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Comments on the Beauceron Standard

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October 25, 2006

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Breed Standard

 

The following are comments written by M. Maurice Hermel for the FCI Standard #44 published on 10/25/06. They were approved by the Club des Amis du Beauceron (CAB) board at the Nationale d’ Elevage.

M. Hermel is the head of CAB’s Judges Committee (in charge of educating aspiring judges) and was the conformation judge at our 2007 Journée du Beauceron. His comments were translated by C. Batson

I. Main Points

The Beauceron is not a heavy dog. Many judges often tend to forget this, confusing power (one of the breeds traits) and heaviness. It is the dog seen on the logo of the Club des Amis du Beauceron that we must keep in mind when we evaluate the breed.
That is to say:

  • Strong skeleton regardless of gender
  • Top line perfectly straight
  • Underline showing a good profile with the abdomen slightly drawn up
  • Neck is well defined with an upright carriage
  • Shoulder joint well defined

Comments_1This last trait gives the dog elegance –despite his power- and goes hand in hand with an excellent angulation of the shoulder and arm. If this angle is too straight, the shoulder joint is pushed backward, the forearm is too vertical, the shoulder blade is higher, the neck is pushed forward and the dog looses its nobility. The head carriage becomes mediocre.

These points must be present in the general appearance of the dog within the standard (it is often said that the dog is a whole and that the first glance often brings the final judgment!)

II. The Head

Once more, we must never forget that: “The breed shows in the head and that all the rest follows.” (P. Megnin, 1899, one of the most famous zoologists in the world.)

The head must be without fault for the dog to be rated excellent even if the rest of the body is excellent.

The head is the last refuge of the breed’s type. The standard describes it very well, but we must specify that the head must be:

  • Chiseled with dry lips
  • Skin is tight on the skull
  • Eyelids and orbit area not thick
  • Eyes must not appear swollen or “Chinese”
  • No dewlap
  • Lips and eyelids must be pigmented

III. Chiseling
It is very important that the under orbital area be well chiseled and dry.

The head is made of two rectangular parallelepipeds fitted into one another, the bigger one for the skull, the smaller for the muzzle, making all the lines of the head parallel or perpendicular. This is expressed in the standard by:

  • Muzzle fairly square
  • Flat skull
  • Muzzle must not be sharp or receding

All these elements point to the importance of the chiseling in the Beauceron head, for if it does not appear, we are in the presence of a common head, which is not representative of the breed. (See Diagram A)

A head showing a short muzzle, concave profile of the head is not correct.

DIAGRAM A
III. Chiseling

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IV. The Eyes

Their shape is well described in the standard. We must penalize eyes that are pulled to the side and remind you of “Chinese eyes.” The expression then becomes incorrect for a sheepdog, for a frank direct look cannot be obtained with a sidelong glance or slanted eyes or narrow set eyes.

1. Eye color for the black and tan coat:

  • Dark chestnut. Both eyes are of the same color neither black, light, or yellow. Yellow is never the eye color of black dogs whatever the breed!
  • Yellow is not a very light chestnut color: it is ANOTHER COLOR.

2. Eye color for the Harlequin coat:

  • The two eyes can be blue, entirely or partially, BUT, when the iris is bicolor, the other color must exactly the same as the dark chestnut required for the black and tan dogs.

Partially yellow eyes cannot be allowed on Harlequin dogs, just as they are not for the black and tan dogs. It is very clear, yellow eyes will cause the dog to be rated “inadequate.”

V. Ears

The problem lies with the natural ears. We have to examine the ear set and evaluate its texture (thin enough.) Like the cropped ears, they are not divergent, hanging low on the cheeks and they must measure half the length of the head. The ear set tends to project the ears forward. (See diagram B)

DIAGRAM B
V. The Ears

Comments 3

VI. Topline

It consists of the back and the loin. It is straight and horizontal from the withers to the iliac bone (beginning of the croup.) To achieve a correct topline, muscle mass must fill all the space between the vertebrae as they do not have apophysises of equal size. In fact they are angled in opposite directions, forward and backward. The point where their angulation changes is on the 9th dorsal vertebra which does not have an apophasis. It is also called the “anticlinal vertebra.” The first eight vertebrae are angled forward, the last four along with the lumbar ones are slanted backwards. Muscles must fill the volume between the three apophysises of each vertebra. This prevents to notice a dip of the topline at the 9th vertebra. (See Diagram C)

This must not be confused with sway back, which is a general concave curvature of the back, and far more serious.

Conclusion: A sway back is a general drop of the spine, not at all the depression seen on the 9th vertebra of a dog lacking good muscling of the back.

DIAGRAM C
VI. Topline

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VII. The Chest

It must be oval, full; long never cylindrical not at all shaped like the keel of a boat. It blends into the flanks.

The floating ribs 11th, 12th and 13th) are long permitting good volume of the chest. Short floating ribs would be an important fault.

The chest shaped like a ship’s keel is caused by the shape of the ribs and is an inherited fault. Therefore, take heed and avoid the transmission of this fault!

VIII. The Croup

It is not worth spending time on this problem. All judges easily recognize a croup that is too slanted and would change the hindquarter’s angulation.

The Beauceron is a trotter, not a runner or a canterer.

IX. Angulations

As far as they are concerned and to complete what I was stating at the start of these comments, we must be very watchful. Too straight, they make the dog taller and characterize runners not trotters. Such angulations must be penalized. (See Diagram D)

DIAGRAM D
IX. Angulations
Angles are intentionally exaggerated

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X. The Tail

Many old judges would say: “a dog is a head and a tail!”

The tail must be strong and large at the base. A thin tail is the sign of a light skeleton, which is also an important fault.

The tail should be carried in the shape of a J, we must be tolerant with a high carriage, but it must never be carried above the topline or curved over the loin.

NB: Nevertheless, it is a fault, not as important as the faults of the head, but too much tolerance of a poor carriage generalizes a fault that is very difficult to correct after it has become a habit.

XI. The Feet

One of the main faults is when the feet are not aligned. We must always be watchful of this, because this fault is repeated from parents to progeny.

Another fault is poor feet i.e. not tight, compact, in short flat feet.

NB: It is very important to examine feet in action, for it is possible to notice these faults when the dog is moving.

XII. The Coat

The markings’ color is essential for the dog to be of good quality. Markings should be deep rust. Light markings must be penalized depending on the degree of lightness. This is well described in the standard.

Disappearance: It begins with the disappearance of the spots above the eyes. This is very serious because we are leaving the black and tan type. A dog that does not have the tan spots above the eyes is becoming entirely black. Such fault shows that the dog has lost the fundamental trait of the breed.

NB: Too invasive tan markings must be penalized, but the fault is less grave than their disappearance.

Undercoat: It is one of a sheepdog’s traits. It must exist, even if it is thin. Too much undercoat is incorrect but less than it lacking. It is up to the breeder to keep an eye on this problem and choose his breeding stock wisely.

CONCLUSION:

All points covered in the standard have not been discussed in these comments, we did not want to write a “remake.” In fact, a judge knows how to respect the standard when it comes to the teeth and the dewclaws, the Beauceron standard is precise on these points.
We have only highlighted the important point-sometimes with pyrotechnical explanations, which, without being specific traits of the breed, are nevertheless essential to judge a Beauceron without committing serious mistakes.

This text will give new judges – and older judges who will take the trouble to read it- guidelines to avoid overlooking main faults in judging the Beauceron.

Breed Standard (France)

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October 25, 2006

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Breed Standard, Judge Education

This information is provided by “Les Amis du Beauceron.” the French breed club.  It can be found on their web site in both French and English.

The Berger de Beauce, also called Beauceron or “Bas Rouge” (red stocking) is a dog of harmonious proportions, strong, with short coat. Height is about, 65 to 70 cm for males, 61 to 68 cm for females.

It is a powerful dog with a solid bone structure. Muscles are well developed without being heavy. The head is rather long. Look is frank, expressing liveliness and brightness.

Natural ears droop. On the inner side of rear legs the Beauceron has “dewclaws,” more or less developed. The tail is long, forming a slight hook in the end. The coat is smooth on the head and legs, short, thick and firm on the body.

The most common color is “black and tan”. The tan shows in high stockings on the legs toning down progressively as they rise. Tan is also present on both sides of muzzle, above the brow ridge, on the chest, under the neck and tail. Some black marks, called “charbonnures” (coal marks), can exist on the legs.

These are the characteristics of the Beauceron or “red stocking”. There is a second variety called “harlequin”. The coat has black and grey (blue) hair in equal parts, with tan markings

In addition to aptitudes as a guardian or as shepherd dog, the Berger de Beauce is a very clever and versatile dog. It is a faithful dog, affectionate (and loving) towards family.

FCI – Standard N°44 / 09.11.2006 / GB

BEAUCE SHEEP DOG (“BEAUCERON”, “RED-STOCKING”) BERGER DE BEAUCE

TRANSLATION: John Miller, Raymond Triquet.

ORIGIN : France.

UTILIZATION : Sheepdog and Guard Dog.

CLASSIFICATION FCI : Group 1 Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs (except Swiss Cattle Dogs). Section 1 Sheepdogs. With working trial.

BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMIMARY : “Beauce Dog”, “Beauceron” and “Red-Stocking” were the names chosen at the end of the XIX century to designate these ancient French Sheepdogs of the plains, all of the same type, with smooth hair on the head, a harsh, short coat and ears normally cropped. The body had tan markings, notably at the extremities of the four legs, which led the breeders at that time to call these dogs “Red-Stockings”. The coat was commonly black and tan but there were also grey, entirely black and even wholly tan dogs. These dogs were bred and selected for their aptitude to conduct and guard flocks of sheep.

GENERAL APPEARANCE : The Beauce Sheepdog is big, solid, hardy, powerful, well built and muscular, but without lumber.

IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS : The Beauce Sheepdog is medium in all its proportions. The length of the body from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttock should be slightly greater than the, height at the withers.

The head is long : 2/5 the height at the withers. The height and width of the head are slightly less than half its total length. The skull and muzzle are of equal length.

BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT : Franc approach and self-assured. The expression is candid, never mean timid or worried. The character of the Beauceron should be gentle and fearless.

 

HEAD :

The head is well chiselled with harmonious lines. Seen in profile, the top lines of skull and muzzle lie roughly in parallel planes.

CRANIAL REGION :

Skull : Flat or slightly rounded from one side to the other. The median groove is only slightly marked, the occipital protuberance can bc seen on the summit of the skull.

Stop : The stop is only slightly pronounced and is equidistant from the occiput and the end of the muzzle.

FACIAL REGION :

Nose : Proportionate to the muzzle, well developed, never split and always black.

Muzzle : Neither narrow or pointed.

Lips : Firm and always well pigmented. The upper lip should overlap the lower without any looseness. At their commissure, the lips should initiate a very slight pouch which should stay firm.

Jaws / Teeth : Strong teeth with a scissor bite.

Eyes : Horizontal, slightly oval in shape. The iris should be dark brown, and in case never lighter than dark hazel even if the tan is light coloured. For the harlequin variety, wall eyes are admitted.

Ears : High. Ears are semi-raised(semi-drawn up) or falling. They must not be stuck to cheeks. They appear flat and rather short. The length of the ear must be equal in the middle of the length of the head

NECK : Muscular, of good length, united harmoniously with the shoulders.

 

BODY :

Top line : The back is straight. The loin is short, broad and well muscled. The croup is only slightly inclined.

Withers : Quite visible.

Chest : The girth of the chest is greater than the height at the withers by more than one fifth. The chest is well let down to the point of the elbow. It is wide deep and long.

TAIL : Whole, carried low, it reaches at least to the hock, without deviating, forming a slight hook in the form of a ” J”. When in action, the tail can be carried higher, an extension of the top line.

 

LIMBS :

FOREQUARTERS : Upright when seen from the front or in profile.

Shoulder : Sloping and moderately long.

Forearm : Muscled.

Feet : Large, round, compact. The nails are always black. The pads are hard but nevertheless resilient.

HINDQUARTERS : Upright when seen from profile and from behind.

Thigh : Wide and muscled.

Hock joint : Substantial, not too close to the ground, the point situated roughly at 1/4 the height at the withers, forming a well open angle with the second thigh. Metatarsals (Rear Pasterns) : Vertical, slightly further back than the point of the buttock.

Feet : Large, round, compact.

Dewclaws : By tradition, shepherds are much attached to the conservation of double dewclaws. The dewclaws form well separated “thumbs” with nails, placed rather close to the foot.

 

GAIT / MOVEMENT :

Supple and free. The limbs move well in line. The Beauce Sheepdog should have an extended trot with long reaching movement.

 

COAT :

HAIR : Smooth on the head, short, thick, firm and lying close to the body, 3 to 4 cm in length. The buttocks and the underside of the tail are lightly but obligatorily fringed. The undercoat is short, fine, dense and downy, preferably mouse grey, very close, and can’t be seen through the top coat.

COLOR :

  1. a) Black and tan (Black with tan markings) : “red stockings”. The black is pure black and the tan, red squirrel colored. The tan markings are distributed as follows
  • Spots over the eyes.
  • On the sides of the muzzle, diminishing gradually on the cheeks, never attaining under the ear.
  • On the chest, preferably two spots.
  • Under the neck.
  • Under the tail.
  • On the legs, disappearing progressively while rising, without covering in any case more than 1/3 of the leg and rising slightly higher on the inside.
  1. b) Harlequin (blue-mottled with tan markings) : grey, black and tan, the coat being black and grey in equal parts, the spots well distributed, with sometimes a predominance of black. The tan markings are the same as for the black and tan.

A faint white spot on the chest is tolerated.

 

SIZE :

Height at the withers : Male : from 65 cm to 70 cm. Female : from 61 cm to 68 cm.

 

FAULTS :

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

ELIMINATING FAULTS

  • Aggressive or overly shy.
  • Size outside the standard limits.
  • Too light-boned.
  • Eyes too light, or wall eyes (except for harlequins).
  • Split nose, of a colour other than black, with unpigmented areas.
  • Overshot or undershot with loss of contact, absence of 3 or more teeth (the first premolars not counting).
  • Uncropped ears totally upright and rigid.
  • Rear feet turned excessively to the exterior.
  • Simple dewclaws or absence of dewclaws on hind legs.
  • Shortened tail or tail carried over the back.
  • Coat : Colour and texture other than those defined by the standard. Complete absence of tan markings. Shaggy coat. Well defined, quite visible white spot on chest. For the harlequin variety : too much grey, black on one side and grey on the other, head entirely grey (absence of black).

Any dog presenting in a obvious way anomalies of physical or behavioral order will be disqualified.

NB : Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

 

Breed Standard (U. S.)

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August 8, 2006

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Breed Standard, Judge Education

General Appearance

The Beauceron is an old and distinct French breed of herding dog, developed solely in France with no foreign crosses. Dogs were bred and selected for their aptitude to herd and guard large flocks of sheep as well as for their structure and endurance. Beaucerons were used to move herds of 200 to 300 head traveling up to 50 miles per day without showing signs of exhaustion. The ideal Beauceron is a well-balanced, solid dog of good height, well-muscled without heaviness or coarseness. The whole conformation gives the impression of depth and solidity without bulkiness, exhibiting the strength, endurance and agility required of the herding dog. He is alert and energetic with a noble carriage. A formidable dog with a frank and unwavering expression, he demands respect wherever he goes. Dogs are characteristically larger throughout with a larger frame and heavier bone than bitches. Bitches are distinctly feminine, but without weakness in substance or structure. The Beauceron should be discerning and confident. He is a dog with spirit and initiative, wise and fearless with no trace of timidity. Intelligent, easily trained, faithful, gentle and obedient. The Beauceron possesses an excellent memory and an ardent desire to please his master. He retains a high degree of his inherited instinct to guard home and master. Although he can be reserved with strangers, he is loving and loyal to those he knows. Some will display a certain independence. He should be easily approached without showing signs of fear.

Size, Proportion, Substance

Size: Males 25½ to 27½ inches; bitches 24 to 26½ inches at the withers.
Disqualification: Height outside of maximum or minimum limits.

Proportion: The Beauceron is medium in all its proportions, harmoniously built with none of its regions exaggerated in shortness or length. The length of body, measured from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttock, is slightly greater than the height at the withers. Bitches can be slightly longer than dogs. Correct proportion is of primary importance, as long as size is within the standard’s range.

Substance: Powerful, well built, well-muscled, without any sign of heaviness or clumsiness. Dogs lacking substance should be severely penalized.

Head: The head is long, well chiseled with harmonious lines without weakness. The head must be in proportion with the body, measured from the tip of the nose to the occiput it is about 40% of the height at the withers. The height and width of the head are each slightly less than half its total length. The skull and muzzle are of equal length.

Expression: The gaze is frank, alert, and confident.

Eyes: The eyes are horizontal and slightly oval in shape. The eyes must be dark brown, never lighter than dark hazel. For the Harlequin, walleye is acceptable.
Disqualification: Yellow eyes. Walleye in the Black and Tan.

Ears: The ears are set high, and may be cropped or natural. The cropped ear is carried upright and is neither convergent nor divergent, pointing slightly forward. The well-carried ear is one whose middle falls on an imaginary line in prolongation of the sides of the neck. The natural ears are half pricked or drop-ears, they stand off the cheeks. Natural ears are flat and rather short, their length is equal to half the length of the head.

Disqualification: Natural ears carried upright and rigid.

Skull: The skull is flat or slightly rounded near the sides of the head. The median groove is only slightly marked and the occipital protuberance can be seen on the summit of the skull.

Stop: The stop is only slightly pronounced and equidistant from the occiput and the tip of the nose.

Muzzle: The muzzle must not be narrow, pointed, or excessively broad in width.

Planes: Seen in profile the top lines of the skull and muzzle are parallel, and the junction of the two forms a slightly pronounced stop midway between the occiput and the tip of the nose.

Nose: The nose is proportionate to the muzzle, well developed and always black. In profile, the nose must be in line with the upper lip.

Disqualification: Split nose, nose color other than black or with unpigmented areas.

Lips: The lips are firm and always well pigmented. The upper lip overlaps the lower lip without any looseness. At their juncture, the lips form very slight but firm flews.

Teeth: A full complement of strong white teeth, evenly set, and meeting in a scissors bite.

Disqualification: Overshot or undershot with loss of contact; absence of three or more teeth (the first premolars not counting).

Neck, Topline and Body

Neck: The neck is muscular, of good length, united harmoniously with the shoulders, enabling the head to be carried proudly while standing in an alert posture.

Topline: The back is straight and strong. The withers are well defined. The loin is broad, short and muscular. The croup is well muscled and slightly sloped in the direction of the attachment of the tail.

Body: The length of the body from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttock is slightly more than the height of the dog at the withers.

Chest: The chest is wide, deep, long, and descends to the point of the elbow. The girth of the chest is greater than the height at the withers by more than 20%.

Ribs: The ribcage extends well back with long, flexible, and moderately curved ribs. The abdomen is moderately drawn up but still presents good volume.

Tail: The tail is strong at the base, carried down, descending at least to the point of the hock, forming into a slight J without deviating to the right or to the left. In action, the tail can be carried higher, becoming an extension of the topline.
Disqualification: Docked tail, or tail carried over the back.

Forequarters

The construction of the forequarters is of the utmost importance, determining the dog’s ability to work and his resistance to fatigue. The legs are vertical when viewed from the front or in profile.

Shoulder: The shoulders are moderately long, muscular but not loaded, with good layback.

Forearm: The forearms are muscular.

Feet: The feet are large, round, and compact with black nails. The pads are firm yet supple.

Hindquarters

The angulation of the hindquarters is balanced with the forequarters. The hindquarters are powerful, providing flexible, almost tireless movement. They are vertical when viewed from profile and from behind.

Legs: The thighs are wide and muscled. Hock joint is substantial, not too close to the ground, the point situated roughly at ¼ the height at the withers, forming a well open angle with the second thigh. Metatarsals are upright, slightly further back than the point of the buttock. When viewed from behind, metatarsals are perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other.

Feet: The feet are large, round, compact, and the rear toes turn out very slightly.

Dewclaws: Double dewclaws form well separated “thumbs” with nails, placed rather close to the foot.
Disqualification: Anything less than double dewclaws on each rear leg.

Coat

Outer coat is 1¼” to 1½”, coarse, dense and lying close to the body. It is short and smooth on the head, ears and lower legs. The hair is somewhat longer around the neck. The tail and back of thighs are lightly fringed. The undercoat is short, fine, dense and downy, mouse gray in color and does not show through the outer coat. The Beauceron is exhibited in the natural condition with no trimming.
Disqualification: Shaggy coat.

Colors

Black and Tan: The black is very pure; the tan markings are squirrel red; the markings are: dots above the eyes; on the sides of the muzzle, fading off on the cheeks, never reaching the underside of the ears; two spots on the chest are preferred to a breastplate; on the throat; under the tail; on the legs the markings extend from the feet to the pasterns, progressively lessening, though never covering more than 1/3 of the leg, rising slightly higher on the inside of the leg. Some white hairs on the chest are tolerated.

Gray, Black and Tan (Harlequin): Black and Tan base color with a pattern of blue-gray patches distributed evenly over the body and balanced with the base color, sometimes with a predominance of black.

Disqualification: Any color other than Black and Tan or Harlequin. Complete absence of markings. Well-defined, quite visible white spot on the chest 1″ in diameter or larger. In the Harlequin: too much gray; black on one side of body and gray on the other; head entirely gray.

Gait

Movement is fluid and effortless, covering ground in long reaching strides (extended trot). Strong, supple movement is essential to the sheepdog. In movement the head is lowered approaching the level of the topline. Dogs with clumsy or inefficient gait must be penalized

Temperament

Frank approach and self-assured; never mean, timid, or worried. Although reserved with strangers, the character of the Beauceron should be gentle and fearless. Any display of fear or unjustifiable aggression is not to be tolerated

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note: Males must have two normal testicles properly descended into the scrotum.

Disqualification:

Height outside of maximum or minimum limits.

Split nose, nose color other than black or with unpigmented areas.

Overshot or undershot with loss of contact

Absence of three or more teeth (first premolars not counting).

Yellow eyes.

Walleye in the Black and Tan.

Natural ears carried upright and rigid.

Docked tail, or tail carried over the back.

Anything less than double dewclaws on each rear leg.

Shaggy coat. 

Any color other than Black and Tan or Harlequin. 

Complete absence of markings. 

Well-defined, quite visible white spot on the chest 1″ in diameter or larger.

In the Harlequin: too much gray; black on one side of body and gray on the other; head entirely gray.

The Question of Color

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January 1, 2006

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Breed Standard

By Claudia Batson for the AKC Gazette

One Beauceron but two colors. Today’s classic Beauceron (Berger de Beauce) is black with red-squirrel-colored markings. The other color, which is gaining favor, is the harlequin. Its coat is gray, black and rust.

If we were to investigate the history of the Berger de Beauce, we would find in the 19th century that its colorations could have been solid black, brown, mouse gray, or charcoal gray with black patches with or sometimes without rust markings. By 1965, it was a rare occurrence to see any color but the black/rust dog.

In 1969, the Club des Amis du Beauceron, the French parent club, recognized the harlequin coloration as an alternative acceptable within the standard. However, it was very clearly defined. It is prohibited to breed harlequin to harlequin because of the severe abnormalities which could occur in the puppies. The coat color is determined by a blue-merle gene. White on any part of the dog is not allowed, but an inch blotch on the chest is tolerated. The Harlequin coat may darken with age, reverting to the black/rust coloration.

As defined in both the French and American standard (which follows that of the French almost verbatim), the harlequin coat must have equal parts of gray and black, arranged in patches of more black than gray, with the rust color markings in the same places as on the black/rust Beauceron. If there is too much gray, one side black and the other gray, an all gray head or gray markings appearing within the rust, the dog will be disqualified in the conformation ring. Light eyes in the Harlequin are not acceptable, however walleyes are allowed, with dark brown eyes occurring most frequently.

Contrast that to the black/rust dog which requires the black be a deep black, the rust must be a red squirrel color; there must be rust dots above the eyes; on the muzzle, the markings gradually blend into the black never reaching under the ear. Two patches of rust show on the breast, rust markings must appear under the throat and the tail. On the legs the markings extend from the feet to the wrists, blending a little higher on the inside, but not more than one-third of the way up. The eyes must be very dark brown.

The topcoat is coarse, dense, short and close to the body. The undercoat is grayish, occasionally buff, downy and very short. Together they protect this herding dog from any weather it might encounter in the field.

The Berger de Beauce original colors have changed and its function has gone from a dog bred strictly for the quality of its herding/guarding abilities to one that is as capable of herding sheep, cattle, geese or ducks as it is performing in the show or agility ring or saving lives as a Search and Rescue dog. However, its character has remained constant— extremely intelligent, strong, proud, reliable, tough, protective yet gentle, and always devoted to his master.