Bouvier Des Flandres

Flandres Sheepdog

FCI №191

Österreichischer Kurzhaariger Pinscher

FCI №64

In the past at a Flandres Sheepdog there were many names among which "a dirty beard" (vuilbaard), "koe hond", "toucheurde beuf", and then there was a modern name. In Flanders long since there were unpretentious, hardy and furious dogs with a rough wool which were applied to protection of master's good and to graze cattle.

They performed various work on a farm, including by means of them transported cargoes, for example, cans with milk, for what dogs in carts. Shaggy assistants twisted also millstones on a mill. A Bouvier took part practically in all that there was in an economy, but its basic appointment - a horned cattle shelter.

For a farm universal a Bouvier was ideal breed. The rough wool reliably protected it during a bad weather that allowed to carry out the most difficult and challenges in any conditions.

Large and hardy shepherd's dogs of Belgium who were famous for excellent working qualities were ancestors a Flandres Sheepdog.
Up to the beginning of the XX-th century factory owners did not give special value to appearance of the shepherd's dogs including early a Bouvier, dogs have not been levelled on type and growth. In 1894 the professor of the Belgian Veterinary school A.Reul studied sheepdogs of Belgium and has allocated among them five types one of which became a prototype modern a Flandres Sheepdog.

It was so-called «the cow dog» («chien de vaches»). In the book of "Breed of dog" of Reul wrote: «... The cow dog more often not that other as a sheepdog (Belgian) more powerful, with more massive muzzle and very unpretentious, it accompanies dealers cattle during their transitions through villages on fairs and the markets, adjusting cattle on road. The problem of this dog consists also in supervision over cows on a pasture. On all our farms the cow dog serves also as the watchman, at night watches for a court yard».

For the first time Bouvier of De Flandr has been shown at an exhibition in Bruxelles in 1910. In 1912 in Flanders the society of factory owners of this breed which has developed the breed standard in the city of Kurtre on the basis of the description a Bouvier professor Reulom in 1903 has been organised. Blossoming Bouvier of De Flandr has begun, which were close to taking a worthy place in the dog breeding world.

But, unfortunately, during the First World War the considerable damage has been caused to breed. There, where the basic livestock has been concentrated, the strongest bombardments were conducted. The majority a Bouvier in Belgium were lost or have been taken out to Germany (where, most likely, in 1914-1918 have formed a basis for deducing of breed a riesenschnauzer though Germans prefer to be silent about it).

Many dogs were lost also on fields of battles: a Bouvier were used as dogs-hospital attendants, coherent and for other needs of army. A Bouvier of Gamen (type to Steam) for merits in the war even has been awarded by a medal of the Red Cross. After war a Bouvier were well-known, despite existence of two standards: for Belgian a Bouvier (type of Ruler, or Moermana) and for French (type to Steam).

In the homeland of breed after war, thanks to efforts of the enthusiasts, several Bouvier of De Flandr managed to be kept. By means of those dogs the breed livestock also has been restored. In 1920 the veterinary surgeon of the Belgian army has presented at an exhibition in Anvere the first champion a Flandres Sheepdog of Nika де to Sottegem. Ник has been recognised by the standard of breed and has left after itself numerous posterity.

Bouvier of De Flandr
In 1922 National Belgian club Bouvier of De Flandr which has accepted the standard in 1923 has been organised. The merit of the Belgian dog breeders consists that, having received a Bouvier of excellent physical type, they have managed to keep valuable working qualities of breed. It in the big degree was defined by that in Belgium for reception of a title "champion" Bouvier of De Flandr should confirm necessarily the working qualities in police, military or protectively-guard duty.

The name «Bouvier of De Flandr» has definitively replaced the name «Belgian a Bouvier» in Belgium in 1928. In 1931 in France the decision on merge of two pedigree types in uniform breed under on a rank «Bouvier of De Flandr» about what was accepted there was a publication. However only in 1937, after meeting of the French and Belgian judges in Lille, it has been decided to publish the uniform standard.

Bouvier is better feels, when near to it its owner. A Bouvier it is extremely sharp, but in it the aspiration to some independence is put, at times it shows obstinacy. If the dog decides that it will not do something, so it of it never will make. Force it you will not force to obey. It is necessary to show endurance, patience and persistence. The Bouvier in the house behaves quietly, barks a little. Extraneous people concerns with watchfulness, he/she is the excellent watchman and the defender.

It makes thrifty use of children and older persons of the family, understanding that they are weak and defenceless. To a dog daily physical activities are required, it misses work and gets out of the shape. The best variant when the dog lives in the house with the owner, but has possibility freely to leave in a garden or on a personal plot. To grow up good a Bouvier, physical activities are necessary. A Bouvier rather quiet dog and if the owner does not move the dog will prefer to do the same.

The adult a Bouvier is very hardy and with pleasure will accompany the horseman on a horse as dogs of this breed perfectly get on with a horse and cows. The bad weather for a Bouvier is not terrible, the dense wool perfectly protects a dog from temperature drops and a moisture. The owner a Bouvier should allocate necessarily time for serious employment with a dog. It can a life protectively-guard or search service, a ring or agilities.

Rigid with a dense underfur a wool a Flandres Sheepdog subject to easy Trimmingu with which help underline contours of a body of a dog. The perestrizhennaja wool breaking natural rude shape of a dog, is not supposed.