Beauceron – Dog Breed Information & Training Tips

• Origin: France
• Size: Large
• Dog Breed Group: Working group
• Purebred: Yes
• Lifespan: 10-14 years
• Height: Male – 25-27 inches (63-68 cm), Female – 24-26 inches (61-66 cm)
• Weight: Males 29- 38 Kg(65-85 lbs) and Females 29-38 Kg (65-85  lbs)
• Coat Appearance: Double coat
• Coat Colors: Black/tan  and Harlequin (black mottled with blue, with tan markings)
• Temperament: Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous,   Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively,   Loyal, Outgoing,   Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
• Good With Children: Yes
• Intelligence Level: High
• Good With Pets: Yes under supervision
• Hypoallergenic: No
• Grooming: Low
• Shedding: Minimal (seasonal)
• Barking: Barks when necessary
• Suitable For Apartments: Low
• Need For Exercise: High
• Easy To Train: No
• Good For First Time Owners: No
• Health Issues: Allergies, hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, auto-immune disease, Bloat/gastric torsion, and some eye problems
• Litter Size: 6-7 puppies
• Average Price: $1,200 and $1,500 (US), £1,000 for KC Registered (UK)

Beauceron Size

Height – Male  25-27 inches (63-68 cm), female 24-26 inches (61-66 cm)

Weight – Males 29- 38 Kg(65-85 lbs) and Females 29-38 Kg (65-85  lbs)

Beauceron Lifespan

A healthy Beauceron should expect to enjoy a life expectancy of between 10 – 14 years when properly cared for and fed a good quality diet to suit their ages.

Beauceron Coat color

Black/tan (or “noir et feu”) and Harlequin (black mottled with blue, with tan markings).

General Appearance

The Beauceron is a large, solid and striking dog that boasts a coat coloring very similar to that of a Dobermann, i.e. a striking black and tan coat. In fact, they are one of the foundation breeds used to create the Dobe.

Even the Doberman is hard-pressed to match the physique of the Beauceron in jaw strength and muscle.

Important Proportions

Their heads are nicely in proportion to their bodies with beau’s boasting a slightly flat skull and a slight furrow between their eyes.  The height and width of the head are a little less than half of the head’s total length.

They have a strong, not so narrow muzzle which is in equal length to the skull.

Facial Region

The eyes are dark, oval shaped, medium sized boasting well-pigmented rims set horizontally on their heads which gives a direct and daring stare. Beauceron’s muzzle is not too broad, too narrow or pointed.

He has strong jaws with powerful teeth meeting in a scissor bite. Ears are semi-drawn up and do not lie flat on the head. They appear flat and quite short. The length of the ear must be equal to half the length of the head (in the middle of the length of the head).

Body

The muscular neck, holding the head of the dog upright and they merge smoothly into their shoulders adding to the appearance of self-assurance the breed exhibits.

The body is firm with a straight topline, a broad chest, deep and well-sprung ribs as well as having nice level backs. The loins are wide and muscular with a slightly sloping croup towards the base of a dog’s tail.

The females have somewhat longer body than their male counterparts. They have functional double dewclaw on both hind legs–leaving them with six toes, some of which remind you of “thumbs”.

Far from being a defect, this is one of the hallmarks of the true Beauceron, and dogs without the double dewclaws on each rear legs are not considered to be true Beaucerons.

They have the body of Belgian Malinois, coloring of a Dobe, coat of a Rottweiler, the toes like a Norwegian Lundehund and the tail of a German Sheppard.

If you want a dog who is

• Agile, athletic, assertive and ruggedly handsome
• Has a short easy-care coat
• Looks stern and striking, and makes a vigilant watchdog
• Powerful and protective. He will never let any harm come to its family
• And to a T!

Well, a Beauceron may be right for you. Expect to be herded by this stubborn French handsome

 If you don’t want to deal with

• Energetic exercise requirements
• Boisterousness and exuberant jumping, especially when young
• Liberty, equality, and fraternity – the Berger de Beauce follow these French proclamation rather too seriously
• Low boredom threshold. Destructive when bored or not exercised enough
• Strong-minded dog, requiring a person of natural authority with a dominant personality stronger than the dog’s
• Chasing and nipping at things that move: joggers, children, other animals,  cars, bikes etc

Sorry, a Beauceron may not be right for you. Keep looking

Beauceron probably is not the best choice for apartment-dwellers. They are best suited for a farm or home with a large, fenced-in yard, with lots of room to run and perhaps, with flocks of animals.

As with any other breed, Beaucerons need to be groomed on a regular basis to make sure their skin and coats are maintained in top condition.

The Beauceron is an athletic, agile dog and they need to be given the right amount of daily exercise combined with as much mental stimulation. Ideally, a Beauceron needs 1 hour’s exercise a day, but the more the better. Never expect this dog to be content with a quick walk in the neighborhood. If their instinctive desire for constant activity and exercise is not met, they will quickly channel their energy into digging and chewing.

The things you can do to keep your Beauceron happy and healthy are no super common sense and just like other dogs. Watch the diet, regularly brush the coat and teeth; remember to adhere to the schedule of vet visits.

It’s also a good idea to have “playtime” nice and calm inside the house and to have a more active “playtime” outside in the garden which means beau puppies quickly learn to be less rambunctious when they are inside.

Beaucerons were originally bred to assist farmers with herding and guarding flocks, and to this day, they will be truly happy, well-rounded dogs when they are active.

Beauceron is more than eager to join you in many of your own sports and recreational endeavors, such as hiking, bicycling, jogging, playing catch with balls and Frisbees etc. These dogs need to be constantly challenged and they are not your average dog that will perform same trick time and time again. You have to be similarly adventurous in nature to keep pace with this curious creature.

As the Beauceron loves being a part of his family, they hate being left alone and suffer from separation anxiety when they are left to their own for longer periods of time. They are much better suited to people who are familiar with the breed and who live active, outdoor lives.

You might have had moments when you wonder “Do I own a dog? or a land shark?” The beau is a mouthy dog. Make sure to hand him plenty of toys to carry around and play on.

Training tips

• There is no “right method” for all dogs, but whatever method you choose, make sure it accounts for the fact that this is highly intelligent, with an urge for independent thinking, this breed will take a mile if given an inch.
• The Beauceron puppy will be constantly taxing its owner and has a knack of staring with a stiff, steady gaze, just waiting to spot any signs of fear, flaw or hesitancy on the owner’s part. However, once this dog accepts the owner’s authority it will become affectionate, devoted and loyal. Beauceron training will be fun, make no mistake (about it)
• The importance of early training and proper socialization cannot be overstated. In the right hands, Beauceron is a shrewd learnerBeauceronand they thoroughly enjoy the one-to-one connection they have with their trainers or owners.
• Beaucerons mature slowly and they don’t really reach their full mental maturity until they are around 3 years old which has to be taken into account during their training.
• It’s important that their training not to be rushed but rather broken down into shorter sessions that are fun and which keep a Beauceron focused. Long, monotonous training sessions do not suit these dogs because they get bored easily.
• They do not respond well to any sort of heavy-handed training or cloddish correction methods. However, they do respond well to positive reinforcement which gets the best results from these sensitive, sharp dogs.
• Once the ground rules have been established Beaucerons will stand out in basic obedience, and should be “graduated” into advanced training in tricks, tracking or agility.

Remember, while most of the stronger breeds should be ruled “with an iron fist,” the Beauceron would only ever be ruled “with an iron fist in a velvet glove.” That was figurative, of course, this simply means that this breed deserves and demands a deep relationship built on mutual respect.

The best dog food for your Beauceron must be the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) compliant, safe, satiating, and made with premium ingredients (predominantly meat). Select a best-quality dog food that is all holistic, natural and grain-free.

More specifically, the best food for your Beauceron depends on his age, weight, health, activity level and your budget. Use your head, when you’re considering a dog food and figure out the dry matter basis.

it’s also important to feed high-quality dog food that is made with predominantly meat. These days, many pet food companies use concentrated vegetable proteins to cut costs. Sadly, non-meat proteins often are deficient in the essential amino acids required by dogs.

Animal proteins have a higher biological significance than vegetable proteins. The AAFCO endorses dog food that has a minimum of 22 percent protein for growth and reproduction stages. According to the Journal for Nutrition, energetic dogs need more than 30 percent protein.

What Food for Beaucerons with Allergies?
The most common culprits are dairy, beef, wheat, soy, corn, pork, egg, lamb, fish, rabbit etc.  Avoid foods that use added sugars, artificial flavors, cheap fillers, sweeteners, preservatives, and colors.
Feeding a limited ingredient diet which does not contain any of the most common allergens will be good.
If you know the food sensitivities, avoid those foods. If you do not know the specific ingredients your dog must avoid, consult with your dog’s vet or dermatology veterinarian.

Rough feeding guide:

• Beauceronpups between eight and 12 weeks old – 4 meals every 24 hours (332 g- 428g).
• Beauceron puppies 3 to 6 months old – 3 meals every 24 hour period (470g – 624g)
• Feed puppies 6 months to 1 year – 2 bowls of food daily (625g- 458g)
• When your Beauceron hits her first birthday, one bowl every 24 hours is typically all that’s necessary.
• When your Beauceron hits her first birthday, they do better with 2 smaller bowls.

Remember, the feedings depend on puppy’s build. Once a beau is 15 months old they can be fed adult dog food.

• Dogs weighing-35 kg = 330g to 425g
• 40 kg =380g to 500g
• 45 kg = 400g to 550g
• 50 kg = 450g to 500g

Keep in mind; these feedings depend on Beauceron’s eating tendencies and depending on activity

Adult dogs need to be fed a good quality diet that meets all their nutritional needs at while keeping a close eye on a dog’s weight. Here is a rough feeding guide for your perusal.

• Protein content should be anything from 14 – 30%
• Carb content should be 30 to 70%
• Fiber content should be less than 5%
• Fat content should be less than 10%
• Calcium content should be 0.5 – 0.8%
• Phosphorous content should be 0.4 – 0.7%
• Sodium content should be 0.2 – 0.4%

 We’ve listed over a few interesting facts about Beauceron, which this incredible breed will not tell you, in person.

• The Beauceron is an ancient French breed that dates back to the 15th Century and it is thought to be one of the “purest” breeds around.
• Beauceron is a dog of the lupoid or wolf type. The oldest Renaissance manuscript about this distinct French breed of herding dog dates a Beauceron is circa 1578.
• Beauceron is believed to have descended from the “Chien des Tourbieres” (Bog Dog/Peat Dog), an ancient medium-sized Spitz-type dog noted for its prowess in hunting wild boar, bear, stag etc
• Is Beauceron a rare breed? Yes, they are one of the 50 rarest breeds (in terms of the lowest registration numbers) in the AKC.
• The name “Beauceron” was found by the veterinarian Pierre Megnin in 1893 and a club was then formed to protect the breed’s standards.
• This indefatigable dog acting as a live fence and was used to move herds of 200 to 300 across distances of up to 50 miles a day.
• Though almost unknown outside of France, The breed was highly prized during both the World Wars when they were used by the military as messenger and detector dogs on the front lines.
• Beaucerons were also used to detect mines, guard military posts, pick up trails and support commando activity during the wars
• The breed is closely related to other French breeds, namely the Berger de Brie and Briard.
• You may mistake a Beauceron for a Doberman, and for a good reason. The Beauceron is one of the breeds used to create the Dobe.
• The Beauceron appeared in the James Bond Film “Moonraker”. This is when the Americans first time saw the breed.
• Beauceron is a relative newcomer to the AKC and they recognized in 2007.
• The first Beaucerons were imported to the UK by Ray Greenwood in 1990 with the male Beauceron (was called Saint Loup Fripon du Plessis  ) and the female(Saint-Loup Fleur du Domaine).

Like other breeds, the Beauceron is known to suffer from a few congenital and other health conditions which can adversely affect their health.

Major concerns

• Hip dysplasia – Deformity of the hip joint (coxofemoral joint) that occurs during an animal’s growth period
• Cataracts – This typically affects senior beaucerons
• Bloat/gastric torsion/gastroenteritis – The stomach is overstretched which usually occurs because of the excessive gas content in the stomach
• Allergies – Common allergens include dog foods that contain high levels of grains and other cereal-type fillers, Airborne pollens, Dust mites, Flea, and tick bites

Minor concerns

• Hypothyroidism – Low production of thyroid hormones.
• Dermatomyositis – An inflammatory condition that can affect the muscles, skin,  blood vessels etc
• Osteochondritis – The disease of the cartilage that can affect various joints in a dog
• Panosteitis – A painful condition characterized by limping and lameness.
• Von Willebrand’s disease – The most common inherited blood clotting disorder in dogs.
• Cancer
• Progressive retinal atrophy(PRA) – Degeneration of the retina, causing progressive vision loss

Beauceron-cross hybrids are not easy to come by, but these are some of the popular hybrid breeds

• Beauceron x Poodle mix – Beauceroodle
• German Shepherd Dog x Beauceron – French shepherd, not that common, but you may occasionally encounter this mix in a rescue.
• Beauceron x border collie – oops…no name as of yet… you can try a generic name
• Beauceron x Labrador Retriever – Beaucador

Beauceron Price

The price may vary between $1,200 and $1,500. Today the Beauceron breed is getting popular around the world.

The price of a Beauceron puppy depends on the breeders’ locale, reliability, vaccination details, the pedigree of the puppy and the litter size. There are other factors like the gender of the pup, pre-training features, breed orders, and much more.

Puppies should be temperament vetted, tested, dewormed, and socialized.

Beauceron Breeders

The top Beauceron breeders of America, 2018

• ARC Beaucerons, Sarasota, Florida
• Mes Yeux Vigilants Independence, Missouri
• L’Amour de ma Vie, Brooksville, Florida
• Le Boulanger Beaucerons, Westminster, California
• Beaucerons du Chateau Rocher Woodlake, California

Adoption and Breed Clubs

Did you know that animal shelters and breed rescue organizations always have a great selection of dogs looking for new homes?

When you buy a dog from a pet store, flea market or an online seller, you’re almost certainly getting a dog from puppy mills.

They know nothing but the profit. Pets adopted from shelters and rescue organizations typically cost less than pets purchased —once you add in the cost of vaccinations, dewormer, spay/neuter surgery, microchip and other “extras” included in your adoption fee, you’ll perhaps be taken aback what a bargain an adopted pet really is!

This can save you some of the upfront costs of adding a new member to your family.