should I buy a bouvier des flandres?

Answer 1

Bouviers are a great breed if:

(1) You will be able to get it ou and do lots of exercise (a 5 miles brisk walk at a trot for the dog 3-4 times a week) or have a similar set up

(2) These are good size dogs and bred to be able to work all day.

(3) The grooming means weekly attention with your brush - at minimum

(4) The biggest issue is the temperment.

They are in the herding group but they were a dual function dog - carting, herding and GUARDING.

This breed has a very strong Alpha disposition. If their handler isn't assertive and doesn't know how to dominate them by being the Alpha , they will walk all over the person.

(Appparently there are a lot of misconception about how to act like the alpha - it is NOT getting down and pretending to eat from their dish. It is NOT ignoring the dog when it misbehaves. It is NOT bribing the doggy to obey by giving food.)

If you haven't handled what professional trainers call a "tough" dog, don't do it - or at least not without the breeder helping you every step of the way and I'm talking weekly training sessions or having lined up a trainer who does more than pet obedience (I'm talking Petsmart here - not good enough for this breed) You will need to work with a trainer who does top level AKC obedience (it is called Utility) or trains Search & Rescue dogs or trains Shutzhound. You probably can do it if you are used to working with large animals like horses and know not to take not nonsense and how to train an animal.

These dogs excell at Shutzhound. My now-vet had two of them years ago when he practiced in a major city. The dogs lived at the clininc and guarded it - after several robberies for drugs even when someone was here, it seemed like a good idea. They where trained to Shutzhound standards.

Reallly neat breed - but NOT for the amateur pet owner without a great deal of work, training and a lot of backbone in dealing wih the dog

y the way - they are smart as a whip - excelll in obedience, tracking etc

SIt down and talk with the breeder (do go to a reputale breeder - not some one in their backyard who doesn't know the bloodlines or hereditary health problems or doesn't pay for all the exams on the parents)

Go see the adult as the breeders and how they are to handle.

Try to meet a young Bouv - between 1 - 2 years old which is the "this dog is a teenager and I'm gonna kill him!" stage. See if you can handle that.


Go here to find out more about Bouvs

http://www.akc.org/breeds/bouvier_des_flandres/index.cfm

AND HERE IS BEST OF ALL

http://www.bouvier.org/

And here if you would like to adopt a Bouv. It is the breed rescue and they will be very good in helping you decide if it is the right dog for you and which of the potential adoptees matches you best

http://www.bouvier.org/ABRL/rescue.html

Answer 2

Here is the web address for the American Bouvier Rescue League, a non-profit organization dedicated to finding homes for neglected, unwanted purebred Bouviers. The site includes a beginner's guide to the breed as well as listings of dogs currently available for adoption. If you decide that this breed is right for you, then I hope you will consider adopting one.

I've also included a link to an article on puppy mills from the American Humane Society. The AHS advises people not to buy puppies from pet stores, through newspaper ads, or over the internet. If you do decided to buy a puppy, it is best to buy directly from a reputable breeder.

Answer 3

Big dog, big piles. This also a breed that requires grooming and an ear crop if you're into that. They were used as police and military dogs believe it or not and are part of the working breed. They are prone to-doesn't mean they will, bloat. Read a book, talk to a breeder or two. I think they might be a bit spendy. If you like the look, and want a slightly thinner dog, check out the giant schnauzer. Both are beautiful, and large. Make sure you know the goods and bads before you make a choice. Oh, they herd too.

Answer 4

Have you researched the breed to make sure you understand the breed personality and how big they will get? Do you have the right kind of setup for a dog that big? Are you willing to put the time and money into training, food and vet care? Do you know what the grooming needs are for this dog? Will they fit into your family's lifestyle?

If you answer yes to all these questions then I would say you may want to look into rescuing a dog rather than buying one.

www.petfinder.org

Answer 5

Good post Anna! She is absolutely correct!

A friend of mine has them. His got out somehow when he wasn't home and the 2 Bouvs completely slaughtered the livestock, blood everywhere. So much for being a herding breed.

They are a very 'hard' breed, fine in the right hands but a disaster for the soft or novice owner.

Answer 6

If you have room for a big dog with a lot of energy, you want to spend a lot of time grooming, and you're experienced with obedience training, then maybe.

Otherwise, no.

Answer 7

Get ready to spend a lot on Grooming! Nice dogs though!

Answer 8

Do you have a big yard?