The Bouvier des Flandres has always had a reputation for being a very good family pet, watchdog, and guard dog. In addition, it is a great dog for children to have. It enjoys being with children and is very good with children. It is both patient and loving with children, being a faithful friend and companion to them.
The Bouvier des Flandres has the perfect combination for temperament, being neither overly aggressive nor shy. The Bouvier des Flandres needs to be socialized with the children from the time they are little, which is the same for all dogs. Once this dog realizes the children are part of his family, they become friends for life. Wherever you see the children, chances are you will also see the Bouvier des Flandres close behind.
Some breeders of the Bouvier des Flandres feel that a contributing factor to their love of children is that they are slow to mature in both mind and body. They are not fully mature until somewhere in the region of 2-3 years of age. So being like a puppy for so long gives them a lot of time to play with, enjoy, and bond with the children of their family.
Whereas many dogs may be good dogs but still not trustworthy, the Bouvier has earned the reputation for being a very safe dog, fully aware of good safety and the ability to be calm at all times. Unlike other dogs that get easily frightened by children, the Bouvier has a lot of patience and tolerance and will stay by their side through almost any circumstance. Because of their interest in all areas, whether it's by the seaside, hiking in the mountains, or sports activities, the Bouvier loves being with the kids in the family. It doesn't matter whether they're laying by their side or romping around outside, they love being with the children, always watching and feeling like they are taking care of them.
A lot of the dog's closeness to children has to do with them receiving excellent training from a young age. The Bouvier des Flandres is taught that their family is the boss as well as what is expected of them as the family dog. The Bouvier des Flandres is a very intelligent dog that responds well to training once they learn you mean business. The wonderful trait the Bouvier des Flandres possesses is the ability to always remember a certain command. What you teach them early in life, they always remember. They are not a dog that needs a "refresher course" in behavior.
Many owners feel that the male Bouvier is more protective of the home and close to the entire family, whereas the female is more protective to individuals in the home. As a whole, they are both excellent protectors and companions to the children.
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