| Beaucerons: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Beauceron personality and behavior. |
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My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Beauceron, including these excerpts:
"The Beauceron is a confident, steady-tempered, usually serious dog.
Athletic and agile, he needs hard exercise (running, hiking, biking, fetching). A walk around the block is most assuredly not enough, and too much confinement can lead to destructive behaviors and rambunctiousness, especially in youngsters.
Mental exercise (advanced obedience, agility, herding, Schutzhund) is just as important to this highly intelligent breed.
Matching his stern appearance, he is aloof and discriminating with strangers, keen-eyed and watchful. Socialization must be early and frequent so that his watchfulness doesn't shade into aggression. Shyness and spookiness are unfortunately present in some lines.
Most Beaucerons are territorial with other animals, but usually good with the pets in their own family, if raised with them.
You must discourage their habit of poking or pushing people and other animals in an attempt to move them along or gather them together.
Beaucerons like to control everyone and everything and require a confident, consistent owner who knows how to lead."
History
Named for the Beauce region of France, this French shepherd dog is cousin to the Briard.
Size
24-28 inches and 70-105 lbs |
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Beaucerons
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em
- Is large and athletic, with a vaguely Shepherd-like build
- Has a short easy-care coat
- Looks stern and imposing, and makes a vigilant watchdog
- Is uncommon
A Beauceron may be right for you.
| If you don't want to deal with... |
- Vigorous exercise requirements
- Rowdiness and exuberant jumping, especially when young
- Destructiveness when bored or not exercised enough
- Aggression or fearfulness toward strangers in some lines, or when not socialized enough
- Aggression toward other animals
- Strong-willed mind of his own, requiring a confident owner who can take charge
- Chasing and nipping at things that move: children, joggers, other animals, bikes, cars
- Shedding
- Waiting lists (hard to find) and a very high price tag
A Beauceron may not be right for you.
| If I were considering a Beauceron... |
My major concerns would be:
- Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. Beaucerons MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and do interesting things. Otherwise they will become rambunctious and bored -- which they usually express by barking and destructive chewing. Bored Beaucerons can make a shambles of your house and yard.
| If you simply want a pet for your family, and don't have the time or inclination to take your dog running or hiking or biking or swimming, or to get involved in herding, or tracking, or agility (obstacle course), or advanced obedience, or schutzhund (protection), or carting, or a similar canine activity, I do not recommend this breed. Beaucerons were never intended to be simply household pets. Their working behaviors are inappropriate in a normal household setting. Trying to suppress these "hardwired" behaviors, without providing alternate outlets for their high energy level, can be difficult. |
- Providing enough socialization. Most Beaucerons have protective instincts toward strangers. They need extensive exposure to friendly people so they learn to recognize the normal behaviors of "good guys." Then they can recognize the difference when someone acts abnormally. Without careful socialization, they may be suspicious of everyone, which could lead to biting. Some Beaucerons go in the opposite direction -- without enough socialization, they become fearful of strangers, which can lead to defensive biting.
| In this day and age, the legal liabilities of owning any breed that looks intimidating and has a history as a guard dog should be seriously considered. People are quicker to sue if such a dog does anything even remotely questionable. |
- Animal aggression. Many Beaucerons are dominant or aggressive toward other dogs of the same sex. Some have strong instincts to chase and seize cats and other fleeing creatures. If anything goes wrong in the breeding, socializing, training, handling, or management of this breed, it is capable of seriously injuring or killing other animals.
| If you have small children, or if you or anyone who lives with you is elderly or infirm, I do not recommend Beauceron puppies. Young Beaucerons (up to about two years old) romp and jump with great vigor, and things can go flying, including people. The temptation to play roughly and nip at moving people is simply too strong in many young Beaucerons. |
- The strong temperament. Beaucerons are not Golden Retrievers. The best Beaucerons are versatile working dogs, capable of learning a great deal, but they have an independent mind of their own and are not pushovers to raise and train. Some Beaucerons are willful, obstinate, and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.
| To teach your Beauceron to listen to you, "Respect Training" is mandatory. My Beauceron Training Page discusses the program you need. |
- Shedding. Beaucerons shed more than you might think. Their short hairs come off on your hands when you pet them, and stick tenaciously to your upholstery and clothing.
- Serious health problems. Bone and joint disorders abound.
| To keep this breed healthy, I strongly recommend following all of the advice on my Beauceron Health Page. |
- Finding one and paying the price. In the United States, this breed is very rare, and breeders are charging $1000 and up.
| Frankly, most Beaucerons are "too much dog" for the average household. This is a serious working dog. Very few people really have the knowledge or skills to manage this breed, or to provide the activities that keep him satisfied. |
| Not all Beaucerons are alike! |
- There are energetic Beaucerons, and placid Beaucerons.
- Hard-headed Beaucerons, and sweet-natured Beaucerons.
- Serious Beaucerons, and good-natured goofballs.
- Introverted Beaucerons, and Beaucerons who love everyone.
| If you acquire a Beauceron puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." |
| If you're considering an adult Beauceron... |
There are plenty of adult Beaucerons who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.
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