Beauceron

Infobox Dogbreed

---

image_caption = The Beauceron
name = Beauceron
altname = French Shorthaired Shepherd
Beauce Shepherd
"Berger de Beauce"
"Bas Rouge" (Red Stocking)
country = France
fcigroup = 1
fcisection = 1
fcinum = 044
fcistd = http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:NhfCt6E4dRMJ:www.fci.be/uploaded_files/044gb2001.doc+site:www.fci.be+%2244++/+19.+12.+2001+%22&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
akcgroup = Herding
akcstd = http://www.akc.org/breeds/beauceron/index.cfm
kcukgroup = Working
kcukstd = http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/42
ukcgroup = Herding dog
ukcstd = http://mail.ukcdogs.com/UKCweb.nsf/80de88211ee3f2dc8525703f004ccb1e/11c905279446aede8525704900486db9?OpenDocument
note = Also registered in the USA by the North American Beauceron Club - [http://www.beauce.org NABC] .

The Beauceron is a herding dog breed from the plains region, between the Seine and Loir rivers, surrounding Paris, France, known as La Beauce. It is also known as "Berger de Beauce", "Bas Rouge" or French Shorthaired Shepherd.

Description

Appearance

This breed stands 61 to 70 cm (24 to 27.5 inches) in height and weighs 30 to 38.5 kg (66 to 85 pounds). Its standard colouring is black and tan as well as black, tan and grey (harlequin). Other colours, such as the once prevalent tawny, grey or grey/black, are now banned by the breed standard. The coat is short, close and smooth except on legs, tail and flanks, where there is a slight fringe.

Although most breeds may or may not have dew claws (many owners remove dew claws, especially if the dog is used for field and hunting), an important feature of the Beauceron is the double dew claw. A beauceron must have double dewclaws, which form well separated “thumbs” with nails on each rear leg, anything less will result in disqualification. [ [http://www.beauce.org/Standard.htm Breed Standard ] ] [ [http://www.amisdubeauceron.org/standard/standard-anglais.html Standard du Berger de Beauce ] ] [ [http://www.beauceronclub.be/standard.htm Nouvelle page 1 ] ]

Temperament

This muscular breed is described as intelligent, friendly, very calm, protective of children, and fearless. They are perfect for both inside and outside the house and can be trained for different activities. It was known all around France as a protection dog which increased its popularity.

History

A French herding breed known for centuries in western Europe, the Beauceron is noted as one of the breeds used to create the Doberman.
The regional names are somewhat misleading. The breed was found throughout northern France, rather than just in the Beauce. The other sheep dog found throughout northern France, was the long haired Briard, which also did not come exclusively from the Brie region. Although quite different in appearance, both breeds stem from similar ancestral stock, and share the physical trait of double dew claws on the rear feet.

In 1809, Abbé Rozier, wrote an article on these French herding dogs, in which he described the differences in type and used the terms Berger de Brie and Berger de Beauce.

In 1893, the veterinarian Paul Megnin differentiated between the long hair Berger de la Brie and the short hair Berger de Beauce. He defined the standard of the breed, with the assistance of M. Emmanuel Ball. In 1922, the Club des Amis du Beauceron was formed under the guidance of Dr. Megnin.

History as a working breed

A very versatile breed, the "Bas Rouge" (“Red Stocking”) was once used to herd sheep and protect the animals from wolves. The breed served in both World Wars as messenger dog, supply transport dog, detection of land mines and rescue of the wounded. In addition, the Beauceron has strong herding traits and capability.

References

*Vous et votre beauceron (French), written by Pierre Boistel, published by Editions de l'Homme, January 8 1991, ISBN-10: 2761909003, 166 pages
* Les Berger Francais (French), written by Philippe De Wailly and Alain Dupont, published by Solar, September 12 1999, ISBN 2263026584
*Beauceron, written by Meg Purnell Carpenter, published by Kennel Club Books, May, 2007, ISBN 9781593783716, 160 pages
*Le Beauceron (French), written by Monique Reverdy, published by Artémis, May 21 2003, ISBN 2844161812, 144 pages

External links

* [http://www.amisdubeauceron.org "Club des Amis du Beauceron"] (in French)
* [http://www.beauce.org/index.html American Beauceron Club]
* [http://www.beauceronclub.be Beauceron Club of Belgium]
* [http://www.aboutbeaucerons.com About Beaucerons ]