The Bouvier des Flandres show cut is a unique and distinctive feature of the breed.
The breed has a rough, shaggy coat that requires regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling.
To achieve the desired show cut, breeders and owners must carefully trim and shape the dog's coat to accentuate its natural texture and movement.
The breed standard calls for a coat that is "rough, shaggy, and long", with a distinctive beard and mustache.
The show cut is a key aspect of the breed's overall appearance and must be carefully maintained to showcase the dog's natural beauty.
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General Information
The Bouvier des Flandres is an ancient breed with a rich history dating back to the 11th century.
They originated in Flanders, a region in modern-day Belgium and France, where they were bred as working dogs on farms and in mines.
Their original purpose was to help with tasks such as herding, guarding, and draft work.
Their distinctive beard and mustache-like facial hair is a result of their original role in pulling carts and wagons.
The Bouvier des Flandres has a sturdy build and weighs between 70-120 pounds.
Their short, easy-to-maintain coat comes in a variety of colors including fawn, brindle, and black.
They are known for their friendly, outgoing personalities and make great family pets.
Their intelligence and trainability make them a popular choice for obedience and agility competitions.
The Bouvier des Flandres is a relatively rare breed, but they are recognized by major kennel clubs including the AKC and FCI.
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Grooming the Adult
Regular brushing is essential to prevent dirt and debris from catching in your Bouvier's coat. This will keep their coat unruly and unmanageable.
Bouviers have long and dense coats that collect burrs, sticks, and other debris while playing outdoors. It's painful for them, so brush them thoroughly after playtime.
Make sure to check their coat for any debris or tangles, especially after they've been playing. This will help prevent any discomfort or pain for your pup.
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Physical Characteristics
The Bouvier des Flandres is a powerful breed with a compact body that's short-coupled and well-boned.
Their head is clean-cut with a well-developed skull that's flat and somewhat longer than wide. The muzzle is broad and powerful, straight in the upperline and sloping slightly towards the nose.
Their forelegs are very strong and absolutely straight, with shoulders that are relatively long and muscular without heaviness. The elbow joint is well-set into the body and parallel, turning neither in nor out.
Their body is short, strong, and deep, with a broad chest that descends to the level of the elbows. The croup extends the horizontal line of the back and blends imperceptibly with the curve of the rump.
Their nose is very well-developed and always black, extending the foreface in a slightly convex line towards its tip. Nostrils are wide and the cheeks are flat and clean.
The Bouvier des Flandres has a compact body that's well-boned and strongly muscled, giving the impression of great power without clumsiness in general deportment.
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Coat and Finishing
The Bouvier des Flandres show cut is all about showcasing the breed's unique coat and rugged appearance. The coat is abundant, so thick that when separated by hand, the skin is barely visible.
The hair is coarse to the touch, dry, and matt, neither too long nor too short, typically around 6 cms (2½ ins). It's unkempt-looking but never woolly or curly, gradually becoming shorter as it comes down the legs, always harsh.
The flat coat is undesirable, indicating a lack of undercoat. The undercoat is dense and close-grained. On the head, the hair is shorter, outside of ears very short. The upper lip is well-moustached, and the lower lip carries a full harsh beard, giving a forbidding expression characteristic of the breed.
The eyebrows are formed of backward-sweeping hairs, accentuating the shape of the eyebrows but never veiling the eyes. To achieve the desired look, the coat should be tipped to form a level topline, using blenders.
The rear should be set by trimming the coat from below the point of rump to a few inches above the hock. The tail should be lifted and shaped into a rounded shelf from the point of rump to the croup.
The tail should be shaped into a wedge that sits well up on the topline, with a smooth transition from the tail to croup to back. The hock should be shaped to appear somewhat low to the ground.
The feet should be shaped for a round appearance, with the hocks perpendicular to the ground and parallel, with slight angulation on the front of the hock joint. The coat should be tidied for a smooth transition to the topline.
The underline should be shaped to give the appearance of a slightly held-up loin, without an exaggerated tuck-up. The coat should be trimmed just below the point of shoulder to show the angulation.
The outside corners of the eyes should be trimmed, blending into the beard. The beard and fall come together from the outside corner of the eye to just behind and under the ear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you hand strip a Bouvier?
Yes, hand stripping is used to maintain the Bouvier's coat, but it's a unique process that removes the dead coat without leaving it too short. This technique helps keep the coat harsh and weather-resistant.
Sources
- https://www.dogbreedinfo.com/bouvierdesflandres.htm
- https://wahlusa.com/pet-grooming/product-selector/dog/bouvier-des-flandres
- https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/breed-standards/working/bouvier-des-flandres/
- https://moncherkennels.com/bouviers-des-flandres-uk-and-northern-ireland/grooming-a-bouvier-des-flandres/
- https://www.groomertogroomer.com/bouvier-des-flandres-handstrip/
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