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Bouvier des Flandres
Resembling a cross between a rumpled sofa and a sheepskin rug, the
Bouvier Des Flandres is large and impressive. Devoted and calm,
the Bouvier makes a wonderful family dog but if not well trained and
socialised it can become aggressive and destructive.
This breed is good with children
but being by nature protective of their charges it is important that
these dogs are socialised well so that your child's playmates are not
mistaken for marauders. Also though good natured generally calm dogs,
a mature
Bouvier has his own opinion on everything! If you do not take basic obedience
and early training
seriously, it is the Bouvier who will rule your household.
Bouviers crave companionship. They truly need to be part of the family
and do not do well as yard dogs. Buy a Bouvie and you are guaranteed
a large, hairy shadow wherever you may go.
As breeds go, Bouviers are expensive to buy. At maturity they are large
dogs with large appetites and to maintain good health they need good
quality food. Though generally healthy hip dysplasia and bloat are two
diseases that do affect the breed. Over it's lifetime buying, feeding,
vetinary care and kenneling on holidays are going to run into significant
amounts of money.
A well groomed Bouvier is a thing of beauty all the more so because
those moments of glossy perfection are fleeting. Their long double coats
are mud magnets. A simple stroll through the park may result
in you spending the rest of the night picking burrs out of your best
friend's
furry belly. Their whiskery faces are perfect for mopping up any accidental
spills in the kitchen as their Dutch monniker "Vuilbaard" meaning
"Dirty Beard" describes..
The hair on the dog is one thing but tumbleweeds floating through your
parlour may be another. And something about that coat guarantees that
after the briefest of exposure to the tiniest drop of water, your dog
has morphed into a great, soggy sponge leaking muddy water all over your
carpet. Atmospheric polution may be of concern as Bouvies are renowned
for their uhm... windiness.
So if the thought of a huge, farting, muddy, hairy eating machine turns
you off a Bouvier may not be the dog for you.
If you want a calm, gentle, loyal companion, proud and intelligent,
are willing to train and socialise, are aware that as a large dog the
Bouvie wil require a committment to exercise and significant financial
outlay on food and vetinary care over it's life time then the Bouvier
Des Flandres may be just what you are looking for.
More information:
Don't Buy a Bouvier if...
Bouvier Des Flandres Forum
US Bouvier Rescue
American Bouvier Rescue League
Second Chance Bouvier
Rescue (Michigan)
NW Bouvier Rescue(Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana)
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