This breed has his origine in southwestern 
Flanders and northern France (region of Lille).

Only in 1912 one started to be seriously interested in our Bouvier, especially in the area of Courtrai (in Dutch: Kortrijk). Two types first were distinguished: the first, with grey hair  called type "Paret" (Bouvier des Flandres); the second is the Bouvier de Roulers, often black and larger and called type  "Moerman" or "Pikhaar" (prickly hair). Some wanted the merger of the two types, others had a different opinion. At the time of the declaration of the war of 1914, the question was outstanding.
The breed was making rapid progress when World War I broke out. The areas where the Bouvier was most largely bred and where it was becoming popular were entirely destroyed. However, a few men succeeded in keeping their dogs all through the war.
In 1923, the Royal Company Saint-Hubert published a standard (with the fusion of the two types) which was not recognized by the Belgian Kennel Club. 
France, which asserted its rights of paternity to this breed, published in its turn, in 1931, a modified standard. The differences related especially to the colour of the hair and the size.

Nic de Sottegem, was shown in 1920 at the Olympic show in Antwerp, where the judge, Charles Huge, said: "Nic is the ideal type of Bouvier. He has a short body, with well-developed ribs, short flanks, strong legs, good feet, long and oblique shoulders. His head is of a good shape, with somber eyes and an ideal courageous expression. His hair is dry and dark. I hope that this dog will have numerous progeny."
Charles Huge's hope was realized. When Nic died in 1926, he left many descendants whose names appear in almost every pedigree. Among those worthy of mention are Prince D'Or, Ch. Draga, Coralie de Sottegem, Goliath de la Lys, Lyda, Nora, Ch. Dragon de la Lys, etc. 

Multilingual  Standards