How Much Does a Bouvier des Flandres Cost?

The shepherd dog of Flanders, Bouvier des Flandres, also called Flanderscher Treibhund or Vlaamse Koehund, is a Belgian herd dog. In the past, he was used for gathering cows and horses. Today, „ Bouv “is a loyal watchdog with a balanced character. However, his long, rough fur means increased care from his owners.

How much does a Bouvier des Flandres cost?

On average, a Bouvier des Flandres puppy from a reputable breeder can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000 or more, with an average of $2,300. However, this is a general range, and prices can vary outside of this based on factors like the breeder’s reputation, geographical location, pedigree, age, or training.

Established breeders with a history of producing healthy, well-tempered dogs often charge more.

Depending on where you live, prices can vary. In areas where the breed is more popular or where there are fewer breeders, prices might be higher.

Puppies from champion bloodlines or with show potential often come with a higher price tag.

Older dogs, especially those beyond the prime puppy age, might be priced lower. Conversely, puppies are usually the most expensive.

Some breeders offer puppies with basic training, which can increase the price.

On the BouvierElitePups website, the price for a Bouvier des Flandres puppy with a limited AKC registration is $1,500.

PuppyMarketHub is a popular online pet marketplace where various breeders list their available puppies. Here, the cost for a Bouvier des Flandres puppy with full AKC registration and health guarantees is $2,200. There is also the popular marketplace Puppies.com, where you can find Bouvier des Flandres puppies for anywhere between $500 and $2,500.

LocalPetClassifieds is an online classified ads platform where individuals list items, including pets, for sale. Here, you get to pay around $1,200 for a Bouvier des Flandres puppy without registration.

What is going to be included in the cost?

Reputable breeders often conduct health screenings on their breeding dogs to ensure they’re free from certain hereditary conditions. Up-to-date vaccination should also be included with a health guarantee from a veterinarian, a written contract, and a travel crate if it’s the case.

Extra costs related to owning a Bouvier des Flandres Puppy

Owning a Bouvier des Flandres, like any dog, comes with ongoing expenses.

Depending on the brand and quality, dog food for a large breed like the Bouvier des Flandres can range from $40 to $100 or more per month.

You might also like our articles about the cost of a German Shepherd, Australian Shepherd, or Caucasian Shepherd.

The thick double coat of the Bouviers requires regular trimming and grooming to prevent matting. Professional grooming sessions can range from $50 to $100 or more, depending on the services included. This might be needed every 6-8 weeks.

Annual check-ups, vaccinations, flea and tick prevention, and heartworm medication can total $200 to $500 or more per year.

Unexpected health issues or accidents can lead to veterinary bills ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars. It’s wise to have an emergency fund or consider pet insurance, which can have monthly costs ranging from $20 to $50 per dog.

If you opt for professional training classes or sessions, these can range from $50 to $150 per session or class.

Toys, beds, leashes, collars, and other supplies can add up to $100 to $300 per year, depending on your choices and the wear-and-tear habits of your dog.

If you travel or need someone to look after your dog, boarding facilities or pet sitters can range from $25 to $50 or more per day.

The shipping costs can vary widely based on the specific service used, the distance, and the weight of the items or the dog. When shipping a dog after purchasing it from a breeder, the cost can range from $150 to $500 or more, depending on the distance, airline, and whether it’s domestic or international.

Temperament and other important things about this breed

This dog breed is large and strong with a compact constitution. Overall, he looks solid and robust, without looking clumsy and has a great temperament.

Males reach a height at the withers between 62 and 68 centimeters, and females between 59 and 65 centimeters. The weight is between 27 and 40 kilograms.

The long fur of the breed is fragile, rough, and dry to the touch. It has a gray, black color, with spots. A dark black fur and a white star on the chest are accepted. The lighter colors of the fur are not according to the breed standard.

The typical features of his breed make the Flanders dog an excellent protective guard dog or police dog. It is also used as a watchdog and for tracing, due to its intelligence and fine nose.

The powerful quadruped is an excellent family dog that will need a fair amount of socialization. The patient „ Bouv” usually gets along well with children and accepts other dogs as well as pets, if he has been properly socialized.

The dog’s long fur requires a lot of care. It must be cut to a length of about six centimeters and brushed well every day.

Pay special attention to the animal’s snout and beard and remove any leftover food from his „ dirty beard”.

A large and strong dog such as Bouvier des Flandres needs food rich in minerals and vitamins. It must be divided into several small portions during the day to prevent the risk of life-threatening gastric torsion.

Like many other large breeds, these dogs are prone to hip dysplasia. This is a congenital malformation of the hip joint that leads to painful restrictions on movement. Eye problems such as cataracts may also occur.

Animals coming from a famous kennel and cared for in a manner suitable for the breed may live up to 15 years.

How can I save money?

If you’re considering adopting a Bouvier des Flandres from a rescue or shelter you can check on PetFinder.com. The fees can vary based on the organization and location. Generally, adoption fees include spaying/neutering, initial vaccinations, microchipping, and health check-up.

For a breed-specific rescue, adoption fees for a Bouvier des Flandres can range from $200 to $500. However, fees can be lower or higher depending on the rescue’s policies, the age of the dog, as puppies often have higher fees, and any additional care the dog may have received.

It’s essential to note that while adoption fees might seem like a significant upfront cost, they often cover services that you’d have to pay for separately if you bought a dog from a breeder.