Everything about your Beauceron

  Expect to be herded by this stubborn French beauty. Highly versatile and intelligent, the protective Beauceron is an excellent watchdog for his family and home, but he’s not for first-time dog owners. He is an athlete and will make sure you get outside for exercise and fun. His short coat is easy to groom.

Overview

  The Beauceron, also known as the Bas Rouge, the Beauce Shepherd, the Berger de Beauce and the French Shorthaired Shepherd, is the largest of the French sheepherding dogs. It is closely related to the longhaired Briard (Berger de Brie) and has been controlling flocks of sheep and herds of cattle since at least the 16th century. The Beauceron is a muscular, deep-chested and imposing dog with a short coat and a long tail, somewhat resembling a cross between a Doberman Pinscher and a German Shepherd Dog. This is a potentially aggressive breed, always ready to attack if it deems it necessary to protect its people, property or livestock. However, if gently and consistently trained and socialized, thye Beauceron can make a loyal and trusted companion. One of the more unusual features of the breed is the required presence of double dewclaws on its rear legs. The Beauceron was only recently recognized by the American Kennel Club, becoming a member of the Herding Group in 2007.

Other Quick Facts

  The Beauceron is a “mouthy” dog. Be sure you have plenty of tough toys on hand for him to carry around and chew on. Don’t let him gnaw on your hands, feet, or other body parts.

Breed standards
AKC group: Herding
UKC group: Herding dog
Average lifespan: 10-12 years
Average size: 80 to 110 pounds
Coat appearance: Harsh outer coat with woolly, fluffy undercoat
Coloration: Black with tan markings, or black and mottled grey with tan markings
Hypoallergenic: No
Best Suited For: Families with older children, active singles and seniors, houses with yards, farms
Temperament: Calm, reliable loyal, devoted
Comparable Breeds: Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd

History

  A French herding breed known for centuries in western Europe, the Beauceron is noted as one of the breeds used to create the Doberman Pinscher. The regional name is somewhat misleading: the breed was found throughout northern France, rather than just in the Beauce region. Although quite different in appearance, the Beauceron and the long-haired sheep dog, the Briard, stem from similar ancestral stock, sharing the trait of double dewclaws on the hind legs. Both were used to herd sheep and cattle. Like the Beauceron, the Briard is found throughout northern France, and despite implications from its name, also did not come exclusively from the Brie region.
  In 1809, Abbé Rozier wrote an article on these French herding dogs, in which he described the differences in type and used the terms Berger de Brie and Berger de Beauce.
  In 1893, the veterinarian Paul Megnin differentiated between the long-haired Berger de la Brie and the short-haired Berger de Beauce. He defined the standard of the breed, with the assistance of M. Emmanuel Ball. In 1922, the Club des Amis du Beauceron was formed under the guidance of Dr. Megnin.
  In 2008, the Beauceron made its debut in the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

Temperament

  The Beauceron is known as a calm, intelligent and gentle dog and one that enjoys being in a family environment. They are agile, athletic and brave becoming totally devoted to their families and children. They can be a little wary and aloof around people they don’t already know, but rarely would a Beauceron show any sort of aggression towards strangers, preferring to just keep their distance until they get to know someone.
  Beaucerons mature slowly which has to be taken into account during their training. These handsome dogs don’t really reach their full mental maturity until they are around 3 years old. With this said, they are intelligent dogs and therefore in the right hands and in the right environment, they are easy to train, but because they mature so slowly, it’s important that their education not be rushed, but rather broken down into shorter sessions that are fun and which keep a Beauceron focused. Long, repetitive training sessions do not suit these dogs because they would not only find them tiring, but boring too.
  They are not the best choice for first time owners, unless the person is prepared to dedicate a lot of time to satisfy the needs of such a high energy, intelligent dog. However, they make wonderful family pets for people who lead active, outdoor lives and in households where at least one person remains at home when everyone else is out. They do not answer well to any sort of harsh correction or heavy handed training methods, however, they do respond well to positive reinforcement which gets the best results from these sensitive, intelligent dogs.

Health Problems

  The Beauceron is generally a healthy, hardy breed. Some lines are prone to bloat and like any breed over 40 pounds, Beaucerons are prone to hip dysplasia. Ninety-five percent of all breeders in the U.S. breed only hip certified stock.

Care
  The Beauceron loves spending time with its human family and performs best when kept inside the house with access to the outdoors. It is highly active and enthusiastic in nature. Exercise on a regular basis is essential, otherwise they tend to get bored and frustrated. But exercise does not mean only physical exercise, a great deal of mental exercise is also required to keep them absolutely fit and fine.

Living Conditions
  The Beauceron will do okay in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. They are moderately active indoors and will do best with at least a large yard.


Training

  Even though this is a highly trainable breed, the Beauceron is not the dog for first-time owners or timid trainers. With its high intelligence, this breed is also known as being independent. You should take on training responsibilities seriously, as you’ll need to be consistent and confident. If you don’t prove that you are in charge, the Beauceron will quite willingly take that position.
  Once you’ve proven who is in charge, you’ll find that your Beaucerons will flourish when it comes to basic obedience. In no time at all, you can move onto more advanced training with tricks, tracking or agility lessons. Not only does this dog need lots of exercise, it also needs plenty of mental stimulation, as boredom leads to destructive behaviors.

Exercise Requirements
  Get ready to move – the Beauceron loves its exercise. You’ll need a lot of room for this dog, so stay away from this breed if you live in an apartment or want a dog that’s laid back. The Beauceron is not your typical family dog, but it will keep an eye out for children when playing outdoors.
  Because Beaucerons were bred for herding and guarding duty, this breed needs to be active. A walk around the block just won’t do. Active owners will love this breed, as this dog can keep up with hikes, bikes, jogs, runs and swims. If you have a farm or a lot of room to roam, the Beauceron is the right dog for you.

Grooming

  When it comes to grooming, the Beauceron is an easy keeper thanks to his short, double coat. A bath every three to four months with a mild shampoo is all that is needed. Brush his sleek coat with a natural bristle brush or rubber hound mitt several times a week to remove dead hair.
  The Beauceron sheds small amounts year-round and more heavily in spring and fall. He will need more frequent brushing during seasonal shedding periods to control the amount of loose hair floating around your house.
  The rest is basic care. His ears need to be checked every week and cleaned if needed. Trim his toenails once a month. Brush the teeth frequently for good overall health and fresh breath.

Children And Other Pets

Good with Kids: This is a suitable breed for kids and is known to be playful, energetic, and affectionate around them.

Is the Beauceron the Right Breed for you?
Low Maintenance: Infrequent grooming is required to maintain upkeep.
Moderate Shedding: Routine brushing will help. Be prepared to vacuum often!
Difficult Training: The Beauceron isn’t deal for a first time dog owner. Patience and perseverance are required to adequately train it.
Very Active: It will need daily exercise to maintain its shape. Committed and active owners will enjoy performing fitness activities with this breed.
Good with Kids: This is a suitable breed for kids and is known to be playful, energetic, and affectionate around them.

Did You Know?
  The Beauceron is a French herding breed used on sheep. In his home country he is known as the Berger (bair-zhay) de Beauce (bohs). The name means “shepherd of the Beauce.”

Popular culture

• There is a Beauceron named Bosco in the film Marmaduke.
• A dog of the same breed is also in the film Hotel for Dogs. His name is Henry.
• A pack of hunting Beaucerons appeared in the 1988 movie The Bear.
• A Beauceron was also seen in the film The Wild Child.
• Two Beauce Shepherds appear in the James Bond movie Moonraker.
• There was a Beauceron used extensively in the search and rescue efforts in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001.
• There was a Beauceron in a brief scene in the Martin Scorcese directed movie Gangs of New York.