Last Updated on October 22, 2022 by Pets Feed
The Beauceron is a sheepdog of French origin. It is a breed little known in Europe and in the rest of the world, but with different qualities because it is a very intelligent and active dog, capable of developing all kinds of exercises and following the orders that we offer.
Beauceron is a rare breed. The number of these dogs today is not so great. Representatives of the breed are distinguished by fearlessness, strength and large dimensions. With regards to appearance, uninformed people can easily confuse a Beauceron with a Rottweiler or a Doberman.
| Breed name | Beauceron |
| Country of origin | France |
| Weight | 30 – 45 kg |
| Height (at the withers) | 65 – 70 cm |
| Life expectancy | 12 years |
| Size | Big |
Beauceron photos
Beauceron physical characteristics
The body of the Beauceron dog is solid, powerful, rustic and muscular, but without giving the impression of heaviness. He is slightly longer than he is tall and has a straight back and a deep chest.
The height at the cross of the males goes from 65 to 70 centimeters. Females measure from 61 to 68 centimeters. The ideal weight is not indicated in the breed standard, but the beaucerons can weigh between 30 and 45 kilograms.
- Head: The head is elongated, chiselled. The skull is flat. Stopping is smooth. The muzzle is elongated, but not pointed.
- Jaws: Scissor bite. The teeth are strong and complete.
- Ears: The ears are triangular, the size of the ear is 1/2 the size of the head. Set on high, hanging or semi-erect.
- Eyes: The eyes are oval, deeply set. The color is dark. Light brown eyes are considered a vice.
- Frame: The body is proportional. The chest is voluminous. The belly is well proportioned. The back is straight.
- Legs: The legs are straight and muscular. The paws are oval, the fingers are well picked up. The pads are elastic, the nails are dark, strong.
- Coat: The dog has a thick gray undercoat. The maximum length of the coat is 4 cm. There may be white spots on the chest.
- There are two types of colors:
- black with red light
- gray-black with red tan markings on the body.
Behavior and character
The Beauceron is a confident, courageous and loyal dog. It is a very intelligent animal capable of learning the diversity of orders, words and actions. It is a wonderful dog that requires good treatment because corporal punishment, humiliation and bad habits are very harmful for training and the relationship with its owner.
He is generally very loyal and affectionate with his family, but reserved for strangers. However, the Beauceron can get along well with other people, dogs and pets if it has received a good socialization, if this is the case, we will enjoy a social dog, cheerful and fearless.
Note
Beauceron is above all an excellent animal which tends to get along a lot with people, children and all kinds of animals. However, if we have very young children at home, we will have to explain how to properly treat the dog.
Health
By nature, the Beauceron got good health. But a predisposition to some diseases is still observed:
- Retinal atrophy – Without proper treatment, it can lead to cataracts or complete loss of vision.
- Dysplasia of the hip joint – accompanied by lameness, intolerable pain, at the last stage of the disease, the dog is completely unable to move.
- Volvulus – accompanied by vomiting, unnatural enlargement of the abdomen. If you do not take urgent action, the dog can die within just a few hours.
Life expectancy
The average lifespan of a Beauceron is 10-12 years.
How long the pet will live, its state of health, for the most part, depends on the owner. An attentive owner should visit a veterinary clinic with a Beauceron every year for a routine examination, an X-ray examination, and tests. Thus, the health problem can be noticed at the initial stage and treatment can be started on time.
Basic care
The Beauceron breed needs to be combed at least once a week, but it is better 2. Bathing the dog is also necessary at least once a month, trimming its nails three times a month. The eyes are cleaned daily or as needed, the ears are cleaned 2-3 times a week.
Important
It is not recommended to keep a Beauceron in an apartment. In such conditions, a large dog, which needs freedom and space, will not feel comfortable.
In addition, the owners will also not be comfortable. The reason is not only the large size of the Beauce Shepherd, but also the fact that its coat has a strong specific smell. This smell, especially in a small apartment, makes itself acutely felt and remains on everything and clothes.
Exercise
It is a working dog that has a lot of energy, physical and mental, and that requires at least two hours of daily exercises.
The Beauceron is good at canine sports, such as work tests and frisbee, and enjoys spending time training or exercising with his family.
Beauceron Fun Facts
- The first year of a Beauceron’s life is equivalent to sixteen human years.
- Beauceron matures late, after about 2.5-3 years. In bitches, maturation occurs a little earlier than in males.
- Beauceron is considered a very hardy dog, having covered more than 80 km in a day. such a dog does not feel tired.
- During the First and Second World Wars, Beauceron dogs served as messengers, and also proved to be ideal bloodhounds for detecting mines.
Breed history
The name “Beauceron” comes from the name of La Beauce (a neighborhood of Paris). It was on the territory of this area that the largest number of dogs of this breed was kept and the formation of the species, the process of its evolution, took place.
It is believed that the Beauceron is an ancient breed, but there is no exact data about the beginning of its history and about its ancestors. There are two versions regarding the origin of Beaucerons:
1. The peat dogs of France were the ancestors of the Beauceron.
2. Beauceron is a descendant of wild wolves that lived in France, the similarity of the representatives of the species with these predators is undeniable, both externally and in character.
In any case, the Beauceron is a pure species that has been little influenced by genes from other breeds. Scientists admit the relationship of Beauceron with mastiff-like dogs, but this is just a guess, not a statement.
Initially, Beaucerons were used as herding and guard dogs. Their service consisted of grazing livestock herds and guarding the house and the owner’s property. But over time, the need for shepherd dogs declined and with this their popularity declined.
World wars have contributed to the fact that the number of Beauceron decreased to a critical number. The breed was on the verge of extinction. It was collected “bit by bit”. The breeders found a few surviving purebred Beaucerons and engaged in breeding work, the purpose of which was to restore an endangered species.
The work was crowned with success. Now the Beauceron is not threatened with disappearance.
Their purpose lies in the sentry service, they have established themselves as talented bloodhounds, policemen, military dogs and just loyal companions of their masters.
