great spirit and fearlessness; yet, he is serene in disposition, and has an even temperament. The average size of a Bouvier male is about 26" at the withers (25" for a female), with approximate weight span of 70-110 pounds. Coloring ranges from black to gray, some are silver, salt & pepper, a few are fawn . Today, the Bouvier des Flandres acts as farm dog, family friend and protector, shepherd, and guide dog for the blind or hearing impaired. His intelligence, sense of threat discrimination and keen scent qualifies many Bouviers to excel in police work, tracking and drug detection. Owning a Bouvier, like many dogs, requires patience, love, a lot of grooming, a willingness to exercise the dog and pay for regular health care, a desire to have a companion who follows you around the house keeping an eye on you, and a commitment to complete at least one set of good obedience classes. |
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Is Yours a Bouvier Household?
Consideration of your family's lifestyle is critical. Ask yourself honestly what your expectations, finances and time availability will be. Little bundles of fur turn into very large dogs in need of Socialization, Training, Grooming, and Exercise.
Socialization: Bouviers are social animals. Meeting your dog's social needs is as important as giving him food or water. The family gives your dog a social structure and a sense of security, which helps him develop into a well-behaved, happy animal. The house becomes his "den," a safe place where he can rest and relax with his family. In short, If you are not going to make a Bouvier a member of your family, do not get one! Training: If puppies or adults are to grow into welcome additions to the family and the community, they must be taught proper ways of behaving. If you are lucky enough to have a good dog trainer in your area, see if they offer a puppy kindergarten or beginner's obedience class. Training and socializing your Bouvier gets your relationship off on the right foot. Train with fairness, consistency and lots and lots of praise, and do start as soon as possible. Most dogs react more quickly to praise than to corrections. Obedience is a Bouvier Must! |
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Grooming: A Bouvier, being a long-haired breed, must be kept clean and well groomed for the comfort of both the owner and the dog. Basic maintenance is not done simply for the esthetics but for the overall health and well-being of the dog. A healthy coat is best gained through good nutrition, exercise, and weekly brushing.
The unique qualities of the Bouvier coat keep shedding problems to a minimum. The longer, harsh guard hairs of the outercoat tend to keep the shedding undercoat from falling to the floor or being deposited on furniture or clothes. Instead, the dead hairs become matted in the coat if a weekly procedure of grooming is not observed. Grooming should be a simple and enjoyable matter for the owner and animal. An hour or less a week spent on a thorough brushing will keep the coat from becoming tangled and matted and will also remove all loose hairs. All that is required is a thorough line brushing followed by a combing to the skin. Cut his nails and clean his teeth with a tooth scaler, followed by a scrubbing with baking soda on a damp cloth or toothbrush. Clean his outer ear canal thoroughly with a cotton ball dipped in ear cleaner, then dust with ear powder and pull the long hairs from the canal. Ask your breeder for a demonstration of the basic grooming techniques necessary to keep up with the Bouvier coat. Grooming is best begun as early as possible and is most easily done with the dog on a raised platform or grooming table. Time spent in grooming can also double as a training session to teach your dog such helpful commands as "stand", "stay", "sit", and "down". Owner and dog will build a greater rapport with one another if grooming remains positive. Patience is the keyword here. To trim and shape the coat, begin grooming with an efficient brushing. Start at the head with a stiff bristle or pin brush and brush forward toward the head, making sure the coat separates to the skin and that you are not just brushing the surface. Next start at the rear and brush the hair back into place. Legs should also be brushed up and then down. This method insures good stimulation of the skin and removal of loose hair. Trim the top of the skull to 1/2" in length with thinning shears, scissor eyebrows diagonally from the outside corner to the center of the eye -- leaving the fall and eyebrows full. The coat should be left approximately 2 -1/2" long with a level topline. Remove wild hairs. Legs should be full with straight lines. Cut hair from between toes with blunt-nosed scissors and shape the foot to roundness with thinning shears. Try to find a groomer that can help you with your first few groomings until you are comfortable grooming your Bouvier yourself. Exercise: Every dog should have his own fenced yard to play in and relax. Every dog deserves a daily walk or play with his owner, too. Active time together provides you the opportunity to build a strong bond of affection with your dog. It's a great time to brush up on obedience practice, too. Dogs on a walk get to socialize with other dogs and people. The more they go out, the better behaved they will become. The dog that is seldom walked will become overly excited and hard to control with all the new sights and smells. What should have been an enjoyable activity for you both has now become a chore. Most dogs do not run around the yard enough to get the exercise they need to stay healthy and fit. Yard bound dogs become bored. Bored, inactive dogs can easily develop behavior problems, such as chewing, digging, barking, jumping and destruction. These problems are their way of venting frustration and stress. Dogs were bred through the centuries for working, herding, and other jobs, and they still need an outlet for their energy. A good walk or lively game of fetch will help keep your Bouvier fit to live with. |
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At Home With Your Bouvier
Housetraining: The method for housetraining a puppy or an adult dog is very similar. Even if your new dog is supposed to be housebroken, it is wise to follow these guidelines until he has adjusted to his new home.
Dogs are happiest when their days follow a routine. Once you decide on the schedule, you must follow it every day -- even on the weekend! Choose logical times to take your dog out for a potty break: immediately when he first wakes up in the morning, immediately when you first get home from work, immediately when he wakes up from a nap, and an hour or so after each meal, etc. Always use the same command -- "outside", "go potty", etc. Take him to the same spot every time so he recognizes the odor and gets the idea of what is expected. You MUST stay with your dog so you can praise him when he goes. If you're not there, he'll have no idea why he's outside and may be so interested in getting back in the house with you that he'll forget to go. Be patient! If you do not follow up every day, rain or shine, it will take longer for your dog to be housetrained. If you are religious with his routine, your dog should begin to get the idea after the first week, but to be completely reliable could take several months, especially for puppies. Crate Training: Once you understand the idea of crate training your dog, you will find a crate can be a humane and effective solution to a list of common problems:
A crate should be big enough for your dog to stand up and turn around in when he is full grown. Start out slowly and never force your dog into the crate. This should always be a positive experience. Throw a treat in and let him get it and run right back out. Repeat until he is comfortable going in and out. Start feeding your dog in the crate with the door open, putting the food a little further back in the crate with each meal. When he shows no fear of being inside (this can take days) quietly shut the door for a few seconds, praise him and then open the door, letting him come out. After a few days of this, shut the door and sit outside for a few minutes. He may fuss at first, but just ignore him. Praise him and let him out as soon as he settles down. Gradually increase the amount of time he spends in the crate and the distance you are from the crate. Never give him attention when he is fussing or whining, neither sympathy nor correction. Do not leave a dog in the crate too long. Four hours during the day is enough, with shorter times for puppies. The crate should always be a safe, happy place for your dog. It is not a place to punish him. You can keep the crate in your room at night, so he can be with you without getting into mischief. You will rest easier and have a happier dog if he is crate trained! ! House Proofing: When bringing a new dog, or puppy, into your home show him the toys that are his. Replace an inappropriate object that he may find with one of his own toys. Put away anything dangerous (such as certain plants) or valuable items (books, remote controls, tapes, shoes, etc.). Sometimes spraying Bitter Apple on items that are not easily put away can deter the dog's attention to something acceptable. Puppy or Adult: If you have the time and family situation that welcomes a puppy be sure to take the time and effort to find a qualified breeder. In this way you can find the best puppy for your family situation. (See Finding a Breeder) Young dogs and puppies require a great deal of attention, training and time if they are to become a pleasant part of your life. Leaving for work at 7:30 AM and coming home at 6:00 PM five days a week does not leave much time for working with a four-legged baby. They say wine improves with age. So can dogs. With the busy lifestyle many people now lead, adopting an older dog is often better than getting a puppy. Take heart if you want a dog, yet realize that a puppy may not be for you. Check with a local breeder or a Bouvier rescue group. Given time and care, an older dog can bond just like a puppy . Leash Training: Your dog must be taught to walk freely on a leash and have good manners. Start first with a soft nylon or leather collar and switch later to a light choke collar. Leave the collar on for short periods at first, then attach a leash that can be dragged along behind. Face the puppy/dog while backing up, and call him towards you. Have him come with you by occasional short, sharp tugs on the leash interspersed with a lot of pats and "good boys." As time progresses, exert a little more force with the tugs. A choke collar should be removed after every exercise. NEVER leave a choke collar on a loose dog. The dog can get his paw stuck through the collar or catch the collar on a fence or other protrusion and choke to death trying to free himself. Thousands of dogs die an agonizing death this way each year. A choke collar should only be used when attached to a leash. Children: The parent who teaches a youngster proper behavior with a puppy or dog is establishing a lifelong pattern for the child. Parents should never allow a child to pick up or carry a puppy. When a child plays with a puppy it should always be at ground level. The child, who helps train the puppy, with adult supervision, also gains a sense of responsibility while learning about canine behavior. Both the puppy/dog and the child should be taught that there is a special place in the house where the dog can go to be alone. A crate, a dog bed, a corner or a spot under a table should be reserved for the pup and the child should be taught to respect the dog's solitude. Please remember: Young children should never be left alone with a dog. Discipline, when necessary, must be done correctly. If something inappropriate occurs, have the child walk away. The discipline should be done by an adult. Do not allow children to discipline the Bouvier! Bouviers grow to be quite large. Do not allow the puppy to play or interact with children or adults in a way that would be unsafe when he is 80 pounds plus (i.e. Jumping up). It takes time, effort and commitment on the part of the parents to develop mutual respect and love between dogs and children. Care/Training Providers: You will need various qualified specialists to assist you with your Bouvier -- veterinarians, groomers and trainers (obedience, herding, agility, etc.). This is not the time to settle for the closest or least expensive provider. Ask around, and get the best referrals possible. Cutting corners at the start can be very expensive in the long run. Find someone you can work with and call with your questions, and someone who really wants to help you and your dog. Your breeder should have some suggestions of Care/Training Providers that can be of great help in your area. |
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© Copyright 1994-2001; Rev. 1998. This article is copyrighted by the American Bouvier des Flandres Club (ABdFC) and may not be reproduced without the expressed written permission of the ABdFC.
Special thanks to Lyn St. Clair, the artist of the lovely Bouvier artwork found throughout the ABdFC's The Beginner's Guide to the Bouvier des Flandres and Kathleen Kane for allowing the ABdFC use of this artwork. All the Bouvier artwork found on this web page is copyrighted by Kathleen Kane and may not be reproduced without the expressed written permission of Kathleen Kane.
Special thanks to Lyn St. Clair, the artist of the lovely Bouvier artwork found throughout the ABdFC's The Beginner's Guide to the Bouvier des Flandres and Kathleen Kane for allowing the ABdFC use of this artwork. All the Bouvier artwork found on this web page is copyrighted by Kathleen Kane and may not be reproduced without the expressed written permission of Kathleen Kane.