Beauceron: Dog breed characteristics & care

👉 Coming up with a pet name can be fun but tricky. Search no further! According to PetScreening’s 2024 database, the majority of our users name their male Beaucerons Zeus; Levi is the 2nd most popular male name. Meanwhile, most of our users with female Beaucerons love Bella, then Roxy.

• Beaucerons have long tails and double dewclaws.
• In France, a Beauceron is sometimes referred to as a “bas rouge” or “Berger de Beauce.”
• It’s common for a Beauceron to want to protect others and serve as a guard dog.

The Beauceron is an intelligent breed with lots of energy. Beaucerons enjoy the outdoors and playing with their family. If you have a fenced-in backyard or a dog park close to your home, bring your Beauceron and let them play and socialize—it’s a great way to burn off the excess energy!

Also, if you’re looking for a guard dog, a Beauceron may be a great addition to your family. With that being said, socialization is important—if you have kids or other pets, it will be beneficial to adopt a Beauceron at a young age so that you can socialize them as puppies.

A Beauceron—like any purebred dog—can experience genetic health problems. If you look for Beauceron puppies for sale from breeders, ask a breeder if any health testing has been done. This can give you a good idea about any potential health issues that may crop up, and it also speaks to the breeder’s quality and reputation. Beyond this, you should keep an eye out for any of the following health conditions with your Beauceron.

• Hip dysplasia. This condition occurs when the hip joint loosens, causing bone and cartilage to wear down. It can lead to arthritis and limit your Beauceron’s mobility.
• Elbow dysplasia Trusted Source Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Veterinary school. Go to source . Elbow dysplasia is a developmental problem that may cause one or both of your Beauceron’s elbows to hurt.
• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Trusted Source American Kennel Club (AKC) Registry of purebred dog pedigrees. Go to source . Your Beauceron’s retina may gradually deteriorate, to the point where your dog becomes blind at night. Over time, your dog may lose its eyesight during the day, too.
• Gastric bloat Trusted Source VCA Hospitals Community of veterinarians with up-to-date veterinary information. Go to source . Gastric bloat happens when your dogs stomach flips over and becomes enlarged. It’s life threatening and may require surgery to treat.

Cost of caring for Beaucerons

As you look for Beauceron puppies, you may find prices that range anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000. To find the right Beauceron puppy, consider it an investment because you want to choose one from a reputable breeder.  Pet supplies, training costs, medical bills, and other first-year expenses may total around $4,000. Keep in mind that you may need to hire a dog walker to help you keep your Beauceron active, too.

On average, you’ll pay about $1,000 to $2,000 per year to take care of your Beauceron. Pet health insurance is available, and it may help lower any out-of-pocket expenses if your dog needs emergency care, surgery, or treatment for a  serious health condition. You can also consider a pet savings account to help you budget for short- and long-term costs.

The Beauceron’s origin dates back to the 1500s. Beaucerons were French sheepdogs that worked and protected herds and hunted wild boar. They had sleek coats, a stern appearance, strong hind legs, and dense undercoats.

In 1863, a dog show held in Paris featured animals that looked like Beaucerons as we know them today. French authorities met in 1896 to classify different types of shepherd dogs. In 1922, the Club des Amis Du Beauceron was founded. Throughout the 20th century, the breed held many roles—in fact, armies have even used Beaucerons for trench warfare and police work tasks during world wars.

Caring for a new Beauceron puppy can be a lot to handle. You’ll need to set up your first trip to the vet and schedule your dog’s vaccinations. Consider puppy-proofing your home and getting ready for the inevitable teething phase. Lastly, no one likes to think about losing their dog, but FidoAlert provides a free Fido ID and tag so you’re prepared just in case.

Exercise

A Beauceron has the focus and stamina to walk or run long distances. As such, mental and physical exercise is a must. Ideally, you should spend two to three hours a day walking, running, hiking, or playing with your Beauceron.

Visiting open areas may be beneficial, as it gives your Beauceron wide open spaces to roam and play. If you take your dog for a walk or run, try stretching it to five miles for maximum energy burn—you can even try hiking on a trail if you’re up for it!

Your Beauceron has an active personality and likes hard exercise, but it may get bored easily. Keep your eyes on your Beauceron and give your pet plenty of attention. Otherwise, if you take your eyes off them for more than a few minutes, they may get destructive. If you work a busy schedule and won’t be home to take care of your Beauceron, you may want to consider a different breed.

Grooming

A Beauceron’s coat is easier to take care of than that of many other breeds. Typically, you can brush your Beauceron’s coat about once a week to keep it looking its best. As far as baths go, you can bathe your Beauceron roughly every two months to keep it clean.

Also, dirt buildup inside your Beauceron’s ears can become a problem if you’re not careful. Luckily, dog ear cleaners are readily available and easy to use. Finally, brush your Beauceron’s teeth at least a few times a week to protect against oral health conditions, and trim their nails about once a month to prevent cracking.

Diet and nutrition

Generally, a Beauceron should eat about 2.5 cups of food a day. The amount of food you should feed your Beauceron may vary based on its age, activity level, and size. Consult with a veterinarian to figure out the best foods and amount to feed your Beauceron.

Additionally, it’s helpful to divide your Beauceron’s meals over the course of the day, taking your dog’s exercise schedule into account. That way, you’ll be able to make sure they have lots of energy for physical and mental exercise.

Along with diet and exercise, it’s important to account for allergies with the Beauceron breed. Some Beaucerons are allergic to beef, chicken, milk, or eggs. If your Beauceron is one of these dogs, you can work with a vet to explore a limited-ingredient and allergy-controlled diet for your pet.

Beaucerons tend to be confident and strong willed. When you train your Beauceron, expect some pushback along the way.

Because Beaucerons are fast learners, they will respond well to training if you appear confident and composed. If you give your undivided attention to training, your dog is likely to pick up on everything you’re teaching.

And, since you probably don’t have large flocks of sheep to herd, advanced obedience training can give your Beauceron a chance to put their natural herding skills to work. During advanced obedience training, your dog may even learn Treibball Trusted Source American Kennel Club (AKC) Registry of purebred dog pedigrees. Go to source , a game in which it gets to “herd” large balls.

Not quite sure that a Beauceron is right for you? Even if you are, it’s worth taking the time to research and consider other similar breeds. Here are a few to get you started:

• Doberman pinscher. Doberman pinschers are considered some of the best guard dogs, but they’re also playful and enjoy physical activity.
• English toy terrier. The English toy terrier was once a serious working dog—it was used to kill rats during the Industrial Revolution. Since then, the breed has been commonly viewed as an intelligent dog with a stylish, yet sophisticated trot.
• Miniature pinscher. Sometimes called the “king of toys,” the miniature pinscher is a compact dog with a smooth, shiny coat and dark, oval-shaped eyes.