breed of herding dog once prized as a cattle drover and guardian (the French word bouvier means “bovine herder”); today it serves mainly as a diligent family watchdog; slightly curly, harsh, bristly, dense coat can be either solid black, salt and pepper, gray, or brindle; abundant beard; ears are usually cropped to stand erect and pointed; tail is docked and carried upright; eyes are oval, deep-set, and dark brown; adult stands 22–28 in. (56–71 cm) tall at shoulders and weighs 60–70 lbs (27–32 kg); sometimes also called Belgian cattle dog; resolute and fearless demeanor; originated in Flanders several hundred years ago; breed was fostered by Dr. Adolphe Reul of the Veterinary School of Brussels; became almost extinct during World War I when Flanders was the center of intense fighting; revived in 1920s,