Beauceron: Bold French Herding Dog

History Of The Beauceron

 

The Beauceron is a French herding dog known in France as Berger de Beauce (sheepdog from Beauce) or Bas Rouge (red-stockings). Its name comes from the agricultural area southwest of Paris, [wiki]Beauce, France[/wiki].

These dogs date back to the 1500s and were used as farm dogs, herding sheep, protecting cattle, and guarding the family. The two breeds were very well known in France but remained relatively unknown in the rest of the world.

French Shepherds

Two French shepherd dogs with a common ancestry were present in France during the mid-1800s. In 1896, the [wiki]Société Centrale Canine[/wiki] designated the dog with a short coat as the Beauceron, while the long-coated dog became the Briard.

In 1980, the American Beauceron Club began; in 1998, the AKC entered the Beauceron into the Foundation Stock Service.    In 2001 the AKC officially recognized the breed as a member of the Herding Group.

The Beauceron is one of the dog breeds used to develop the Doberman Pinscher.

Appearance

Beaucerons are large-sized dogs standing 24-28 inches tall and weighing 70-100 pounds. Most have a black and tan coat, although some may be grey and tan or black and rust. Some are a harlequin color, a coat with a white base, and black patches.

The breed is a highly intelligent and sensitive member of the Herding Group. It has a balanced, solid, and powerful but agile body.

Although the dog started as herding dogs, they became well-respected in the military as service dogs during both world wars. Their skills included tracking, detecting mines, and guard duty.

More Than a Herding Dog

The French army used the Beauceron on the front lines to run messages during the World Wars, taking advantage of their willingness to obey orders without question. They followed tracks, found mines, and supported commando operations. The breed is still used as police and military dogs today.

In France, the Beauceron has been more popular since the 1960s. But the breed wasn’t well-known outside of France until lately. The dog is becoming more prominent in several nations, including the United States. Due to his appearance and personality, he has received a lot of attention.

Due to the Beauceron temperament, they score high in training, watchdog, and protection ability. Beauceron are loyal, calm, and courageous, especially while guarding the family, and are very patient around children.

How Big Is A Beauceron?

This breed is a large-sized dog that weighs 65 to 100 pounds and measures 24 to 27.5 inches. The Beauceron’s woolly undercoat thickens in cold weather, especially if the dog spends the night outside.

It has a rough outer coat. Its typical coloring is either black and tan (the latter color is known in French as rouge ecureuil, squirrel-red) or merle, a combination of grey, black, and tan. Other hues, such as the formerly popular tawny, grey, or grey/black, are now forbidden by breed standards. The merle coats ought to have no white and more black than gray.

Tan markings in black and tan dogs show as two spots above the eyes and on the sides of the muzzle before fading away and ending at the cheeks, but they do not extend to the underside of the ears. Additionally, on the chest, legs, and under the tail.

A chest plate is acceptable in place of the two spots that should appear as the tan markings on the chest. Most nations no longer permit ear cropping.

Are Beaucerons Good Family Dogs?

Despite being attentive and trainable, the Beauceron is not a dog for inexperienced owners. Due to their strong personalities and intense desire for mental and physical stimulation, this dog breed frequently needs a knowledgeable, devoted, and active owner.

Dogs that aren’t given enough stimulation might be troublesome and destructive. Although pups are not frequently available, it is essential to be patient when choosing a breeder and puppy. Adding a dog to one’s household should be a carefully considered decision.

This energetic and intelligent dog needs lots of daily exercise and mental stimulation. This breed is not happy sitting around the house all day. Without the proper mental and physical stimulation, they become easily bored and may act out destructively.

This breed should have access to a large, fenced-in yard but should sleep inside at night with the family.

Do Beaucerons Shed?

The Beauceron has a short, dense double coat, with a rough, waterproof outer coat covering a soft undercoat.

Although it doesn’t need much grooming, it sheds a lot throughout the year and even more during the shedding seasons (twice a year). You may need weekly brushing (daily brushing during shedding season) with a medium-bristle brush, a rubber grooming mitt or tool, or a hound glove. The dead hair should be removed before it can land on the furniture.

Like all breeds, the Beauceron should have its nails cut periodically since they can become painful and interfere with its ability to run and walk. The two dewclaws on the back legs should be trimmed. Brushing also encourages the growth of new hair.

Health Concerns

The average lifespan of the Beauceron is 10-12 years. There are no major health concerns in the breed, but the breed does have some health issues.

Hip joint laxity (looseness of the hip joint), a partial dislocation of the hip joint), and significant arthritic change are the primary abnormalities in canine hip dysplasia (a degenerative condition).

Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a condition affecting the heart muscle that makes the heart expand and perform poorly. The ventricle (lower chamber) loses its capacity to contract and pump blood to the body or the lungs, and the atria (upper chamber) and ventricle expand.

Large breed dogs with cavernous chest chambers are more likely to have gastritis and bloating. The stomach swells as a result of gas. Sometimes the stomach contracts at both ends as it rotates on its axis (called torsion). If this illness is not addressed immediately, generally by surgery, it could be fatal to the dog.

Numerous eye conditions can affect dogs. A yearly ophthalmologic check by a licensed veterinarian eye specialist is advised for all dog breeds.

The Beauceron Club of America is the parent club for the AKC and is responsible for maintaining the Beauceron standard.

Beauceron Price

The cost of a Beauceron can vary depending on several factors, such as the breeder’s reputation, the dog’s pedigree, and the location. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000 for a Beauceron puppy from a reputable breeder.

It’s important to note that the initial cost of purchasing a Beauceron is just one aspect of the total cost of ownership. You’ll also need to consider ongoing expenses such as food, veterinary care, and training.

Additionally, it’s important to only purchase a Beauceron from a reputable breeder who conducts health testing on their dogs and provides proper socialization for their puppies. Buying a Beauceron from an irresponsible breeder or pet store can lead to health and behavior issues down the line, which can result in significant expenses and heartache.