There are several synonyms for “gruff,” but one of them, “no-nonsense,” best describes “gruff” as it applies to the Bouvier des Flandres. Even the Bouvier breed standard includes “gruff” as part of its breed standard: “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.”
Bouvier des Flandres by Catherine Temple
www.petportraitsbycatherine.com
Our dearly loved Bouvier, Ch. Rowsby Woof Du Matin — He may look gruff (I agree!) but he’s a love at heart. 🙂
He’s wonderful, Nedra. Our son also was best buds with a Bouvier who outweighed him by a lot, but he was always gentle and sweet.