The Beauce Shepherd is a large breed of dog, originally from France. They are known for their muscular build and distinctive black and tan coat. They are intelligent, loyal and protective, making them popular as both working dogs and family pets.
General details
The Beauce Shepherd is a large breed of dog, usually weighing between 30 and 45 kilograms and measuring between 61 and 70 centimeters at shoulder height. They have a life expectancy of up to 12 years or more. According to the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, it belongs to category 1, Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs (except Swiss Cattle Dogs).
Breed history in brief
The Beauce Shepherd is an ancient breed of dog, originally developed in France for herding and guarding sheep. They were also used to hunt wild boar and other game, and were especially effective in defending livestock from wolf attacks.
Over time, the breed was refined into a versatile working dog, capable of herding, guarding and tracking. During World War I and World War II, the French military used them as messenger dogs and trained them for search and rescue operations. Today, the Beauce Shepherd is still used as working dogs, but they are also popular as family pets.
Breed characteristics
The Beauce Shepherd is a large, muscular dog. It has a broad, flat head with a powerful jaw and dark, almond-shaped eyes. They have a broad chest and muscular legs, with a traditionally docked tail. Their most characteristic physical feature is the double dewclaw.
It has a hard, waterproof outer coat and a soft, woolly undercoat, which tends to thicken in cold weather to prevent heat loss. The coat is usually black and bronze, or black, bronze and gray (this combination is called harlequin). In black and bronze colored dogs, bronze spots should appear in two points above the eyes, on the sides of the muzzle and fading towards the cheeks, but not reaching the bottom of the ears. Also on the throat, under the tail and on the legs and chest.
The Beauce Shepherd is known for its intelligence, loyalty and protection. They are highly trainable and excellent working dogs, but they are also loyal and devoted companion animals. They can be wary of strangers and require proper socialization and training by a veterinarian. They are slower maturing dogs than other breeds, so their training should be slow and they need experienced owners.
Common health problems
Like all dog breeds, the Beauce Shepherd is susceptible to certain health problems. Some of the most common health problems in the breed include volvulo-gastric dilatation, hip dysplasia, dilated cardiomyopathy and osteochondritis dissecans.
In addition to the above conditions, the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) recommends a cardiac and eye screening exam, as well as a series of tests to assess the following diseases: hip and elbow dysplasia, von Willebrand's disease and autoimmune thyroiditis.
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