Black Russian Terrier vs Bouvier des Flandres

A Black Russian Terrier
Photo: Seongbin Im
A Bouvier des Flandres
Photo: Svenska Mässan from Sweden

Side by side

Black Russian Terrier
Bouvier des Flandres
Adult weight
Males 50–60 kg (110–132 lb); females 45–50 kg (99–110 lb) (breed club figure)1
Males 35–40 kg (77–88 lb); females 27–35 kg (60–77 lb)2
Lifespan
Median 10.9 years3
Median 11.3 years3
Fully grown
13 months, both sexes4
12 months, both sexes4
Group
Pinschers & molossoids5
Sheepdogs & cattledogs2
Coat
Wire or harsh coat5
Wire or harsh coat2
Shedding
Holds loose hair until it is brushed or clipped out
Grooming
A brush once a week
Exercise
A moderate amount
Plenty
Health
No sourced figure
Lymph node cancer (more likely)6
Class
Watchdog
Watchdog

Which suits you

Size
The Black Russian Terrier is larger: about 51 kg (113 lb) as an adult, against 34 kg (76 lb) for the Bouvier des Flandres.
Exercise
Plan for plenty of exercise with the Bouvier des Flandres, and a moderate amount with the Black Russian Terrier.
Temperament
They differ most on intelligence (Black Russian Terrier: needs daily brain work; Bouvier des Flandres: learns readily, likes games) and on sensitivity (Black Russian Terrier: average; Bouvier des Flandres: hardy, takes a busy home in its stride).
Alike
Both are rated the same on loyalty: sticks close to its people.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
Take the breed matcher

What they're like

Black Russian Terrier
Pinschers & molossoids · Large

By temperament the breed is calm, self-assured and watchful. It is reserved with strangers and closely attached to its own family.

Bouvier des Flandres
Sheepdogs & cattledogs · Large

Bouviers are calm, steady and watchful, with a strong protective streak and a reserved manner towards strangers.

The Black Russian Terrier page →The Bouvier des Flandres page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Black Russian Terrier
Bouvier des Flandres
Activity
A good daily walk and play
A good daily walk and play
Intelligence
Differs
Needs daily brain work
Learns readily, likes games
Handler demand
Needs an experienced owner
Needs an experienced owner
With people
Black Russian Terrier
Bouvier des Flandres
Affection
Affectionate on its own terms
Affectionate on its own terms
Loyalty
Sticks close to its people
Sticks close to its people
Independence
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Around the home
Black Russian Terrier
Bouvier des Flandres
Sensitivity
Differs
Average
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Voice
Barks to alert, then settles
Barks to alert, then settles
Prey drive
Chases; needs managing
Chases; needs managing
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour7. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home8,9.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
The Black Russian Terrier grows to the heavier adult, about 53 kg against the Bouvier des Flandres's 34 kg.
Black Russian Terrier
Bouvier des Flandres
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More comparisons

Compare the Black Russian Terrier with
Black Russian Terrier vs Giant SchnauzerBouvier des Flandres vs Giant SchnauzerBouvier des Flandres vs BriardBlack Russian Terrier vs Cane CorsoBouvier des Flandres vs German ShepherdAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·