Description:

Braque du Bourbonnais Puppies for Sale

Overview: The Bouvier des Flandres is multi-skilled in that it has been used for herding cattle, guard dog, watchdog, and draft dog. It has a fair amount of energy, can be friendly toward other dogs, pets and strangers, although may be protective of its family at first. They get along well with children and can make good family dogs.
Temperament: This breed demands a fair amount of daily, rigorous exercise in order to maintain its otherwise calm nature in the house. They make excellent loyal companion dogs that can be a courageous protector of its family members. 

History: “Bouvier” translates from French into English as “cowherd” or “foxherd”. The breed was used as a cattle herder since the 17th Century. It also contributed to farm work as a watchdog and protection dog. It is believed that the ancestors of the Bouvier des Flandres include breeds such as mastiff, sheepdog and spaniel. Breeding was based on the parent dogs' skills, not on beauty of appearance. Eventually, in 1912, a breed standard was arrived at. However, during World War I, most of the breed was killed or lost. Most every modern day Bouvier includes in its pedigree a magnificent specimen of the breed, Ch. Nic de Sottegem, which was discovered and used to revitalize the breed after the war. This breed has never achieved popular status as a pet but does enjoy notoriety in the show ring and in competitions known as herding trials. It continues to work is a cattle herder and farm dog. 

Names: The Bouvier des Flandres is also known as the Belgian Cattle Dog. 

Groups: The American Kennel Club, AKC, recognized the Bouvier des Flandres in the year 1931 placing it in the Herding Group. 

Physical Characteristics: The short-coupled, powerful, and compact Bouvier des Flandres breed is agile, very strong, and rugged looking. The head includes a mustache and beard contributing to its alert and bold expression. It's double coat consists of a dense, soft undercoat and a stiff and rough outer coat and is quite weatherproof allowing this canine to work in severe weather conditions. The coat can appear in a variety of colors including fawn, gray, brindle, black; even salt and pepper. 

Care: This breed requires a generous amount of daily human contact and vigorous, even challenging exercise. The Bouvier des Flandres can live outside but also makes a good house pet with access to a fenced yard. Regular combing of the coat, at least weekly, along with periodic scissoring and shaping should be done quarterly.