Beauceron

The Beauceron is a brilliant, gentle, and obedient dog. He has a calm demeanor but is suspicious of strangers. He will take a protective stance if he feels his family is being threatened.

Breed Photos

Origin History

The earliest mention of this breed was in a manuscript dating back to 1578. It is in it that a dog from the northern region of France was described, exactly fitting the modern breed description. By the end of the nineteenth century, the dog we now know as the Beauceron was very standardized. And a large number of competitors in French shows at that time were hardly different from the ones we see today. Along with other breeds, including the Rottweiler, German Pinscher, and Weimaraner, it was used to create the Doberman Pinscher breed in the early twentieth century. The Beauceron’s primary function has always been to guard sheep herds and cattle herds.

Appearance

The Beauceron is an imposing, large dog, strongly built but not bulky. He is very slender, athletic, and flexible.

He is confident and poised. His head is large, his jaw is strong, and his eyes are intelligent and wary, slightly oval in shape and brown.

The breed’s athleticism is reflected in its broad nostrils and chest. The hind limbs are strongly muscled. The paws are large and compact, with well convex toes.

The two sexes differ markedly: males are noticeably heavier, and females are more refined and feminine. The height range is 65 to 70 cm for males and 61 to 68 cm for females. Their respective weight ranges are 40-50 kg and 32-42 kg. The coat is short, smooth and shiny, and stiff to the touch. The coloration is pure black or reddish-brown spots – on the paws, muzzle, and chest area.

Character

The Beauceron is a brilliant, gentle, and obedient dog. He has a calm demeanor but is suspicious of strangers. He will take a protective stance if he feels his family is being threatened. As a guard dog, it does an excellent job. Can raise alarms with ease and will act with force if the situation calls for it, a trait that needs to be managed with intense socialization.

He is quite determined and needs an experienced owner. He has the potential to dominate people who cannot be authoritative leaders. This breed does not mix well with other pets, including dogs.

Care

The Beauceron needs to have its claws trimmed, but only when they become too long, causing pain or discomfort to the dog. To keep the Beauceron’s coat in good condition, it is enough to brush it periodically. The Beauceron does not require frequent grooming, and it can be washed in the bathtub or the yard with a hose and a little dog shampoo.

Training

Beauceron are well-trained, intelligent dogs that need constant training. They want to please and are incredibly responsive to praise from a strong leader. Training should begin at a very early age. Good manners, such as sitting while waiting for food and not jumping up without an invitation, should be taught when the puppy is only eight weeks old.

Because of their natural wariness toward strangers, Bocerons should be intensively socialized with people outside the family. Such socialization should begin as soon as the puppy is purchased and continue throughout his life. This is a dog that will excel in obedience, agility, and flyball competitions.

Common Diseases

Most Beaucerons are incredibly healthy. However, as with any breed, there are many health problems that prospective owners should be aware of:

• atopic dermatitis;
• congenital deafness;
• dilated cardiomyopathy;
• elbow dysplasia;
• gastric dilatation/volvulus;
• hip dysplasia.

Nutrition

The Beauceron gets everything it needs with the food and, at the same time, will not overeat. Don’t buy cheap feeds that have cereal or bone meal in the first place. Premium food with a high meat content is an excellent choice. It’s not a good idea to treat the Beaucerons:

• fatty meat, shish kebab, lard;
• fried, spicy, smoked, or heavily salted;
• with milk of any fat content;
• chocolate, candy, pastries, and flour products;
• river fish;
• bones.