Beauceron

The Beauceron is an old breed developed exclusively in France. A document written in 1578 is said to have been the first description of the breed. Contrary to its name, this pooch was found throughout northern France and not just in the Beauce region.

The Beauceron breed herded sheep and cattle and guarded them against wolves. It was also used as a messenger, search and rescue canine, transporter, land mine detector, and police and army dog.

This breed is a powerful dog that stands 61–70 centimetres in height and weighs 66–100 pounds. It has a sturdy physique with a head proportionate to its body and a strong neck. A distinctive physical attribute usually seen in French herding dogs is having double dewclaws on the hind legs.

It has a short waterproof coat consisting of a dense undercoat and a coarse, straight outercoat. The acceptable colours according to the Kennel Club are black-tan as well as a tricolour of grey-black-tan.

Grooming is a breeze for Beauceron owners as it has a short, low-maintenance coat. It does not require trimming or stripping, and baths can be done a few times in a year or as needed. It is a light shedder, which can be managed through weekly brushing.

Aside from caring for your dog’s coat, make sure to regularly trim nails, clean ears, and check for ticks or fleas. An overlooked aspect of dog ownership is good oral hygiene. Take care of your dog’s teeth and gums to prevent disease and bad breath by brushing them at least twice or three times a week. Appropriate chew bones/toys, which your pet will enjoy, can help build strong teeth as well as help remove plaque and dirt.

As a guard dog, the Beauceron can be protective by nature and suspicious of strangers, but not necessarily aggressive. It can be extremely aggressive towards other dogs of the same sex. Unless raised with other pets, it is best not to introduce other pets in your home.

The Beauceron is not for first-time dog owners and timid people. Training can be very challenging because it is an independent thinker that would test dominance. Owners need to establish their alpha status. As soon as a chain of command has been established, this breed will do well in basic obedience training and then advanced training for tricks and agility.

It is not aggressive with children, but it tends to nip and chase as part of its herding instincts. Overall, this breed is not for families with unruly small children.

Each breed may have a certain predisposition in terms of temperament and intelligence. However, like humans, each dog is unique. A lot of factors play a role in developing its personality and abilities. Genetics are a factor, but the environments where the puppy is born and then later on raised have a huge influence.

Typical calorie needs of an adult Beauceron per day:

• Senior and less active: up to 1,700 calories daily
• Typical adult: up to 1,900 calories daily
• Physically active/working dog: up to 2,100 calories daily

Since the Beauceron is prone to bloat, it thrives on small frequent meals. That being said, it should not be overfed with treats and table scraps. Neither should it be fed immediately before or after a strenuous activity or it may experience digestive issues.

This breed is prone to Hip and Elbow Dysplasia because of its high level of physical activity. It is important to include food and/or supplements with glucosamine, which can be found in chicken cartilage. Like all breeds, it should be given healthy fats for a healthy coat.

• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
• Cataracts
• Eyelid abnormalities (entropion and ectropion)
• Allergies
• Bloat
• Cancer
• Hypothyroidism
• Von Willebrand disease
• Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
• Osteochondritis
• Panosteitis

To acquire a well-bred Beauceron, expect to be put on a wait list as there are very few Beauceron puppies for sale each year. You may spend at least £600 for a pedigree pup. Insurance may cost about £58 (basic) to £105 (lifetime) monthly. The food expenses may reach about £40–£50 per month. For vaccinations, boosters, annual checks, and other veterinary costs, pet care expenses may add up to more than £1,500 per year.

On average, a Beauceron owner will spend about £110–£160 per month. The insurance costs can also impact these cost estimates. For its lifetime (10–12 years), the costs can range from £13,200 to £23,040 overall. This estimate does not include the expenditures incurred in buying a puppy, though.