Bouvier Des Flandres Rescue: Adoption, Characteristics, and More

The Bouvier des Flandres is a gentle giant, with a calm and patient demeanor that makes it a great companion for families. They are a large breed, weighing between 70-120 pounds.

Their distinctive beard and mustache are a result of their unique facial structure, which is characterized by a short, broad muzzle and a prominent jaw. This breed is known for its rugged appearance, with a thick coat that requires regular grooming.

Bouvier des Flandres are intelligent and trainable, but they can be stubborn at times, requiring consistent and patient training. With positive reinforcement and early socialization, they can thrive as loyal and loving companions.

Expand your knowledge: Bouvier Des Flandres Poodle Mix

The Bouvier des Flandres is a large, sturdy dog with a rough, shaggy coat that requires regular grooming.

They are a relatively rare breed, originating from Belgium and known for their intelligence and loyalty.

Their distinctive beard and mustache are a result of their long, rough coat, which also requires regular trimming to prevent matting.

Additional reading: Sable and White Rough Collie

Bouviers are generally good with children, but as with any breed, it's essential to socialize them well from an early age.

Their calm and gentle nature makes them a great companion for families with kids, but they also need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom.

Their intelligence and trainability make them a popular choice for search and rescue work, therapy, and as service dogs.

Despite their size, Bouviers are relatively low-maintenance when it comes to exercise, requiring daily walks and playtime, but not excessive running or high-impact activities.

Their calm and gentle nature also makes them a great choice for first-time dog owners who want a low-maintenance companion.

For another approach, see: Great Pyrenees Rescues

The Bouvier des Flandres needs daily exercise, which can be met with a good jog, a very long walk, or a vigorous play session. They require at least an hour to an hour and a half of walking a day to stay happy and healthy.

Their harsh coat needs combing once or twice weekly, and scissoring and shaping every three months. Regular brushing on a daily basis is essential to prevent mats and knots from forming.

The Bouvier des Flandres thrives on mental stimulation and is often happiest when it has a purpose, such as a working role or participation in a dog sport. This breed is prone to forming mats and knots due to its abundant, thick coat.

Ideally, as much of the walking time as possible should be spent off the lead to allow dogs to investigate their surroundings and run freely. The breed's distinctive look is achieved with a long beard and expressive eyebrows, and longer hair around the neck and body.

The Bouvier Des Flandres is a wonderful breed, but like all breeds, they can be prone to certain health issues. Major concerns for the Bouvier Des Flandres include CHD, glaucoma, elbow dysplasia, and SAS. These are serious conditions that can affect the dog's quality of life.

Consider reading: White Bouvier Des Flandres Puppies

Hip dysplasia is a common issue in many breeds, including the Bouvier Des Flandres. It's caused by abnormal development of the hips, which can lead to joint problems in older dogs. Dogs over a year old should have their hips x-rayed and scored by experts to assess the severity of the condition.

With proper care and attention, many Bouvier Des Flandres can live a long and healthy life, typically between 10-12 years. However, some individuals may be more prone to minor concerns like hypothyroidism.

In our experience, it's essential to have a thorough veterinary check before placing a Bouvier Des Flandres in a new home. This can help identify any potential health issues early on.

Here's a summary of some common health issues in the Bouvier Des Flandres:

The Bouvier des Flandres has a rich and fascinating history that spans centuries.

The breed originated in Flanders, a region in Belgium, where it was used as an all-around farm dog. It was bred to herd cattle, guard the farm, and even pull carts.

In the early days, Bouviers were known by different names, such as Vuilbaard (dirty beard) or koe hond (cow dog), reflecting their main duty as cattle drovers.

The breed's versatility and working ability were highly valued, and it's likely that the Schnauzer, Irish Wolfhound, and Scottish Deerhounds were crossed with local farm dogs to create the first Bouviers.

The first breed standard was drawn up in 1912, but most Bouviers were lost in World War I, with only a few survivors remaining.

One of these survivors, Champion Nic de Sottegem, played a crucial role in reviving the breed through his progeny.

Adopting a Bouvier Des Flandres can be a life-changing experience for both you and your new furry family member. You'll need to be dedicated and committed to dealing with situations as they appear, as the dog's true colors may not show until after you've had them for months.

The adoption process begins with a questionnaire and phone interview with Ms. Kathy Santana, the Rescue Coordinator, who can be reached at (951) 903-3574 or by email. This helps the rescue group get to know you and your family's lifestyle.

The rescue group thoroughly screens applicants to minimize the chance of a dog needing to be re-homed. They work hard to match a dog's personality and needs with a family's expectations and lifestyle.

Each adoption case is unique, just like each dog is unique. There's no set timeline for adoption, and it may take several months before a good match is found.

Additional reading: Irish Red and White Setter Adoption

The Bouvier des Flandres is a calm, sensible breed that is characterized by being audacious and intelligent. It's a loyal and protective breed, making it an excellent guard dog.

This breed is usually good with children, but it's essential to supervise interactions between young children and the dog due to its large size.

The Bouvier des Flandres is generally not prone to separation anxiety, but it should not be left alone for long periods of time. I've seen this breed thrive in households where they receive consistent attention and exercise.

The breed comes in a variety of coat colours, including black, black & brindle, blonde, and fawn, among others. Here's a list of accepted coat colours by the UK Kennel Club:

Female Bouvier des Flandres dogs are generally smaller than males, weighing between 27 and 40 kg, and standing between 59 and 68 cm high at the withers.

The Bouvier Des Flandres Rescue Stories are a testament to the breed's gentle and loving nature. They often come from difficult pasts, but with the right care and attention, they thrive in their new homes.

One such story is that of a Bouvier named Max, who was rescued from a hoarding situation. He had been living in cramped and unsanitary conditions, but after being rehabilitated, he became a beloved family pet.

Bouviers are known to form strong bonds with their owners, and rescue stories often highlight this trait.

Sometimes we get Bouviers from animal shelters where they've been dropped off by previous owners or picked up as straylings, often without any form of permanent identification.

These dogs have no concrete history of their past, and it's not uncommon for them to be surrendered due to reasons like death in the family, divorce, or moving out of the country.

Many of these dogs are surrendered by their owners because they simply don't have the time to devote to training or caring for them.

Some Bouviers are considered "problem" or "nuisance" dogs by their owners, but after evaluation, we often find that what they need is guidance, direction, training, consistency, and positive feedback.

With patience and the right approach, some of these dogs are ready for a new home in just a week or so, while others may take longer, like the one that took 8 weeks of training and a consistent lifestyle to make a complete turnaround.

The Bouvier des Flandres has made its mark in literature and real life. Patrasche from the novel, A Dog in Flanders, is a famous Bouvier des Flandres.

Lucky, the Bouvier des Flandres, belonged to the Reagans. He was a beloved member of their family.

The Presidential Agent series by William Griffin features two Bouvier des Flandres, Max and Madchen. They're not just fictional characters, they're part of a series that shows the loyalty and companionship of Bouviers.

All Bouviers are sexually altered prior to placement, which is a crucial step in ensuring their health and well-being.

They undergo thorough vet-checks, and in some cases, more extensive veterinarian care is needed before they're deemed ready for placement.

These checks can be quite thorough, as we saw in one instance where a Bouvier's heart was suspected to be a problem. We took the dog to two other vets for examination, and even ran x-rays of the heart, just to be on the safe side.

In fact, it's not uncommon for Bouviers to require some extra care before they're ready for their forever homes. Take the Bouvier with entropion, for example – all four eyelids needed corrective surgery before the dog could go to its new home.

Here are some examples of the extensive care that Bouviers may need before placement:

It's great to see these wonderful dogs get the care they need before they find their forever homes. With patience, love, and proper care, even the most challenging cases can become happy, healthy companions.