DON'T BUY A BOUVIER!DON'T BUY A BOUVIER!(This article, written many years ago, has become a notorious
classic in Bouvier circles. It has been reprinted many times by clubs to use for
the education of prospective Bouvier owners. I give my permission freely to all
who wish to reprint and distribute it in hopes of saving innocent Bouviers from
neglect and abandonment by those who should never have acquired them in the
first place.)
Interested in buying a Bouvier? You must be or you wouldn't be
reading this. You've already heard how marvelous Bouviers are. Well, I think you
should also hear, before it's too late, that BOUVIERS ARE NOT THE PERFECT BREED
FOR EVERYONE. As a breed they have a few features that some people find
charming, but that some people find mildly unpleasant and some people find
downright intolerable.
There are different breeds for different needs. There are over
200 purebred breeds of dogs in the world. Maybe you'd be better off with some
other breed. Maybe you'd be better off with a cat. Maybe you'd be better off
with goldfish, a parakeet, a hamster, or some house-plants.
The appearance of the Bouviers you have seen in the show ring
is the product of many hours of bathing and grooming. This carefully constructed
beauty is fleeting: a few minutes of freedom, romping through the fields or
strolling in the rain restores the natural look. The natural look of the Bouvier
is that of a large, shaggy farm dog, usually with some dirt and weeds clinging
to his tousled coat. His esthetics are those of an unmade bed. Remember that the
Dutch nickname for the breed, "Vuilbaard" means "dirty beard". The true beauty
of the Bouvier lies in his character, not in his appearance. There are many
other breeds whose natural beauty of appearance far exceeds that of the Bouvier.
Some of the long-coated and most of the short-coated breeds' appearances are
less dependent on grooming than is that of the Bouvier. (See also the section on
grooming below.)
return
Bouviers were bred to share in the work of the farm family and to
spend most of their waking hours working with the family. They thrive on
companionship and they want to be wherever you are. They are happiest living
with you in your house and going with you when you go out. While they usually
tolerate being left at home by themselves (preferably with a dog-door giving
access to the fenced yard), they should not be relegated to the backyard or
kennel. A puppy exiled from the house is likely to grow up to be unsociable
(fearful and/or unprovokedly aggressive), unruly, and unhappy. He may well
develop pastimes, such as digging or barking, that will displease you and/or
your neighbors. An adult so exiled will be miserable too. If you don't strongly
prefer to have your dog's companionship as much as possible, enjoying having him
sleep in your bedroom at night and sharing many of your activities by day, you
should choose a breed less oriented to human companionship. Likewise if your job
or other obligations prevent you from spending much time with your dog. No dog
is really happy without companionship but the pack hounds are more tolerant of
being kenneled or yarded so long as it is in groups of 2 or more. A better
choice would be a cat, as they are solitary by nature.
return
Basic obedience and household rules training is NOT optional for
the Bouvier. As an absolute minimum, you must teach him to reliably respond to
commands to come, to lie down, to stay, and to walk at your side, on or off
leash and regardless of temptations. You must also teach him to respect your
household rules: eg is he allowed to get on the furniture? is he allowed to beg
at the table? What you allow or forbid is unimportant; but it is critical that
you, not the dog, make these choices and that you enforce your rules
consistently. You must commit yourself to attending an 8 to 10 week series of
weekly lessons at a local obedience club or professional trainer and to doing
one or two short (5 to 20 minutes) homework sessions per day. As commands are
learned, they must be integrated into your daily life by being used whenever
appropriate and enforced consistently.
Young Bouvier puppies are relatively easy to train: they are
eager to please, intelligent, and calm-natured, with a relatively good attention
span. Once a Bouvier has learned something, he tends to retain it well. Your
cute, sweet little Bouvier puppy will grow up to be a large, powerful dog with a
highly self-assertive personality and the determination to finish whatever he
starts. If he has grown up respecting you and your rules, then all his physical
and mental strength will work for you. But if he has grown up without rules and
guidance from you, surely he will make his own rules and his physical and mental
powers will often act in opposition to your needs and desires. For example: he
may tow you down the street as if competing in a sled-dog race; he may grab food
off the table; he may forbid your guests entry to his home.
This training cannot be delegated to someone else, eg by sending
the dog away to "boarding school", because the relationship of respect and
obedience is personal between the dog and the individual who does the training.
This is true of all dogs to greater or lesser degree, but definitely to a very
great degree in Bouviers. While you definitely many want the help of an
experienced trainer to teach you how to train your dog, you yourself must
actually train your Bouvier. As each lesson is well learned, then the rest of
the household (except young children) must also work with the dog, insisting he
obey them as well.
Many of the Bouviers that are rescued from Pounds and Shelters
show clearly that they have received little or no basic training, neither in
obedience nor in household deportment; yet these same dogs respond well to such
training by the rescuer or the adopter. It seems likely that a failure to train
the dog is a significant cause of Bouvier abandonment.
If you don't intend to educate your dog, preferably during
puppyhood, you would be better off with a breed that is both small and socially
submissive, eg a Shetland Sheepdog. Such a dog does require training, but a
little bit goes further than with a Bouv. In the opposite direction, if your
goals in obedience training are oriented towards success at high level
competition (HIT, OTCh, and Gaines), please realize that the Bouv is not among
the half dozen breeds best suited to such highly polished performance. (Bouvs
can, with adequate training, excel at such working competitions as agility,
carting, tracking, protection and herding.)
return
Dogs do not believe in social equality. They live in a social
hierarchy led by a pack-leader (Alpha). The alpha dog is generally benevolent,
affectionate, and non-bullying towards his subordinates; but there is never any
doubt in his mind or in theirs that the alpha is the boss and makes the rules.
Whatever the breed, if you do not assume the leadership, the dog will do so
sooner or later and with more or less unpleasant consequences for the abdicating
owner. Like the untrained dog, the pack-leader dog makes his own rules and
enforces them against other members of the household by means of a dominant
physical posture and a hard-eyed stare, followed by a snarl, then a knockdown
blow or a bite. Breeds differ in tendencies towards social dominance; and
individuals within a breed differ considerably. Bouviers as a breed tend to be
of a socially dominant personality. You really cannot afford to let a Bouvier
become your boss. You do not have to have the personality or mannerisms of a
Marine boot camp Sergeant, but you do have to have the calm, quiet
self-assurance and self-assertion of the successful parent ("Because I'm your
mother, that's why.") or successful grade-school teacher.
If you think you might have difficulty asserting yourself
calmly and confidently to exercise leadership, then choose a breed known for its
socially subordinate disposition, such as a Golden Retriever or a Shetland
Sheepdog, and be sure to ask the breeder to select one of the more submissive
pups in the litter for you. If the whole idea of "being the boss" frightens or
repels you, don't get a dog at all. Cats don't expect leadership. A caged bird
or hamster, or fish doesn't need leadership or household rules.
Leadership and training are inextricably intertwined:
leadership personality enables you to train your dog, and being trained by you
reinforces your dog's perception of you was the alpha.
return
A Bouvier becomes deeply attached and devoted to his own family,
but he doesn't "wear his heart on his sleeve". Some are noticeably reserved,
others are more outgoing, but few adults are usually exuberantly demonstrate of
their affections. They like to be near you, usually in the same room, preferably
on a comfortable pad or cushion in a corner or under a table, just "keeping you
company". They enjoy conversation, petting and cuddling when you offer it, but
they are moderate and not overbearing in coming to you to demand much attention.
They are emotionally sensitive to their favorite people: when you are joyful,
proud, angry, or grief-stricken, your Bouv will immediately perceive it and will
believe himself to be the cause. The relationship can be one of great
mellowness, depth and subtlety; it is a relation on an adult-to-adult level,
although certainly not one devoid of playfulness. As puppies, of course, they
will be more dependent, more playful, and more demonstrative. In summary, Bouvs
tend to be sober and thoughtful, rather than giddy clowns or synchophants.
A number of breeds retain into adulthood a more puppyish and
playful disposition, eg Australian Shepherd, Malamute, and others. Quite a few
are far more dramatically demonstrative and/or more clingingly dependent, eg
the Golden Retriever.
return
The Bouvier's thick shaggy coat and his love of playing in water
and mud combine to make him a highly efficient transporter of dirt into your
home, depositing same on your floors and rugs and possibly also on your
furniture and clothes. One Bouvier coming in from a few minutes outdoors on a
rainy day can turn an immaculate house into an instant hog wallow. His full
beard soaks up water every time he takes a drink, then releases same drippingly
across your floor or soppingly into your lap. (It is of course possible to cut
the beard off and to keep the feet clean-shaven year-round to reduce mess.)
Although it is technically true that Bouviers do not shed, you will find that
the grooming process usually results in balls of pulled out hair tumbleweeding
their way about your house, unless you deposit same directly from comb into a
trash basket. I don't mean to imply that you must be a slob or slattern to live
happily with a Bouv, but you do have to have the attitude that your dog's
company means more to you than does neatness and you do have to be comfortable
with a less than immaculate house.
While all dogs, like all children, create a greater or lesser
degree of household mess, almost all other breeds of dog (except the Old
English Sheepdog) are less troublesome than the Bouvier in this respect. The
Basenji is perhaps the cleanest, due to its cat-like habits; but cats are
cleaner yet, and goldfish hardly ever mess up the house.
return
Bouviers are one of the more flatulent breeds of dog. While the
volume and aroma of the emissions depends partly on the diet, about half an hour
after his meal your nose knows! (As the period of maximum emissions lasts only
half an hour to an hour, it would not be unreasonable to put the dog outdoors in
a fenced yard for this period.) The Bouvier coat, when damp, tends to smell
rather swampy. A wet Bouv confined to a car or small room for an hour or so can
create an aroma even the least sensitive will perceive. Some people consider the
Bouvier beard to have noticeably unpleasant body odor even when dry and recently
groomed. The Bouvier beard tends to retain particles of food, which soon become
offensive if the beard is not washed frequently.
Almost all of the short-haired breeds, other than hound breeds
or a field-bred (oily coated) Chesapeake, are less likely to offend the nose
through general coat/body odor. I'm sure many other breeds are less flatulent,
but it is difficult to get reliable information on this as few owners care to
discuss the issue.
return
The thick shaggy Bouvier coat demands regular grooming, not
merely to look tolerably nice, but also to preserve the health of skin
underneath and to detect and remove foxtails, ticks, and other dangerous
invaders. For "pet" grooming, you should expect to spend 10-15 minutes a day (eg
while listening to music or watching television) on alternate days or half an
hour twice a week. Of course any time your Bouv gets into cockleburrs, filigree,
or other coat-adhering vegetation, you are likely to be in for an hour or more
of remedial work. During "foxtail" season, (western U.S.), you must inspect feet
and other vulnerable areas daily. In Lyme disease areas during tick season, you
will need to inspect for ticks daily. "Pet" grooming does not require a great
deal of skill, but does require time and regularity. Keeping the dog in a short
or semi-short "working clip" substantially reduces grooming time, but does not
eliminate the need for regularity. "Show" (beauty contest) grooming requires a
great deal of skill and considerably more time and effort or expensive
professional grooming.
Almost every Bouvier that is rescued out of a Pound or Shelter
shows the effects of many months of non-grooming, resulting in massive matting
and horrendous filthiness, sometimes with urine and feces cemented into the rear
portions of the coat. It appears that unwillingness to keep up with coat care is
a primary cause of abandonment.
Many other breeds of dog require less grooming; short coated
breeds require very little. The Rottweiler has a temperament and personality
similar to the Bouvier, yet requires little grooming.
return
Bouviers need exercise to maintain the health of heart and lungs
and to maintain muscle tone. Because of his mellow, laid-back, often lazy,
disposition, your Bouvier will not give himself enough exercise unless you
accompany him or play with him. An adult Bouvier should have a morning outing of
a mile or more, as you walk briskly, jog, or bicycle beside him, and a similar
evening outing. For puppies, shorter and slower walks, several times a day are
preferred for exercise and housebreaking.
All dogs need daily exercise of greater or lesser length and
vigor. If providing this exercise is beyond you, physically or temperamentally,
then choose one of the many small and energetic breeds that can exercise itself
within your fenced yard. Most of the Toys and Terriers fit this description, but
don't be surprised if a Terrier is inclined to dig in the earth since digging
out critters is the job that they were bred to do. Cats can be exercised indoors
with mouse-on-a-string toys. Hamster will exercise themselves on a wire wheel.
House plants don't need exercise.
return
Whether you live in town or country, no dog can safely be left to
run "free" outside your fenced property and without your direct supervision and
control. The price of such "freedom" is inevitably injury or death: from
dogfights, from automobiles, from the Pound or from justifiably irate neighbors.
Even though Bouvs are home-loving and less inclined to roam than most breeds, an
unfenced Bouv is destined for disaster. Like other breeds developed for
livestock herding, most Bouvs have inherited a substantial amount of "herding
instinct", which is a strengthened and slightly modified instinct to chased and
capture suitable large prey. The unfenced country-living Bouv will sooner or
later discover the neighbor's livestock (sheep, cattle, horses, poultry) and
respond to his genetic urge to chase and harass such stock. State law almost
always gives the livestock owner the legal right to kill any dog chasing or
"worrying" his stock, and almost all livestock owners are quick to act on this!
The unfenced city Bouv is likely to exercise his inherited herding instinct on
joggers, bicyclists, and automobiles. A thoroughly obedience-trained Bouvier can
enjoy the limited and supervised freedom of off-leash walks with you in
appropriately chosen environments.
If you don't want the responsibility of confining and
supervising your pet, then no breed of dog is suitable for you. A neutered cat
will survive such irresponsibly given "freedom" somewhat longer than a dog, but
will eventually come to grief. A better answer for those who crave a "free" pet
is to set out feeding stations for some of the indigenous wildlife, such as
raccoons, which will visit for handouts and which may eventually tolerate your
close observation.
return
Bouviers are not a cheap breed to buy, as running a careful
breeding program with due regard for temperament, trainability, and physical
soundness (hips especially) cannot be done cheaply. The time the breeder should
put into each puppy's "pre-school" and socialization is also costly. The
"bargain" puppy from a "back-yard breeder" who unselectively mates any two Bouvs
who happen to be of opposite sex may well prove to be extremely costly in terms
of bad temperament, bad health, and lack of essential socialization. In
contrast, the occasional adult or older pup is available at modest price from a
disenchanted owner or from a breeder, shelter, or rescuer to whom the dog was
abandoned; most of these "used" Bouviers are capable of becoming a marvelous dog
for you if you can provide training, leadership, and understanding. Whatever the
initial cost of your Bouvier, the upkeep will not be cheap. Being large dogs,
Bouvs eat relatively large meals. (Need I add that what goes in one end must
eventually come out the other?) Large dogs tend to have larger veterinary bills,
as the amount of anesthesia and of most medications is proportional to body
weight. Spaying or neutering, which costs more for larger dogs, is an essential
expense for virtually all pet Bouviers, as it "takes the worry out of being
close", prevents serious health problems in later life, and makes the dog a more
pleasant companion.
Bouviers are subject to two conditions which can be costly to treat: hip
dysplasia and bloat. (Your best insurance against dysplasia is to buy only from
a litter bred from OFA certified parents and [if possible], grandparents. Yes,
this generally means paying more. While bloat may have a genetic predisposition,
there are no predictive tests allowing selective breeding against it. Your best
prevention is not to feed your dog too soon before or after strenuous exercise.)
Professional grooming, if you use it, is expensive. An adequate set of grooming
tools for use at home adds up to a tidy sum, but once purchased will last many
dog-lifetimes. Finally, the modest fee for participation in a series of basic
obedience training classes is an essential investment in harmonious living with
your dog; such fees are the same for all breeds, though conceivably you will
need to travel a bit further from home to find a training class teacher who is
competent with the more formidable breeds, such as Bouvier. The modest annual
outlays for immunizations and for local licensing are generally the same for all
breeds, though some counties have a lower license fee for spayed/neutered dogs.
All dogs, of whatever breed and however cheaply acquired,
require significant upkeep costs, and all are subject to highly expensive
veterinary emergencies. Likewise all cats.
return
Although the Bouvier's capability as a personal protection dog
and as a police dog have been justifiably well publicized, and occasionally
dramatically over-stated, the Bouvier is not any more capable in these respects
than are half a dozen other protection breeds. Nor are all Bouviers equally
capable: some are highly so and some moderately so, but many have insufficient
natural capacity for such work. Due to his laid-back disposition, the Bouvier
is, if anything, a bit slower to respond aggressively to a threat than are most
other protection breeds. For the same reason, however, The Bouv is perhaps
somewhat more amenable to control by the handler and somewhat more willing to
refrain from biting or to stop biting when told to do so.
Whatever the breed, before the dog can be safely protection
trained, he must have great respect for the leadership of his handler and must
be solidly trained in basic obedience to that handler. Equally essential, he
must have a rock-solidly stable temperament and he must also have been
"socialized" out in the world enough to know that most people are friendly and
harmless, so that he can later learn to distinguish the bad guys from the good
guys. Even with such a dog, safe protection training demands several hundred
hours of dedicated work by the handler, much of it under the direct supervision
of a profoundly expert trainer. Please don't buy any dog for protection training
unless you are absolutely committed to the extreme amount of work that will be
required of you personally. Also talk to your lawyer and your insurance agent
first.
In contrast to the protection-trained dog, trained to bite on
direct command or in reaction to direct physical assault on his master, the
"deterrent dog" dissuades the vast majority of aspiring burglars, rapists, and
assailants by his presence, his appearance, and his demeanor. Seeing such a dog,
the potential wrong-doer simply decides to look for a safer victim elsewhere.
For this job, all that is needed is a dog that is large and that appears to be
well-trained and unafraid. The Bouvier can serve this role admirably, with the
added assets of generally dark color and shaggy "beastial" appearance adding to
the impression of formidability and fearsomeness. If the dog has been taught to
bark a few times on command, eg "Fang, watch him!" rather than "Fifi, speak for
a cookie", this skill can be useful to augment the deterrent effect.
Other breeds of dog which are equally suitable for protection
or for deterrence include the Doberman, Rottweiler, German Shepherd, Briard,
Belgian Sheepdog, Belgian Tervuren, and Belgian Malinois. Of these the first 3
are recognized by the general public as "police dogs" and are probably far more
feared by most potential criminals than is the Bouvier. The Malamute, though not
suitable for protection, is quite effective for deterrence due to his highly
wolf-like appearance.
return
Most Bouviers have an assertive and confident personality. When
confronted with a threat, a proper Bouvier will be somewhat more ready to fight
than to flee. Thus he may respond aggressively in situations where many other
breeds back down. Most Bouviers have some inclination to act aggressively to
repel intruders on their territory (ie your home) and to counter-act assaults
upon their packmates (you and your family). Without training and leadership from
you to guide him, the dog cannot judge correctly whom to repel and whom to
tolerate. Without training and leadership, sooner or later he may injure an
innocent person who will successfully sue you for more than you own. With good
training and leadership from you, he can be profoundly valuable as a defender of
your home and family. (See also remarks on stability and socialization above.)
If you feel no need of an assertive dog or if you have the
slightest doubts of your ability and willingness to supply the essential
socialization, training and leadership, then please choose one of the many
breeds noted for thoroughly unaggressive temperament, such as a Sheltie or a
Golden Retriever.
return
No dog deserves to be cast out because his owners want to move to
a no-pet apartment or because he is no longer a cute puppy or didn't grow up to
be a beauty contest winner or because his owners through lack of leadership and
training have allowed him to become an unruly juvenile delinquent with a
repertoire of undesirable behaviors. The prospects of a responsible and
affectionate second home for a "used" dog are never very bright, but they are
especially dim for a large, shaggy, poorly mannered dog. A Bouvier dumped into a
Pound or Shelter has almost no chance of survival -- unless he has the great
good fortune to be spotted by someone dedicated to Bouvier Rescue. The prospects
for adoption for a youngish, well-trained, and well-groomed Bouvier whose owner
seeks the assistance of the nearest Bouvier Club or Rescue group are fairly
good; but an older Bouv has diminishing prospects. Be sure to contact your local
Bouvier club or Rescue group if you are diagnosed as terminally ill or have
other equally valid reason for seeking an adoptive home. Be sure to contact your
local Bouvier club if you are beginning to have difficulties in training your
Bouvier, so these can be resolved. Be sure to make arrangements in your will
or with your family to ensure continued care or adoptive home for your Bouvier
if you should pre-decease him.
The life span of a Bouvier is from 10 to 15 years. If that
seems too long a time for you to give an unequivocal loyalty to your Bouvier,
then please do not get one! Indeed, as most dogs have a life expectancy that is
as long or longer, please do not get any dog!return
If all the preceeding "bad news" about Bouviers hasn't
turned you away from the breed, then by all means DO GET A BOUVIER!
They are every bit as wonderful as you have heard!
If buying a puppy, be sure to shop carefully for a
responsible and knowledgeable breeder who places high priority on breeding
for sound temperament and trainability and good health in all matings. Such a
breeder will interrogate and educate potential buyers carefully. Such a breeder
will continue to be available for advice and consultation for the rest of the
puppy's life and will insist on receiving the dog back if ever you are unable to
keep it.
However as an alternative to buying a Bouvier puppy, you
may want to give some serious consideration to adopting a rescued Bouvier.
Despite the irresponsibility of their previous owner, almost all rescued
Bouviers have proven to be readily rehabilitated so as to become superb family
companions for responsible and affectionate adopters. Many rescuers are skilled
trainers who evaluate temperament and provide remedial training before offering
dogs for placement, and who offer continued advisory support afterwards. Contact
local Bouvier breeders or Bouvier club members to learn who is doing Rescue work.
return
I first wrote this article nearly 10 years ago. Since
then it has become a classic of Bouvier literature, reprinted many times. Since
then I have spent nearly 5 years in Bouvier Rescue, personally rescuing,
rehabilitating, and placing 3 or 4 per year and assisting in the placement of
others. Very little has needed revision in this new addition.
return
DON'T BUY A BOUVIER IF YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO
THE BREED CHIEFLY BY ITS APPEARANCE.
DON'T BUY A BOUVIER IF YOU
ARE UNWILLING TO SHARE YOUR HOUSE AND YOUR LIFE WITH YOUR DOG.
DON'T BUY A BOUVIER IF YOU
DON'T INTEND TO EDUCATE (TRAIN) YOUR DOG.
DON'T BUY A BOUVIER IF
YOU LACK LEADERSHIP (SELF-ASSERTIVE) PERSONALITY.
DON'T BUY A BOUVIER IF
YOU DON'T VALUE LAID-BACK COMPANIONSHIP AND CALM AFFECTION.
DON'T BUY A BOUVIER IF YOU
ARE FASTIDIOUS ABOUT THE NEATNESS OF YOUR HOME.
DON'T BUY A BOUVIER IF YOU
ARE FASTIDIOUS ABOUT UNPLEASANT ODORS.
DON'T BUY A BOUVIER IF YOU
DISLIKE DOING REGULAR GROOMING.
DON'T BUY A BOUVIER IF
YOU DISLIKE DAILY PHYSICAL EXERCISE.
DON'T BUY A BOUVIER IF YOU
BELIEVE THAT DOGS SHOULD RUN "FREE".
DON'T BUY A BOUVIER IF YOU
CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY, FEED, AND PROVIDE HEALTH CARE FOR ONE.
DON'T BUY A BOUVIER IF YOU
WANT THE "LATEST, GREATEST FEROCIOUS KILLER ATTACK DOG".
DON'T BUY A BOUVIER IF YOU
WANT A TOTALLY UNAGGRESSIVE AND UNPROTECTIVE DOG.
DON'T BUY A BOUVIER IF YOU
ARE NOT WILLING TO COMMIT YOURSELF FOR THE DOG'S ENTIRE LIFETIME.
In Conclusion
Afterwards
DON'T BUY A BOUVIER IF YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO
THE BREED CHIEFLY BY ITS APPEARANCE.
DON'T BUY A BOUVIER IF YOU
ARE UNWILLING TO SHARE YOUR HOUSE AND YOUR LIFE WITH YOUR DOG.
DON'T BUY A BOUVIER IF YOU
DON'T INTEND TO EDUCATE (TRAIN) YOUR DOG.
DON'T BUY A BOUVIER IF YOU LACK
LEADERSHIP (SELF-ASSERTIVE) PERSONALITY.
DON'T BUY A BOUVIER IF YOU DON'T VALUE
LAID-BACK COMPANIONSHIP AND CALM AFFECTION.
DON'T BUY A BOUVIER IF YOU ARE
FASTIDIOUS ABOUT THE NEATNESS OF YOUR HOME.
DON'T BUY A BOUVIER IF YOU ARE
FASTIDIOUS ABOUT UNPLEASANT ODORS.
DON'T BUY A BOUVIER IF YOU
DISLIKE DOING REGULAR GROOMING.
DON'T BUY A BOUVIER IF YOU
DISLIKE DAILY PHYSICAL EXERCISE.
DON'T BUY A BOUVIER IF YOU
BELIEVE THAT DOGS SHOULD RUN "FREE".
DON'T BUY A BOUVIER IF YOU CAN'T
AFFORD TO BUY, FEED, AND PROVIDE HEALTH CARE FOR ONE.
DON'T BUY A BOUVIER IF YOU WANT
THE "LATEST, GREATEST FEROCIOUS KILLER ATTACK DOG".
DON'T BUY A BOUVIER IF YOU
WANT A TOTALLY UNAGGRESSIVE AND UNPROTECTIVE DOG.
DON'T BUY A BOUVIER IF YOU ARE NOT
WILLING TO COMMIT YOURSELF FOR THE DOG'S ENTIRE LIFETIME.
In
Conclusion
An Afterward
Pam Green can be contacted by e-mail via
this link
du Clos de la Fourriere
9269 Mace Blvd.
Davis, CA 95616-9602
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