The Bouvier des Flandres ("Cattle Dog of Flanders") is a descendant of working cattle and farm dogs in the area that is now Belgium and the Netherlands. Refinement of the breed began around 1900, with the first standard developed in 1912, and the first breed club established in Belgium in 1922. However, the breed suffered heavy loses during the World Wars - during which it served as messengers, ambulance bearers, guard dogs, and trackers - and was restored from a small gene pool. Today the Bouvier des Flandres remains a working dog - police dog, search and rescue dog, therapy dog, seeing eye dog, competitor in dogsports - and loyal family companion and guardian.