Temperament Variations by Lines

This is the opinion of The House and about The House lines - as we know them.

The guidelines here apply generally to puppies 7-9 weeks old.

FOR EXAMPLE: older pups and adults may learn to play fetch because you like it - and they seek positive rewards from you. Some may play as pups and gradually quit as they mature. Generally, working lines enjoy the game for life.

The illustration uses two fawn Bouviers to emphasize external similarities (or differences) do not mandate temperament similarities (or differences). Breeding lineage makes a bigger impact.

Comparing fawns also presents the opportunity to discuss the coat color in the context of acceptability and expectations in different situations.

Again, this is for general purposes and in no way an empirical or absolute chart. It’s our opinion of our Bouviers.

BUYER BEWARE

Made a video with some examples to show how Working Bouviers are simply born different-minded.

As the old adage goes, you can’t make a plow horse into a race horse. You also can’t make a show dog into a working K-9.

This being said, there are momentary crossover behaviors. A plow horse may run to the barn sometimes, but the bigger picture of pattern behaviors, will reveal true temperaments and aptitudes.

Our European breeding partners have long kept the show vs working lines apart - for good reasons. Americans, of course, haven’t always been so informed or careful to understand the temperament of their lines.