Strong and loyal, the Beauceron are a good choice for active people with experience in dog breeding. Well trained, these big guys will obey you without batting an eye, but we already anticipate that they can be difficult to handle if they have not been educated correctly.
It is a little-known breed outside of France, where shepherds and farmers take advantage of the formidable resistance of these dogs when carrying out all kinds of work; they also stand out as guard dogs. Do you want to know all the details about this breed?
Index of contents
- 1 Beauceron physical characteristics
- 1.1 Beauceron Standard
- 2 Beauceron dog character
- 3 Care required by the dogs of this breed
- 4 Beauceron health problems
- 5 History and curious facts about the Beauceron breed
Beauceron physical characteristics
The Beaucerons they have a powerful and athletic body, with a muscular build but that does not give a feeling of heaviness or brutality. They offer the typical bearing of the sheepdog: resistant, agile and strong. They are a bit longer than they are tall, which gives them a slim look. The back is straight and the chest is wide and deep. Its front legs are straight and muscular, while the rear ones have a double spur.
The head in this breed is rather elongated, with a size that is always in proportion to the rest of the body and that is supported by a long and muscular neck. The skull is the same length as the muzzle, which is medium wide, not very pointed and with the black truffle. The eyes are oval in shape and also dark in color. The gaze is alert and confident. The ears are medium in size, flat and are usually worn drooping. On the other hand, the tail is long, low insertion and J-shaped.
The Beauceron’s coat is double, with a rough exterior that can reach up to 4 cm and that it is presented close to the body. The undercoat is gray, fine and dense. On the legs, the reddish hair makes them known as “red stockings” in France. The Harlequin-type Beaucerons have the mantle in a combination of black and bluish gray.
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Height between 65 and 70 cm in males and between 61 and 68 cm in females |
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Weight of between 31 and 50 kg in males and females |
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Abundant hair, medium length and well attached to the body. The most frequent colors are the black cloak with the eyebrows, the legs, the muzzle and the chest of fire color and the harlequin, which is a combination of black and bluish gray |
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Kind, obedient and energetic character |
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Health sensitive to stomach torsion and hip dysplasia. Frequent damage to the rear leg spur |
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Estimated life expectancy between 10 and 12 years |
Beauceron Standard
The presence of the double spur es a fundamental feature of this variety and a simple one is not supported. Another of the fouls at the discretion of the judges are very clear or yellow eyes.
A truffle with a color other than black or with spots without pigmentation is also not accepted. Regarding the coat, the spots of white in black and tan specimens are inadmissible, or the excess of gray in the Harlequins, including those with a completely bluish head. Also, too coarse or matted hair is not tolerated.
Beauceron dog character
Very loving and loyal to their inner circle, the Beaucerons are very cordial at home. They get along well with adults and children, although games between them should always be controlled to avoid incidents. Their instinct for protection makes them always be aware of humans. Therefore, they are excellent as guide dogs or to accompany the elderly.
They are also good guardians, very brave and with a great sense of duty. Their temperament makes them suspicious by nature, although without a tendency to attack strangers. They are dogs with great self-confidence and well-behaved they will behave in a balanced way with their own and strangers. With other dogs or cats they will establish good relationships. But, for this, early socialization is key.
They are somewhat impulsive dogs, which tend to play by jumping on top of people and also catch (without biting) with their mouths. The Beauceron’s instruction must be firm to prevent these dominant traits from dominating.
They are not dogs for people without experience or with little time to dedicate to them. Also, patience and consistency are essential, as they do not respond well to severe training methods, especially physical correction.
Care required by the dogs of this breed
Physical exercise is essential for a Beauceron. They have large reserves of strength and power, which you should redirect to avoid an excess of effusiveness at home. They are not dogs to keep in a city flat or in a house without a garden.
The outings must be daily and extensive, while the activities must be varied; otherwise they will be bored. further they need physical and mental challenges, so canine sports can be of great help. Carting, schutzhund, agility or grazing are good options to burn calories and tire these earthquakes.
Another aspect to keep in mind is that the Beaucerons lose a lot of hair during the year and more during their two annual molts. Brushing should be done – at least – once a week under normal circumstances and daily during the molting season. Bathrooms only every 6 weeks or if it is very dirty; otherwise your inner hair layer will be weakened.
Nail care, especially on the double spur of the hind legs, is essential, since it is a very sensitive area of your body. Try to check them frequently, especially after long walks or intense activity.
Keep in mind, finally, that they are dogs famous for their voracious appetite, so you must take care of their diet so that they do not suffer from being overweight. As large working dogs, they need a diet with a high protein content and regularity of food. Dog treats should be limited as much as possible.
Beauceron health problems
Torsion of the stomach is a condition that may appear in specimens of this breed. To prevent it, prevent your canine companion from eating too quickly and from exercising soon after eating food. Stomach twist can be fatal if not treated in time.
Other conditions with a certain incidence in the Beauceron are hip dysplasia (a congenital disease that limits your mobility), allergies, and heart failure, especially dilated cardiomyopathy.
History and curious facts about the Beauceron breed
The Beaucerons arise in the Middle Ages, in the agricultural area of Beauce, a plain located southwest of Paris and known as “the barn of France”. In their origins they were used together with another Gallic breed, the Briard, to take care of sheep and cattle.
Both varieties were interchangeably bred until 1896, when they were standardized. In this way, the long-haired specimens began to be identified as Briard, while the short-haired ones were called Beauceron.
These dogs work differently than other skilled sheepdogs such as the Australian Shepherd or the German Shepherd. Instead of moving tirelessly and barking to guide the herd, they surround the herd in silence and lead it much more calmly.
Like many European races, they were also present in wars, especially in the First Great War, due to their great talent and agility between the trenches. This breed was officially recognized in 1963.