Developed for herding and guarding sheep in northern France, the Beauceron is perfect for anyone able to meet their demand for physical challenges…
The Beauceron (also named the “Beauce Sheep Dog” or “Red Stocking”) is a French herding breed that is largely unknown outside of their home country and features a short black coat with tan or grey markings around the face and legs. The breed came into existence during the 1500s, and was originally raised for the core goal of herding and guarding sheep.
Some of their most distinct traits include their high level of intelligence, demand for physical challenges, courage, loyalty and protectiveness of their family – which all help in making the Beauceron a common choice for herding, competing in agility or acting as a family guard dog. Here are a number of quick Beauceron facts:
Trainability & Intelligence:
Friendliness With People:
Compatible With Animals:
Daily Exercise Required:
Grooming Requirements:
Suitable For A Family Pet:
Suitability As A Guard Dog:
Origins Of The Beauceron
The Beauceron is known to have come from France during the 1500s and was bred for the objective of guarding and herding sheep. They were later used during World War I and II for delivering messages or detecting mines and share common ancestry with another popular French herding dog in the Briard.
Average Size Of The Beauceron
Beaucerons are classed as a medium to large-sized dog. The suggested standard size for the Beauceron male is 25.5-27.5 inches tall from paw to shoulder and a weight of 65-110 pounds, whereas the recommended size for female Beaucerons is 24-26.5 inches tall from paw to shoulder with a weight of 65-85 pounds.
Temperament Of The Beauceron
The Beauceron is famous for their self-assured, courageous and loyal personality. They are characteristically suspicious of visitors, which can make them highly suitable as a guard dog.
The Beauceron is also accepted to be highly intelligent – making it possible to train them to do just about anything once they have fully matured. They are also known to be protective of kids – meaning they are fairly suitable as a family pet. The Beauceron is usually friendly with other animals such as other dogs and cats once properly socialized.
Grooming Requirements Of The Beauceron
Grooming the Beauceron is a pretty simple process. They require only an occasional level of brushing with more attention in the shedding season and proper grooming in the form of a bath and nail trim every 4 to 8 weeks.
Living Requirements For The Beauceron
The Beauceron loves to have a large yard to run around in, but they are mildly suitable for apartment living just as long as they are exercised enough.
Health & Life Expectancy Of The Beauceron
Similarly to a lot of medium to large-sized breeds of dogs, the Beauceron is normally slightly shorter-lived possessing a life expectancy of 10-12 years. The main health problem for Beaucerons is typically known to be hip dysplasia. They can also be vulnerable to conditions like bloat and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) but are overall a very healthy breed.
Exercise Needs For The Beauceron
The Beauceron loves activities like herding, long games of fetch, running alongside a bicycle, swimming and agility. They possess a medium to high level of energy and have a need for exercise each day in the manner of long walks along varying routes at a minimum to preclude behavior problems that result from a lack of physical and mental stimulation.
Who Should Own The Beauceron?
The Beauceron can make the perfect dog for an active owner, family or anyone with a job to give them. They are well-suited to anyone that is keen to carry out a small amount of grooming and allow time to provide them with early socialization and obedience training to establish pack leadership in addition to take them on long walks each day and provide a high amount of company and devotion – they are a breed of dog that absolutely thrive on human contact and are not meant to be left alone all day. Though they may not be well-suited to a less active lifestyle, if you are able to meet their demands for attention, leadership and ongoing physical challenges then the Beauceron might be the ultimate dog for you.
Posted by Brent McCoy on January 23, 2012