In our following and detailed breed portrait we introduce you to a possibly rather unknown dog: Den Bouvier des Ardennesa herding and cattle dog.
This extraordinary dog comes from Belgium.
You will now find out what makes him so special and what you should look out for in this breed.
Bouvier des Ardennes wanted poster
Size male: 56 to 62 cm, female: 52 to 56 cmWeightmale: 28 to 35 kg, female: 22 to 28 kgColorsbeige with dark mask, dark brindle,
White is not allowed!Life expectancy12 to 15 yearsOriginBelgiumcharacter/temperamentcurious, playful, energetic, active, adaptable, sociable, agile, persistentFCI groupGroup 1: herding dogs and cattle dogs (except Swiss Mountain Dogs), Section 2: cattle dogs (except Swiss Mountain Dogs)
Look
If you read through the breed standard, the verdict on the appearance of the Bouvier des Ardennes is not really nice.
So he is described as a dog, which lacks any «optical elegance».. Fortunately, as is well known, taste can be argued with.
And so it’s up to you whether you want to enjoy the Bouvier des Ardennes with his stocky yet lean and muscular body also see it that way.
In addition to the color of the fur, the head is striking. He is quite bulky and tall compared to the rest of his body. He is completed by triangular prick ears.
Will the Tail not dockedit hangs down in a slight curve and tapers to a point.
Coat, coat texture & coat colors
The Bouvier des Ardennes has short, rough and dense fur. To the runs can it a little longer and fuzzier stand out. Added one year-round dense undercoat.
As far as the colors are concerned, there are no restrictions, except for the following: The Bouvier des Ardennes is allowed no white fur according to the breed standard have. If this is the case, it is not a question of a “genuine pedigree”.
Indeed, the coat is usually Beige with dark markings, including on the snout. Also the fur can dark brindle be.
This in turn contributes to the slightly shaggy and not very elegant appearance of this breed.
eye colors
The eyes of the Bouvier des Ardennes are always in one dark tone held.
Height Weight
The Bouvier des Ardennes becomes one of the medium-sized dog breeds counted.
males reach a shoulder height that between 56 and 62 centimeters lies. The weight is between 28 and 35 kilograms.
female weigh this breed between 22 and 28 kilogramsand at a shoulder height of 52 to 56 centimeters.
History & origin of the Bouvier des Ardennes
The Bouvier des Ardennes originally comes from our neighboring country Belgium. There it was bred primarily for driving cattle. Hence its name «Beef Dog».
Due to its origin in the Ardennes, the dog is very robust, because here it had to deal with all weather conditions.
To targeted breeding in the early 20th century the Bouvier des Ardennes was considered one stockier and also more biting variant of the shepherd dog.
Over time, the breed almost fell into oblivion. The Bouvier des Ardennes has only been increasingly bred again for a good 40 years, which has also had an impact on its international reputation.
The FCI recognized the Bouvier des Ardennes in 1955 officially as a separate breed.
Essence & character of the Bouvier des Ardennes
The Bouvier des Ardennes is an extreme active, persistent and nimble dog with a high energy level.
He is curious and can be playful.
Be adaptable being and mostly balanced temperament make him a perfect companion in almost all situations – as long as the upbringing is carried out successfully and consistently.
attitude & upbringing
Size, nature, character, temperament – all these factors have an influence on attitude and upbringing of the Bouvier des Ardennes.
attitude
Medium-sized dogs already bring one requirement with them, so to speak: a need for sufficient space.
As a (former) cattle dog, the Bouvier des Ardennes is also used to spending a lot of time outdoors. Only here he can fully develop and live a happy life.
In order to be really busy, the dog needs in addition to the physical, there is also an intellectual demand.
Upbringing
The training of the Bouvier des Ardennes naturally requires one thing above all: consequence. This dog also needs clear announcements and commands that are understandable to him.
The driving force also means that a Species-appropriate utilization is a must for the dog is. Learning appropriate dog activities should therefore also be part of the training of the Bouvier des Ardennes.
Once the education is complete, you can look forward to a life with a very sociable four-legged friend be happy.
Good to know
Because the Bouvier des Ardennes is very adaptable, it can usually be left alone without any problems.
Nevertheless, appropriate training should already be carried out with the puppy so that unwanted incidents do not occur in your absence.
Health & Care
Its ever important to get an idea of the health of a fur nose – before she moves in with you. This is not meant in a bad way – on the contrary, this information also serves to protect you to a certain extent.
Whether it diseases and health problems at the Bouvier des Ardennes and what you at the Care should pay attention to, let’s take a closer look.
Grooming & General Grooming
The Bouvier des Ardennes has the undercoat that many dog owners fear. Nevertheless, the Coat care – with the exception of the change of coat times – little effort.
It is sufficient to remove dirt, dirt and loose hair from the coat once a week with a special brush.
Furthermore, the care naturally includes the regular check of eyes, ears, paws and mouth. In this way, you can detect possible inflammation in good time or even avoid it.
Health
Herding and cattle dogs have a great advantage when it comes to their health. They are considered very robust and are not susceptible to diseases typical of the breed.
This also applies to the Bouvier des Ardennes. However, he also has some predispositions to illnesses.
The joints and eyes in particular can – but do not have to – have to struggle with diseases. These include above all Hip dysplasia/HD and the Elbow Dysplasia/ED.
The Bouvier des Ardennes should also be routinely examined by the vet once a year. Here you can also take care of the necessary booster vaccinations take care of as well as deworming and the parasite prophylaxis.
Our tip
A Bouvier des Ardennes puppies You should definitely buy from a reputable breeder. The Costswhich you should plan here, are included €1,000 and more.
Life expectancy
The Life expectancy of the Bouvier des Ardennes between 12 and 15 years. In order for it to reach this age, it needs, among other things, a species-appropriate diet, exercise and occupation.
Is the Bouvier des Ardennes right for me?
The Bouvier des Ardennes is the perfect dog for everyone who likes to do sports and is active and of course like to deal with a dog.
He is considered easy-going dog and can like that also be suitable for dog beginnerswho dare to raise this fur nose. He is also happy when he family dog becomes part of a community.
Fun facts about the Bouvier des Ardennes
The first more or less official Bouvier des Ardennes was named Tom. This dog was considered the «ideal type» of the breed.
The Bouvier des Ardennes carries a distinctive and breed-typical goatee.
Of course you don’t look at him, but the Bouvier des Ardennes has a very heavy bone structure for a dog.
Despite increasing awareness, the breed is still one of the rare dog breeds.
Can you think of more interesting facts and stories? Do you already live with a Bouvier des Ardennes? Then let us know in the comments! 😊