Beauceron: Loyal French Breed

Written by: Bojana Radulovic
The Beauceron is a large dog with excellent watching skills. Originally from France, this is one of the oldest pure breeds alive. Check this ultimate guide on fantastic Beauceron for more information on the breed.

Breed Characteristics:

The Beauceron is a faithful, obedient, and powerful breed. This fantastic breed is also one of the rarest dog breeds of today.

The Beauceron is a friendly herder that can have a 100-pound body and can live up to 12 years. If you are thinking about welcoming a herding breed in your home, here is what you should know.

Quick Facts

Real name: Beauceron
Other names: French Shorthaired Shepherd, Beauce Sheep dog, Beauce Shepherd, Berger de Beauce, Bas Rouge
Origin: France
Breed type: Herding Dogs
Weight:Male 70–110 lb (32–50 kg), Female 70–110 lb (32–50 kg)
Height: Male 25.5–27.5 in (65–70 cm), Female 24–26.5 in (61–67 cm)
Lifespan: 10–14 years
Color: Harsh outer coat with woolly, fluffy undercoat
Coat: Short coat

Beauceron History

The Beauceron is a French breed, dating far to 1500s. The breed originated in an area close to Pari, named La Beauce.

This is the largest French sheepdog, bred to protect and drive sheep, protect the family and the cattle. In far 1863, there were two types of this flock-herding and guarding dogs defined:

  • the long-coated Berger de Brie (Briard), and
  • the short-coated Berger de Beauce (Beauceron)

In 1893, the Société Centrale Canine registered the first Berger de Beauce, while the first breed club was formed in 1922. The Beauceron remained as the preferred herding dog in France, making the breed relatively unknown outside France.

This breed was even employed by the French army to deliver messages on the front lines during both world wars.

The Beauceron is known for its incredible ability to follow directions, detect mines, and follow trails, which made them respected police and military dogs.

They are also great family dogs. During the 1960s, dog lovers made a huge effort to preserve the qualities of this native French breed, and many others, so the popularity of the breed grew, not only in France but all over the world as well.

In 1980 the first Beauceron Club of America was formed, and in 2001 the AKC admitted the Beauceron into the Miscellaneous class.

Beauceron As a Working Breed

Beauceron was used to guard and herd cattle and sheep, and the breed was extremely useful against wolves, as well.

During the wars, the breed was trained to be a messenger dog, land mine detection dog, supply transport dog, police dog, search dog, and rescue dog.

The Beauceron was also extensively used in the search and rescue efforts on September 11.

Beauceron Physical Appearance

The ideal Beauceron is a well-built, solid dog of good muscles and height, without heaviness. Male dogs are significantly bigger than female dogs.

This breed stands 61 to 70 cm (24 to 27.5 inches) in height and weighs 30 to 45 kg (66 to 100 pounds). This breed has a hard outer coat and a substantial undercoat that grows thick in cold weather, especially if the dog spending most time outside, including sleeping.

They are usually black and tan. This breed may also be black, grey, and merle. Other colors, such as grey or grey/black, tawny.

They also have tan markings that appear in two dots above the eyes, fading off to the cheeks, but they do not go under the ears.

They also have markings under the tail, on the throat, and the sides of the muzzle. In Europe, ear cropping is no longer allowed.

Most dog breeds may not have dewclaws (many owners choose to remove them), and Beauceron has double dewclaw. To be shown, a Beauceron must have double dewclaws. The Beauceron is a large breed, with powerful muscled, and strong feet ad nails.

This breed also has full jaws with strong teeth meeting in a scissor bite.

Ears are always black, while the neck is muscled, while the tail in naturally carried down and is never docked. When on the move, the tail is raised.

Beauceron Temperament

In France, the Beauceron is known as a guard dog of high intelligence. This breed is known for being a real help around the hard.

They are prone to herding cattle or sheep, which is why toddlers should be calm around this breed, and never make sudden moves or run.

The Beauceron is an athletic, healthy, and long-lived breed who is a natural guard dog.

They are not fond of strangers at first, but if they are trained right and socialized early, they may catch the clue from their owners on how to treat individual strangers.

Their weatherproof coats make them resistant to the colder temperature, so don’t be surprised if your Boauceron with to sleep outside from time to time.

Still, they thrive in a pack or with numerous family members. Since they are more comfortable learners, it’s crucial to train them right.

If you have children, make sure that you teach them how to behave around dogs.

This breed is usually recommended to owners who have long experience of having dogs. Their mental and physical development is interestingly similar to other similar breeds, such as German Shepherd and large shepherds.

They are both mentally and physically matured at the age of three, so training shouldn’t be rushed, although early socialization is essential.

Living With Beauceron

The Beauceron will be the happiest with ample space to live and run. So, if you are serious about providing this dog the best life possible, think about being on a farm, or having a really large backyard.

This breed thrives in the open space. Since Beaucerons have a high energy level, they will spend the majority of their time running.

They will be willing to adapt to indoor life, but they prefer the outdoors. They also love it when they are buys.

Moreover, they are happiest when they have a particular job to do. They are great dogs, but they won’t hesitate to protect their family members if needed.

If you want them to accept other pets, you must work on that from puppyhood, and the same applies to children as well.

Since they have a short coat, weekly brushing will be easy, and you will be able to maintain the skin clean and healthy with almost minimum effort.

However, if you live on the farm, you will have to invest more time in checking your Beauceron for fleas or any skin problem. They also shed all year round but will shed more in warm weather.

Beauceron Grooming

The Beauceron has a double-coat, but the overall grooming of the breed is minimal. You should brush your dog at least two times per week. In short, this breed will shed, but won’t require a lot of grooming.

Overall, grooming needs with this breed are low. Still, this doesn’t mean that you won’t have to invest time and energy to have perfectly groom your Beauceron. Brush your dog at least two times per week.

Brushing should be increased when the heavy shedding season kicks in. Check the dog’s eyes and gums on a weekly level.

Learn how to clean dog’s ears, to stop was building, and trim nails regularly. Or can always think about nail grinder, if trimming seems too intimidating.

Provide regular training and exercise activities to keep your dog healthy and active.

Incorporate reward-based games on a weekly level to keep your Beauceron mentally stimulated and engaged. This breed, just like with any other dog breed, doesn’t often require bath.

If the occasion requires it, you can bath your Beauceron. Think about homemade shampoo for dogs, as a healthy option.

Beauceron Training

To have a well-behaved Beauceron, you must train your dog from day one.

Early socialization is the key when it comes to shaping a dog who is obedient, follows the rulers, and knows how to behave around humans and other pets.

Since this is a strong breed, both physically and mentally, this breed is not recommended for first-time dog owners. Make sure that you provide early socialization, exposure to various sounds, unknown people, and different smells from day one.

If you are getting a puppy, make sure that you use stay-period at home during vaccination time, to capitalize on early socialization.

If you have children, make sure to teach them how to behave around dogs, and never to disturb them while they are eating or drinking water.

Educate your children that any area around the dog’s bowl is off-limit for humans.

This dog may be wary of strangers, but they will never be aggressive unless they are provoked. This breed needs a wide range of exercises. Moreover, this dog will thrive next to an active owner.

This breed needs a wide range of exercises. Moreover, this breed will thrive next to an active owner.

The strong Beauceron wasn’t bred to gather sheep, but to participate in herding activities, such as Schutzhund (protection work), agility trials, and various activities such as mushing, skijoring, and even carting.

Beauceron Health

The Beauceron is generally a healthy breed. Still, as any dog breed, this breed can also demonstrate some health issues or is more prone to some diseases.

The Beauceron is a deep-chested dog, and as such, may be prone to bloat, which may have a fatal outcome.

Responsible breeders will always scan puppies for common medical issues,s and you should get a paper saying that dog is healthy.

If breeders miss mentioning medical documents, that should be an alarm for you that you are dealing with an unhonest, or unprofessional breeder.

Since this is a large dog breed, you should keep on mind joint problems including hip dysplasia.

Keep an eye on the eye problems, heart disease, and allergies. As mentioned earlier, check the ears and teeth regularly.

Occasional Diagnoses

  • Dermatomyositis

Minor Concerns

  • Gastric Torsion
  • Allergies
  • Hip Dysplasia

Occasional Tests

  • Hip
  • X-Rays
  • Physical Examination

Recommended Health Tests:

  • Hip Evaluation
  • Ophthalmologist Evaluation
  • Cardiac Exam

The Bottom Line

The Beauceron is a faithful and obedient dog in the hands of an experienced owner. This breed is muscular and large, standing as high as 27.5 inches, with a short and soft coat.

Well-socialized Beauceron is an excellent watchdog, who will be a guardian as well, when close to family members. If you want a dog who is loyal, but also active and loves having a busy outdoor life, then the Beauceron might be for you.

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