Dr. Reul, of the Veterinary School of Brussels, was the first to call the attention of breeders to the many good qualities of the Bouvier. Most of the early Bouvier breeders were farmers, or cattle merchants, not particularly interested in breeding pedigreed dogs. No one was surprised that the first Bouviers were not absolutely uniform in size, weight and colour. Nevertheless, they all had enough characteristics in common to be recognized as Bouviers.

The first Bouviers appeared at the Societe Royale St. Hubert International dog show of May 1910. However, a standard for the Bouvier was not adopted until 1912.

The breed was making rapid progress when World War I broke out. Those parts of the country where the Bouvier was most largely bred, and where it was becoming increasingly popular, were entirely destroyed; the people left the country and most of the dogs were lost. Nevertheless, a few men succeeded in keeping their dogs all through the war and the progeny of these dogs did much to revive the Bouvier in Belgium.

Since then, Bouviers have attained even great success and breeders do not forget that the Bouvier is first and foremost a working dog, and although they try to standardize its type, they do not want to lose the early qualities which first called attention to its desirability.....and to emphasize this point, A Bouvier being shown in Belgium cannot win the title of champion unless he has also won a prize in a work-competion.