Bouvier des Flandres Dogs and Puppies Canada
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Bouvier des Flandres Breed History:
The monks at the Ter Duinen monastery, in Flanders, are credited as being the Bouvier's first breeders. The Bouvier was created in the pastoral regions of Belgium, Northern France and the lower Netherlands that were once known as Flandres. The region has had different political borders over the centuries so the breed has it's roots in all three countries. Imports such as Irish wolfhounds were bred with Flandres farm dogs, until a breed considered to be the predecessor of the modern Bouvier des Flandres was created. The resulting working dog was able to work tirelessly, herding and guarding cattle and even pulling small farm wagons. With its natural strength and temperament, plus its thick coat and hardiness for the local weather in cold and stormy weather - it became an ideal companion and key part of farm life.
Up until the early 20th century, the breed was not singly defined, with three variants: Paret, Moerman (or Roeselare), and Briard. In 1912 and 1913, many local kennel clubs recognized standards for Bouviers des Flandres; yet they could also have different standards for the Roeselare and other variants.
The devastation of World War I on the region nearly caused the breed to disappear altogether. It didn't help breed numbers that the dogs were sought after for military use in guard duty and other dangerous roles. One dog, Nic, a male who trained as a trench dog and served during the war - was a perennial winner at dog shows after the war. He is considered to be the prototype of the current Bouvier des Flandres breed.
In 1936, a unified Bouvier des Flandres standard was created in Europe by a joint French-Belgian committee. The war in Europe that soon followed, (World War II) saw many of the same pressures on the breed as was felt during the first great war.
The turmoil during the wars and the great pressures on farm life during the 20th century helped to keep this breed from becoming a popular working dog or recognized breed elsewhere. It was not until 1965 that the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) breed standard, as agreed to by several minor kennel clubs, was adopted.
Bouvier des Flandres Appearance:
Bouvier des Flandres Temperament:
Bouvier des Flandres Exercise Information:
Bouvier des Flandres Grooming Needs:
Bouvier des Flandres Training
Bouvier des Flandres Health Information:
Is the Bouvier des Flandres The Right Breed For You:
Bouvier des Flandres Puppies
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If you are ready to make a lifelong commitment to that perfect Bouvier des Flandres puppy, your next step is to locate the most responsible and reputable Bouvier des Flandres dog breeder you can find. We sincerely hope that our Bouvier des Flandres dog breed profile will assist you in your search for your new puppy, and help you avoid acquiring a puppy from any source other than a responsible Bouvier des Flandres breeder. |
A Responsible Bouvier des Flandres Puppy Breeder:
- Is a die-hard dog lover who breeds out of a sincere desire to perpetuate and improve upon the Bouvier des Flandres dog breed.
- Is very well educated about the breed(s) they offer and the breed's traits, both desirable and undesirable.
- Adheres to a highly selective breeding program which focuses on health, temperament and conformation.
- Breeds only healthy, conformationally correct dogs with sound temperaments that are registered with the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) or, if from another country, with that country's authorative dog breed registry.
- Treats the dogs in their breeding home as members of the family, and does not constantly confine these dogs to crates, kennels or other pens.
- Has breeding dogs carefully screened for hereditary and other canine disorders prior to breeding.
- Whelps puppies indoors and ensures that puppies are well socialized, given proper nutrition and receive plenty of love and play.
- Offers and stands behind a reasonable health guarantee.
- Has a spay or neuter requirement on all puppies placed in pet homes.
- Is committed to each Bouvier des Flandres puppy for life, and will re-home or take back a puppy if you cannot fulfill your commitment for any reason.
- Is happy to answer any questions you may have about the Bouvier des Flandres dog breed or their dogs and puppies.
- Carefully screens potential puppy buyers to ensure that Bouvier des Flandres puppies are placed only in loving, responsible forever homes.
Avoid Buying Your Bouvier des Flandres Puppy From:
- A Pet Store.
- A Newspaper Ad.
- An online classifieds site.
- The side of the road.
- A parking lot.
- A friend or neighbour, unless they are an experienced and responsible Bouvier des Flandres dog breeder.
- Any breeder with whom you do not feel 100% comfortable; you will be in contact with this person for the life of your dog or puppy.
Canada, like the US and the UK, has more than it's share of puppy mills. If you do not know what a puppy mill is, then please click here to read about this inhumane industry where dogs are treated as livestock, and puppies as merchandise. In addition to supporting an industry that thrives on the cruel mistreatment of dogs and puppies, by buying a puppy from a pet store, newspaper ad or online classifieds site is setting yourself and your family up for a heap of heartache.
Puppy mill puppies are generally more expensive than puppies from a reputable breeder, and can have numerous health, temperament and behavioural problems as a result of the conditions in which they were conceived, born and raised. Usually this results in taking on a family member with health problems that will cause ongoing additional veterinary costs, behavioural problems that may pose a hazard to your family, friends and neighbours, and, at worst, you may fall in love with a sickly puppy that will eventually need to be humanely euthanized.
The Bouvier des Flandres dog breeders that are showcased on Dogs and Puppies Canada have undergone our own screening process, in an effort to ensure that we promote only highly reputable breeders, and keep puppy mills and backyard breeders from advertising with us. These breeders share our philosophy on what is a responsible breeder, and have agreed to abide by these guidelines for conduct.
Click here to View our directory of
Responsible Canadian Bouvier des Flandres Dog Breeders
Additional Bouvier des Flandres Information Resources
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Bouvier des Flandres Dog Breeders:
