Bouvier des Flandres Breed description: Character & Co

The Bouvier des Flandres - an all-rounder for the whole family

General information about the Bouvier des Flandres

The dog breed originating from Belgium is also called Flanders Cattle Dog and is assigned to FCI group 1 and section 2, under the standard number 191. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale classifies the Bouvier des Flandres as a working herding dog. The dogs reach a height at withers between 59 and 68 cm, with a maximum weight of 40 kg. These large dogs are known for their dark and coarse coat, as well as their affectionate and child-friendly nature. The Bouvier des Flandres can reach an age of up to 14 years.

Origin and history

This dog owes its name, Bouvier des Flandres, to the region of Flanders, also known as the Flemish Empire, where it originated. Basically, the Bouvier des Flandres descends from the Mastiffs, which found use in warfare in the 16th century. In the fight for Spanish independence, the Spanish Conquistadores drew their benefit from the massive dogs and then left them in patches. Thus, the Bouvier des Flandres was created by crossbreeding the Mastiff and other breeds. The Bouvier des Flandres is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world and was therefore already seen as an independent breed by the FCI in 1910, then in 1955 the breed was officially recognized. The breed standards were first established in 1922, the latest standards were published in 2000. Like many other dog breeds, the Bouvier des Flandres was threatened with extinction after the First World War, but could fortunately be preserved through increased breeding.