Beauceron, or Beauce Shepherd

Everyone that knows me, knows that I am a huuuuuuge dog lover.  My mom has been breeding dogs for well over a decade now, and has been successful in starting up her own breeding name and has put several breeds on the map that haven't been familiar to many regions in France until she started breeding them.  After about 10 years of breeding Japanese Chins, amongst other breeds such as Samoyeds, Leonbergers, Colleys, Flatcoated Retrievers, Chihuahuas, Dobermans and Newfoundlands (and several other breeds that will take up some time to name),  my mom has come to a place in her life where she wants to stick with one breed and one breed only.  Everyone has heard of the dogs I have mentioned, but how many are truly familiar with the Beauceron, or Beauce Shepherd?   Most people would look at the photos above and think "Is that a German Shepherd?  Doberman, perhaps?"  But the following post is to get you educated on this particular breed to hopefully become familiarized.  This blog is all about learning new things, right?  And since the Beauceron is a breed strictly unique and mainly produced in Northern France, what a better breed to talk about on my blog of All Things French! 

The Beauceron, or Beauce Shepherd, Berger de Beauce or Bas Rouge, is of the Shepherd family of dogs, used primarily as a guard dog or a herding dog.   The Wikipedia says that a Beauceron is between 2 to 2.5 feet tall, but the ones we own easily pass the 3 foot mark in height, and when standing up on their hind legs, reach head-to-head level.  Large suckers!   The primary colorings are black and tan (more or less a red shade depending on the particular dog), or grey and tan, also known as Harlequin.  A Strange fact about the Beauceron, is that they don't have just 5 toes on their hind legs, they have 6, due to the result of a double-Dewclaw.  It is one of the principal traits of this dog.  Removal of their dewclaws at birth is strictly forbidden, as it will not be passed as acceptable by the Kennel people.  Ear cropping is also strictly forbidden in the France and the United Kingdom.  
Beaucerons make an amazing guard dog.  Their coats are also coarse and thick, which makes it acceptable for them to be outside dogs, even if you live in a very cold climate.   They are generally weary of a person that approaches the household, but get accustomed to the person after they see them a few times.  They are very good listeners, yet need to be trained often in order to achieve great results.  They are very lovey to their owners and loyal friends.   Another good thing about those who don't have much time for grooming, they need very little maintenance to their appearance.   


I highly recommend everyone that is looking for a good guard dog to give this breed a try.  They have established a Beauceron Club in the United States, although since it's the United States, they probably have altered appearances, such as clipped ears or dewclaws removed.   They are indeed a beautiful breed of the most loyal friend on earth.