My husband was taking some pictures of the dogs

[China_cat]

I love this one.

[liberalEd]

1. Pupcus on the lens!

I love the highlights on top, and that one big brown eye.

Dogs don't seem to mind the hair, but I always have this urge to brush it away from their eyes. Same reaction to women with bangs. :)

Very cute!

[TahitiNut]

2. Bouvier??

I love the soulful look.

[China_cat]

3. Yes

Echo's Automagic Valiant. Mostly known as Dot.

[TahitiNut]

4. Wonderful breed.

Forever curious, "lap dogs," strong, sometimes a little dopey but very good-natured. Love 'em.

[China_cat]

5. You forgot stubborn and smelly.

[TahitiNut]

6. (tsk, tsk) I'd call it resolute and scented.

:rofl:

Yes, "bull-headed" doesn't quite cover it and walking them takes a very strong arm. But that's part of their charm, imho. Obedience training is an essential part of having any dog, but with Bouviers in particular. (My black Lab used to love his training sessions.) They were bred as cattle dogs, with skull thick enough to butt the cattle. At the same time, they love rough-and-tumble activities and are usually quite playful. I had friends who showed theirs (three, at one time) and I couldn't stop laughing when they tail-waggingly just kept trying to climb in my lap when I was petting and scratching them. Lovable oafs. That's not to say they're less acute than most breeds - since they get quite alert and bright when working. It's just that they get really oafish when playing. When they're in shape, they're hard as stone - very muscular. Certainly not fluff-balls by any stretch of the imagination.

I feel fairly safe in characterizing the breed this way as a fellow who used to hang out at dog shows just for fun. I'm a great fan of the working and sporting breeds.

I really like Dot's photo. It's hard to capture the expression of dark-coated dogs in a photograph, I've found. It seems to me that Dot's personality comes out quite nicely. (She sure likes 'daddy', doesn't she?)

[China_cat]

8. After 32 years with the breed

I'll say stubborn and smelly.

Even the softest of this breed that we've had could outstubborn a dead mule.

[JeffR]

7. That's a wonderful shot

These have been good days for dog people, pic-wise.:party: