Bouvier des Flanders.
- Thread starter PWCorgi
- Start date
Good thread on Bouviers http://www.chazhound.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42695&highlight=bouvier
Site Skyeboxer posted in there that knocked Bouviers off my future maybe list http://www.bouviers.net/info/dontbuy.html
Site Skyeboxer posted in there that knocked Bouviers off my future maybe list http://www.bouviers.net/info/dontbuy.html
I've had experience with a few, never owned but worked very closely with both male and female of the breed. The males are LARGE! They do have a high maintenance coat (well, they will just need regular grooming visits) but can be cut in a few styles, some less hairy 
The males seemed very outgoing, playful, and responsive to training. However, all three females (ALOT smaller than the males) I've worked with seemed to be a bit moody, unpredictable and not as personable. These are my opinions based on what I've seen and experienced
The males seemed very outgoing, playful, and responsive to training. However, all three females (ALOT smaller than the males) I've worked with seemed to be a bit moody, unpredictable and not as personable. These are my opinions based on what I've seen and experienced 
Thanks for the input Rosefern and Sush. The whole grooming thing doesn't bother me, I enjoy fussing with my dogs with that sort of thing. Temperment is what worries me the most as a lot of what I've heard here and other places is that a lot of them are unpredictable.
Sush, were any of the Bouvs you mentioned owned by the same person, like a male and a female. Just wondering if it is truly a sex thing or more of how they were raised.
Sush, were any of the Bouvs you mentioned owned by the same person, like a male and a female. Just wondering if it is truly a sex thing or more of how they were raised.
All had different owners. I'm definately one to think that the majority of a dog's behavior is directly related to the upbringing. The females just seemed a bit off to me. Two of them (one I worked with here in Santa Cruz, the other in LA) were prone to fear biting, the other was just very timid, shy. Both of those females (weird as it may seem) had male wheaton terriers in the family that were pure joys! Those females ranged from 1-5 years old.
The two altered males Bouvs I've worked with were absolutely WONDERFUL to be around. Just super goofy, sweet and playful. I thought the males were better looking as well.
I was doing a little reasearch...
"This breed needs an experienced owner to prevent dominance problems. He should be socialized well at an early age to avoid over-protectiveness and shyness".
It could very well be that the females just didn't have enough of this as pups...who knows
The two altered males Bouvs I've worked with were absolutely WONDERFUL to be around. Just super goofy, sweet and playful. I thought the males were better looking as well.
I was doing a little reasearch...
"This breed needs an experienced owner to prevent dominance problems. He should be socialized well at an early age to avoid over-protectiveness and shyness".
It could very well be that the females just didn't have enough of this as pups...who knows
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Okay, thanks Sush.
If I would decide to get a Boux I'd be torn as to whether to go the rescue route or get a puppy from a breeder. With a breeder I'd know what to expect more temperment wise and be able to socialize it and work with it from the time it was very young, but I'm not much of a puppy person and I think adolesence would be difficult. Then again if I got one from a rescue I would know the temperment and possibly be able to get a softer Bouv to start with.
I'd probably go with an older rescue.
If I would decide to get a Boux I'd be torn as to whether to go the rescue route or get a puppy from a breeder. With a breeder I'd know what to expect more temperment wise and be able to socialize it and work with it from the time it was very young, but I'm not much of a puppy person and I think adolesence would be difficult. Then again if I got one from a rescue I would know the temperment and possibly be able to get a softer Bouv to start with.
I'd probably go with an older rescue.
I've shown with them LOTS of times as they are in the herding group..
I've also had the chance to groom them as well..
They are droolie with all that hair on their face though lol!!
Otherwise, the dogs personalities are very nice(when well trained), calm and gentle.
They are big pups too! hehe
I like the brindle coloured ones!
I've also had the chance to groom them as well..
They are droolie with all that hair on their face though lol!!
Otherwise, the dogs personalities are very nice(when well trained), calm and gentle.
They are big pups too! hehe
I like the brindle coloured ones!
The ones at our club are real hard core dogs. The male broke off 2 teeth by jumping up and grabbing the roof of his kennel- it's about 8' high. Both are very civil- meaning they are not real approachable by anyone but their handler. They are both very intense and well trained. He is starting the female on herding, but the male would kill the sheep so he can't let him near them.
I posted these pics in another thread a couple weeks ago:
Bear, a 1 year old female
Rock, a 2 year old male
I posted these pics in another thread a couple weeks ago:
Bear, a 1 year old female
Rock, a 2 year old male
I've heard they are a "tough" breed, personally.
But as with any such breed some folks consider that proper breed temperament, and others breed a softer version that suits their lifestyle/preferences. I'd imagine finding a breeder that has the type of temperament you would be looking for would be quite important.
But as with any such breed some folks consider that proper breed temperament, and others breed a softer version that suits their lifestyle/preferences. I'd imagine finding a breeder that has the type of temperament you would be looking for would be quite important.