The brave, loyal, true love of a Bouvier des Flandres is an experience you can only encounter, upon ownership.
Discovered in the 16th century in the locales of the Flanders area in Belgium and in the French Regions, their strength,
temperament and thick coat enabled them to withstand weather conditions suitable for sheep herding, cattle
droving and pulling cargo carts. While the exact origin of the Bouvier is unknown, we do know that the French name
of the breed means, literally, "Herder of Flanders".
During World War I, the Bouvier was used by the army to carry messages and find wounded soldiers.
Over the course of history, the breed faced extinction, first during the war until they were rescued by Flemish
breeders in the 1920's, and secondly, endangered during World War II.
In the 1930's, the Bouviers were imported to the U.S where they were used as guide, guard, tracking and family companions.
In 1936, a unified Bouvier des Flandres standard was created by a French-Belgium committee. It was not until 1965 that
World Canine Organization (Federation Cynologique Internationale), in association with several minor kennel clubs, adopted a breed standard.
The Bouvier is a member of the Herding Group, and at all times are ever vigilant and watchful of their family, their "flock".
Their unique blend of characteristics, along with, sophisticated traits, complex control, intelligence and accountability,
make them the ideal breed for activities in agility, carting, tracking and also used as therapy dogs.