Bouvier des Flandres
- Height at the withers
- 59 to 68 cm
- Weight
- 27 to 40 kg
- Life expectancy
- 10 to 12 years
- Daily activity
- 75 minutes
- Origin
- Belgium / France
- FCI group
- 1 · Sheepdogs and cattle dogs
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- a family with children
- people bothered by dog hair (no breed is guaranteed allergy-free)
- close neighbors: it barks little
- watching over the house
Less suited to
- an apartment: it needs space
- a first dog: it needs an experienced owner
- intense heat: be careful in summer
Overview
A large, powerful herding dog with a rugged look and a harsh, tousled double coat. This compact breed gives an impression of great strength without heaviness, with a dense, weatherproof coat.
History and origins
Shaped in the 19th and 20th centuries by cattle drovers, farmers and livestock dealers in Belgian and French Flanders as an all-around farm dog: driving cattle, pulling carts and guarding. Nearly gone after World War I, it was rebuilt by dedicated breeders, notably from Nic, a dog that had served in the Belgian army.
Health
Life expectancy is 10 to 12 years, and its hardiness is average. The most common health problems in the breed:
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
- Glaucoma
- Subaortic stenosis
- Cataracts
Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.
Coat and care
Medium-length double coat. Low shedding, high coat care.
All ratings
Rated from 1 to 5, comparable across breeds. Green marks a strength for most households, orange something to plan for.
Lifestyle
- Energy
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Apartment
- Difficult, 2 out of 5
- Home alone
- A few hours, 3 out of 5
Family and sociability
- With children
- Good, 4 out of 5
- With other dogs
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With cats
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With strangers
- Reserved, 2 out of 5
Training and temperament
- Ease of training
- Average, 3 out of 5
- For a first-time owner
- Poor fit, 2 out of 5
- Guarding instinct
- Very strong, 5 out of 5
- Prey drive
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Tendency to roam
- Very low, 1 out of 5
Care and neighbors
- Coat care
- High, 4 out of 5
- Shedding
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Drooling
- Rarely, 2 out of 5
- Barking
- Quiet, 2 out of 5
Climate and health
- Heat tolerance
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Cold tolerance
- Excellent, 5 out of 5
- Hardiness
- Average, 3 out of 5
In our lists
Bouvier des Flandres FAQ
How big does the Bouvier des Flandres get?
The Bouvier des Flandres stands 59 to 68 cm at the withers and weighs 27 to 40 kg. It is a large dog.
Does the Bouvier des Flandres shed a lot?
It sheds little and its coat needs a lot of care. It is one of the breeds that shed very little and are often better tolerated by people with allergies, with no guarantee: spend time with the breed before you decide. Its coat needs regular grooming, sometimes by a professional.
Can the Bouvier des Flandres live in an apartment?
It is difficult: it needs space and activity, and a home with a yard suits it better.
How much exercise does the Bouvier des Flandres need each day?
Allow about 75 minutes of activity a day: its energy is moderate.
Is the Bouvier des Flandres good with children?
Yes, it gets along well with children who respect it. Never leave a young child alone with a dog, whatever the breed.
How long does the Bouvier des Flandres live?
Life expectancy is 10 to 12 years, and its hardiness is average. The main health problems to watch for are hip and elbow dysplasia, as well as hypothyroidism.
