Bouvier des Ardennes

Introduction

Bovier des Ardennes is a cattle dog breed exclusively for the forest area of ​​Belgium. The breed was developed into a herd of cattle and was transported from the farm to the market. The Buvir des Ardennes was considered extinct as a result of world wars, but two small living populations were discovered in the 1980s and 1990s. Since that time, breeders and radicals have been working to increase the breed's numbers and restore the breed to the status it once enjoyed. Bouvier des Ardenis is known for having naturally earlobes and a strange coat and for being a talented and dedicated Working Dog. Bouvier des Ardennes is also known as Ardennes Cattle Dog, Ardennes Drawing Dog and Petit Bouvier.

General Appearance

The Bouvière des Ardenis has the most unique appearance of all European herring dogs. While the breed is generally similar to other continental breeding breeds, most notably the Belgian and Dutch Shepherds, this would probably not be mistaken for any of those breeds. The Bouvière des Ardennes is the medium of a large breed. Males typically stand between 22 to 24½ long shoulder and weigh between 60 and 75 pounds. The female typically stands between 20½ and 22 at the shoulder and weighs between 45 and 60 pounds. It is a square proportional breed that should be almost as long as it is from floor to shoulder, from chest to tail. This breed is very lit and incredibly muscular, but its coat often makes it look much thicker and less athletic, which it actually is. The Buvir des Ardenis have a similar body to that of breeds such as the Belgian Malinois, but are usually somewhat more broadly constructed. As a Working Dog, the Bower des Ardenis must be completely devoid of any exaggerated trait that would impede its action potential. The tail of Bouvier des Ardennes is thick and set high. The tail of this breed has traditionally been of very short length, although this is not necessary. Many breed members exhibit a naturally raised tail, although some have a long tail.

The head and face of the Bauvir des Ardennes are somewhat smaller for the size of the dog, especially in relation to length. The head is flat and only slightly longer than it is wide. The head and the muzzle are distinctly distinct, but blend relatively smoothly. The muzzle itself is quite thick, and at least as wide as the skull. The muzzle is also quite small, clearly smaller than the skull. The muzzle has close fitting lips and ends in a broad nose that should always be black regardless of the dog's coat color. The ears of Bouvier des Ardennes are small and triangular in shape. Fully embossed ears are preferred and are in fact the most common, but semi prick or rose ears are also acceptable. Bouvier des Ardenis' eyes are relatively small in size, oval, and as dark as possible. Many breed members have a profound and intelligent expression.

Bouvier des Ardennes's coat is dense, double and completely weatherproof. The coat is dry, thick, and padded. Hair is about 2 hairs long on most of the body, but it is shorter and shorter on the head and face. The hair of this breed should be accompanied by a beard and mustache, which covers the corners of the eyes. The ears are covered in short, straight hair. The undercoat of the breed is very dense throughout the body regardless of the weather and is about 1 to 1¼ in length. Color is not considered important for breeders of this Working Dog, and all colors and patterns except white (a color that has a proven genetic link to deafness) are completely acceptable. In practice, the vast majority of breed members are either brittle or a mixtures or have gray, fawn and black hair. A small amount of white paint on the chest or feet is acceptable, but should not be present elsewhere.

Belgian farmers were highly selective about the dogs that they used to raise their cattle. Only the best and most capable dogs were allowed to do so. This created a surplus of the Bauviers des Ardennes. Some of these dogs were almost certainly euthanized, but many of them were acquired by local hunters. Unlike most herring dogs, the Bower des Ardennes proved to be a highly capable Hunting Dog. This breed had a very good sense of smell, making it an excellent tracker, a high hunting drive making it a keen hunter, and it was very intelligent, following orders when dealing with a dangerous prey. Able to do it. By the end of the 19th century, the Bauvir des Ardennes was known throughout southern Belgium as an excellent deer and boar Hunting Dog./p>

For many years, Belgian farmers banned their bovirs, particularly for their ability to work. They initially cared little for dog shows or breed standardization. As a result, many different localized varieties evolved, and at one point, Belgium, a country the size of Maryland, was home to at least 5 different breeds of bower. These were Bouvier des Flandres, Bouvier des Ardennes, Bouvier des Roullers, Bouvier de Moéramon and Bouvier de Parret. Eventually, the popularity of dog shows and kennel clubs reached Belgium and there was a major national effort to standardize and identify the country's native breeds. In order to encourage their participation, separate classes were organized to release dogs at the Belgian Dog Show. On April 23, 1903, Professor Reul discovered a Bouvier des Ardennes named Tom at the Ledge Dog Show. Tom was considered the ideal specimen of a diver's dog and may have been an example used to create an official breed standard. In 1913, the Leg Society for the Improvement of the Cattle Dog was founded. The club formulated a proposed standard for both the Bower des Ardenis and the Bower des Roullers. Unfortunately, time could not be worse for the Bower des Ardennes and the whole country of Belgium.

Breeding

The gestation period in lasts for 60-64 days The primary period of the reproductive cycle of the female is called Proestrus and goes on for around 9 days. During this time the females begin to draw in males. The subsequent part is the Estrus when the bitch is receptive to the male. It goes on for around 3 to 11 days. The third part is the Diestrus. Usually, it happens around day 14. In this period the bitch's discharge changes for distinctive red and reaching its end. The vulva gets back to average, and she will no longer allow mating. The fourth part called the Anestrus. The time span between heat periods ordinarily keeps going around a half year. The litter size ranges between 6 to 8 puppies at a time.