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Breed Characteristics
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Beauceron
| Other Names | Berger de Beauce, Bas Rouge, Red Stocking, Beauce Shepherd, French Shorthaired Shepherd, Beauce Sheep dog |
| Country of Origin | France |
| Weight | Males: 70–100 lbs. (32–45 kg) Females: 66–85 lbs. (30–39 kg) |
| Height (at withers) | Males: 26–28 in. (66–71 cm) Females: 25–26 in. (64–66 cm) |
| Coat | The outer coat is harsh while the undercoat is soft and silky. |
| Colour | Beauceron's come 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. |
| Litter Size | 6–10 puppies; average 7 |
| Life Span | 10 - 14 years |
| Origin & History | In the early 1800s, large flocks of sheep were common in France; two Beaucerons could tend two-hundred to three-hundred head of sheep. A versatile and superior working dog, Beaucerons could both guard and guide well, where most herding dogs were suited to one or the other. The Beauceron’s strength and great endurance allowed them to travel fifty miles or more a day, guiding their herds or flocks. At the same time these dogs were able to guard the sheep or cattle from bears and wolves. It is also believed the short-haired sheepdog was used to hunt wild boar. In 1863 the first dog show in Paris was held, in conjunction with the World’s Fair. Even though thirteen herding dogs, later to be known as Beaucerons, were shown, they were still viewed as a working dogs, not a show dogs. The Society Central Canine was founded in 1882; in September 1892 the first Bas Rouge was registered. Born in 1891, her name was Bergere de la Chapelle; she won the title “Champion of Beauty”. Pierre Megnin, veterinarian and professor of zoology, coined the name Beauceron for the breed in 1888 in a book he wrote on war dogs. Prior to that time the Beauceron was sometimes called Bas Rouge, which means red-stockings, because of the reddish tan markings on the inside of the dogs’ front legs. In 1896 a meeting was held in the market of the village of Villete. Emmanuel Boulet, a farmer and breeder, Ernest Menaut, the Minister of Agriculture, and Pierre Megnin were among those who attended. They formed a commission to establish standards for the long and short-haired sheepdogs and differentiated the two by naming the long haired one Berger de la Brie and the short-haired dog Berger de la Beauce. Each was named after specific regions of France, though they both originated in the northern plains areas near. Berger is French for shepherd. Another offshoot of the meeting was the formation of the Club of the French Shepherd Dog founded a few months later. Emmanuel Boulet was appointed chairman, with support from the Minister of Agriculture. Pierre Megnin founded the French Club des Amis du Beauceron (CAB), or Club of the Friends of the Beauceron, in 1911. Beauceron became the name for the breed and its close relative Berger de Brie, became known as Briard. The CAB has since guided the development of the breed in France, mindful to preserve the Beauceron’s herding and working abilities for which it has so long been valued. But in the latter part of the 1800s, sheep production in France had declined and corralling herds replaced the practice of moving them from one grazing spot to another. Both of these changes greatly reduced the need for sheepdogs. The CAB responded by promoting Beaucerons for other purposes, such as protecting homes and families. The two World Wars provided more opportunities for the breed. The French army used Beaucerons to deliver messages to and from the front lines, pick up trails, detect mines, and support commando activity. After World War II, the popularity of Beaucerons increased markedly. Today, while still used to herd sheep and cattle, they are more often used for personal protection and companionship, tracking, and police and military service. In the 1960s the Ministry for Agriculture required the SCC to create a confirmation examination for the Beauceron to help protect the historical qualities of France’s sheepdogs. The last modification to the French standards was in 2001, marking only the sixth time it had been changed in one hundred years. Throughout the late 1900s the Beaucerons’ popularity grew and the breed spread to Holland, Belgium, and Germany. The United States, however, has been slower to develop a strong interest in the breed. With a formal club dedicated to the breed, The American Beauceron Club (ABC) not being established until 2003 and accepted by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 2009. The Beauceron was approved by the AKC for acceptance into its Miscellaneous class in 2001; the breed achieved full recognition by the AKC in 2007, as part of the Herding Group. While not exceedingly popular in the United States ranking 153rd out of 167 dog breeds according to AKC registration statistics for 2010, Beaucerons are increasingly known outside of their native country and continue to grow in popularity in France. Today Beaucerons excel in many areas of competition: Herding, Guarding, Tracking, Search and Rescue, Cooperative Agility and Obedience, French Ring, Schutchund, and Skijorging. They also are used in police work, service, and for personal companionship and protection. |
| Personality | The Beauceron is a brave, highly intelligent, obedient, working dog. Eager and willing to please, it excels at obedience training, very quick to understand and respond to its master’s commands. The Beauceron is capable of police work, as it is loyal, patient, faithful, fearless and keenly watchful, able to detect danger. It is a worthy, natural guard dog that loves to work and exercise in wide open spaces. Another one of its many talents is working as a herding dog. It may attempt to herd humans and anything else in its 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 your Beauceron will be calm. It will be good with dogs it knows and can learn to get along with other dogs and cats. It 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 pack leader status. It is a natural instinct for a dog to have anorder 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. It needs to know who is boss and then it will follow, but keep in mind, this very protective dog will only follow a strong-minded being. If it is stronger minded than you are, it will expect YOU to follow IT. The Beauceron is generally good with children if it sees humans as its authority figures and it has been socialized. It 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. It 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. |
Care Requirements
| Health | Although the Beauceron is considered a rugged and healthy breed with a lifespan of around 11 years, they are prone to certain hereditary conditions. Beaucerons are susceptible to Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD), which can cause varying degrees of loose or dislocated hip joints, as well as degenerative arthritis. Beaucerons are at risk for Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM), a disease of the heart muscle which causes the heart to enlarge and lose ability to contract and pump blood properly. Osteochondrosis Desiccans (OCD) is a hereditary health concern for Beaucerons. OCD is a defect in the cartilage that overlies the head of one of the long bones, usually at the shoulder or elbow, which causes inflammation, joint instability and pain, lameness, and degeneration of the joint. |
| Grooming | Beaucerons are low-maintenance dogs when it comes to grooming. They need to be bathed regularly and to have their nails trimmed and teeth cleaned periodically. Their coats do not require trimming. Normally, a weekly brushing of their coat will suffice, except in shedding seasons. At such times, daily brushings will be necessary. |
| 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, during 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. |
| Other Considerations | 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. |
