HISTORY
The word ‘Bouvier’, translated from the French, means a cowherd or oxherd, which gives a good indication of the breed’s original use. The "Bouvier Des Flandres" was first found in the south western parts of Flandres (Belgium) and northern France, where it was being used as a cattle driver by the farmers and butchers. A versatile dog, the Bouvier was also utilised as a cart-puller and was often to be found drawing small carts of milk and other dairy produce.
It is virtually impossible to pinpoint the breed’s exact origins. Obviously valued for its working abilities, it probably evolved from the hardiest and best local types of farm and country dogs, individual animals selected entirely for their working ability and character.
With some uniformity of type evolving, the breed appeared on the show bench for the first time at the international show of 1910, but the breed standard was not formulated until 1912. World War 1, when Flandres, the home of the Bouvier was devastated, it also devastated the breed. However, some dogs survived and the breed was officially established with the formation of a club in 1922 and a revised standard, (which is based on the breed standard of the Belgium Draught Horse) was adopted internationally.
During World War I and also world War II, the Bouvier excelled as a service dog and today in Europe is highly prized as a police and army dog. Now used by these forces for tracking work the Bouvier is even used as a guide dog for the blind. Primarily a working dog, the Bouvier is easily trained, intelligent and naturally obedient. Although endowed with a strong territorial and protective instinct the breed is not mean in character, but is responsive and obedient to its master and family.
As far as records show, the breed was first introduced to Australia in 1974.
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