Thanks for the welcome!
Tell you a little about bouvs, eh? OK, but you asked for these ramblings!!!
Their background is as a farm dog in Belgium, and they were used for herding, carting, droving and protection. They are still used for police work there, I've been told.
They are NOT a dog for a casual dog person. They are too much work for most people.
They are strong willed, yet get their feelings hurt easily if their person is harsh with them, so to train them you have to be firm but fair. I've heard a trainer say that bouviers are really "into" their owners. They won't work for someone that they don't care about. You've seen classes where the instructor will demonstrate something new with a dog from the class? Well, they won't choose a bouv to demonstrate with - it will probably refuse to even acknowledge the person holding the leash!
They are too smart for some people and will quickly dominate if they think the Alpha job is available.
They are sensitive, loving, protective of their family and usually bond with one person although they will be affectionate with the whole family. My Jackie is my shadow, and will sometimes look to me for "permission" to do what my husband has told her to do!
They are usually aloof with strangers, some to the point of being seen as unfriendly, and can be trained for protection work. They are much more serious dogs than others (as adults, that is. Pups are just as loony as any other breed!). I'd say that goldens, for instance, are light hearted and friendly dogs. Bouvs are not at all like that.
They are high maintenance dogs, physically, mentally and emotionally. They MUST be brushed/combed out at a minimum weekly, they need a haircut about every 6-8 weeks. Their beard traps everything they eat or drink, and most of whatever they sniff! It needs to be washed regularly and even then it tends to stink. (One nickname for the breed is "dirty beard"). They can be kind of lazy and won't excercise on their own. They need a reason to do something.
Did I mention they can be hard to live with?
But I think bouvs are special beyond words. I have never been loved quite so much by a dog before. She will come up to me and just nuzzle or nudge, then stand with me surveying the world. I can't describe the bond very well...it feels like I am in a special partnership with this dog who has very high standards, but who decided I was worthy. I feel that she has totally devoted herself to me.
OK...enough...
.I could go on all day!! That's my take on bouviers. I'm sure another bouv person will come along and either agree totally or blast me off the message board
(Dog people can have some very strong opinions!)
Daffodil
