How to Groom a Bouviers des Flandres

These large, square-profiled dogs are impressive physically, ranging in height from 22 to 28 inches. Despite their size, Bouviers des Flandres are often good with children and can be great family pets. They are extremely loyal and friendly, but tend to be shy and protective when strangers are present. The Bouvier des Flandres requires a full grooming every 8 to 10 weeks and an additional weekly general grooming.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Slicker and pin brushes
• Steel combs
• Natural bristle brush
• Matt splitter
• Scissors
• Thinning shears
• Clippers
• Blades

1. Bathe the dog using a pH-alkaline balanced shampoo. Bouviers des Flandres have a double coat. The outer coat is considerably wiry and somewhat abrasive to the touch. The generous undercoat, however, is very soft. A pH balanced shampoo helps improve the look of coarse or damaged coats.
2. Dry your Bouvier des Flandres with a high velocity dryer to get rid of extra water from her coat.
3. Hand fluff dry the dog with a pin or slicker brush.
4. Finish with a final comb out.

Tips & Warnings

• Showing of these dogs requires a well-managed full coat, as well as clipping and possible hand stripping. For the latter you should hire a trained professional.
• These dogs have very high pain thresholds, which requires their owners to be extremely vigilant about the dog's health. Usually, you can tell from an animal's physical behavior whether they are in pain, and if they don't show signs of an injury, you may not know to treat it.
• This breed does not completely mature until the age of 2 or 3.
• These dogs often shed after a bath.
• Some groomers recommend rubbing a cap full of Downy in to the dog's coat when it's still relatively wet. This can make it easier to get rid of mats in the hair.
• Bouviers des Flandres are prone to hip dysplasia and certain eye defects like cataracts.