The Beauceron

The Beauceron is a French breed of herding dog. They are almost unknown outside of France, but the breed has a long history. They are a well balanced, solid dog of good height and well muscled without heaviness or coarseness. The dog is alert and energetic with a noble carriage. The whole conformation gives the impression of depth and solidity without bulkiness, exhibiting the strength, endurance and agility required of the herding dog.

It is a very old breed with no foreign crosses. They are a dog of the lupoid type. The earliest record so far found of what is thought to be this breed dates back to the renaissance manuscript of 1578. In 1809, the abbey Rozier reported plain dogs destined for guarding flocks and herd. In 1863, Pierre Megnin differentiated with precision two types of these sheepdogs-one with a long coat (the Briard), and the other with a shorter coat, which is the Beauceron. They are used extensively on farms in France to herd sheep and in some cases cattle. The Beauceron is the preferred choice of herding dog in France.

Males should be 25 and a half to 27 and a half inches tall, females 24-26 and a half inches. Their outer coat is dense, coarse, and of medium length. Their colors can be black and tan, or black gray and tan. Males are characteristically larger throughout with large frame and heavier bone than females.

They are intelligent and fearless dogs. They are reserved with strangers, but loving and loyal to those they know. Some can display a certain independence.

Health concerns in the breed include hip dysplasia, entropian and ectropian (eyelid issues), progressive retinal atrophy (eye problem), and bloat.