How is it to live with a Beauceron, this french breed which looks like a dog crossing between the Rottweiler and the German Shepherd? Here are fun facts illustrated with drawings. Print of the Dog can be purchased here.
The Beauce Shepherd from the plains of France
The Beauceron is a french herding dog breed with origins in the center of France, this area is called "La beauce" wich give the name to the Dog. The Beauce Area has a very caracteristic landscape : it's flat, small forest and rivers and very good lands for farmers. Beauceron is a shepherd dog (free herding - without fences) made for this kind of landscape.
Beauceron is bred to serve and protect the Farm
In the past, Beauceron would help farmers : To Serve and protect the Farm !
Both guarding and herding sheeps, it was also very useful against wolves
An 18th century book mention : a daring mastiff capable of attacking and defeating a wolf on its own.
The Beauceron Dew Claws caracteristics
A unique characteristic of this breed is the double dewclaws on the back legs. These are required by the breed standard as a sign of a true Beauceron. Some folks says, it goes back to the early days of the breed : it gives more grip when herding a flock of sheep.
Not only the Beauceron have this caracteristic : The Great Pyrennes and the Briard (a beauceron with long hair) (There's a french thing about double dew claws...)
Beauceron or Bas rouge
This dog is also known as Berger de Beauce or Bas Rouge wich can be translated as "red stockings". The common colors are Black and tan, black mostly on the back and the head and Tan on the legs. This dogs looks like it's wearing tanned stockings.
Black and Tan !
The most common color is black and tan, just like the Rottweiler and Doberman :
theses two breeds have beauceron blood in it.
A diligent Guard Dog
This breed has deep roots as a watchdog and is a very diligent guardian of the house : always observant and listening for anything out of the ordinary.
Nobody enter the farms without passing in front of The guardian !
Multi purpose dog
They are used quite successfully as "land mine" detection dog or for "Search and Rescue" works.
But is although patient and protective with children, making him a great family Dog.
As a very intelligent dog, It needs a disciplined master who knows how to train such a dog.
It's a sensitive dog wich displays an extreme sense of loyalty that illustrate the french saying :
Once a Beauceron, always a Beauceron !