Honest FAQ for Beaucerons

What kind of temperament and personality does the Beauceron have?

The most descriptive words that come to my mind regarding Beauceron temperament and behavior are:

athletic, serious, watchful, loyal, strong chasing/poking instincts

I give you my honest opinions about Beauceron temperament and personality traits and characteristics – positives AND negatives – in my dog breed review, Beauceron Temperament and Personality Traits (What's Good About 'Em, What's Bad About 'Em).

How do you pronounce Beauceron?

BO-ser-on. Beauce  (Bose) is a large agricultural and livestock region in France.

What were Beaucerons used for?

Beaucerons drove and guarded sheep (and sometimes cattle) in France. They also guarded the family farm, hunted wild boar, and served as messenger dogs and explosives detection dogs in World War I.

What traits would help Beaucerons accomplish their work? That's right... high energy, endurance, athleticism, toughness, independent thinking yet high trainability, and loyalty to their owner.

How big are Beaucerons? Height and weight?

About 24-28 inches at the shoulder, and 70-100 pounds, which puts them in the LARGE category.

What colors do Beaucerons come in?

Only two colors. By far the most common is black, with tan or rust markings (like a Doberman or Rottweiler).

Less common is harlequin,  which starts with the same base color of black with rust/tan markings, then covers most of it with greyish/bluish/whitish patches. In other breeds, this color pattern is called merle.

Do Beaucerons come in different "types"?

Yes. Beaucerons bred primarily for exhibition in the dog show ring are often larger and heavier, with a "softer" temperament.

Beaucerons bred for working purposes are more energetic, athletic, and agile. Those used in protection dog sports also have an intense, aggressive temperament, while those used in Search & Rescue are non-aggressive.

A few breeders produce Beaucerons for hunting big game such as wild boar. As you might expect, these dogs are very tough and animal-aggressive.

How much exercise do Beaucerons need?

A lot. The athletic Beauceron won't sit quietly in your home or yard if you don't provide enough exercise and challenging mental stimulation.

Like all large working breeds, a Beauceron needs to be involved in activities such as herding, carting, advanced obedience, agility, protection dog sports, jogging, hiking, tracking and scent work.... DO lots of stuff with a Beauceron, or please get a different breed.

Do Beaucerons need a fenced yard?

Yes. Why a fenced yard? and best and worst fences.

Are Beaucerons easy to train?

Yes and no. If you are a confident, assertive person who can "read" and respond to a strong-minded working dog and establish a healthy leader-follower relationship, the Beauceron can learn almost anything and is a delight to work with. Otherwise... well, this breed is not for beginners.

Are Beaucerons easy to housebreak?

Yes. I've never had any housebreaking issues with Beaucerons.

Are Beaucerons friendly with people?

Beaucerons are devoted to their own family, and standoffish with strangers.

Many Beaucerons have protective instincts, but without actual protection training,  they are not effective protectors. But they can still be excellent deterrents... as long as you stay in charge and immediately stop any unwarranted aggression.

At the other extreme, some Beaucerons are timid, nervous, or genetically shy. So be careful of your lines in this breed.

Are Beaucerons good with children?

Beaucerons raised with children are usually gentle and tolerant. Otherwise, it really depends on the individual dog and the individual kids. Be aware that Beaucerons may try to herd running children by poking at them.

Are Beaucerons good with other dogs?

If you're a strong leader, Beaucerons are usually fine with other dogs in their own family. Still, it's safest to keep a Beauceron with a companion of the opposite sex. Toward the same sex, Beaucerons can be dominant, and if the other dog disagrees, a serious fight may ensue.

Are Beaucerons good with cats?

My Beaucerons were fine with our own cat – indoors – once she bopped them on their noses once or twice. But outdoors, they would go after any cat (or any other small animal) they spied in our yard, with deadly intent.

How much do Beaucerons shed?

Beaucerons are average shedders. Their coat sheds moderately in the spring and fall, and occasionally a tiny bit of hair the rest of the year.

Are Beaucerons hypoallergenic? Good for people with allergies?

If you're allergic to dog dander, no. If you're allergic to canine saliva, no. Beaucerons are not hypoallergenic dogs.

How much grooming do Beaucerons need?

Just occasional brushing... more often when shedding.

What's a good training schedule for training Beauceron puppies?

Here's the puppy training schedule I use for Beaucerons: Puppy Training Schedule.

What behavior problems do Beaucerons tend to have?

The critical puppy and adolescent periods are when you must teach calmness, establish the right leader/follower relationship, and respond properly to behavior problems. Do those things right, plus provide enough exercise and mental stimulation, and your Beauceron will be much less likely to have any behavior issues at all.

Occasional issues with my own Beaucerons centered around them poking/pushing children and other pets in an attempt to move them along or gather them together. I also kept them under complete control when in the presence of other large dogs of the same sex.

What health problems might Beaucerons have?

Loose joints can cause lameness and crippling arthritic pain. Eye diseases can lead to blindness. And gastric torsion (bloat) is always a worry in large dogs with deep chests, like Beaucerons.

What breeds are similar to the Beauceron?

To the untrained eye, the Beauceron looks rather like a blend of Doberman Pinscher, Rottweiler, and German Shepherd.

• Compared to a German Shepherd, the Beauceron is healthier and more sensitive.
• Compared to a Rottweiler, the Beauceron is healthier, more sensitive, and more energetic.
• Compared to a Doberman, the Beauceron is healthier and calmer.

Where can I buy a Beauceron puppy?

If you're looking for a show dog, buy from a show breeder. If you're looking for an active working Beauceron, buy only from a working breeder. If you're looking for a companion dog... I stick with breeders who show their dogs in conformation AND work them in performance activities. Read my article.

Where can I adopt an older Beauceron?

Rescue group or humane society/shelter? Read my article.

I just got a new Beauceron. Which pages should I read first?

• Beauceron Health, which includes my advice on feeding, vaccinations, and daily health care. These pages are very important, because if you start your Beauceron puppy off on the wrong foot, he will probably experience health problems later on. Starting off right is essential.
• Training Beaucerons, which includes my advice on respect training, housebreaking, and socialization. Again, you must start your Beauceron puppy off on the right foot by teaching him what he needs to know, and you must avoid doing the wrong things with him so that he doesn't develop bad habits that will be much harder to fix later on.

Do male dogs or female dogs make better pets?

Ah, let the debate begin! Honestly, male Beaucerons have pros and cons, and female Beaucerons have pros and cons. Visit Male Dogs versus Female Dogs

There's an adorable Beauceron puppy at the pet shop. The store manager assures me they only buy from responsible breeders. Could this be true?

No responsible Beauceron breeder would ever place one of their Beauceron puppies in a pet shop for resale. To find out more about pet shop puppies, visit Pet Shop Puppies: Buying a Puppy From a Pet Store.

How do I pick the best Beauceron puppy from a litter?

You can do puppy personality tests. Visit How To Choose a Good Puppy.

What's the best dog food for Beaucerons?

3 Best Ways To Feed Your Dog Healthy Food.

I have to take my Beauceron to the vet soon for shots. Which vaccinations does he really need?

The schedule of vaccinations that dogs really need has changed dramatically – but unfortunately most vets are not telling you this, because a good chunk of their income depends on frequent vaccinations. Please don't get any more shots for your Beauceron until you've read my article on Puppy Shots and Dog Vaccinations.

What are the pros and cons of spaying and neutering my Beauceron, and when should it be done?

Spaying and neutering are often recommended too early, which can lead to health problems later in life. Visit Spaying Your Female Dog or Neutering Your Male Dog for the straight scoop on the safest (and riskiest) times to spay or neuter.

I have a question about Beaucerons that I don't see answered on your web site.

It's probably answered in one of my free online books.