The Bouvier des Flandres is a herding dog that is at home out in the field and at home as a family pet. They have a sweet nature and are affectionate and loyal to their families. Here are a few more facts about the Bouvier des Flandres:

1. They Are Claimed by Both France and Belgium

The Bouvier des Flandres originated in medieval times in an area called “Flanders”. At the time, Flanders covered regions that are now part of France, The Netherlands, and Belgium. So, Belgium and France both claim the Bouvier des Flandres as a native dog breed.

2. The Bouvier des Flandres is Versatile

The name, Bouvier des Flandres, roughly translates to “cowherd of Flanders”. They were primarily used for moving herds of cattle. However, they often ended up working as an all-around farm dog.

They could be found pulling carts, guarding herds and flocks, working as watchdogs on farms, and, of course, herding several types of livestock. The Bouvier des Flandres also worked as a military dog for the Belgian Army during World War I.

Today, they often work as military and police dogs, do search and rescue work, and work as service dogs. They are also a beloved family pet and companion.

3. They Have a Calm and Gentle Nature

A fully-grown Bouvier des Flandres is a large dog. They can range from 23 to 27 inches tall and weigh 60 to 90 pounds on average. Some of them have even topped the scales at over 100 pounds! These are big dogs and, despite being one of the fluffiest dog breeds, they can look intimidating.

But, they have a calm, gentle nature and are affectionate with their families. They get along fabulously with children and other dogs. Their watchdog and guardian background also means they have a high prey drive. This just means they’ll need an introduction and some socialization if there are smaller pets in the home.

4. Bouvier des Flandres Can Be a Handful For First-Time Owners

This dog breed is highly trainable in the sense that they are highly intelligent, are eager to learn and please their owners, and also pick up things quickly. However, they tend to be strong-willed, can be stubborn, have an independent mind, and have a lot of energy. Plus, they need a job to do and get bored easily. They are a quintessential working dog!

Usually, this tends to make them better suited to more experienced owners as training a high-energy working dog can be difficult for a first-time owner to navigate on their own. First-time owners can have success with this dog breed, but it’s highly recommended to hire a professional trainer or take obedience and puppy training classes.

Not only can these be great opportunities for socializing your Bouvier des Flandres puppy, but they can also provide you with the skills, confidence, and training methods you need to handle a high-energy working dog.

5. They Have an Extended Puppyhood

Puppies finish growing at different rates. As a larger breed, it takes a bit longer for a Bouvier des Flandres to finish growing and developing than a small dog breed. It is recommended to keep activities low impact until a dog’s bones are done growing and developing.

On top of that, these dogs tend to have an extended puppyhood. Similar to Labrador Retrievers, the Bouvier des Flandres doesn’t mentally and physically mature until about 2-3 years old. They will tend to mellow out a little after that, but will still be high-energy working dogs.

Are You Ready for a Bouvier des Flandres Puppy?

These are just a few facts about the Bouvier des Flandres. The Bouvier des Flandres is a great fit for active owners and families who have the space and time to make sure this dog gets plenty of exercise, affection, and mental stimulation.

If this dog breed sounds like a good fit for you, learn more about them and then check out the available Bouvier des Flandres puppies. You could end up finding your new best friend!