
Our Kennel

Bouviers des flandres

If you would like more information on our kennel please contact us, either by phone or via e-mail, or come and visit and see our dogs and installations (on appointment of course).

Boarding

Since our move to the woodlands of Saint-Calixte, we have much more space, allowing us to accommodate dogs for boarding. Individual indoor pens allow them to stretch and move freely; a 1600 square feet outdoor run and walks in the woods offer them the daily activity they need. To see picture of our pens or for more information on boarding, click here.

Our dogs

We adopted our first Bouvier des Flandres in 1983 and began breeding in 1991. Our dogs are all obedience trained and many of them have obtained CD, CDX and Championship titles. We take great pleaser in participating in many activities with our dogs; obedience, agility, herding, conformation, assistance work and protection work are a few examples of our bouviers’ versatility.

Our first breeding females came from the Bolshoy line, recognized as being one of the founding Bouvier kennels in North America. They are working dogs with a sound temperament: the Bouvier des Flandres as it should be! They have preserved their guarding and herding instincts. Here’s a little example : at three and a half months of age, without any training, one of our pups gathered a flock of geese and guided them back to their pen, the owner had only to close the gate!

Although females have their first heat around eight months of age, they will not be bread before at least two and a half years. At eight months they may have physically reached their sexual maturity but they are still mentally immature.

They will then only be bread every two to three heats. This gap allows them to recover from the loss of weight and coat that follow whelping. It also gives their life other purposes than reproduction; we have dogs for the joy they bring, not to make them into “puppy factories”!

Our puppies

When we have puppies, they spend the first few weeks in a whelping room in our home with their mother so we can give them the special needs they require. Around four weeks of age, the pups are old enough to move to the kennel building where they have their own room with access to an outdoor pen when the weather allows it. Every day we bring them in the house with us where they can play in the presence of visual and auditory stimulations such as the television, the washing and drying machines and toys of all kinds of shapes, textures and sizes. Of course human contact is also very important, so visitors are always welcome! We invite the future “parents” to come and play with them so that they meet all kinds of people. Weather permitting, we take the pups for walks in the woods or on a quiet street to get them used to new surroundings.

The puppies will be ready to leave around ten weeks old when their cropped ears are properly healed. The pups will have been tattooed, dewormed and will have received their first vaccinations. We guaranty them for any hereditary and/or congenital problems that would be an impediment to a normal life. They will be registered with the C.K.C. (Canadian Kennel Club) with a non-breeding agreement. This agreement can later be cancelled on certain conditions.

We strongly believe in the importance of socialization. It is extremely important that the pup be exposed to all kinds of different sounds, objects, people and situations from a young age. These stimulations will help him to adapt to different situations and will help him develop his self confidence.

What do they eat ?

Since 1989 our dogs are fed, as were their ancestors at the Bolshoy kennels before them, on an all natural well-balanced diet. It consists of raw meat, bones, cereals, fruits and vegetables, supplemented with herbs and vitamins. It is a combination of the “Natural Rearing” diet developed by Juliette de Baraïcli Levy, and of the “BARF (Bones And Raw Foods)” diet by Dr. Ian Billinghurst. The diet is based on what a wolf would eat in the wild—The wolf being the ancestor of all our modern breeds of dog. It strengthens their constitution and their immune system and therefore helps in the prevention of disease or malformations such as hip dysplasia.

Around the world

We have sold dogs across Canada and the United-Sates, and in the Caribbean and the Philippines. Although it is sometimes far, we like to keep in touch with our clients and hear from our “babies”. They send us pictures, phone us or come for a visit or a grooming session or leave their dog in our care wile they are away on vacation. It brings us much happiness to see them as the most gratifying part of breeding is seeing how much joy the dogs are bringing their adoptive family!

Naturally you want to know more about the breed : Berzazz kennell Bouvier des Flandres

The Bouvier des Flandres was developed in the Flanders region of Belgium for farm work. It was a very versatile dog. Protecting the property and having full responsibility of the cattle herd, day and night. It was also used to drive cattle to the slaughter house or simply to pull the farmer’s cart to market.

Being alone with the heard and having its full responsibility, the Bouvier had to make decisions on its own. That is why the it must never act in haste but rather “think before it acts”. It will bark at an intruder as a warning before chasing it away. Usually never barking without reason.

The Bouvier des Flandres is a powerful and alert dog possessing a strong guarding instinct; at the same time, having a self assured calmness with a profound look of wisdom in its eyes. It is very patient and trustworthy with children. Even in old age it will tolerate practically anything from a toddler, protesting only by a deep sigh. Our children have grown up with bouvs and have learned to walk by holding on to their fur! With no cattle to take care of, your family will become its herd and your bouvier will protect you with its life.

During the two World Wars the Bouvier des Flandres was the preferred dog of the European army. The dogs would transport messages from one detachment to another or would be sent out searching and rescuing wounded soldiers. Many of them were killed, pushing the breed near extinction. If the Bouvier des Flandres still exists today, it is thanks to the work of conscientious breeders in Belgium, Holland and France.

Today, in its native Europe, the Bouvier often replaces the German Shepherd as a police dog. It’s more stable temperament makes it easier to control when attacking.

The Bouvier des Flandres loves water. It will “test” every water (or mud…) whole that it will find! It also loves snow and will gladly accompany you on a snowshoe or cross-country ski hike. Give it a ball, Frisbee or stick and your bouv can very well play on its own, but of course it prefers to play with you!

A good weekly brushing is required to maintain its coat in good condition. It will remove dead hairs and will prevent them creating mats or falling on the ground. To keep its “Bouvier look” you will need to have your bouv groomed every three to four months—as long as it is well brushed! It is not recommended to have it shaved down to the skin. The combination of its dense undercoat and harsh topcoat helps to regulate body temperature and forms an insulating barrier stopping rain, snow and the suns rays from getting to the skin. A shaved dog has no protection from the weather.

Most people who have animal allergies have no problem with the Bouvier. However some people are allergic to adult dogs while having no reaction to puppies. Thus it is recommended to spend time in an environment full of Bouvs before buying one.

The Bouvier shouldn’t be higher than 27 ½ inches (68 cm) to the shoulder. A male could weight up to 100 pounds, a female 15 pounds less. For more details, see the “Standard” button in the menu.

A few interesting books

If you would like to read more on the Bouvier des Flandres, we suggest you read “The Bouvier des Flandres” by Jim Engel - a very thorough book, filled with pictures. If you would rather read in French, here are a few suggestions: “Le Grand chien de race, guide de l’amateur - Le Bouvier des Flandres” by Paul LeGall and “Le Bouvier des Flandres” by Dr. Joël Dehasse.

If you would like to visit us, you can reach us at (450) 222-9909.

Visits are on appointment only so that we can reserve the time for you!