Beauceron

Also known as: Boseron, Bas rouge, Beaucenpaimenkoira

Originating on the fertile Beauce plain in central France, this large herding dog was bred to work sheep and guard farms across flat, open country where a mountain dog's long coat would have been impractical. The short, dense coat lets it move quickly even in hot weather, unlike its longer coated relatives. A male can weigh up to 39 kilograms of powerful, muscular build. The breed standard calls for double dewclaws on the hind legs, a rare trait traced back to old French herding lines. During the First World War the French army used Beaucerons as messenger and sentry dogs in the trenches. Its temperament is decisive, bold and protective, which means it needs consistent, early training. Life expectancy runs 10 to 12 years.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Beauceron: how old in human years?

61–70 cmHeight
30–39 kgWeight
10–12 yrsLife expectancy

Bouvier des Flandres

FCI group: Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs)
FCI section: Section 1: Sheepdogs
FCI: 44
Country of origin: France

Energy level

4/5
Trainability

5/5
Family friendly

4/5
Grooming need

2/5

At a glance

Height

Males 65–70 cm

Females 61–68 cm

Weight

Males 30–39 kg

Females 30–39 kg

Life expectancy

10–12 yrs

Coat

short, dense double coat (short)

Temperament & Family Life

Beauceron's average temperament and family-life score for this breed is moderate.

Family friendly 4/5
Good with children 3/5
Good with other dogs 3/5
Friendly with strangers 2/5
Intelligence 5/5
Trainability 5/5

Exercise, Energy & Space

Beauceron's energy and exercise needs are moderate.

Energy level 4/5
Exercise need 4/5
Apartment friendly 1/5
Prey drive 3/5
Hunting instinct 2/5

Guarding & Alertness

Beauceron's guarding and alertness traits are high.

Guarding instinct 5/5
Watchfulness 5/5
Barking level 3/5

Grooming & Care

Beauceron's grooming needs are low.

Shedding 3/5
Drooling 1/5
Grooming need 2/5

Living with the Beauceron

In the morning the Beauceron is already at the door, with the same thought as yesterday: what's the job today? This French plains sheepdog spent centuries herding and guarding flocks, so it needs not just exercise but a task. A long walk, a run beside your bike, tracking, obedience or dog sports: without a daily workload its mind goes looking for something to do on its own, and you may not like what it finds.

It is clever and learns remarkably fast, but it has opinions, so it needs a calm, consistent leader who doesn't raise their voice or change the rules. It matures slowly, and a big, powerful adolescent without early training and socialisation can become a real handful. A flat is a tight fit; it needs a yard and a purpose, not a sofa.

It is devoted and gentle with its family and patient with children it has grown up with, though its strength and a herder's urge to round up the flock can be too much for the smallest ones. It is reserved with strangers and takes guarding its home seriously: a true guardian, not just a watchful observer. If you are looking for a partner rather than an ornament, and have the time to give it every day, a Beauceron will be one of the most loyal companions of your life.

Grooming and coat

A Beauceron's coat is short, dense and double: a coarse outer layer with a soft undercoat beneath. For most of the year a weekly brush is enough, but in spring and autumn, when the undercoat changes, brush several times a week, or the hair will end up on every rug you own. Feel the skin as you go: under a dense undercoat, a tick, a scratch or a red patch can hide.

The breed's real grooming quirk is its feet. A Beauceron has double dewclaws on its hind legs, whose nails never touch the ground and never wear down, so check them with the other nails every few weeks and trim them. Look inside the ears once a week (clean and odour-free is good), wipe the corners of the eyes with a damp cloth when needed, and show a vet any eye that is red or watering.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

Red stockings on the legs and double dewclaws on the hind feet: you can spot a Beauceron from across a field, and its strong, working body can keep you company for ten to twelve years. Like other big, deep-chested dogs, it comes with a few conditions worth knowing, from the heart to the stomach. If you notice anything unusual, don't wait for it to pass: show your dog to a vet.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Dilated cardiomyopathy

The heart muscle thins and stretches, so the heart pumps blood ever more weakly. You might notice your dog tiring sooner, breathing faster while lying at rest, coughing or losing weight; a sudden faint or collapse means a vet is needed immediately. A Beauceron is hard-working and stoic and tends to hide fatigue, so ask your vet for a careful listen to the heart at every check-up.
Hip dysplasia

The ball and socket of the hip joint don't form as they should, so the joint is loose and wears over time. You might notice your dog stiff getting up after rest, reluctant on the stairs, or running with both hind legs together like a rabbit. For a big, active Beauceron sound hips are everything, so if you are getting a puppy, ask the breeder about the parents' health testing, and show any limp to a vet.
Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus)

The stomach fills with gas and can twist on itself, cutting off its own blood supply. The dog is restless, tries to vomit without bringing anything up, drools, and its belly swells and turns hard. A Beauceron is a big, deep-chested dog, and this is an emergency: if you see these signs, get your dog to a vet immediately.
Copper-associated hepatitis

Too much copper builds up in the liver and gradually damages its cells. The early signs are vague: listlessness, a poorer appetite, weight loss; later there may be vomiting, more thirst, or yellowish gums and whites of the eyes. Because the changes stay quiet for a long time, mention any unexplained off-colour spell in your Beauceron to a vet, who will decide whether tests are needed.

Food for large breeds — cheapest per kg

This list is chosen by the breed's weight (39 kg) rather than the breed itself: shops label food by dog size, so every breed of the same size gets the same list. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 420 g of dry food a day, from €23,01 a month For a neutered, normally active 34,5 kg dog. Calculate for your dog