CKC Bouvier Des Flandres Breed Standard
The Bouvier des Flandres, as the name indicates originated in Flandres
- both France and Belgium, as there are no boundaries separating these
two countries.
In the beginning, the Bouvier was used to herd cattle; for draught and
butter churning. Modernization has changed farm equipment. Now the
Bouvier is used as guard for home or farm, for defense work or police
work. His great physical and moral aptitudes, his excellent nose,
initiative and intelligence make him an excellent tracker and
gamekeeper’s aid.
General Appearance - General Characteristics
Cobby, short bodied and thickset on powerful and muscular limbs; gives
the impression of power, without clumsiness as a whole. The fire in his
eyes denotes intelligence, energy and audacity. He is calm, rational and
prudently bold.
Temperament
Bouvier is even-tempered, never shy and not overly aggressive. He is
calm, rational and prudently bold, never ‘pretty’ in attitude or behavior.
With those he knows well he is outgoing and almost boisterous. Shy
dogs that back away under normal situations and overly aggressive dogs
that show aggression without reason should be severely penalized.
Size
Dogs 24-1/2 inches to 27-1/2 inches (62.2 to 69.8 cm) at the withers.
Bitches 23-1/2 inches to 26-1/2 inches (59.7 to 67.3 cm) at the withers.
Slightly larger or smaller size should not be faulted if other factors are
of good to excellent quality. However, the average size is most desirable.
Weight - approximately 77 to 100 pounds for dogs, 60 to 85 pounds for
bitches.
Coat
The coat is very full. The top coat plus the dense undercoat make a perfect
wrap adapted to abrupt climatic changes characteristic of the
breed’s country of origin. It must be rough to the touch, harsh and dry
neither too long nor too short (about 2-1/2 inches/6.3 cm), slightly tousled
without ever being woolly or curly.
On the head the coat is shorter
and almost shaven on the outside of the ear, but the inside is protected
by fairly long hair. On the top of the back, the coat is harsh and dry; it
becomes shorter on the lower legs, while still harsh. A flat coat is to be
avoided since it indicates a lack of undercoat. Soft, woolly, silky, or too
long or too short a coat are considered faults. Undercoat - wadding
made of fine and coarse hairs grows under the overcoat and forms with
it a waterproof mantle. Lack of undercoat is a fault.
Colours
The coat of the Bouvier des Flandres is fawn or grey often brindle or
dark grey, or black. Light-coloured coats (white, cream) and washed-out
colours or chocolate brown with white spots are not desirable. A white
star on the chest is allowed.
Head
Massive, appearing more so because of his beard and mustache, it is
well proportioned to his body and size. To feel, it is finely chiseled. Skull
well developed and flat, longer than its width. The top lines of the skull
and muzzle are parallel. The proportions of the skull to the muzzle are
3 to 2. Stop is barely perceptible, more apparent than real because of
the raised eyebrows. Muzzle wide, powerful, bony, straight in upper
profile, diminishing toward the nose but never pointed. The muzzle is
shorter than the skull - in proportion of 2 to 3 and the circumference
just below the eyes is about equal to the length of the head. Cheeks flat
and dry. Nose - This is the continuation of the muzzle, it is slightly
convex at its extremity - must be well opened nostrils. Spotted, pink,
brown or butterfly are faults. Mouth - Jaws should be powerful and of
equal length; teeth strong, white and healthy. The upper incisors must
meet the lower ones like the blades of scissors. Overshot or undershot
are faults. Mustache and Beard - Fully dry, shorter and harsher on top
of muzzle. The upper lip has a mustache and the chin has a full, harsh
beard which gives the gruff expression so characteristic of the breed.
Eyes - Bold and energetic, neither prominent nor sunken. In shape
slightly oval on a horizontal plane. The colour should be as dark as
possible in keeping with the colour of the coat. Light in colour or
haggard in expression should be severely faulted. Eyelids - Black
without a trace of deficient pigmentation. No haw should be visible.
Eyebrows - These are made of upstanding hair which accentuate the
arch of the eyebrows without ever hiding the eyes. Ears - Cropped in a
triangle, they are carried well up; attached high and very mobile. It is
recommended that the size and shape should match the size of the
head. Uncropped ears are allowed
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Forearms Seen from the profile or front they remain straight, parallel to each other, perpendicular to the ground. They should be well muscled and of powerful bony structure. Elbows - Close to the body and parallel. Elbows out or too close are faults. In action they must remain parallel to median line of the body. Carpus - (Knee) in plumb with forearms, except for accessory carpus at back. Strong and heavy bone. Pastern -(Metacarpal) of strong bony structure, very slightly inclined forwards. Feet - Short, round and compact. The toes should be close and well arched. Nails - strong and black. Thick and hard soles. |
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Body or Trunk
Powerful, cobby and short. The length of the
point of the shoulder to
ischium should be about equal to the height
at the withers. The ischium
is the rear point of the rump. The chest
should reach to level of elbows
and never be cylindrical, though the ribs
are well sprung. The depth, i.e.,
the distance between the sternum and the
last rib must be great - about
7/10th of the height at the wither. The
first ribs are slightly curved; the
others are well sprung and well inclined to
the rear giving the desired
depth of the chest. Flat, too long or overly
rounded and short ribs must
be greatly penalized. Flank - The flank
between the last rib and the
haunch must be very short, especially in
males. There is very little tuckup.
Back - Short, wide, muscled and firm -
showing no weakness but
remaining flexible. Long body or sway-back
are faults. Loin - Short,
wide and well muscled - must remain flexible
but without weakness.
Croup or Rump - Must follow as closely as
possible the horizontal line
of the back and follow (merge) smoothly into
the curve of the rump. It
should be wide without excess in the male,
more developed (wider) in
the female. A descending (steeply tilted)
croup is a serious fault.
Hindquarters Thighs - Wide and well muscled. The
direction will be parallel to themedian plane of the body. The femurs will be neither too straight nor too inclined. The buttock will be well let down with good, firm breeches. The kneecap or patella, is situated on an imaginary line from the iliac crest to the ground. Legs - Moderately long, neither too straight nor too inclined. Powerful and pronounced musculation is demanded. Rear legs must move in the same plane as front legs. No dewclaws. Hocks - Rather close to the ground, broad, well muscled and stretched. Seen from back they will be straight and parallel in the “stand” position. In action they remain parallel. Feet - Round, strong toes; close and arched. Strong, black nails and thick, hard soles. |
Tail
To be docked to 2nd or 3rd vertebrae. The
tail should be an extension
of the spine and carried high during
movement. Some Bouviers are
born with short tails and should not be
faulted for this.
Gait
The Bouvier des Flandres as a whole must be
harmoniously
proportioned to permit a gait free, proud
and bold. The walk and trot
are habitual gaits, though hambling and
pacing are also employed. A
Bouvier will single track at a trot.
Note
A male animal should have two apparently
normal testicles fully
descended into the scrotum.
The foregoing description is that of the
ideal Bouvier des Flandres. Any
deviation from the above-described dog must
be penalized to the extent of
the deviation, keeping in mind the original
purpose of the breed.