History & Uses
The question of the origin of the Bouvier des Flanders is almost impossible to establish. In years gone by the herdsman who worked with these dogs had various names before finally deciding on the name of “Bouvier des Flandres”. During the First & 2nd World War, the herdsman and the Bouvier des Flandres dog was very active, transporting messages, like a “liaison officers” between the soldiers blocked in the trenches or in the search for casualties. After the war, one finds this well known working dog on both sides of the Atlantic, in Europe and North America. 
France and Belgium founded a common standard of these working dogs in 1937.
The Bouvier des Flandres that we now know today, is a dog for general-purpose work.
With their sturdy build, bouvier were used to pull milk carts around the farm and to market.
The bouvier was a leader , guardian and herd dog of cattle and sheep.
They were the devoted herdsman's guardian, protecting his family and flock. This character is the reason they are used by security and customs officers.
Bouvier's have a highly developed sense of smell, making them offen used to seek out lost people and criminals.
The most important fact of the Bouvier des Flandres is its willingness and its aptitude for being a working guard dog.
About the Breed
At Eco ferme we use the Bouvier des Flander in much the same way as the herdsman, here the dog works along with us to help bring in the cows and sheep. Its also very useful to get those goats back, that have managed to get out the fence. To us they not just for work but are a beloved member of the family. Bouvier des flandres are extremely sensitive to all activities outside and around the house being very watchful for strangers. 
The other advantage is that the bouvier des flandres does not molt like other dogs, making house maintenance simple without the need to clean the hair out the carpets every other day.
The herdsman of the past use to shear them, when shearing the sheep flock. Like the herdsman we shear them in late spring and use the hair mixed with mohair for spinning into very warm hats.
