General Appearance:  Powerfully built, rough-coated, and rugged.  Agile, spirited, and bold, yet serene and well behaved; intelligent, active, fearless.

Size, Proportion, and Substance:  Height-males, 24 1/2 to 27 1/2 inches at the withers; females, 23 1/2 to 26 1/2 inches

Background:  Bouviers are big and big hearted.  With origins as a flock guarding dog they are fiercely loyal companions and are very fond of children.  The Bouvier may be suspicious of other dogs and strangers.  Bouviers are fast learners and once taught require little direction.  Their shaggy coat offers protection from the cold and rain.  It doesn't need much grooming.