Group: The Beauceron belongs to the herding group.
Height: The average Beauceron is 24 to 28 inches in height (61 to 71.1 cm).
Weight: The average Beauceron weighs 66 to 85 pounds (29.9 to 38.6 kg).
Life Expectancy: The Beauceron usually lives around 11 to 13 years.
Good with Kids? No
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Colors: The Beauceron comes in the following colors: bas rouge (bi-color), which may be a combination of black with either tan, fawn, and squirrel red; harlequin (tri-color), which may be a combination of gray, black-gray brindle, black, red, gray and fawn.
Physical Traits: The Bauceron is muscular, powerfully built, elegant, agile, and has a double dewclaw on its rear paws.
Hair Type: The Beauceron's coat is coarse, straight, thick, tough, and lies close to the body at about 1.25 to 1.5 inches long. The Beauceron has a dense undercoat.
Nicknames: The Beauceron may also be known as the 'Berger de Beauce,' the 'Bas Rouge,' the 'Beauce Shepherd,' and the 'king of sheepdogs.'
Bred For: The Beauceron was mainly used by farmers as a general-purpose dog. It was responsible for driving and protecting sheep and cattle, hunting boar, and it was also known to be a great watchdog for the family. Some claim that the Beauceron is related in some way or other to a dog that was known for centuries in Western Europe, and it may even be found in the ancestry of the Doberman. It was in 1863 that French sheepdogs were broken into two breeds: the long-coated Briard, and the short-coated Beauceron.
Personality / Temperament: The Beauceron is loyal, attentive and clever, making it a great companion. This breed is also obedient, alert, intelligent. The Beauceron has great stamina, is very energetic and enjoys activity. The Beauceron may also be described as spirited, independent, tough, intimidating, stubborn, spontaneous, territorial, and possessive. The Beauceron has a very strong distrust toward strangers, some may become timid, vicious, aggressive, or neurotic when around strangers or intruders.
Origination: The Beauceron was developed completely in France, and is said to date back into the late 1500s. History suggests that the Beauceron's origin is the plains that surround Paris called La Beauce. Many believe that this dog does not carry any traces of non-French crosses. Experts have claimed that a Renaissance manuscript from 1578 is the earliest recorded document mentioning the Beauceron breed.
Maintenance / Special Needs: The Beauceron can be good with children if they have been raised around them, and can get along with other dogs, but do posses a very territorial instinct. This breed requries a lot of exercise, and may be uncontrollable and dangerous without proper training and affection. The Beauceron isn't really suited for city life. Training is a must, otherwise the Beauceron can and will treat sheep, or pets, like prey. Because of its intelligence and eager to please attitude, the Beauceron is a quick learner, which makes training relatively easy, but the trainer needs to remain firm and authoritative. The Beauceron's double dewclaw does not need to be removed for show.
Identifying Traits: The Beauceron has double dewclaws on its back feet.
Ideal For: The Beauceron is ideal for families, country life, and companionship. The Beauceron makes a great guard dog, but due to its territorial and prey instincts, without training it does best in single pet household.
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