Beauceron
A powerful, confident French herding and guard dog that needs calm leadership and an active life.
At a glance
- Size
- Large
- Height at the withers
- Males 65–70 cm · Females 61–68 cm
- Weight
- Males 35–50 kg · Females 30–40 kg
- Life expectancy
- 10–12 years
- Exercise
- 90–120 min a day
- Grooming
- Once a week
- Coat
- Double coat, short
- Colours
- Black and tan, Harlequin
- Bred for
- Herding, Guarding, Companionship
- Country of origin
- France
- FCI
- Group 1, no. 44 · Sheepdogs & cattle dogs
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 4/5 – High |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with other dogs | 2/5 – Low |
| Good with cats | 2/5 – Low |
| Open to strangers | 2/5 – Low |
| Energy | 4/5 – High |
| Playfulness | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Needs mental stimulation | 4/5 – High |
| Easy to train | 4/5 – High |
| Prey drive | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Watchful and protective | 5/5 – Very high |
| Barking | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Shedding | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Grooming effort | 1/5 – Very low |
| Drooling | 2/5 – Low |
| Good for first-time owners | 1/5 – Very low |
| Suits apartment living | 1/5 – Very low |
| Adaptability | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with cold | 4/5 – High |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- have experience with large working breeds
- want a protective but steady companion
- have space and an active routine
Think twice if you …
- are a first-time owner
- share your home with other dominant dogs
- want a dog that welcomes every visitor
Care
Temperament
Beaucerons are confident, loyal and naturally protective. They tend to be reserved with strangers and can be dominant with other dogs. They need clear, fair boundaries from an early age.
Exercise
Give at least an hour and a half of daily activity, including free running and training. Herding, tracking, obedience and protection sports suit them.
Grooming
The short, dense coat needs only weekly brushing, plus extra during seasonal shedding. Check the double hind dewclaws when trimming nails.
Training
Intelligent and capable but strong-minded. It responds best to experienced, consistent handlers using fair, reward-based methods and thorough socialisation.
Health
Hip dysplasia, bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus) and some heart conditions are known in the breed. Breeding dogs are usually hip and elbow screened, so ask the breeder for results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Elbows (ED)
- Eye examination
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Beauceron is the largest of the French sheepdogs, developed on the plains around Paris to move and guard large flocks over long distances. It also served the French army in both world wars as a messenger and sentry dog. In France it is still called the Berger de Beauce or Bas-Rouge, after its red-tan 'stockings'.
This is a strong, self-assured dog that matures slowly and thinks for itself. It is devoted and protective with its family and needs an owner who is calm, consistent and active. With good socialisation and training it is a steady, capable companion.
Did you know?
The breed standard requires double dewclaws on the hind legs, a trait shared with only a few other breeds.