Bouvier des Flandres

The Bouvier des Flandres was the all-purpose dog of farms in Flanders, between Belgium and northern France: driving cattle, guarding the farm and pulling carts.

Decimated during the First World War, it was revived from a few surviving dogs.

Calm, steady and brave, the Bouvier is a natural guardian, attached to its family and patient with children. It is reserved with strangers.

Intelligent, it learns well but needs consistent training from an early age.

Hip and elbow dysplasia, some eye conditions and hypothyroidism should be monitored.

Choose a breeder who screens their breeding dogs.

Large-breed food in two meals suits it. Its thick coat hides its weight.

Avoid exercise straight after meals.

It needs about an hour of daily activity, with walks and obedience or tracking exercises.

It enjoys having a job to do.

It needs a house with a garden rather than an apartment.

Its rough, thick coat needs thorough weekly brushing and regular trimming or stripping at the groomer. It sheds little.

Clean its beard regularly.