We've been on a breeders waiting list for 2 years, and finally,
I'm happy to introduce "Scout".
Scout is a 9 week old ,6.5 kg Bouvier des Flandres.
Our other Bouvier, Molly, died of old age ,8 years ago.
Ever since, we knew that someday we would love to have another as a member of our family.
This is a fabulous bred of dog.
They are big:
Their weight ranges from 80 to 125 pounds or 36 to 56 kilograms; they are powerfully built, with a thick double coat which can be fawn, black, grey brindle, or "pepper and salt" in color.
Country/Region of Origin: Belgium
They are strong, fearless companions:
In World War I, the French used Bouviers de Flandres, they pulled the wounded from the battlefields and carried messages, through the gunfire and shelling. The U.S. military had a greater number of Bouviers serving as sentries than any other breed.
By the end of the war, there were few Bouviers de Flandres left. A group of Belgians revived the Bouviers de Flandres breed.
And they are instinctively smart:
In World War II, the Bouvier again faced extinction, but not because they were being used in war. Adolf Hitler was deciding on a breed of guard dog for the Third Reich to use. Having heard of the Bouvier's strengths and abilities, Hitler requested to meet this dog. When Hitler reached out his hand, the Bouvier snapped at him, biting his hand. Hitler decreed that all Bouviers were to be killed on sight. Again, it was the people of Belgium who successfully re-established the breed.

These dogs are wonderful companions, considering their family to be their herd. Although large, they make great house pets. They are at ease when the house is quiet, and ready to play when you are. They are gentle with children Despite the " biting" incident described above, which I believe is just an intuitive knowledge of people, we've never had any type of aggression from this breed. They take a fierce and aggressive stance between strangers and their family, and are extremely protective. There were many times I would be walking alone on the river bank and come upon a group of fishermen. Molly would position herself between me and them , front legs apart, broad chest, high alert. When they asked if she bit, I would say, "not unless I give the command". Although I never had a "command", it felt empowering to say it.. because of their size and protective stance, most people assume correctly that that they would be taken down if they were percieved as a threat. We never had a stranger get out of their car when Molly was outside.
We didn't get him as a guard dog however. the breed is very loving, smart and playful. They never stray, staying within the property, always wanting to be close to their family. Although they are always close by, they are never underfoot.

We've had some sleepless nights as Scout wails from his kennel, hating to be away from his herd, and are going through the trials of house training.

But it was worth the wait.

ps: liz, the other night when I was still awake at 3am listening to his mournful wails I remembered you had a dog named Scout.
Our Scout was named because his mom's name was Rumor.

So here's the trivia question:
Bruce Willis and Demi Moore named their daughters Rumor and Scout.
Which classic novel did these names come from?