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At a glance
| Trait | Detail |
|---|---|
| Origin | France [1] |
| Breed group | FCI group 1, section 1 (Sheepdogs) [1]; AKC Herding Group [2] |
| Weight | 70–110 lb (32–50 kg) [2] |
| Height | Males 25.6–27.6 in (65–70 cm), females 24.0–26.8 in (61–68 cm) [1] |
| Life expectancy | 10–12 years according to the AKC; we found no published lifespan study [2] |
| Coat | Short, thick and firm, 3–4 cm long; black and tan (“red stockings”) or harlequin, grey, black and tan [1] |
Origin
“Beauce Dog”, “Beauceron” and “Red-Stocking” were the names chosen at the end of the 19th century for the old French sheepdogs of the plains. They were bred to drive and guard flocks of sheep, and the tan markings on their legs gave them the name “red stockings”. Shepherds traditionally kept the double dewclaws on the hind legs, which the breed standard still requires [1].
The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 2007 and places it in the Herding Group [2].
Common health problems
- Inherited deafness: a deafness of both ears in puppies, not linked to coat color, is inherited as a recessive trait in Beaucerons. It is caused by a CDH23 variant, and 3 of 90 French Beaucerons tested (3.3%) were carriers [3].
- Dermatomyositis: an immune-mediated disease of the skin and muscles with a known genetic predisposition, mainly in Shetland Sheepdogs and Collies but also in the Beauceron [4].
- Squamous cell carcinoma of the toe: in a French study of 154 dogs with this toe cancer, the Beauceron and the Briard were two newly identified overrepresented breeds, and 92% of affected dogs with a known coat were dark-haired [5].
- Mast cell tumors: in 476 dogs with mast cell tumors from an Austrian laboratory database, the Beauceron was one of the breeds with a significantly increased risk not previously reported [6]. See mast cell tumors in dogs.
- Copper-associated hepatitis: 2 of 17 dogs in a French case series were Beaucerons, the first description of this liver disease in the breed, and the authors raise the possibility of a breed predisposition [7]. See liver disease in dogs.
What is special in the Beauceron’s blood work
Little has been published on the Beauceron’s blood work, and we found no breed-specific reference intervals. The points below come from the diseases described above.
Liver enzymes and copper. In the French series of copper-associated hepatitis, signs were non-specific and raised liver enzymes were found incidentally in 5 of 17 dogs, so a raised value may be the only early clue. The diagnosis rested on a liver biopsy stained for copper [7]. Our guide to high liver enzymes explains ALT, ALP and GGT.
DNA test for deafness. The CDH23 variant is easy to detect with a genetic test, which allows breeders to avoid matings at risk [3].
Screening. The AKC lists hip evaluation, a cardiac exam and an eye examination by a veterinary ophthalmologist as the recommended health tests for the breed [2]. We found no published figures on hip dysplasia or heart disease in Beaucerons.
For routine results, our guide to the blood count explains red cells, white cells and platelets line by line.
Related articles
En français : Beauceron.
Questions to ask your veterinarian
- Have the parents been DNA-tested for the CDH23 deafness variant?
- Can my puppy’s hearing be checked?
- Have my dog’s hips been X-rayed, and its heart and eyes examined?
- Should this lump on the skin or toe be sampled?
- If my dog’s liver enzymes are raised, should copper in the liver be considered?
Get your Beauceron’s blood work explained.
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Frequently asked questions
How long do Beaucerons live?
The AKC gives a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years [2]. We found no published study of the breed’s lifespan.
Are Beaucerons prone to deafness?
An inherited, recessive deafness of puppies has been described in the breed. It is caused by a CDH23 variant that a DNA test can detect, and 3.3% of French Beaucerons tested were carriers [3].
What skin problems do Beaucerons have?
The breed is predisposed to dermatomyositis [4], and it was overrepresented among dogs with squamous cell carcinoma of the toe [5] and with mast cell tumors [6].
What health tests should a Beauceron have?
The AKC recommends hip evaluation, a cardiac exam and an eye examination [2], and a DNA test can detect the deafness variant [3].
Can Beaucerons have liver problems?
Copper-associated hepatitis has been described in Beaucerons, and raised liver enzymes can be the only early sign of the disease [7].
Sources
- FCI. Standard No. 44: Berger de Beauce (Beauce Sheep Dog). 2023. fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/044g01-en.pdf
- American Kennel Club. Beauceron: dog breed information. akc.org/dog-breeds/beauceron
- Abitbol M et al. A CDH23 missense variant in Beauceron dogs with non-syndromic deafness. Anim Genet. 2023;54(1):73-77. doi.org/10.1111/age.13273
- Röthig A et al. Dermatomyositis in a family of Working Kelpies. Tierarztl Prax Ausg K Kleintiere Heimtiere. 2015;43(5):331-336. doi.org/10.15654/TPK-141112
- Belluco S et al. Digital squamous cell carcinoma in dogs: epidemiological, histological, and immunohistochemical study. Vet Pathol. 2013;50(6):1078-1082. doi.org/10.1177/0300985813490757
- Leidinger EF et al. Breed related odds ratio and anatomic distribution of canine mast cell tumours in Austria. Tierarztl Prax Ausg K Kleintiere Heimtiere. 2014;42(6):367-373. doi.org/10.15654/TPK-140165
- Rodrigues A et al. Canine copper-associated hepatitis: a retrospective study of 17 clinical cases. Open Vet J. 2020;10(2):128-134. doi.org/10.4314/ovj.v10i2.2
Laboratory methods and reference intervals vary. This article explains; it does not diagnose. For a decision about your pet, use the original report and talk to your veterinarian. Our editorial policy.