Bouvier des Flandres

Characteristics

Health & Longevity

Average Life Span: 10-12 years
The Bouvier des Flandres is a purebred dog that is considered to be healthy and not plagued with major health concerns. It is important for you to make sure that you work with a reputable breeder who follows strict breeding guidelines to ensure this breed remains healthy and that you have a healthy pup in hand.

As with any breed, while the Bouvier des Flandres is healthy, there are some medical concerns that you do need to keep your eye out for. These conditions include bloat, hip dysplasia, eye problems, flatulence, and skin problems.

One important note about the Bouvier des Flandres is that he or she is strong and not easily hurt by minor things. For instance, if your pup is out running around, a simple misstep or trip will not cause your puppy to run and yelp. Their pain threshold is quite high.

Bloat is one thing that you do need to look out for and if it occurs in your Bouvier des Flandres, you need to seek immediate help from your veterinarian or the condition can be fatal. Bloat occurs when too much air enters into your pup’s stomach and this leads to the expansion of the stomach, which then causes organs not to function correctly.

Hip dysplasia is painful for dogs, and it is important that you keep an eye out for this condition. Hip dysplasia affects the rear limbs of your pup and will cause lameness in their joint. This condition happens when the hip joint is deformed or when the hip joint does not fit into the socket correctly.

You also need to watch out for eye problems in your pup. These conditions can have to do with infections, or it may have to do with the way your pup sees. If you are concerned about your dog’s eyesight, you should talk to your veterinarian and have the proper screenings performed.

The Bouvier des Flandres is known to have a lot of flatulence, and you may hear it now and again. This is not necessarily a medical concern, but something to be on the lookout for.

Lastly, your Bouvier des Flandres may have some skin problems, which can appear as itchy or dry skin, allergies, or even an infection.

The Bouvier des Flandres has a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years.

Temperament & Train-ability

The Bouvier des Flandres is an even-tempered pup that is also strong-willed and may show quite a bit of independence at times. It is important that you socialize your new pup, especially since he can showcase an independent side.

You should note that this breed gets along with children and other pets, but should be raised around them at an early age and socialized extensively, to prevent aggression that may arise. It has been said that the Bouvier des Flandres does have some trouble getting along with other pups when not properly socialized.

This breed makes a good watchdog and will protect his or her family, especially when your pup feels the need to. You will find that your Bouvier des Flandres is wary of strangers, so a proper introduction is always needed if guests come over.

When properly trained, the Bouvier des Flandres is affectionate and will provide a lot of love and laughs for those who he or she loves. You will not find your pup snuggling up to other people and he or she may become more attached to one or two people in the home.

The Bouvier des Flandres does well in a home that has a backyard to run around in because he or she needs a lot of daily exercise. You will not find your pup lounging around the house, but instead eager to catch a ball and take off running. You should walk your pup at least twice per day for 30 minutes or so.

Training is moderately challenging, as you do need to have some experience in dog handling. This breed will attempt to dominate, and once he or she dominates you, you will not be able to regain alpha status. This can make training difficult. If you are able to assert yourself as the master, then you will have an easier time training.

Grooming

The Bouvier des Flandres does have some moderate to high maintenance grooming needs and his or her coat will take some time and patience. If you want to have a well-groomed Bouvier des Flandres, you will need to spend a lot of time on his or her coat.

You need to make sure you brush your pup’s coat at least once per day to remove any tangles, mats, and to keep it looking beautiful. If you do not, your pup’s coat will become a tangled mess, and you will need to seek out professional help. Most people opt to take their Bouvier des Flandres to a professional groomer.

You only need to bathe your pup when necessary and should choose a mild shampoo to protect his or her skin. You should clean your pup’s ears at least once per week to ensure there is no buildup of dirt or wax.

If you do not want your Bouvier des Flandres to have a scruffy appearance, you will need to trim his or her mustache, eyebrows, and beard. You should also trim your pup’s nails once per month or as needed to keep them at a healthy length.

Diet

Your Bouvier des Flandres will consume anywhere between 3 cups to 4 cups of high-quality brand kibble. You must make sure you choose a food that is healthy and nutritious.
 

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Cost

A Bouvier des Flandres puppy will cost you an average of $1,300 to $1,500. You can expect to pay more when the breed is in demand, and you will be hard-pressed to find this breed in a shelter somewhere.

Paws ‘N’ Pups Ranking

Paws ‘N’ Pups ranks every breed out of 4 with 1 being easiest to integrate into your life and 4 being the toughest – The lower the ranking the better.

Ranking takes into account a few basic factors including cost, skill level needed, high vs low maintenance and how critical regular training is to success. The Bouvier des Flandres is a good choice for many homes but is better suited in homes which are experienced with dogs. While this breed does get along with children, you may want to wait until your children are older. This breed has moderate to high maintenance grooming needs, so you need to be prepared for the time commitment. This breed ranks a 4.

 

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