Introduction to Beaucerons
The Beauceron is a gentle and intelligent dog of a large size and a lovable personality. Beaucerons originally came from France and are strong, well-muscled, and highly trainable.
Something unique about the Beauceron is its hind double dewclaws that look like thumbs on the dog’s back legs. Beaucerons also have a fascinating past in military history.
At Healthy Paws, we love all dog breeds and celebrate their uniqueness. In this breed guide, we share more about the Beauceron’s personality, health, care, feeding, and insurance needs.
Size of Beaucerons
When fully grown, a Beauceron will weigh between 70 and 110 pounds. Males stand 25.5 to 27.5 inches tall, and females stand 24 to 26.5 inches tall. They grow most rapidly during the first few months of age and typically reach over half their final size by six months.
Here’s how big you can expect your Beauceron to get as the dog grows from puppyhood to adulthood:
| Weight Chart | 3 months | 6 months | 9 months | 12 months | 24 months |
| Male Beaucerons | 20 – 31 lbs. | 45 – 65 lbs. | 60 – 85 lbs. | 72 – 100 lbs. | 75 – 110 lbs. |
| Female Beaucerons | 18 – 25 lbs. | 39 – 58 lbs. | 53 – 80 lbs. | 62 – 90 lbs. | 70 – 95 lbs. |
Characteristics of Beaucerons
Beaucerons have a strong herding instinct because of their earliest breeding. They want to keep flocks together, whether sheep, cats, or even children. This is a tolerant and affectionate dog but also one with a powerful and imposing appearance and temperament. People love these dogs for their versatility, intelligence, sensitivity, protective nature, and fun spirit.
As you get to know a Beauceron’s personality, here’s what you can expect based on the breed characteristics:
| Breed Characteristic | Level (High, Medium, Low) |
| Affectionate with People | Medium |
| Good with Kids | Medium |
| Good with Pets | Medium |
| Need for Exercise | High |
| Energy Level | High |
| Intelligence Level | High |
| Able to Be Trained | High |
| Amount of Barking | Medium |
| Amount of Shedding | Medium |
History of Beaucerons
Beaucerons are French shepherd dogs, also known as the Berger de Beauce and the Bas Rogue. They are best known for their popularity in the farm areas southwest of Paris, France. However, some historians believe their development dates back to the late Middle Ages.
There are two groups of French shepherd dogs that were identified in the 19th century: the Beauceron and the Briard. Beaucerons have shorter coats and upright ears and are usually black with rust markings. Beaucerons were known to move hundreds of animals and travel up to 50 miles daily without exhaustion.
Beaucerons’ approach to herding is calm and quiet. They excel at keeping sheep together without disturbing them. Over the years, Beaucerons have also been used for police and military work. Soldiers used them during World War I during trench warfare.
The American Kennel Club inducted the breed in 2007. The first Beauceron competed at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show in 2008.
Beaucerons Standard Information
The breed standard of the Beauceron describes the ideal characteristics of the dog in terms of physical appearance, temperament, and movement. For example, the Beauceron is well-muscled without heaviness, has excellent strength and endurance, and has an unwavering expression with noble carriage.
Here is an overview of the breed standard information for Beaucerons:
Head:
- Long head that is well-chiseled
- Frank, alert, and confident expression
- Horizontal eyes that are oval in shape
- Ears are set on high and may be natural or cropped
- Skull is flat or slightly rounded near the head sides
- Muzzle is not narrow, pointed, or too broad
- Nose is black and well-developed
- Teeth meet in a scissors bite
Neck, Topline, Body:
- Muscular neck of good length
- Back is strong and straight
- Chest is wide, deep, and long
- Tail is strong at the base and carried down
Forequarters:
- Legs are vertical when viewed from the front or in profile
- Shoulders are moderately long and muscular but not loaded
- Forearms are muscular
- Feet are large, round, and compact
- Nails are black
- Pads are firm and supple
Hindquarters:
- Hindquarter angulation is balanced with forequarters
- Thighs are muscled and wide
- Hock joint is not too close to the ground
- Feet have rear toes turned out slightly
- Double dewclaws form separated “thumbs”
Coat:
- 1 ¼ to 1 ½ inch coat
- Dense and lies close to the body
- Hair is longer around the neck
- Undercoat is short, fine, downy, dense, and mouse-gray colored
- Coat is shown naturally with no trimming
Color:
- Black and tan
- Gray, black and tan (harlequin)
Gait:
- Fluid and effortless movement
- Covers ground in long-reaching strides
- Strong, supple movement
- Head is lowered approaching the level of the topline in movement
Caring for Beaucerons
One of the best things about having a Beauceron in your home is that it will follow you around all day. This dog loves to stay close to its family members and be part of whatever you are doing.
However, it is also a dog that likes to chew things, and a Beauceron can easily become destructive in the house if bored. They can also be stubborn. The best pet parent for a Beauceron is someone who has experience with dogs and is physically active and loves being outdoors.
Here are some general tips for taking the best care of a Beauceron:
Best Living Environments:
- Not ideal apartment dogs
- Homes with fenced yards
- Families with children, especially older children, are generally fine
Type of Exercise:
- At least two to three hours of exercise daily
- Hiking with family members
- Neighborhood walks
- Running alongside a bike
Mental Enrichment:
- Provide chew toys to prevent destructive chewing
- Don’t leave the dog alone for long periods of time
- Train to do dog sports and obedience competitions
Training Strategies:
- Intelligent dogs that are independent thinkers
- Highly trainable dogs
- Excel in dog sports and competitions
- Start training at an early age for good socialization
- Ensure your dog has a job to do
Grooming Tips:
- Weekly brushing except during the shedding seasons when daily brushing is best
- Give the dog a bath every three to four months
- Most shedding occurs in the spring and fall
- Trim nails monthly
- Pay attention to the double dewclaws when trimming
- Brush teeth daily
Common Health Problems of Beaucerons
The average life expectancy of a Beauceron is 10 to 12 years. If you choose to purchase your Beauceron from a breeder, ensure it is a reputable one to minimize the risk of health issues and a shortened life span.
These are some of the most common health issues that arise with Beaucerons:
- Dilated cardiomyopathy (heart disease)
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- Canine copper-associated hepatitis (copper accumulation in the liver)
- Gastric dilation-volvulus (bloat)
Diet and Nutrition for Beaucerons
Most adults Beaucerons will thrive when eating a high-quality, nutritionally complete and balanced dog food. Beauceron puppies should generally eat a large breed puppy food until they are around 18 months old. If you feed homemade dog food, make sure you are working from a recipe that is designed by a veterinary nutritionist and is appropriate for your dog’s age and health status.
Feed the amount of dog food needed to keep your pet slim. You should be able to see your dog’s waist and feel (but not see) their ribs without having to press too hard. In general, puppies need more calories per day than adults, but a dog’s needs will vary with his or her activity level and other factors. Don’t leave food out all day for a Beauceron to graze on. Divide the total amount of food for the day into two to three meals for adults and three to four meals for puppies. Place the food out in a bowl at approximately the same time each day.
Beaucerons are at elevated risk for gastric dilatation-volvulus, which is why it is important to feed your dog several meals per day rather than just one large meal. Also, don’t feed your dog right before they go out to exercise or play to help prevent bloat.
Ask your Beauceron’s vet for specific recommendations about dog food brands and portion sizes based on your dog’s age, weight, activity level, and existing medical conditions.
Where to Adopt or Purchase Beaucerons
Beauceron lovers who want to purchase a pure dog from a breeder might start their search with the American Beauceron Club. This membership association provides educational resources about the breed and reputable breeder listings.
The American Beauceron Club Rescue accepts donations to help find loving homes for adoptable Beaucerons. Adopt a Pet and Petfinder are other places to search for adoptable dogs and bring a Beauceron into your life.
Related Breeds
Although Beaucerons are undeniably unique dogs, they share common characteristics with dogs of similar and related breeds. Here are some breeds that you might consider if you like what you’ve learned so far about the Beauceron:
- Berger Picard
- Briard
Pet Insurance for Beaucerons
We highly recommend signing your Beauceron up for pet health insurance as soon as you adopt or purchase a dog. Healthy Paws offers Beauceron insurance for puppies and dogs.
With our top-customer-rated insurance plan and speedy claims process, you can visit any licensed U.S. vet you trust and simply submit vet bills through our website or mobile app. We’ll reimburse you for covered vet care and can process most claims within two days. Our easy-to-understand Beauceron insurance plan covers everything from accidents to illnesses, chronic conditions, emergency hospitals, hip dysplasia, hereditary conditions, and alternative care.
Please visit our quote page today to see your Beauceron insurance rate and take the next vital step to protect your pet and future finances.
