We all know that in this world, people love to categorize themselves as either a “dog person” or a “cat person.” While we here at IndulgeYourPet certainly aren’t going to “chime” in on this debate, we also wanted to point out that within the “dog people” group, some will choose to define themselves even a bit further by saying that they are a “BIG” dog person or a “little” dog person.
Now, the only reason we’re bringing any of this up is because it’s fair to say that if you are a “Big Dog” person, chances are, you’ll love the Beauceron dog breed. And Here’s why: the Beauceron dog is a very hard-working dog who does so many things for his human family, whether it’s herding cattle and sheep, watching out for strangers, or just being there for you whenever you need him as a loyal companion, this dog can’t be beaten.
But will a Beauceron be the right kind of dog for you?
That’s hard to tell. Every family has its expectations of a pet dog. This is why only you’ll be able to know for sure if a Beauceron or Beauce Shepherd, as they are sometimes referred to, will be “right” for you and your family. This is why we here at IndulgeYourPet chose to write this article so that you might get a better understanding of what it might be like to own a Beaucerson so that if you do decide to adopt a Beauceron puppy or, better yet, a Beauceron rescue dog, you won’t be disappointed six months from now.
So, without further ado, let’s dive right into it and see if a Beauceron will be a good choice for you.
Beauceron Fast Facts
Country of Origin: France
Original Purpose: Guard dog and herder
Height: 24 to 27.5 inches tall
Weight: 80 to 110 pounds
Life Span: 10 to 12 years
Dog Breed Classification: Herding
The Origins of Beauceron.
Originating out of France, the Beauceron is the largest of all the French sheepdogs. If you’re not familiar with the breed, it’s fair to say that in appearance, he is similar to the Black and Tan Coonhound and the Doberman Pinscher. The first known mention of the Beauceron was made in 1578 when farmers in France used it for herding cattle and sheep and providing protection for the Shepherds themselves. This is why their role as a “sheep herder” has diminished significantly over the centuries, but they remain terrific guard dogs today!
Now you may be wondering…
Where did the name “Beauceron” come from? And while we would love to give you a definitive answer, we just can’t be sure, but this French herding dog probably came from a place called La Beauce, just outside of Paris, the capital of France. This is perhaps why they became known as the Beauceron breed, especially since they are northern France’s most famous French herding dogs.
As a matter of fact…
The first Berger de Beauce was recognized by the Society Central Canine way back in 1882. This then spawned many Beauceron clubs, including some like the Club des Amis du Beauceron, founded in 1922 and still exists today!
The American Kennel Club (AKC)
Ironically, even though these guys have been around for centuries and have been quite popular throughout France for most of their existence, it took the AKC a long time to recognize the Beauceron and didn’t “officially” recognize this French herding dog until 2007. Now, we have no idea why the American Kennel Club took so long to take notice of this big guard dog, especially after the beautiful work done by the Beauce in World Wars I and II for the Allied forces!
Yes, the Beauce was a real war hero…
He was used extensively by the Allied forces during the World Wars as a trail finder, messenger dog, and mine detector. A job that they performed so well that various military and police forces still use them worldwide. So, this is no ordinary dog!
Personality and Temperament
Before you get too excited, we should warn you that a Beauceron may not suit you if you have never owned a dog. This is not a docile dog for one. Sure, he’s intelligent, friendly, and brilliant, but he’s also a bit independent and stubborn sometimes because you’ll never really find one of these guys confused about his wants.
That’s why he makes for a perfect watchdog. He is one dog you can depend on to defend your family when attacked. Provided that he is well-trained. And because the Beauceron takes a long time to grow up, this training will have to be consistent for several years!
Did we mention he loves chewing?
If not, now you’ve been warned because it’s fair to say that a Beauceron is happiest when they have something to chew on. So be sure to get a lot of chew toys. Because if he’s not chewing toys, he will probably start chewing on furniture, shoes, toys, etc.… Now, one of the most critical questions we’ll often be asked about the Bearuceron Dog beed is…
“Are Beauceron’s good with children?”
This is a difficult question because if you’ve chosen to purchase your dog from a breeder right from when he was a mere puppy and has grown up with your kids, chances are, your Beauceron will be great with them. And while he may still see your kids as small things that should be herded, chances are, he will have grown up being told to stop, so his instinct will be kept in check.
But if…
You’re Beauceron grows up in a household without children, or children are introduced later in your Beaueron’s life, keeping him for trying to herd your child could be challenging. This is why we here at IndulgeYourPet typically only recommend this dog breed to those with no children or at least older children who won’t be “trampled”!
Are Beauce Shepherds good with cats?
It’s hard to tell. If he has been raised with cats, he should treat them just fine; if not, it’s anyone’s guess, but we recommend that you avoid this situation if possible. At its “core,” it’s important to remember that the Beauceron is an active dog. One that will only indeed be happy if you take him out for exercise regularly. Otherwise, he gets bored and becomes aggressive because of that.
Exercise and play are an essential part of this training.
Also, many toys could help with his mental stimulation. The Beauce responds well to herding, obedience, agility, search and rescue, tracking, rally, and other training activities. As long as he is active and not bored, he will get along just fine with you and others.
Physical Characteristics
As said earlier, the Beauce is a large dog, about 70 to 110 pounds. He has a short, double coat, which is easy to brush. So you don’t have to worry too much about his grooming. He only requires some primary care. He is also a good-looking dog, tall and proud. His smooth coat is either black and tan or gray, black and tan, referred to as clown.
Potential Health Concerns
The Beauceron is a strong and healthy dog for the most part, but even he is known to suffer from specific health issues. Most of the health problems related to this dog are hereditary by nature. He is susceptible to the following health conditions…
For this reason, getting a genetic health check is essential before buying a puppy from a breeder. Ask the breeder for proof that OFA and PennHIP have cleared the puppy’s parents.
The life expectancy of a Beauceron
The Beauce can live for anything from 10 to 12 years. He can live longer provided he gets all the support from a loving human family and proper medical attention. Lastly, because the Beauceron does have an elevated risk of suffering from some pretty severe medical conditions (just like many other purebreds do), we would suggest that you also take a moment and see exactly what it might cost to purchase a pet insurance policy so that if your Beauceron does become sick or injured in the future, you won’t be on the “hook” for the total cost of their medical care.
We encourage you to check out our Best Pet Insurance Companies article for more information about what a pet insurance policy might cost you.
I own a because I needed a new service dog, and once I got my service dog I decided to get her into everything else that they’re capable of doing. So we herd weekly, we’ve been dock diving, we hike a lot, we do tricks. She’s an advanced trick dog. We travel all over. I can literally do anything with this dog.