Is the Bouvier des Flandres Hypoallergenic?
You bet he is! With his low-shedding double coat — the Bouvier des Flandres is the perfect pooch to keep the sniffles and sneezes at bay!
The Hypoallergenic Bouvier des Flandres
With its overtly fluffy, medium length, and some would say shaggy coat — you’d expect that the Bouvier des Flandres shedding levels would be off the scale.
But, you’d be wrong!
This pooch holds onto its fur as passionately as Warren Buffet guards his immense piles of cash.
That’s not to say he doesn’t shed at all. Naturally, this affectionate yet strong-willed dog has to drop hair — it needs to be replaced to allow for new growth. But what makes this pooch wonderfully hypoallergenic is that any fur it discards remains in its coat.
Here’s the secret.
The Bouvier des Flandres has a wavy topcoat, with a thick and dense undercoat beneath. These act almost as filters — holding onto the fur and preventing it from being deposited on your furniture, clothing, and carpets.
This does mean, however, that you will need to groom your doggie at least twice weekly, to remove this trapped hair. But — with the major shedding seasons being spring and fall — the rest of the year you won’t be brushing out masses of fur.
And there’s more.
The double coat of the Bouvier des Flandres also imprisons dander — the dead skin cells that can promote icky reactions in allergy-prone pet parents.
Listen up.
The proteins in doggie saliva are known by science boffins to induce intolerance symptoms. So, the next question is, do Bouvier des Flandres drool?
Luckily no! These pooches have a seriously low propensity to slobber or drool. Just bear in mind that their characteristic beards can retain some fur baby spit. Nevertheless, combing and washing it through once a week can prevent any allergy-causing buildup.
Are Bouvier des Flandres Hypoallergenic Dogs? Contents
About the Bouvier des Flandres
Characteristics of the Bouvier des Flandres
Bouvier des Flandres Temperament
Bouvier des Flandres Training and Exercise
Bouvier des Flandres Health Issues
Conclusion
Bouvier des Flandres FAQs
Bouvier des Flandres Fact Summary
About the Bouvier des Flandres
The Bouvier des Flandres means the cowherder of Flanders and originally hails from the lowlands of Belgium in the 19th century. Among other names, it’s also known as a vuilbaard (dirty beard), a koehond (cow dog), and the toucher de boeuf (cattle driver)
So, as you’ve probably guessed, this pooch was originally bred as a herding dog (the category also assigned to it by the AKC). That said, on the farms of Belgium, this pooch was also employed as a hunter, guard dog, and cart puller.
The only thing it couldn’t do was drive a tractor.
By the 20th century, Bouviers fanciers in Belgium formed a club, which soon attracted the attention of international dog lovers.
In 1931, this pooch finally made its way onto the register of the AKC.
Characteristics of the Bouvier des Flandres
The Bouvier des Flandres size ranges from around 23.5 inches through to 27.5 inches and weighs between 70 and 110 pounds.
This is a beefy dog!
With a barrel chest and robust and burly appearance, you can understand why the cows decided to follow its herding encouragement. The Bouvier des Flandres possesses heavy bones, supported by some incredibly powerful muscles — hence its ability to pull carts.
Its tousled fur is water repellent — making it an ideal fur baby for those pet parents who love being in the great outdoors. And, to be honest, if you’re not willing to spend a substantial amount of nature time with your Bouvier — it’s not the pooch for you.
The Bouvier des Flandres colors include:
- Fawn
- Black
- Salt and pepper
- Gray
- Brindle
- Chocolate brown (penalized by the AKC)
- White (penalized by the AKC)
- Mixed color (penalized by the AKC)
Their faces are proud, yet with their characteristic beard and mustache, they have an air of mischief. Character-wise, they’re fearless, adaptable, willing to please, and have a massive heart — both for work and for affection. These strong-willed dogs do best with owners who can devote ample time and space to a top-of-the-line working dog.
Bouvier des Flandres Temperament
While a robust doggie, these pooches are soft-hearted. The Bouviers des Flandres is highly affectionate, friendly, and loyal.
Although you should never train your pooch harshly — it is important to establish that it’s not the boss — otherwise it will take over your home and family!
However, taking steps such as feeding your doggies after you have eaten — and ensuring you pass through doorways before your Bouvier — are two simple ways to show them who is in charge.
But, are Bouvier des Flandres good family dogs?
With kids, they’re kind and gentle, and they often create stronger bonds with youngsters than they do with older humans. This could be because they appreciate that smaller family friendly members also have a playful nature and will happily engage in a little rough and tumble with them.
Furthermore, they can make excellent babysitters — with numerous reports of Bouviers seeing-off unsavory types who appear threatening to their two-legged siblings.
Bouvier des Flandres Training and Exercise
Bouvier des Flandres dogs are highly intelligent — making them easily responsive to training — and remarkably fast learners.
In fact, training is essential.
These pooches are complete workaholics — they need a job to do, in order to both remain healthy and prevent them from tedium.
Ideally, they should have pet parents that are willing to use them for their original purpose of herding. But, since it’s unlikely you’re a farmer, you will need to replace this employment with another activity.
Similar Dog Breeds To Bouvier des Flandres
They make wonderful guard dogs, excel at search and rescue, love obedience competitions, and will be contest winners in agility and flyball.
The Bouviers des Flandres’ love of exercise means that they’re not suited to small home or apartment living. They need an outdoor area in which to romp and run riot.
Walk-wise, they require at least two 45-minute walks per day — ideally at a fast and intense pace. Hence, they make unsurpassable cycling and running companions.
Bouvier des Flandres Health Issues
Compared to many other breeds, the Bouvier des Flandres is a generally healthy pooch.
The most responsible of breeders will typically check their pups for issues, such as:
Bear in mind that, as with all substantially sized and deep-chested pooches, the Bouvier des Flandres may develop issues with bloat and gastric dilatation-volvulus. If you’re considering owning one of these beautiful doggies, I highly recommend that you learn how to identify these two serious — and sometimes life-threatening — conditions.
Conclusion
The Bouviers des Flandres, with its low-shedding nature and double coat, is a wonderfully hypoallergenic dog.
Loyal, loving, and amazing with children, he’s an ideal family member.
Just remember, this doggie needs exercise and a mission in life — whether that’s herding your cows or being a running partner!
Bouvier des Flandres FAQs
Are Bouvier Dogs Aggressive?
No. While protective of you and your family, the Bouvier des Flandres aren’t aggressive.
Allow them to socialize with other canines when they’re youngsters, to ensure they learn to tolerate other dogs.
How Much Does a Bouvier Des Flandres Cost?
A Bouvier will cost around $1200. However, a superior pedigree or impressive lineage can mean that the price exceeds $6000.
Do Bouviers Swim?
Yes. They love all forms of exercise, including swimming.
Always ensure you never allow your Bouviers des Flandres to go in the water unsupervised though — and clean and dry their ears afterward, to help prevent infection.
Are Bouviers Smart?
Yes. Bouviers are incredibly intelligent and fast learners. They respond well to agility and obedience training, and will be more than happy as a working dog.
What Kind of Dog Is a Bouvier?
A Bouvier des Flandres is a medium-to-large herding dog, originally hailing from Belgium.
Do Bouvier des Flandres Shed?
The Bouvier has a very low shedding count. Any hair that is lost is typically retained by its dense double coat — making these pooches particularly attractive to allergy sufferers.
Bouvier des Flandres Fact Summary
| Breed | Bouvier des Flandres |
| Other Names? | Bouvier, Toucheur de Boeuf (cattle driver), Vlaamse Koehond (Flemish cow dog), and Vuilbaard (dirty beard). |
| Height | Male: 24.5-27.5 inches (62-70 cm) Female: 23.5-26.5 inches (60–67 cm) |
| Weight | 70-110 pounds (31.75-50 kg) |
| Lifespan | 10 to 12 years |
| Temperament | Affectionate, strong-willed, loyal, hard-working, protective, eager to please. |
| Colors | Fawn, black, salt and pepper, gray, brindle, chocolate brown, white, and mixed color |
| Coat | A tousled and shaggy top coat with a dense undercoat. |
| How much grooming? | Brushing is essential at least twice a week, to remove any loose hair and prevent matting. They require a bath and a trim every six to eight weeks. |
| How much shedding | Low |
| Dander levels | Low |
| Saliva – Do they Drool or Lick much? | Low – not a breed prone to slobber or drool |
| Energy levels | High energy |
| How much exercise do they need? | Extensive – needs at least two long and rapid walks per day. |
| Health problems | Generally healthy — but watch out for bloat and gastric dilatation-volvulus |
| Good for an apartment? | No. Requires an outdoor play area. |
| Suitable for kids? | Excellent. They love the playful nature of children and often bond better with them than adults. |
| How much do they bark? | Occasional – especially when excited. |
| Can they be left alone? | Moderate – does not like being left alone for long periods |
| Intelligent? | Highly. |
| Trainable? | Easy – willing to learn and takes on new information rapidly. |
| How popular as a pet? | Somewhat popular – ranked 84th by the AKC. Additionally, due to the Bouvier des Flandres hypoallergenic nature — it’s popular with allergy sufferers. |
