Bouvier des Ardennes
USD $500-$600 Price Avg.
Working Dogs
Group
Purebred
Breed Type
Large, Medium
Size
12-14 years
Lifespan
Breed Information
| Group | Working Dogs |
|---|---|
| Popularity/Rank | 298 |
| Origin | Belgium |
| Other Names | Ardennes Cattle Dog |
| Breed Type | Purebred |
| Price (Avg.) |
USD $500-$600
How much does a Bouvier des Ardennes cost? According to a rough estimate, you will spend between $500 to $600 on your Bouvier des Ardennes if you purchase it from a reputable breeder. If you select a dog with exceptional bloodlines, the price may be higher. The price might even be higher if the dog has already been trained. You'll usually pay less if you get a Bouvier des Ardennes from a shelter. |
| Size | Large, Medium |
| Weight |
Male: 62–77 pounds (28–35 kg),
Female: 49–62 pounds (22–28 kg) |
| Height |
Male: 22–25 inches (55–63 cm),
Female: 20–22 inches (51–57 cm) |
| Lifespan | 12-14 years |
| Recognized by |
FCI
Not recognized by the American Kennel Club. And FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) section. |
| Purpose | Herding and Driving Cattle |
| Date of Origin | 1600s |
| Ancestry | Unknown |
Appearance & Maintenance
| Coat | Double |
|---|---|
| Coat Colors | Black, Fawn, Grey |
| Grooming Level | |
| Shedding Level | |
| Eye Color Possibilities | Brown |
| Nose Color Possibilities | Black |
| Coat Color Possibilities | Black, Blue, Brown, Fawn, Gray, Red, Silver |
| Coat Length | Medium |
| Coat Density | Dense |
| Coat Texture | Straight |
| Recommended Brushes | Comb, Dematter, Pin Brush, Slicker Brush |
| Brushing Frequency | Daily |
Breed Characteristics
| Temperament | Adaptable, Curious, Obstinate, Playful, Sportive |
|---|---|
| Intelligent | |
| Trainability | |
| Playfulness | |
| Sensitivity Level | |
| Affection Level | |
| Social Interaction Required | |
| Barking | |
| Watchdog Ability | |
| Territorial | |
| Biting Force | Low |
| Mouthiness | |
| Impulse to Wander or Roam | |
| Prey Drive | |
| Adaptability | |
| Tolerates Being Left Alone | |
| Fighting Dog | Not really |
Good & Friendly with
| Apartment Life Friendly | |
|---|---|
| Stranger Friendly | |
| Kid-Friendly | |
| Cat Friendly | |
| Dog Friendly | |
| Office Friendly | No |
| Senior Citizens Friendly | |
| Pet Friendly | |
| Friendly with First Time Owners | Yes |
| Service Dog | Not really |
| Therapy Dog | Not really |
| Detection, Sniffer or Security Dog | Not really |
| Search and Rescue Dog (SAR) | Not really |
| Boat Dog | Not really |
| Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog | Not really |
Health Elements
| Health Issues | |
|---|---|
| Hypoallergenic | No |
| Energy Level | |
| Exercise Required | |
| Sleeping Required | |
| Weight Gain Potential | |
| Weather & Climate | Prefers average to warm weather conditions |
| Stinkiness | Medium |
| Drooling tendency | |
| Activity Level | Moderate |
| Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week | 14 miles |
| Minutes of Activity Per Day | 60 minutes |
Food & Costing
| Avg. Daily Food | 3 to 5 cups of a high-quality dog food daily, divided into two meals. |
|---|---|
| Cups Per Day | 2.3 cups |
| Daily Cost | $1.20 - $1.40 |
| Monthly Cost | $34.00 - $45.00 |
Reproducibility
| Gestation Duration | 60-64 days |
|---|---|
| How often can the Bouvier des Ardennes have a litter? | Once a year. |
| Litter Size | 4-6 puppies (Once a year.) |
Description
The Bouvier des Ardennes is a medium-sized, muscular dog breed that originated in Belgium. It is a working dog that was originally used for herding and guarding livestock. The Bouvier des Ardennes has a strong, square-shaped head with a broad muzzle and dark eyes. Its ears are set high on the head and hang down close to the cheeks. The coat of the Bouvier des Ardennes is thick and wiry, with an undercoat that can be either short or long depending on the season.
The lifespan of the Bouvier des Ardennes is between 10 to 12 years, with an average size of 22 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder and weighing between 55 to 75 pounds. The colors of this breed range from black, gray, fawn, or brindle with white markings on its chest and feet.
The personality of the Bouvier des Ardennes is loyal and protective but also gentle and affectionate towards its family members. This breed loves being around people but can be wary of strangers if not properly socialized from an early age. They are intelligent dogs that need plenty of mental stimulation in order to stay happy and healthy.
The Bouvier des Ardennes is friendly with other dogs as well as children when properly socialized from an early age; however they may be wary around other animals such as cats or small animals due to their herding instincts.
The temperament of this breed is alert yet calm; they make excellent watchdogs due to their protective nature but are not overly aggressive or territorial unless provoked by another animal or person.
The health issues associated with this breed include hip dysplasia, eye problems such as cataracts or progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), skin allergies, ear infections, hypothyroidism, epilepsy, bloat (gastric torsion), heart disease (cardiomyopathy) and von Willebrand’s Disease (vWD). Regular vet checkups are recommended in order to detect any potential health issues early on before they become serious problems for your pet’s health.
This breed has a moderate level of adaptability; it does best in homes where it can receive plenty of exercise outdoors while still having access indoors for rest periods throughout the day when needed. They do not do well in apartments due to their need for space outdoors so it’s best suited for homes with yards where they can run around freely without being confined all day long inside four walls only!
Overall this breed makes an excellent companion pet due its loyal nature towards its family members; it also makes a great watchdog due its alertness towards strangers while still remaining gentle enough not to cause any harm unless provoked by another animal/person first!
History
The Bouvier des Ardennes is a large, rugged dog breed that hails from the Ardennes region of Belgium. The breed is known for its shaggy coat, which is black, brindle, or fawn in color, and its large size. The Bouvier des Ardennes was once a popular working dog breed, but it fell out of favor in the early 20th century and was close to extinction by the end of World War II. However, the breed was revived in the 1970s and has since regained some popularity.
The Bouvier des Ardennes is believed to be descended from the ancient Molosser dogs of Greece and Rome. These dogs were brought to Belgium by the Romans and were used for hunting and guarding. The Bouvier des Ardennes likely developed from crosses between these Molossers and local herding dogs. The breed was first officially recognized in Belgium in 1883.
During World War I, many Bouvier des Ardennes were used as war dogs by the Belgian army. After the war, the breed fell out of favor and its numbers dwindled. By World War II, there were only a handful of Bouvier des Ardennes left in Belgium. However, the breed was revived in the 1970s by a group of Belgian fanciers. The breed has since regained some popularity both in Belgium and abroad.
