# Beauceron

Also known as: Berger de Beauce, Bas Rouge, Beauce Shepherd
- **Group:** Herding (FCI group 1)
- **Size:** Large
- **Origin:** France
- **Height:** 61–70 cm
- **Weight:** 30–45 kg
- **Life expectancy:** 10–12 years
- **Temperament:** Loyal, Courageous, Intelligent, Protective, Calm
- **FCI standard:** No. 44

The Beauceron is a powerful French herding and guarding dog, easily recognised by its black-and-tan coat, red stockings and unusual double dewclaws on the hind legs.

## Overview

The Beauceron is a large, athletic sheepdog from the plains of Beauce in central France. It was bred as a farm helper that could herd stock and guard property, and it still shows the same working stamina.

It is a serious, confident dog that suits experienced owners who can offer training, space and plenty of involvement.

## History

The breed is old, with the first written mention in 1587 and the name Berger de Beauce in use by 1809. The first breed club was formed in 1911.

It served as a military dog in World War II, and in modern France it is used as a guard and police dog, as a sheepdog and in ring sports.

## Appearance

The Beauceron is a strong, muscular dog standing 61 to 70 cm and weighing 30 to 45 kg. The outer coat is hard and the undercoat woolly, growing thick in cold weather.

The usual colour is black and tan, with tan markings often called red stockings, and some are harlequin. The breed must have double dewclaws on each hind leg. Ear cropping is no longer allowed in most countries.

## Temperament

Beaucerons are intelligent, calm and fearless, and form strong bonds with their family. They are naturally wary of strangers and make excellent guard dogs, but without good training they can become aggressive.

They mature slowly, often not until about three years old, so training should be patient, consistent and kept in short sessions.

## Care and exercise

This is an active working breed that needs substantial daily exercise and a job, such as obedience, herding or protection sport. Early, thorough socialisation is essential.

Grooming is simple: weekly brushing, with more during seasonal moults. The weatherproof coat copes with cold, but the dog is happiest living with its family.

## Health

The breed is generally healthy and long-lived, with no breed-specific problems noted in the source. As with other large dogs, hip dysplasia and bloat are worth watching for, so choose breeders who health-test their dogs.

## Ratings (1 to 5)

- Energy: 4
- Exercise needs: 4
- Grooming: 2
- Shedding: 3
- Trainability: 4
- Barking: 3
- Good with children: 3
- Good with other dogs: 2

Page: https://techtools.cz/tools/dog-atlas/beauceron
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beauceron · https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q37720
Photo: Stefan Schmitz (CC BY-SA 3.0 de), https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BeauceronStand.jpg
Profile written by an AI model from the sources above.