Life Span:	10-12 years
Litter Size:	6-10 puppies per litter with 8 the average
Group:	Herding, AKC Herding
Recognized By:	CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR
Color:	Black through to salt and pepper as well as fawn, gray and brindle are all acceptable. A small white patch on the chest is acceptable. Any parti-colored, chocolate or white coloration is considered a fault in the show ring.
Hair Length:	Medium
Size:	Large, Extra Large
Shedding:	Moderate Shed
Male Height:	23-28 inches (58-71 cm)
Male Weight:	75-90 pounds (34-41 kg)
Female Height:	22-27 inches (56-69 cm)
Female Weight:	60-80 pounds (27-36 kg)
Living Area:	The Bouvier des Flanders can live in an apartment provided they have adequate exercise. They do best in a larger space with a yard as they enjoy being outdoors.

About this Breed

The Bouvier des Flanders is a very large and powerful dog that has a wonderful, gentle personality and a natural enthusiasm for everything that it does. They are athletic and strong yet capable of adapting to smaller living spaces provided they have regular outdoor exercise. Originally used as a cattle dog the Bouvier des Flanders is muscular and capable of running and endurance activities as well as herding and obedience type work. The head of the Bouvier des Flanders, like many breeds, makes it a truly distinctive breed. There is a heavy beard, moustache and thick and long eyebrows that somewhat obscure the features of the head, although that in itself makes the breed easy to identify. The head is covered with long and shaggy hair and the eyes beneath the heavy eyebrows are alert, very dark, intelligent and lively. The muzzle is long and tapered with a large, well developed black nose that is very obvious. The lips are tight to the teeth and are not pendulous or loose. The ears are either cropped to stand very upright or are left natural and fold over. The head is massive and very large on the breed. The neck and body of the Bouvier des Flanders is powerful and muscular and covered by a very dry to the touch, double steel-wool type coat that can protect the dog when traveling through brush or wooded areas. The coat is wavy and kinky, not smooth, silken or sleek in appearance. Overall the height of the dog at the shoulders should be equal to the dog's total body length, making them appear square in shape. The top line should be flat and level and the tail is either docked or left natural. If docked it is very short. The neck of the Bouvier des Flanders is noticeable arched or crested and should be moderately long, wider at the base than at the throat. The neck is situated well up into the shoulders giving the head and neck a proud and alert carriage, not horizontal. The shoulders are strong and well developed, sloping into a deep, wide chest and well sprung rib cage. The elbows of the front legs should be close to the body and the legs should be straight when viewed from either the front or the sides. The hindquarters are well developed and muscular and should parallel the front legs when the dog is viewed from the rear. The legs should have a moderate bend but should not be overly crouched in appearance or completely straight. The dog should move with a level and balanced stride and the hindquarters should remain very level. The overall stride will be long with a good thrust or pushing off by the hindquarters.