bouvier des flandres

[fuzzy]

i know this isnt exactly a hunting dog but it would be my hiking, hunting and all around family buddy. i had one as a teenager and she was a great dog but due to other family members she definetly got spoiled and was never the dog she could have been.

does anyone on here have first hand experience with any of these dogs. if so any comments positive or negative would be great. i just want to have a good overall picture of what i may be getting into.

thanks
fuzzy

[Sasquatch]

I had a bouvier years ago, she was a great dog. More than a little stubborn for sure, but she was friendly, playful and loyal as hell.
Overall wonderful companion dog.

However, like most large headstrong dogs, they need a dedicated owner. This is not a dog you want to have unruly in your home, they can create quite a ruckus.

[gmcgilli66]

Bouviers are herding dogs, they need a JOB put a pack on them every time you walk. Psychologically, they need to be "overseeing" some living thing and are terror on intruders. They need to be well socialized with lots of experiences with children, other adults, and other animals. Read about their psychology. They are not the dog for "just anyone".

[Salty]

A good friend of ours has two and lives in the city. She has had no problems with the female but the male is a force to be reconned with to say the least. She has to be very carefull with him around strangers. She got in to a bit of trouble a while back when he grabbed (bit) a guy by the balls in a park :shock:. Sounds like the guy was being a bit of a goof but still, she almost lost the dog to the authorities. Like said above these dogs require a lot of attention and a strong hand. ..

[sparkymacker]

I had to put my poor old Bouvier down recently, she was an awesome dog the time we had her. She was not socialized properly as a pup and that created some issues for us. She did not take to strangers at all and would not allow anyone other than our family to touch her. They are stubborn, but they are fiercely loyal and make great watch dogs. Even the females are 90 to 100 pounds and that can be a lot of angry dog!

[835]

I dont like the 2 that live behind me. The one actually busted down the 6' fence from barking at me and my dog. Chase doesnt bark at them but every time he goes outside he gets barked at.
Not my favorite dog.

[adriaticum]

I would strongly recommend you ignore your breed bias and define top 10 things and roles you want your dog to be
Then look for a breed that best fits your list.
If I had to choose a dog again that's what I would do.
Somehow foxton's springers keep coming on top of my list.

[fuzzy]

Wow this is a blast from the past. I have had my mutt Grizzly for 3 years now. Hes a great dog. 835 sorry to hear about your experiences. I made a point of introducing my dog to all the neighbors that border our lot and we dont seem to have such problems.

fuzzy

[835]

I have to admit it was kinda funny when the dog blew through the fence... i was talking with the neighbour at the time... blew us both away.

The neighbours are responsable with their dogs, as best they can.

[Gateholio]

It's tough being a marauding bear around my place, with our Bouvier malamute cross dogs. Pretty territorial, very headstrong. Needs lots of excercise. Love them though. :)

[russm]

Get him a high viz vest if you're bringing him with you hunting, they do tend to look kind of bearish

[fuzzy]

Gatehouse, that is one heck of an interesting mix. They must be a handfull and a different looking dog for sure. Would love to see a pic of the dogs.

Russm-yes something hi-vis is mandatory, he wears a purple harness with red bandanas when out in the woods regardless of season. It's pretty funny looking but does the trick.

Naming him grizzly probably wasn't the best idea but its fitting.

Regards
fuzzy

[Dre]

My Bouvier Blue is my most loyal hunting partner. He goes everywhere with me, packs up to 25lbs, follows in my tracks when on the trail, comes up the mountains with me or stays in camp (loose-alone) if it's too rough going (goat country). He will not chase game instantly, but watches first. If an animal takes off, he'll chase, but one word from me and he skids to a hault. Just 2 weeks ago, on a sheep hunt, he alerted us of a black bear in our camp. He was barking, but not chasing, the bear would not back down. We yelled at it too and nothing, even took a step towards us. I fired a shot in front of him and he was off, with Blue on his heels, I yelled and he stopped. My perfect hunting dog. You do have to put in a lot of time in the first year or so.
http://i43.tinypic.com/2rp7nuu.jpg

[Dre]

By the way, he's great with people, even with young kids. With dogs, its hit and miss, sometimes they are instant buddies, sometimes its a fight.

[325]

The biggest mistake guys make with the "tough guy" breeds is inadequate socialization and exposure to a variety of environments in the first 6 months of life. Many dog owners I've met got their dog without a solid plan for socialization and training. This does a disservice to both owner and dog, as an aggressive dog has no freedom.

[835]

Thats the part i dont get, Why get a "Tough guy breed?" A dog that requires socialization. If you want a guard dog fine get one, but remember its a guard dog. I know this is a bit onesided,,, but i just dont understand the desire to own a tough guy breed unless its for a reason. I own Gun dogs because i bird hunt, guys own hounds, because they hound hunt, why own a dog with the perpencity to attack with out a requirement for that? If you want a pet then get a breed that makes a good pet.

Flame away!

[Mishka]

Thats the part i dont get, Why get a "Tough guy breed?" A dog that requires socialization.


All dogs need socialization... even the tough guy chihuahua.... actually, especially the chihuahua.

[325]

Thats the part i dont get, Why get a "Tough guy breed?" A dog that requires socialization. If you want a guard dog fine get one, but remember its a guard dog. I know this is a bit onesided,,, but i just dont understand the desire to own a tough guy breed unless its for a reason. I own Gun dogs because i bird hunt, guys own hounds, because they hound hunt, why own a dog with the perpencity to attack with out a requirement for that? If you want a pet then get a breed that makes a good pet.

Flame away!

I agree for the most part. People should get a breed that suites their objectives, rather than get a dog for the image it conveys, and then try and turn it into something it's not.

I do think, however, that ALL breeds require socialization in order to maximize their ability to handle the variety of situations they will encounter throughout life.

[835]

325,

Yes you are right. But the fall out of poor socialization of a chiwawa is an ankle bitter that does not do mega damage. If it gets you you arent sent to the hospital. If most dogs dont get socialised right the fallout is not a kid getting sent to the hospital.

my lab wasnt socialised right he begs and always flips your arm up with his nose to get petted.... And he farts.
But we are getting away from the intent of this thread, and what we are talking about could get right sideways in a hurry.

[fuzzy]

I never thought of a Bouv as a "tough guy" breed...... very few people even know what he is. Any that do always smile and approach and usually have a story of there old Bouv or a friend\relatives.

835 my Bouv does the same damn thing with the nose and the farting, its one of their endearing qualities:)

Regards

Fuzzy

[Dre]

My Bouvier is 104lbs, last time at the vet and our little Shi-Tsu, who is the older one puts him in his place at will. Its very funny, all 13lbs of pure attitude. I believe a dog is what you make of it. Keep in mind, any pure-bred dog will need to fulfill that which they were bred for. For hiking, back packing you don't want a dog breed that might take of uncontrollably to chase whatever. On sketchy trails it could mean your legs get taken out and down you and your 60lb pack go. One thing Bouviers have going for them is that they are very observant and calculating before they act. My experience, anyhow.

[fuzzy]

Nice lookin Bouv! What kind of pack is he carrying?

Fuzzy

[Gateholio]

bouvier is a tough guy breed? They don't look tough, they look goofy! :)

[Gateholio]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/5203_124210840515_5879818_n.jpg

[fuzzy]

Nice looking dog! I'm a sucker for bedraggled looking breeds and mutts.
Thanks for posting a pic.

Warren

[Squamch]

Do you guys' bouvier's swim? My uncle was a dog cop, and his k9 partner couldn't swim. As in, Gassy (short for Gaston, and very fitting!) would sink to the bottom, my uncle had to go into freezing water to rescue him a number of times.

[fuzzy]

My Bouv is a reluctant swimmer, loves playing in the water but doesn't swim around for the heck of it. If myself or a family member swims out he will make his rounds to make sure everything is ok then heads back to shore and keeps a sharp lookout with water lapping at his belly.

Warren

[Rackem]

My friend had a big Bouvier that we would take riding into the bush all the time. Baron was well socialized as a pup, followed the horses properly, did not run off after animals, and listened very well. He was a dominant dog, and let other dogs know, but it never came to blood.

I don't know where the tough guy breed thing comes from, the fashions of tough guys varies, the Doberman, the Rottweiler, and now the poor Pitbull were all the vilified "tough" guy choices at different times. All come from good working stock that can be trained to be amazing dogs.

Pick a dog the suits your lifestyle and then socialize him young to it. If you want a Bouvier to swim, introduce him gently to water at 8 weeks, supported and encouraged. He will learn to swim. It's nigh impossible to do with a dog over 100lbs later on.

My friend didn't trim her Bouviers coat so he did look like a black bear at a distance...

And he was definitely protective of her and her property.

[Dre]

Nice lookin Bouv! What kind of pack is he carrying?

Fuzzy

That pack is Wenaha, made in the USA. It's been a good pack, very durable. Has been used for 3years now and looks near new. Around $80-$90 at Wholesale. Carry about 10-12lbs up,his food and mine, and if we are lucky, 20-25lbs. down. We've packed out 3 muley bucks off the mountains together.

[Dre]

Blue had a pool episode as a pup. He stepped into the deep end of a swiming pool probably thinking it was a puddle and went sraight to the bottom. I was close, so I fished him out one-handed, flailing all his limbs in mad panic. I took him in slowly a while after and he swims, but straight back to shore. If he has to, he'll do it, like across a creek, but not by choice and reluctantly.