Overview
Average lifespan
This breed of dog usually lives up to 12 years of age but can live to 14 years with the proper care and diet.
Average size and weight
A healthy female will usually weigh up to 27kg and stand 59cm tall, and the male should weigh up to 35kg and stand 68cm tall.
Care requirements
Breed personality, characteristics & temperament
The Bouvier des Flandres dog varies between being a natural clown capable of befriending almost anyone, and being a reserved, one-man dog. The way in which their personality develops depends very much on the amount of love and care provided. Ideally, they should be calm but alert companions with a tendency to become deeply attached to their family.
Compatibility with other pets
The Bouvier des Flandres has a dominant nature and likes to be ‘top dog’ in the home. Bouvier puppies adapt well to older dogs or cats in the home, but older Bouviers can be more difficult to integrate into a new home with existing pets. Bringing a new dog into the home after your Bouvier has ruled the roost for some time may lead to conflict, but careful obedience training will soon control this behaviour.
Care requirements
The Bouvier des Flandres is a double-coated dog. It has an outer coat of rough and harsh hair and an undercoat of fine and close hairs. The shaggy coat of the Bouvier requires a great deal of maintenance to ensure that the loose hairs are not retained by the undercoat and it needs to be combed for a minimum of 30 minutes per week to prevent matting.
Decision time
Ideal owners
The Bouvier Des Flandres makes an excellent companion provided owners can accept a dog with an independent nature. Due to its size, this breed is ideal for those people who can give it strong leadership and plenty of exercise.
Decision time (resources provided by Kennel Club):
Before making a decision on getting a puppy, here are some articles you might find helpful:
What do I need to consider when thinking of buying a puppy?
How do I find the right breeder, what should I ask them?
How do you check if the breeder is reputable?
What to ask your vet prior to buying a puppy?
Where to find dogs (resources provided by the Kennel Club):
Breeders
Adoption
Shelters
Find out about important information about purchasing dogs from pet shops and traders