Large
12 Years
45 Kg
Pastoral Dogs
Courageous, Friendly, Intelligent, Protective
The Beauceron is a large, solid breed of dog classified under the Pastoral group of the Kennel Club and is the largest among the French sheepdogs. It is a cattle dog, a sheep dog, a guard dog and protection dog all rolled in one. The breed is mostly black and tan with rich markings above the eyes, on the side of the muzzle to the cheeks, spots on the front of the chest, a mark on the throat, under the tail and from the hock to the pastern. There are also grey with black patches evenly distributed throughout the body with the black dominating the colour. This dog has a slight furrow in between the dark and oval eyes. It has dropped ears but not dropped close to the head, powerful jaws with complete scissor bite teeth and a muscular neck to support the slightly rounded head. It has well-defined withers with a brisket that reaches the elbow as well as a deep and wide chest. The body spots a firm and level back and very well-muscled hindquarters. The tail of the Beauceron is carried low and hanging straight which reaches up to the hock ending with a loose hook at the tip. This breed has a short (approx. 3-4cm), coarse outer coat that lay close to the body and a fine, soft, dense undercoat. This large breed stands between 65-70 cm (male) or 63-69 cm (female) and can weigh up to 50 kilograms.
All dog breeds have different levels of intellect. Some dog breeds; working dogs in particular, are very independent thinkers and have been evolved to be very intelligent. Typically, a highly intelligent dog does well in obedience training and other activities. A highly intelligent dog can be very demanding and do require lots of physical and mental stimulation. If you’re looking for a relatively laid-back dog, that doesn’t require lots of mental and physical stimulation, then you must fully understand the level of intelligence of your dog breed of choice.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, you must fully understand their intellect levels and their specific levels of energy. To keep your dog well-balanced and happy, their needs must be met and maintained.
All dog breeds have different needs when it comes to the level of exercise they require. For the high energy dogs; which are your typical working dogs, they have a lot of energy and require lots of daily exercise along with plenty of mental stimulation. A highly energetic dog breed would suit an individual or family that is equally as active and loves the outdoors. There are also breeds that have relatively low exercise needs, such as toy dog breeds. Although they require daily exercise and mental stimulation, they’re just as happy chilling at home with their loved ones. This type of dog breed would suit an individual or family that prefers the peace and quiet and relaxation.
Before deciding on your chosen dog breed, Mypetzilla recommends that you research the exercise needs and whether you’re well equipped before committing to buying or adopting a particular dog breed.
There are several dog breeds that are known and potentially predisposed to developing health related conditions. Sensible breeding can help prevent the onset of health related conditions and this should always be taken into condition when researching your dog breed of choice. Before committing to a dog, you should speak to the breeder about any health related conditions that may affect the dog you’re looking to buy or adopt. You can also request to see any test results from genetic testing.
There are many dog breeds that tolerate children really well and are not affected by the constant noise and need for play-time. However, there are some dog breeds that don’t do very well with children and can become frustrated and snappy. That being said, all children should be shown how to handle and care for a dog in their home and should always be supervised when playing. As much as a dog can become annoyed and snappy with a younger child, the child can also become less tolerant and misbehaved towards the dog.
Mypetzilla recommends that you always supervise play-time between your children and dog. Children need to respect the boundaries and feeding time for the dog and likewise for the child. We also strongly advise that play-time doesn’t get out of control and too rough which can cause injury to both child and dog.
There are lots of dog breeds that are well suited to living in an apartment. It’s worthwhile noting that you need to check that you’re allowed dogs in your building before committing to bringing one home. If you do decide to own a dog and are living in an apartment, then you must make sure that they have plenty of room to roam around and frequent walks outside to prevent them from becoming bored and depressed.
Mypetzilla recommends that you check as to whether you’re allowed dogs in your apartment building and to fully ensure your apartment is dog proof before committing fully to bringing a dog home.
All dog breeds shed to some extent, some more than others. With this, all potential dog owners should be aware of this, as it will be a matter of putting up with some hair or lots of hair being left around the house. Depending on the dog breed, there are certain times during the year where some dog breeds shed the most and this is typically around spring and autumn. However, there are some dog breeds that shed all year round.
If you’re very house-proud, they you may want to choose a dog breed that sheds very little. Mypetzilla strongly recommends that you fully research your dog breed of choice and their shedding levels before committing.
All dog breeds require different levels of grooming. Some dog breeds are easier to maintain than others and only require a weekly brush to help keep their coat in good condition. There are some dog breeds that require regular trips to the grooming parlour and this can come at a huge cost. Either way, all dog breeds require their coat and nails to be maintained and cared for.
Mypetzilla strongly advices that potential owners research the grooming needs and associated costs with their desired dog breed before fully committing.
Barking is a necessity for your dog to communicate. However, it can also be a nuisance to yourself and fellow neighbours if it’s not kept under control. If you live in an apartment, then you’re better off choosing a dog breed that doesn’t bark as much. If you live further out and far from civilisation, then it’s worthwhile looking into a dog breed that does bark and will bark to alert you of any other company on your property.
Mypetzilla advices that you research the behaviours of your dog breed of choice and whether this would work for you and your family. It’s worth noting that dogs can be trained to bark less and this will take a lot of effort and training from the owner.
Majority dog breeds form very close relationships with their owners and as a result can become very stressed when left alone for a period of time. If a dog is suffering with separation anxiety then they’re very likely to become destructive around the home as a way of dealing with their anxieties. Dog breeds that do form strong bonds with their owners are better accustomed to a household where one member of the family remains home, whilst the others are out, this is to help avoid further anxieties and destructive behaviours.
Mypetzilla recommends that all potential owners research their dog breed of choice on their bonding abilities and how well-adjusted they are to being left alone at home. It’s also worth noting that you should never leave your dog for longer than 4 hours alone at home.
There are certain dogs breeds that have very high intellect and therefore easier to train than other dog breeds. There is also a downside to this; as fast as they learn the new trick or command, they can easily pick up bad habits just as quick. Other dog breeds that don’t rank as high on the intellect scale require patience and plenty of reward treats from their owners during training.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, Mypetzilla advices you to fully research your dog breed of choice and their level of training needs.
All dog breeds have different energy levels. The working dog breed has one of the highest energy levels in comparison to the low-energy dog’s breeds such as the Toy dog breed group. To keep a dog truly happy, healthy and well-balanced, their energy levels must be met.
High-energy dog breeds need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. High energy dog breeds would suit an active family or person. Dog breeds that are considered as low-energy, love to spend the majority of their time relaxing and sleeping in their favourite, comfy spot. A low-energy dog breed would suit an individual that equally loves the quiet life and relaxing lifestyle. Of course, low-energy dogs still need their daily walks and mental stimulation, just not as much as a high-energy dog breed.
Mypetzilla recommends that potential owner research fully on the type of dog breed that would suit their existing lifestyle and to also take into consideration the dog breeds energy levels and exercise requirements.
Before you decide on what dog breed would be suitable for you and your family, you must consider whether they’re a friendly dog breed and if you already have other pets within the household. For homes that already have dogs and other domestic pets, then it’s wise to choose a dog breed that has a friendly personality and temperament.
There are some dog breeds that mix well with other dog breeds and there are others that don’t suit one another and this could potentially cause issues later on down the line.
Another important point to consider is whether the dog breed of choice is friendly towards people and children.
Mypetzilla recommends to research fully on the right dog breed for your family and to also consider their temperament and characteristics.
The Beauceron or Berger de Beauce (shepherd of the Beauce) is a versatile dog which was originally developed to herd sheep and cattle as well as provide protection to the livestock and property against wolves and strangers. The breed originated in France and has a long history. It is regarded as one of the old breeds that played a role in the development of the Doberman Pinscher. The earliest known mention of a dog similar to the Beauceron was in a manuscript written in 1578. It was officially recognized as a breed and registered in the Livres Origines Francais in September 1893. During the two World Wars, the Beauceron was used by the French army in sending messages through the frontlines as well as a supply dog, land mine detection and search and rescue dog. The breed has grown in popularity since the 1960s but it wasn’t until recently that the Beauceron made headway outside of its native country where it is utilized as an army and as a police dog.
The Beauceron is highly intelligent, obedient, and a brave working dog. It is quick to understand and follow commands that is why it excels in police work. As a natural guard dog, the Beauceron will protect its owner, the family and the property tirelessly and without hesitation but it will never display any aggression without getting cue from its master. It will do well inside the house but it will likewise have no problem sleeping outside in a kennel and will gladly do so to perform its duty as a guardian of the house. Its weatherproof coat helps protect the dog in any weather condition. It is a slowly-maturing dog, typically not reaching full adulthood until the age of three years.
The Beauceron is a highly trainable breed because it is very intelligent, loyal, and loves pleasing its owner. It excels in herding and police works and can easily understand and obey commands. Being a natural guard dog, it should be socialised early on in its life if it is to be kept solely as a pet, in order to minimize or combat aggressive tendencies. It can compete successfully in canine competitions such as dog agility trials, obedience, flyball, Schutzhund, tracking, and herding events. If a Beauceron pet exhibits strong herding instincts, it can compete in herding trials effectively.
The Beauceron is a large breed but its size doesn’t mean it requires a lot of time when it comes to grooming. This breed is in fact, a low maintenance dog. It has a short coat that does not require fancy trimming or stripping. It will only need occasional bathing once every few months or when it gets dirty from playing outside. It is a light shedder but can be managed through weekly brushing to remove dead hairs. Clean the ears regularly to prevent ear infection.
It is a generally healthy breed with minor health issues. Hip dysplasia is a common concern as is with any other breed similar to its size. Elbow dysplasia also affects the breed as well as osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) and panosteitis which are all bone-related health issues. Eye problems include progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and cataract. Other health concerns include hypothyroidism, von Willebrand’s disease and cancer. Although these health problems affect the Beauceron, it doesn’t mean that your dog will have all or any of these so make sure to have your puppy tested before bringing him/her home.
This large, healthy and active breed needs a lot of physical and mental exercise in order to stay strong, healthy and active. An hour or two of active play, running, long walks or jogs on a daily basis will keep an adult Beauceron happy. Too little exercise can lead to a dog with potential negative behaviours. Puppies should be exposed up to ten minutes per day of play-exercise training.
It is generally good with children especially if it is socialised early with the family members. If a Beauceron grew up with the children it will know its place down the pack. However, this breed grows quickly and can reach up to 18 kilos in just three months so it is not generally recommended to be left alone playing with small children. It will do well with other pets provided that it is socialised and trained to be with them during puppyhood. An adult Beauceron is protective and may display its herding behaviour with other pets so it is advisable to always supervise this dog whenever it is with other animals, especially unfamiliar ones.
Copyright © 2024 Mypetzilla UK