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Description

The Beauceron is a large, athletic, working dog. The body is slightly longer than it is tall. The head is long and in proportion with the body. The skull is equal in length with the narrow, pointed, or excessively broad muzzle. The stop is slightly pronounced. The dark brown eyes are horizontal and slightly oval. The half pricked or drop-ears are set high, either cropped or left natural. The AKC standard calls for double dewclaws on each rear leg and disqualifies a dog who does not have them. The tail is fringed, carried low reaching at least to the hock forming the shape of a "J". The smooth, short double-coat has longer hair on both the tail and hindquarters. The outer coat is harsh while the undercoat is soft and silky. It comes in black with distinct tan markings and in a less common harlequin coat with patches of gray, black and tan. The harlequin coats should have more black than gray with no white. In the black and tan dogs the tan markings appear in two dots above the eyes, on the sides of the muzzle, fading off to the cheeks, but do not reach the underside of the ears. Also on the throat, , under the tail and on the legs and the chest. Tan markings on the chest should appear as two spots but a chest plate is acceptable.

Temperament

The Beauceron is a brave, highly intelligent, obedient, working dog. Eager and willing to please, they excel at obedience training, very quick to understand and respond to their masters commands. The Beauceron is capable of police work, loyal, patient, faithful, fearless and keenly watchful, able to to detect danger. They are a worthy, natural guard dog. They love to work and exercise in wide-open spaces. Another one of their many talents is working as a herding dog. They may attempt to herd humans and anything else in their sight and need to be taught this is not acceptable. There are places you can take dogs where they can demonstrate herding ability with flocks of sheep. This is an excellent way for them to release energy at the same time working their minds. With enough exercise they will be calm. Good with dogs they know and can learn to get along with other dogs and cats. They should not be left alone for long periods of time without exercise. Thorough training with a firm master is a must, along with the proper amount of exercise and a firm pack leader, in order to produce a tranquil, obedient dog. Socialize very thoroughly when young to combat aggressive tendencies and be sure to keep the dog under control when other dogs are present. Teach this dog respect for humans by not allowing it to jump up and not allowing it to enter doorways first. The humans must make the dog heel beside or behind them when walking. It has given outstanding results as a guardian of property, but is at the same time esteemed as a companion dog. The objective in training this dog is to achieve a pack leader status. It is a natural instinct for a dog to have an order in their pack. When we humans live with dogs, we become their pack. The entire pack cooperates under a single leader. Lines are clearly defined and rules are set. You and all other humans MUST be higher up in the order than the dog. That is the only way your relationship can be a success. When properly trained and socialized, this is a very good dog and a great family companion. They need to know who is boss and then they follow, but keep in mind, this very protective dog will only follow a strong-minded being. If they are stronger minded than you are, they will expect YOU to follow THEM. They are generally good with children if they see humans as their authority figure and they have been socialized. They will obey commands from all members of the family. This large energetic breed grows quickly, reaching 40 pounds at only about 3 months of age. They can be overwhelming to a small child. Puppies are very active and slow to mature. The Beauceron should be properly and thoroughly socialized. A Beauceron that has been well socialized and brought up gets along fine under normal circumstances with children, and that also ensures that other dogs and pets will present no problems.

Height, Weight

Health Problems

Living Conditions

Exercise

The Beauceron is a working breed that needs a lot of both mental and physical exercise. They do best with some type of job to do. If their bodies and minds are not adequately fulfilled they will be hard to handle and destructive. They are not satisfied with a circling of the block three times a day. They need variety. Take them for regular long walks, which they can run free off the leash and play (in a safe area). If both of you seem to enjoy it, enroll in a course to train in catch or to compete in agility skill classes (although in competition it is likely to be less successful than other more suitable breeds). Teach this dog to respect humans, heeling on the lead, entering and exiting gate and doorways after the people.

Life Expectancy

Grooming

Origin

The Beauceron is rare inside the United States. It is a French herding breed whose oldest records date back to the Renaissance manuscripts of 1578. In 1863 a man named Pierre Megnin differentiated two types of sheepdogs, one with a long coat, which became known as the Briard, and the other with a short coat, which became the Beauceron. In 1863 the Beauceron was shown in the first Canine Exposition in Paris. In 1897 the first shepherd dog club was founded and both the Beauceron and the Briard were accepted into it. Prior to 1889 the Beauceron and Briard had a reputation of being a flock guard who was brave but one who was more incline to snap and bite in defense of its flock. Both breeds temperaments were softened through selective breeding. In 1889, the breed name and standard were set. In 1911 a separate breed club was formed just for the Beauceron officially setting it apart from the Briard. The Beauceron possibly contributed to the development of the Doberman Pinscher. The Beauceron works as a flock guard in open areas protecting sheep along with other livestock. The breed was also used in the military. Ignoring exploding bombs or artillery fire the dogs were used to run messages, detect mines, pick up trails, support commando actions, find the wounded, and carry food and ammunition to the front lines. The Beauceron, like many sheep herding breeds, is easy to train for tasks beyond care of the flock or herd. His calmness and ability to follow commands without hesitation was well illustrated during both major wars in Europe. Today this serious working dog is still used as a herder, a guard dog and by the French police and army. The breed is gaining  popularity in Western Europe and North America as a family  watchdog and companion, but they are still rare. Some of the Beaucerons talents are tracking, herding, watchdog, guarding, police work, military work, agility, competitive obedience, French Ring Sport, and Schutzhund.

Group

Recognition

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