1989 CANADIAN BOUVIER DES FLANDRES STANDARD
Origin and Purpose:
The Bouvier des Flanders, as the name indicates, originated in Flanders, 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 a 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:
A 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 in. to 27-1/2 in. at the withers. Bitches 23-1/2 in. to 26-1/2 in. 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 lb. for dogs; 60 to 85 lb. for bitches.
Head:
Massive, appearing more so because of his beard and moustache, it is well proportioned to
his body and size. To feel, it is finely chiseled.
a. Skull:
Well developed and flat, longer than its width. The top lines of the skull and muzzle
are parallel. The proportion of the skull to the muzzle are three to two. Stop: Barely
perceptible, more apparent than real because of the raised eyebrows.
b. 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 two to three and the
circumference just below the eyes is equal to the length of the head.
c. Cheeks:
Flat and dry.
d. 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.
e. 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.
f. 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.
g. 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.
h. Eyelids:
Black without a trace of deficient pigmentation. No haw should be visible.
i. Eyebrows:
These are made of upstanding hair which accentuates the arch of the eyebrows without ever
hiding the eyes.
j. 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.
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.
a. Elbows:
Close to the body and parallel. Elbows out or too close are faults. In action, they remain
parallel to the median line of the body.
b. Carpus: (Knee)
In plumb with forearms except for accessory carpus at back. Strong and heavy bone.
c. Pastern: (Metacarpal)
Of strong bony structure, very slightly inclined forwards.
d. Feet:
Short, round and compact. The toes should be close and well arched. Nails strong and black.
Thick and hard soles.
Body and Trunk:
Powerful, cobby and short. The length of the point of the shoulder to ischium should be
equal to the height at the withers. The ischium is the rear point of the rump. The chest should
reach to the level of the 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 7/10ths
of the height at the withers. The first ribs are slightly curved; the others are well sprung and
inclined to the rear giving the desired depth of the chest. Flat, too long or overly-rounded and
short ribs must be greatly penalized.
a. Flank:
The flank between the last rib and the haunch must be very short, especially in males. There
is very little tuck-up.
b. Back:
Short, wide and well muscled and firm, showing no weakness but remaining flexible. Long
body or sway-back are faults.
c. Loin:
Short, wide, and well muscled. Must remain flexible but without weakness.
d. 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.
Coat:
The coat is very full. The top coat plus the dense undercoat makes 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 or too short (about 2 1/2 in.), 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:
A 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 Flanders is fawn or grey, and often brindle or dark grey or
black. Light-coloured coats (white, cream) and washed-out colours or chocolate brown coats
with white spots are not desirable. A white star on the chest is allowed.
Hindquarters:
a. Thighs:
Wide and well-muscled. The direction will be parallel to the median 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.
b. 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 dew claws.
c. Hocks:
Rather close to the ground, broad, well-muscled and stretched. Seen from the back, they will
be straight and parallel in the "stand" position. In action, they remain parallel.
d. Feet:
Round, strong toes; close and arched. Strong, black nails and thick, hard soles.
Tail:
To be docked to second or third 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 Flanders, as a whole, must be harmoniously proportioned to permit a gait
free, proud and bold. The walk and trot are habitual gaits though ambling 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 Flanders. 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.
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