Bouvier des Flandres
| Bouvier des Flandres | ||
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| FCI Standard No. 191 | ||
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| Patronage : | ||
| Alternative names: |
Flemish cattle dog |
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| Withers height: |
Male : 62–68 cm. |
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| Weight: |
Male 35–40 kg, |
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| List of domestic dogs | ||
The Bouvier des Flandres , the Flemish cattle dog, is a Belgian breed of dog recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) ( FCI Group 1, Section 2, Standard No. 191 ).
Origin and history
This breed type, several hundred years old, may have descended from the mastiffs that Spanish conquistadores left behind in Flanders in the 16th century during the Dutch War of Independence . It was recognized as an independent breed in 1910 and it was not until 1922 that the standard des Bouvier des Flandres was established in Belgium in accordance with the provisions of the FCI . After the First World War the Bouvier was as good as extinct and had to be bred back. The “Club national belge”, founded in Ghent in 1922, set the standards and since 1960 there has been strict work to improve the breed.
description
The Bouvier has a powerful body with a powerful chest and a short, broad, muscular back. Its fur is dark to gray, mostly brindle with black. The long-haired and rough-haired dog has a mustache typical of the breed, the ears are pendulous and medium-length, slightly protruding.
Earlier ears and tail were docked, which is now prohibited in Germany and many other countries.
Height at withers
- for males: 62–68 cm
- for bitches: 59–65 cm
- Tolerance: ± 1 cm
For both sexes, the ideal size is the respective mean of the dimensions given.
- Ideal size for males: 65 cm
- Ideal size for bitches: 62 cm
Weight
Approximately
- 35–40 kg for males
- 27–35 kg for bitches.
use
Originally the Bouvier des Flandres was used as a driving dog for cattle and horses. He was also used as a “ tow dog ”, that is, he pulled barges on the canals from the bank on the so-called towpath . Today it is used as a family dog , but also a yard dog , protection dog , police dog and in Belgium and the Netherlands occasionally as a draft dog .
Essence
His affectionate nature and his protective behavior make the child-friendly dog a good working dog . He has a balanced character, he is very calm, docile, loyal and attentive. Bouviers usually fixate on a caregiver very early on. As guardians and drivers of cattle and horses, Bouviers had to develop a calm, confident, courageous character, be able to decide and react at lightning speed and, unlike sheepdogs who work in contact with the shepherd, often act independently. Even today, many Bouviers are distinctive personalities, sometimes headstrong, who need sensible, experienced and firm leadership. Then they are very suitable as family dogs and reliable guard dogs .
The Bouvier has a stoic and suspicious disposition, especially the Dutch Schutzhund lines tend not to be touched by strangers and sometimes react to eye contact or speech by a stranger with a willingness to defend themselves. With the German lines this easily turns into fearfulness. In addition, the "Bouv" (pronounced: buff) can only be brought up with a lot of patience, since he is more independent and less willing to subordinate himself than z. B. a German Shepherd. However, he is very agile for a Molossian and not very wild, which makes him an ideal dog for riders. A Bouvier therefore needs careful upbringing and the ability to use his strength and joy of movement.
Since Bouviers were also bred to be draft dogs in the past, they can develop enormous strength on a leash. A Bouvier pulls up to eight times its body weight.
maintenance
Some light-haired Bouvier puppies will darken over the course of their lives. The fur of all Bouviers requires regular grooming, as do the ears, which are occasionally prone to inflammation. The fur needs to be trimmed regularly , usually 6 centimeters in length.
Daily brushing and keeping the beard clean (in Flemish it also has the affectionately meant nickname dirty beard) and the long hair on the head are just as important as caring for the paws, which tend to form bunches between the pads that prevent walking. Nevertheless, its care, carried out regularly, is unproblematic, especially since they hardly develop any odor and do not shed.
literature
- CEO of Gink-van Es: Bouvier Belge des Flandres. ElPerro, Hoek van Holland 1982, ISBN 90-9000-2367
