Beauceron

Though the Beauceron is barely known outside its native France, it is a favored dog there. It is prized for its sheep herding ability and stamina. History The exact origin date of the Beauceron is not known, although there are some clues. Historians have found mention of this dog breed in a Renaissance manuscript from 1578, suggesting that the breed predates those times. The Beauceron also appears in other historic times. The abbey Rozier used "plain dogs"� to guard their flocks of sheep in 1809, suggesting that the Beauceron had already learned its herding skills. In fact, these dogs were often used to move up to 300 sheep at a time, and they could herd the flock up to 50 miles per day. Furthermore, in 1863, the breed was finally researched and distinguished by a veterinarian named Pierre Megnin. He discovered that there were two types of sheep dogs in France one with a longer coat and one with a shorter coat and the short-coat variety became known as the Beauceron. Other names for this dog include the Berger de Beauce, the Bas Rouge (which translates as Red Stocking), the Beauce Shepherd, and the French Shorthaired Shepherd. And although this breed has not spread too far out of France, it has been used in the creation of other, very popular breeds. For example, the Beauceron was one of the dogs used when breeding Doberman Pinschers for the first time. It was also put to use in World Wars I and II as a supply transport dog, a message carrier, a rescue dog, and a land mine detector. It wasn't until recently that this dog breed appeared in shows, though. It's had its own club, the Club des Amis du Beauceron, since 1922, but the American Kennel Club didn't recognize it as a breed until 2008. Appearance Beaucerons are a medium to large dog. Males can measure up to 27.5 inches at the withers, and females are slightly smaller at 26.5 inches. However, these dogs are rarely under 24 inches tall. The average weight of a Beauceron is between 80 and 110 pounds for a male and 70 to 100 pounds for a female. The torso is longer than the dog is tall, giving the dog a lean yet strong appearance. Beaucerons should be well muscled and solid with a deep chest and large ribcage built to hold huge lungs, which help with the dog's stamina. A Beauceron's head is long and well formed. The oval eyes are very dark, the ears are erect, and the expression on the face is usually one of confidence and awareness. The coat has two laters: an undercoat, which is wooly and soft, and an outer coat, which is dense and smooth. Fur can be up to 1.5 inches long and it sits tight over the body. This coat is usually black and tan with specific markings; tan spots above the eyes, on the cheeks, on the chest, under the tail, and on the legs. Some dogs are a Harlequin color, meaning they are black, tan, and gray, where the gray patches are spread evenly over the whole body. Temperament This breed is famous for its loyal and loving nature. A Beauceron will protect his family from harm especially the children but he is rarely aggressive. He may be guarded around strangers at first, but he will be calm unless he perceives a threat. These dogs are also very confident and fearless. Despite the reserved behavior around strangers, a Beauceron is rarely, if ever, timid. Health Issues The average lifespan of a Beaceron is between 10 and 13 years, which is average for a purebred dog of its size. Pet Care Owners of a Beauceron should always supply him with activities and tasks. Since this is a born shepherd, the Beauceron is both intelligent and highly energetic. The dog will be happiest when he has something to do. Training is relatively easy because these dogs are naturally obedient, but training should start early to squash any independent streaks in puppies. Grooming is simple because the coat is so short. What Owners Have to Say Most owners love their Beauceron for its abilities. Farmers love using them as shepherds because of their stamina and excellent work ethic. As a family dog, they are also great. Because they are faithful, obedient, and gentle, they make calm house pets most of the time. Is this the right dog for you? If you are looking for a shepherd-like dog with the aggression typical of other breeds, like German Shepherds, then the Beauceron is a good choice. These medium-sized dogs are great for households of any size. They look formidable so they will scare of would-be intruders and protect the family, though they are actually good-natured and calm. Plus, they are easy to care for. Grooming needs are minimal. The only real care a Beauceron needs is constant exercise. However, for a household incapable of providing this constant exercise, the Beauceron may seem troublesome. They do need to stay occupied because they have a lot of stamina and will act out if they become bored. They can also be rowdy, especially when young, though this is a typical trait of most dogs. Beaucerons are not known for their aggression, but if an owner doesn't socialize the puppy right away, this trait can develop. Early training is also necessary to ensure that the dog recognizes the owner as its master; this is also necessary to prevent an independent streak, as these dogs can be stubborn and strong-willed without discipline. Beaucerons may chase moving objects, such as passing bikers or small animals, so they must be controlled on a leash. And, while all these problems are normal for most dog breeds, there is one unique issue with Beaucerons: they are hard to find. Since they are rarely sold outside of their native France, owners may have to be on long waiting lists just to obtain a puppy. Due to high demand and low supply, puppy prices have sky rocketed. For the owner who likes having a unique dog and is willing to pay the price, this shouldn't be an issue. However, for the family looking to buy a dog right away, this isn't the right choice.

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