The Beauceron is an active, athletic breed that requires a great deal of physical and mental exercise. Owners must be prepared to provide the mental and physical activity that the dog needs on a daily basis. Beaucerons have an endless supply of energy and cannot be tired out. This is not a couch-potato dog! A bored Beauceron is likely to find something to do that isn’t good for the dog, you or your home.
Category: Before You Buy
Advice for potential beauceron buyers
Breed Traits
The Beauceron is a confident, highly intelligent, independent and strong-willed dog. They are typically very protective of their owners and their territory and are generally reserved or aloof with strangers. Beaucerons are slow to mature compared to many other large breed dogs, so don’t expect your dog to “act like an adult” until around three years of age.
Although the Beauceron is judged in the herding group, they are tending dogs and do not work stock in the same manner as a Border Collie. Their instinct is to be rather “velcro-like” with their owners, which should not be mistaken for lack of confidence. The Beauceron who follows his owner from room to room is simply doing what comes naturally – that is, “tending the flock”. This can be a bit unnerving when your dog barges into the bathroom and stares at you while you take a shower!
Beaucerons can be physically demonstrative with their owners. This can take the form of jumping up on you, leaping through the air as high as your face with all four paws off the ground, or running toward you at full speed only to (hopefully) swerve away at the last minute. Beaucerons can also be very “mouthy” dogs. Some prefer to have something in their mouths almost all the time, while others tend to grab at your hands or clothes. This behavior is not limited just to puppies and can continue well into adulthood.
So You Think You Want A Beauceron
The Beauceron is a wonderful and versatile breed. Before deciding whether the Beauceron is the right breed for you, take the time to meet some dogs and speak to their owners. One way to learn about the breed is to join the American Beauceron Club (AKC parent club), which provides members the opportunity to meet and discuss the breed with fellow Beauceron owners and fanciers from across the country.
The ABC holds a yearly Journee du Beauceron (“Day of The Beauceron”). This French style dog show, exclusively for Beaucerons, is held at various locations each year. At the Journee, Beaucerons are rated and critiqued on their structure and temperament by expert French judges. Attending a Journee will give you the opportunity to meet many Beaucerons and help you decide if this is the right breed for you.
If you cannot attend the Journee, learn about the breed by talking with as many breeders and owners as you can. Be sure to meet Beaucerons of various ages to get an overall sense of the breed as well as the energy levels of both young and mature Beaucerons.
Although they are obedient and relatively easy to train, the Beauceron requires an experienced, dedicated and active owner. They can be overwhelming for a novice owner.. Beaucerons have strong personalities and a need for both physical exercise and mental stimulation. Under-stimulated dogs can become destructive as well as difficult to handle, and may exercise their frustrations on you or your home. The decision to add a Beauceron to your household should be well thought out and agreed to by every family member.
Health Concerns in Beaucerons
No breed is completely without health problems. Ask the breeder what health testing they have done on the sire and dam and if they are aware of any health issues in their lines (parents, grandparents and great-grandparents). Even among the most responsible breeders, health issues may arise. How a breeder responds to such problems is a more accurate indication of how reputable the breeder is.
A few health issues to be aware of include:
Canine hip dysplasia (CHD)
The primary abnormality in canine hip dysplasia is varying degrees of hip joint laxity, (looseness of hip joint), subluxation (partial dislocation of the hip joint), and severe arthritic change (a degenerative condition).
Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)
A disease of the heart muscle which causes the heart to enlarge and not function properly. Typically, both the ventricle (lower chamber) and the atria (upper chamber) enlarge and the ventricle loses its ability to contract and pump blood out to the body or the lungs.
Eye Problems
There is a range of eye problems that can affect dogs. A yearly ophthalmologic examination by a certified veterinarian eye specialist is recommended for all breeds of dogs.
Allergies
Allergies can be either food-based or environmental. The most common food allergens are beef and milk products, cereals (wheat, corn, soy), chicken and eggs.
Gastric Dilation and Bloat
This condition occurs mostly in large breed dogs with deep chest cavities. Gas in the stomach causes it to swell. In some cases, the stomach rotates on its axis (known as torsion), closing off both ends of it. This condition can be life threatening to the dog if not treated immediately, usually through surgical intervention.
Osteochondrosis Desiccans (OCD)
OCD is a hereditary disease due to a defect in the cartilage overlying the head of one of the long bones. It is usually found in the shoulder or elbow joints and rarely affects the hocks or stifles. The condition is characterized by cracks and flaps in articular cartilage, which cause inflammation, joint instability, pain, lameness, and degenerative joint disease.
