Bouvier Des Flandres

SHADY

Shady is a pet Bouvier des Flandres with ongoing skin issues, heavy coat, and a tendency to arrive with a few surprises hidden under there. In this tutorial, Alicia demonstrates a practical summer clip using a #7 blade, explaining why sometimes comfort and skin health need to take priority over maintaining a longer style. Along the way, she discusses the Bouvier's traditional coat, how the breed is presented in the show ring, and why regular raking and coat maintenance produce a very different texture to the soft pet coat seen here. You'll also see examples of Shady's previous show-style grooming for comparison.

Equipment List:

Clippers
5-in-1 Trimmer
#7 Blade
#10 Blade
Straight Scissors
Thinning Shears
Slicker Brush
Finishing Comb

Part 1 – Pre-clipping, coat assessment and preparation
Alicia assesses Shady's coat condition, discusses his skin issues and matting, and explains why pre-clipping is the most practical approach before bathing. This section includes useful discussion on Bouvier coat texture, traditional coat maintenance, and the realities of grooming heavily coated pet dogs.

Part 2 – Clipping the body and breed-specific preparation
With Shady clean and dry, Alicia completes the main body clip, demonstrates the traditional Bouvier head pattern, and explains how the breed's coat differs between pet and show presentation. Ear work, hygiene areas, and finishing the clipper work are also covered.

Part 3 – Feet, tail and the Bouvier pet head
The finishing touches bring the groom together. Alicia tidies the feet and tail before creating a practical, low-maintenance Bouvier head, showing how to maintain the breed's characteristic expression while keeping the trim suitable for an active pet lifestyle.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

From Alicia | About This Groom

Shady arrived with significant matting, underlying skin irritation, and even grass seeds trapped beneath the coat. While Bouviers can be presented with a longer, traditionally maintained coat through regular raking and stripping, this groom prioritises comfort, skin health, and ease of maintenance. Photos of Shady in a longer show-style trim are included for comparison so you can see the difference between a pet clip and a traditionally groomed Bouvier.

Study Notes | Key Concepts

Not every groom starts with a beautifully maintained coat. In this tutorial, Shady arrives with significant matting, skin issues, and grass seeds trapped beneath the coat. In situations like this, the priority shifts from preserving coat length to improving the dog's comfort, hygiene, and wellbeing. Removing heavily matted coat allows the skin to recover, improves airflow, and helps uncover issues that may otherwise go unnoticed.
The Bouvier des Flandres is traditionally a hand-stripped or coat-raked breed in the show ring, where the harsh outer coat is maintained to preserve texture and colour. Most pet Bouviers are clipped for practicality, particularly when coat maintenance has fallen behind. Alicia discusses the differences between the traditional presentation and the realities of managing a pet coat.
Even when a dog requires a shorter trim, there are still opportunities to maintain a recognisable breed outline. Attention to the head, beard, furnishings, and overall proportions helps preserve the character of the breed while delivering a comfortable, manageable result for the owner.
This groom highlights the importance of thoroughly assessing the coat and skin before starting. Matted areas can conceal irritation, moisture, foreign objects, and parasites. Taking the time to identify these issues helps inform your grooming plan and ensures the dog's welfare remains the priority throughout the groom.