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Beauceron

Beauceron

Impressive, large and muscular, the Beauceron is an attractive dog with a smooth short coat and drop ears.

The need-to-know
  • Dog suitable for experienced owners
  • Extra training required
  • Enjoys vigorous walks
  • Enjoys walking more than two hours a day
  • Large dog
  • Some drool
  • Requires grooming every other day
  • Non hypoallergenic breed
  • Chatty and vocal dog
  • Guard dog. Barks and alerts
  • May require training to live with other pets
  • May require training to live with kids

Key Facts

Lifespan: 10 – 12 years
Weight:  30 – 38.5kg
Height:  65 – 70cm
Colours:  Coats come in black and tan (see Kennel Club breed standard for
specific marking details) or harlequin (grey and black with tan markings)
Size:  Large
UK Kennel Club Groups: Pastoral

Ratings

Family-friendly: 3/5
Exercise needs: 5/5
Easy to train: 4/5
Tolerates being alone: 1/5
Likes other pets: 3/5
Energy level: 5/5
Grooming needs: 4/5
Shedding: 5/5

Personality

Bold, courageous and quick to learn, the Beauceron is a people dog and a working dog. They dislike being left alone too long and benefit greatly from having a job to do. Strong willed and capable of independent decision making, the Beauceron is not suited to first time dog owners, but will excel with those who enjoy training and canine sports. Naturally a little suspicious of strangers due to their livestock guardian history, they will benefit from early and thorough socialisation and habituation to people and household life.

History and Origins

Country of Origin: France

Originating from the Beauce region of France, the Beauceron became a popular livestock herding and guarding breed throughout most of the north of the country. Thought to be closely related to the long-coated Briard and one of the founding breeds of the Doberman Pinscher, the Beauceron is the largest of the French sheepdogs. Also know as the ‘Bas Rouge’ (Red Stockings) because of their rich red coat markings, the Beauceron was used in the World Wars for multiple jobs including guarding, carrying messages and supplies and for land mine detection.

The breed is so closely related to the Briard that it wasn’t until 1893 that veterinarian Paul Megnin differentiated between the long-haired Berger de Brie (Briard) and the short haired Berger de Beauce (Beauceron) and the Club des Amis du Beauceron was formed in 1922. The UK breed club wasn’t formed until 2009, and it was not until July 2014 that the breed was moved off the Import Register and formally recognised as a Pastoral Breed by the UK Kennel Club.

Did You Know?

  • The Beauceron used to protect sheep and other farm livestock against wolves, which were once common across rural northern France.
  • Despite being relatively rare, the Beauceron has racked up a number of film appearances, including a James Bond movie, Moonraker; the 1990 Luc Besson film Nikita, and in Martin Scorsese’s Gangs of New York.
  • Sometimes the Beauceron is known as the ‘Berger de Beauce’ which translates to ‘sheepdog of Beauce’.
  • This dog breed has double dewclaws which gives them better traction on rough terrain.
  • The Beauceron was used in both world wars and took on a range of tasks from messengers, to transporters and even land mine detectors!

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