What Does a Bouvier
Look Like?
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What Does a Bouvier |
Haphazard breeding in the early days in Europe resulted in two types of Bouviers... a smaller Bouvier des Flandres (initial Belgian bloodlines) from the Lys valley and a larger Bouvier de Roulers (initial Dutch bloodlines). Interbreeding of the two types eventually developed the modern Bouvier with both refined functional movement and significant strength/bone.
In 1961 a Franco/Belgian Standard was established that was acceptable to both fanciers. This is the step-off point for the current standards of Holland, Belgium, Canada, and the American Kennel Club. Although breed standards differ slightly from country to country, the Bouvier is a powerfully built dog, rugged in appearance, with a rough double coat which protects him from the elements.
Overall, the Bouvier is a cobby short-backed
dog, approximating a square at the shoulders to the body length, well balanced
for movement with a strong set of shoulders and legs, a large head, and
a broad chest. They are a significant dog, males being 24.5" to 27.5"
at the shoulders, females being 23.5" to 26.5" at the shoulders,
and the weight being from 55-60 lbs on the lower end of females to 100+
lbs on the upper range of the males. Acceptable colors range from Black
to a medium grey to a light salt and pepper (light brindle or silver). Fawn
colors are acceptable in the United States and Canada, but were a disqualification
in Europe. White or albino colors (i.e. any "washed out" color),
along with brown, are not acceptable in any standard (small amounts of brown
or orange in the brindle are not uncommon in puppies and younger dogs, most
will outgrow this). Eyes are slightly oval with a darker brown color, and
are always with an alert, intelligent expression. Puppies are born with
a long somewhat skinny tail and floppy ears. The tails are normally docked
at about 3 days of age, while the ears are surgically cropped under anesthesia
at about 6 weeks of age. Most breeders crop ears to give the Bouvier its
characteristic alert, on-guard appearance, but the truth is that it virtually
eliminates the chance of the usual ear infections that can associated with
floppy ears (poor hygiene). In most all cases, the dew claws are also removed
from the front paws, also for hygienic reasons. Some standards have recently
been changing around the world with respect to ears and tails, and you will
begin to see champion Bouviers with uncropped ears and undocked tails. To
know the dogs well, you should understand the American Kennel Club Standard.