Most of the early Bouvier breeders were farmers, butchers, or cattle merchants and not particularly interested in breeding pedigree dogs. All they wanted was help in their work. No one is surprised that the first Bouviers were not absolutely uniform in size, weight and colour. Nevertheless, they all had enough characteristics in common to be recognized as Bouviers. They had different names: vuilbaard (dirty beard), koehond (cow dog), toucheur de boeuf (cattle driver).
Long prized for his remarkable abilities as an all-purpose farm dog, the Bouvier has served as cattle driver, messenger, guardian and protector.