adjective
- Brusque or stern in manner or appearance.
- Hoarse; harsh.
- Of a rough or stern manner, voice, or countenance; sour; surly; severe; harsh.
Does the dog in the image above look remotely sour, surly, severe or stern to you?
How about the dog below?
Try this one:
The Bouvier des Flandres might have the only breed standard in the world to mention the word, “gruff,” but certainly, it’s the only breed standard in the AKC and the United Kennel Club to use it. From the Bouvier’s AKC and UKC standards: “The upper lip with its heavy mustache and the chin with its heavy and rough beard give that gruff expression so characteristic of the breed.”
The Bouvier is a thoughtful, sensible, and resolute breed. Calm, fearless and endowed with a wicked intelligence, a Bouvier, especially in a show coat, gives the impression of great strength and sober appraisal which, frankly, can be intimidating. To our eye, “gruffness” underscores the absence of silliness.
That said, and as the top two photos reveal, Bouviers are social creatures not above revealing their “inner softy,” but only to their trusted people.
Split images at the top by raddewey are licensed under CC BY 2.0
Fawn Bouvier image by ©Anna Mandrikyan/Dreamstime stock photo
Bottom photo of Bouvier des Flandres by Eric Isselée/Adobe stock photo