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The Bouvier des Flandres- originally a working dog
The roots of this race go back to Flanders, an area that covered the Flamish parts of Belgium and France.As a matter of course this usual commitment to work for generations turned the Bouvier into an independant and strong-minded character. His natural drive was used as herding dog to “drive” cattle, pull boats along Flamish canals, for carting replacing the poor farmer’s horse, taking milk products to the market or as common farm dog watching grange and yard. The bouvier’s appearance today has departed in quite a way – so it seems. Not that his origin is denied, but his qualifications for all these jobs are widely ignored: At least in Germany abouvieris officially denied to be a working dog (“Gebrauchshund”) in carting, herding etc., but only approved in theIPO/”Schutzhund” (VPG) discipline…SAD to say……because the Bouvier des Flandres still holds these skills nowadays, they just have to be accessed!A real shame to reduce his heritage to either “Schutzhund” or “Show Dog” !With both our female bouvs “Samildanach’sBryana” and “AminaBryana von der AngerAue” we have been working successfully after basic education as companion dogs in Obedience, waterwork/rescue, carting, herding and recentlyMantrailing.
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Obedience is based on the companion dog test (BH) –expanded by individual identification/distance control etc.- and emphasizes exact performance and immediate joyful and fats actions of a harmonic dog/handler team, while character and social behavior towards other dogs/people are tested as well. In case you should practice other sports as well –like we do- ou shouldn’t work it up to highest stages. In herding for example it is even contra-productive if the dog has only “eyes” for “master”, quite the contrary, he has to keep eye contact with stock only!
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Waterwork - Water Rescue: two completely different fields, the basics are common however. Gliding down a huge fun slide in an outdoor pool is helpful to gain body control, handle slippery underground and is even FUN, important for working dogs just as well!
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Carting we practice just for fun as a good equalizer in wintertime: either handcart or sulky which even applies the possibility of backward moves.A great challenge for any strong big dog.
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In Herding our brood girl Amy is in her element- and all this without any treats! Here you can experience the primal instinct of the Bouvier des Flandres. Willingness for recall and basic commands should certainly be trained before.
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Not to forget the dog’s most important sense: nosework is the favourite, species-appropriate kind of occupation. We’ve recently dedicated all our forces to “MANTRAILING”, not only for the dogs’ fun, we fancy it just the same! Being experienced it’s not only an interesting activity, but can lead to useful trails in real operations.
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Bouvier des Flandres 
