Beauceron

Breed Group: herding

"Herd's the word!"

Breed Profile

Beaucerons are athletic herding dogs that spends their days guarding their territory and owners. They’re intelligent pups that need a pack leader to keep them in line, but once you teach them right from wrong, they’ll be a wonderful watchdog for your flock and family.

Behavior

The Beauceron is a calm, smart, obedient, and fearless breed. They’re working dogs with strong herding instincts, so they need to be taught at a young age what’s acceptable to herd and what’s not. Beaucerons are wary of strangers, which makes them great family protectors. However, once they’re socialized, their distrust will subside, and they’ll warm up to new faces quickly once they see it’s okay.

Coat

Most Beaucerons are black and tan, but you can also find them in tan and gray. Their undercoat is soft and silky, while the outercoat is dense and coarse. The Beauceron’s fur is short, so their grooming needs are minimal. They only shed twice a year, and even during those times, the hair isn’t hard to maintain. Brushing them once in a while and bathing them every few months should be all they need to stay fresh and clean.

Lifestyle

Beaucerons are good with kids if they’re raised together. They’re sociable with other dogs, but they’ll naturally be very territorial, wary of intruders, and inclined to chase other animals. The Beauceron is very smart, learns quickly, and is eager to please. However, these dogs need to know who the pack leader is, or they’ll try to take over. Beaucerons were bred to live in harsh weather conditions, so they don’t mind playing outside during the day. However, they prefer living inside with the family at night and are best suited for homes rather than apartments.

Activity

Beaucerons need to work their muscles and their minds. They shouldn’t be left alone for long periods of time without activity, or their destructive side will come out. These dogs can exercise themselves in a flock-guarding or herding setting, or you can help them out with a few walks and outdoor play sessions each day.

Characteristics

Space Needs

Activity Needs

Intelligence

Playfulness

Grooming Needs

Trainability

Watch Ability

Dog-friendliness

Child-friendliness

About the Beauceron

Beaucerons are large, athletic dogs that love to herd, bark, and chew. They need a strong pack leader or owner to teach them right from wrong and keep them in line. With their territorial nature and wariness of strangers, Beaucerons make perfect watchdogs who will bark at the slightest sound. These dogs can be good with children and other pets if they’re raised together, but they aren’t the most family-friendly pups around. With a long history as herding dogs, Beaucerons’ natural instincts and aggressiveness can kick in at a moment’s notice, so it’s important to provide strict training and plenty of activity.