GROUP 5 - WORKING DOGS

Brief History
Originally bred by monks in Flanders, the Bouvier is believed to have descended from Irish Wolfhounds, Deerhounds, and local farm dogs. This was a working dog for herding and guarding cattle, and even for pulling farm carts to market due to his great strength and determined temperament. Bouviers worked as service dogs during both World Wars.

Average Life Span
When considering a dog, please realise that you are taking it on for its lifetime.
The average life span is 10 to 12 years.

Temperament
Fearless and confident, with a strong personality, the Bouvier can sometimes be stubborn and may not be the dog for first time or timid owners. He generally learns quickly and does well with training.

General Breed Description
The Bouvier is a large, powerfully built dog, rough coated and of rugged appearance. Slow developing, the Bouvier may not be fully mature until 3 to 4 years of age. Coat colours include grey, brindle or overlaid with black.

Coat and Care Requirements
The Bouvier has a weather resistant double coat: outer coat coarse and long, undercoat, fine and dense. His thick coat needs consistent grooming, at least several times a week. Grooming should commence from a young age, so the dog becomes accustomed to the attention.

Size
Height: Males 62 to 68cms (24.5 to 26.75ins), Females 59 to 65cms (23.75 to 25.5ins).
Weight: Males 35 to 40kgs, Females 27 to 35kgs.

Health
All breeds have individual health issues. When speaking to breeders it is recommended you enquire about breed’s health and what health testing the breeder does. The Bouvier is generally a healthy breed, however health conditions do occur occasionally.

Suitability
Bouviers should be socialised well, commencing at an early age. They have an inbuilt sense to protect their family. The Bouvier is very adaptable and responds well to obedience training. They are generally good with other dogs if raised with them from puppyhood. The Bouvier can be a wonderful family dog who is devoted and protective of his family, but as with all breeds, should never be unsupervised with children.

In Conclusion
Now you know a little more about this breed. If you have decided this is the dog for you and wish to investigate further, please contact the Breed Club or Dogs Victoria. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog events where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the breed and its needs. With any breed of dog, it is important to research and determine suitability for your lifestyle before committing to a puppy which will be a part of your family for many years to come.

Whilst many breeds are recommended for families, it is imperative that when children are with dogs they are supervised at all times. Basic obedience training is a vital part of dog ownership.

Dogs Victoria is about the responsible ownership of all dogs and in particular the preservation of pure breeds.

Link to Dogs Australia Breed Standard:  https://dogsaustralia.org.au/breed/detail/153