German Shepherd vs. Bouvier Des Flandres. - Page 1

Just something different. I raised GSD's for 15 years and had some wonderful dogs. Both as Champions as well as working dogs. I had three that became Police Dogs so I am quite proud of these animals. About 12 years ago I switched breeds and went to Bouvier Des Flandre's. I have had much of the same successes with them that I did with GSD's. The difference is I have found the Bouviers to be much healthier as a breed. More stable metally and sounder structurally. I am not taking anything away from GSD's becuase they do have a place in my heart that will never be replaced. I would just like to hear some thoughts from other who have or have worked with both. Steve

steve , I guess it all depends on the lineage and dogs one is experienced with
can you share some of the bouviers you trained with

Hello Duke, The two Bouviers I am working with now are both shown on this site. Cassie and Sully and I have an up and comer B. The two here are really very different with no cross over in thier lines what so ever. Both have wonderful line's with many accomplished dogs in thier pedigrees. Both in show and IPO. Sully is out of show and working and the female is working on both sides. The new one is out of working lines as well and she is wonderfully sound and fairly large but still within the standard. I have two right now that are in Hawaii. One with the sergant of the canine unit with the HPD and he will graduate this year and the other is with a Leautenant at Schofiled Barracks. He is working with him in Scht. I have one out of my lines that is 7 now and he is a search and rescue dog in Montana. If you want to email me off site I would be happy to send you photos of these wonderful dogs. Steve

I've decoyed for both and have worked many Bouvier's.  For a sport dog I'd take a working line GSD over a Bouv any day.  The Bouv's I've worked have been more defensive than a GSD and the grips are not always as full and as calm.  Very hard grips, just not going to get super high points.  I really like Bouv's, I just haven't seen any that are more mentally stable than a good GSD as you point out.  There are some great Bouv's doing sport and working as K9's.  They are nice dogs with a very strong temperament.  If I had to choose between a really good Bouv and a good GSD, I'd take the GSD.  But, I'm a GSD guy and have no problems finding really good GSD's to work. 

Here's me working a very nice Bouv:

 

JMO,

Jim

steve , now I see you got your dogs from louise and elaine , the brought in some workinglines in their  show dogs trough leevy(quintus/killer boerenhof) , ironeyes(donar) and lately a dog from aqualand ,
they are good people
there are not many great bouvs around anymore , also not in workinglines , but as for working in the top , be it sport or police or whatever ,I think a bouvier cant compete with a german shepherd today , if it was so , I would still have some bouvs around , ive been breedin them for about 23 years

Thanks Duke, I had GSD's for a long time prior to getting into the Bouviers. I got my first male from Lucas Paul out of Winnipeg. I imagine is is probably gone now but he was a very good man and bred and train many GSD's for the RCMP. The one thing I miss about them is thier speed which I agree is faster then most Bouviers. I am not so sure about them not biteing as hard as a GSD though. Yes I got my male from Elaine. Great ladies and they are getting some working lines back into their dogs. Sully has Overstort on the dames side which I am sure you will appreciate being a Bouvier man as well. My female though is all working. Here sire was Tsar Del La Saulaie Mariachai. As for speed and agility I think shes the quickest and most agile I have seen and shes not really that large. I have done agility and some herding work with here and during time trials shes almost as fast as the border collies which really surprised everyone. She can also jump our 6"8" chain link fence without touching which is a night mare when she does. But thats the price we pay for owning escape artists. lol Steve

Thanks for the topic guys. Great info. Very informative.
Reggie

How much do they weigh primarily? The one pictured with the decoy looks very powerful. Seems to explode off the ground with the dirt flying around.
Reggie

Reggie, they can vary in size and weight quitye a bit. It also depends on which standared you go by. I have seen standards give from 22" to 26" for females depending on which registry your useing. And weight from about 55lbs to 75 for the females. Males are anywhere from 25.5 to 28 and 70lbs to 110. That again depends on which registry. I current have four, two males and two females. One female is 24.5 and weigghs 68lbs and the other is 25.5 and weighs 78. One male is 25.5 and weighs about 80 lbs and the other is 27.5 and weights 105. Looking at the photo Jim put on here of the Bouv going for the sleeve I would guess 25 to 26" and about 80 lbs. Jim would definately know.