Kuvasz vs Bouvier des Flandres - Breed Comparison

Kuvasz vs Bouvier des Flandres - Breed ComparisonBouvier des Flandres is originated from Belgium but Kuvasz is originated from Hungary. Bouvier des Flandres may grow 6 cm / 2 inches shorter than Kuvasz. Both Bouvier des Flandres and Kuvasz are of same weight. Both Bouvier des Flandres and Kuvasz has same life span. Both Bouvier des Flandres and Kuvasz has almost same litter size. Both Bouvier des Flandres and Kuvasz requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Working dog
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Belgium
Hungary
Height Male:
59 - 70 cm
23 - 28 inches
65 - 76 cm
25 - 30 inches
Height Female:
55 - 70 cm
21 - 28 inches
65 - 76 cm
25 - 30 inches
Weight Male:
27 - 52 kg
59 - 115 pounds
35 - 52 kg
77 - 115 pounds
Weight Female:
25 - 52 kg
55 - 115 pounds
35 - 52 kg
77 - 115 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 10
6 - 8
Size:
Large
Large
Other Names:
Flanders Cattle Dog
Hungarian Kuvasz
Colors Available:
Black, Brindle, Fawn, Grey
White
Coat:
Medium length, coarse, shaggy, dense
Medium length to long, wavy or straight
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

bouvier des flandresThese large dogs have descended from Flemish cattle dogs, and in French, the word Bouvier means herdsman or cattle herder. This is because the dog was used for driving cattle. The Bouvier comes from the Flemish region of Belgium where it was bred as a working farm dog. It is believed that the breed may have come from crossing local farm dogs with imported Irish Wolfhounds, Schnauzers, Tibetan Mastiffs, Brabanters, Griffons and Beaucerons.

It was in 1910 that the first Bouviers appeared at the international dog show in Brussels, with a standard for the breed being adopted in 1912.The American Kennel Club recognized the dog in 1929. It was after World War 11 that Bouviers were brought to America and the American Bouvier des Flandres Club was founded in 1963.

kuvaszThe Kuvasz is an ancient dog breed from Hungary. It is believed that the dog is the oldest of the ancient Hungarian dog breeds, and in fact a fossilized skeleton dating back to the 9th century, and almost identical to the modern Kuvasz, was found near Keszthely.

During the 15th century the Kuvasz became very sought after, being found in royal courts. Puppies were given as royal gifts. Later the popularity of the breed waned and then it was found in its traditional role of guarding livestock.

As Kuvasz numbers dwindled, breeding efforts were started but it is believed that other large dogs such as the Great Pyrenees were used with the Kuvasz to continue with the breeding programs.

In 1884, the first Hungarian standard for the breed was written. It was in 1966 that the Kuvasz Club of America was established.

Description

bouvier des flandres puppy - descriptionThe Bouvier is a large compact, well built dog with strong muscled limbs. He stands at roughly 59 to 70 cm high at the withers, weighing between 27 and 52 kg. He has a large head with a thick and abundant coat which is of rough appearance. The coat is mostly black, but you’ll also find a range of other shades such as brindle, grey and fawn.

The back of the dog is level and broad, and is typically wider in female dogs. The back legs are strong and muscular. Some Bouvier des Flandres are born tail-less and this is most attractive. Most Bouvier dog owners used to have the tails docked because of the excellent appearance, but with docking now being banned, the tail is kept long. The muzzle is wide, the nose large, the eyes dark brown and the ears high set and floppy.

The Bouvier is intelligent, energetic and full of confidence while being calm and balanced in temperament. The puppies are vocal and full of antics, but as the Bouvier grows into adulthood, he mellows and becomes a steady family friend who gets on well with each human family member. He loves spending time with his family and becomes both friend and guardian, making a good watchdog too.

kuvasz puppy - descriptionThe beautiful Kuvasz is a large, muscled dog standing at 65 – 76cm in height and weighing 35 – 52kg. He has a double coat of dense white hair which can be straight or wavy.

It is natural for the dog to lose most of the long coat during the Summer months. In other words this dog has a seasonal coat.

The nose is black, the eyes brown and alert, the ears are of medium length and floppy and the tail is carried long and low.

Temperament:

The Kuvasz is an intelligent dog who will benefit from training and socialization. It is always wise to have large dogs like this trained because just his size can cause problems if he isn’t obedient.

He is also described as a clownish type of dog which means he’ll entertain and amuse you. Certainly he is playful as a puppy but he calms down quite a bit as he grows into maturity. He is independent, and those who have owned such a dog report that he can be loving and loyal with his human family, wanting to guard and protect them. Others will say that he tended to be aloof, even with his human family.

Used as working dogs, the Kuvasz has learned to be independent and they will need a firm, strong owner who is also fair with them, otherwise they just do their own thing. They’re active dogs and because of their size they won’t suit city living where there is a tiny garden.

Characteristics

bouvier des flandres dog - characteristicsThe Bouvier is such an amicable dog and strong and energetic too. He makes the most marvellous companion and will happily adapt to life in the city or in the country, although, with his big size, he is better suited to a home where there is enough space to run around in.

He is loyal, loving and protective and when you make sure to make him an active part of your family, you’ll find in him all the characteristics of a true friend.

kuvasz dog - characteristicsKuvasz are guarding dogs, they’re intelligent and loyal, making them excellent family dogs with the right training and socialization.

They’re able to get on well with other pets in the home as well as children. He is a beautiful dog and another bonus is that he isn’t particularly high maintenance.

As is common with many other large-breed dogs, he will have a shorter lifespan than what you’d get with a smaller dog breed, but if you feed him high quality food, exercise him and involve him in your activities, this large dog can become a wonderful friend and protector for you.

Health Problems

bouvier des flandres puppies - health problemsThe big teddy-bear of a dog is a healthy breed, but as a large dog, you will need to look out for certain health problems with him.

Hip Dysplasia:

Xrays have been done on many Bouvier des Flandres by the Club and by the Orthopedic Foundation of America and it has been found that a significant percentage of Bouviers were dysplastic. Hip dysplasia is a deformity of the hip joint and many large breed dogs battle with this. It can be very sad for dog lovers as they watch their dog battling to get up after lying down and sometimes lameness in the hind legs.

Dental Disease:

Dental disease is a common problem in many dogs, and the Bouvier isn’t excluded one bit. If you don’t brush your pet’s teeth with special dog toothpaste and toothbrush, there is tartar build-up which can lead to bad breath and gum infection. Dental disease can lead to pain in the teeth and even the loss of teeth. Bad teeth affect the entire body, and the heart, kidneys and joints can all be negatively affected.

Obesity:

The Bouvier is a large dog prone to obesity. This is a serious disease that can lead to all kinds of digestive disorders, back pain as well as heart disease. It can be easy just to give in to your pet’s pleading eyes, but in the long run, excessive weight can spell a host of health problems.

kuvasz puppies - health problemsThe large Kuvasz is a healthy dog breed that with good care can reach 12–14 years of age. Being the large dog that he is, he may well be prone to bone and joint problems. It is why good nutrition is so important for this dog - feeding him the best food with vitamins and minerals.

You know the saying ...you are what you eat... and this applies to dogs too. Good food can help to ward off serious illnesses. Big dogs like this often have to contend with hip dysplasia which can be both painful and debilitating as well as eye diseases.

Entropion:

This is where the eyelid of the dog rolls inwards, causing irritation and pain for the dog. There is also Ectropion, where the eyelid rolls outwards.If you see your pet has a red eye which is watery and which has pus, visit your vet. Entropion surgery will correct and repair and condition.

Caring The Pet

Training:

bouvier des flandres dogs - caringYour Bouvier is an intelligent, independent dog and you will be doing him a favor by having him socialized and trained. He becomes such a pleasure to have around, being obedient and willing to respond to your commands.

Exercise:

Every dog, and particularly large dogs like the Bouvier, should be able to rely on a daily walk, a run in the park or on the farm and have special games from his owner. Not only does participating in activities together build a strong bond between dog and owner, its important to avoid boredom and frustration with your dog. You bought him so you therefore have a responsibility toward him.

Grooming:

Your Bouvier des Flandres has a thick, medium-length coat that gets a shaggy look to it. The breed needs regular brushing every second day or so to get rid of loose hairs and to prevent the hair matting. He will require some professional grooming to look and feel his best. With his thick coat, he is hypoallergenic which can be a relief for allergy sufferers.

Diet:

The Bouvier has to be on high-quality dog food, whether you give him home-made food or commercially manufactured food. It has to have the right amount of vitamins and minerals. If you’re unsure about feeding a dog, remember that the amount and type of food you give your pet must be appropriate to your dog’s age, size and energy levels.It can also be wise to know which human foods are bad. Speak to your vet about your dog – they are a minefield of useful information about your pet. Fresh, cool water should be be available at all times.

Grooming:

kuvasz dogs - caringThe coat may be fairly long and thick but it doesn’t require any special kind of grooming. A good brush twice a week will be adequate and will help with getting rid of stubborn knots and matting.

He is a seasonal shedder and this frequent brushing will make sure the coat remains groomed and shiny.

General Care:

The Kuvasz is a hardy breed who just loves the outdoors. He is a dog that doesn’t do well in the heat. Make absolutely sure that he has a cool, sheltered spot where he can lie down. Ensure that there is always a bowl of fresh, cool water available to him.

Diet:

There is quite a bit of conflict and controversy regarding nutrition in dogs. The idea is to keep it simple. If you buy a commercially manufactured dog food, check the ingredients on the packaging.

You want to be sure your pet is getting vitamins and minerals in instead of preservatives, fillers and colorants. Try and give him some home made food too such as some chicken, brown rice or pasta and some vegetables. You can mix this into his dry kibble occasionally with a little bit of raw meat too when you have.

Avoid feeding your dog things such as chocolates, nuts, onions, sweets and chips.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Bouvier des Flandres vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Bouvier des Flandres vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Bouvier des Flandres vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Bouvier des Flandres vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Bouvier des Flandres vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Bouvier des Flandres vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Bouvier des Flandres vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Bouvier des Flandres vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Bouvier des Flandres vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Bouvier des Flandres vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Bouvier des Flandres vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Bouvier des Flandres vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Bouvier des Flandres vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Bouvier des Flandres vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Bouvier des Flandres vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Bouvier des Flandres vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Bouvier des Flandres vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Bouvier des Flandres vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Bouvier des Flandres vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Bouvier des Flandres vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Bouvier des Flandres vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Bouvier des Flandres vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Bouvier des Flandres vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Bouvier des Flandres vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Bouvier des Flandres vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Kuvasz vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Kuvasz vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Kuvasz vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Kuvasz vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Kuvasz vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Kuvasz vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Kuvasz vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Kuvasz vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Kuvasz vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Kuvasz vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Kuvasz vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Kuvasz vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Kuvasz vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Kuvasz vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Kuvasz vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Kuvasz vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Kuvasz vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Kuvasz vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Kuvasz vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Kuvasz vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Kuvasz vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Kuvasz vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Kuvasz vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Kuvasz vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Kuvasz vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison