At a glance the quick version
The FCI standard sets no weight. Wikipedia gives 30-45 kg; Hill's gives 66-85 lb (about 30-39 kg).
Coat and looks how to spot one
short double coat
A firm, thick outer coat around 3-4 cm long that lies flat, over a dense, soft undercoat that is ideally mouse grey. The hindlegs carry distinctive double dewclaws.15
Personality what they are like
A composed, confident dog with an open, frank expression. It is gentle and devoted with its family and has a natural watchful streak that makes it a good guardian; early socialisation suits it well.1534
Daily activity how busy a day looks
A large, athletic working breed; The Royal Kennel Club advises more than two hours of exercise a day, with room to run and tasks to keep its mind busy.34
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Easy-care short coat: a weekly brush, with more during seasonal shedding.43
Home where they are happiest
Suits a spacious home with a large garden, and is better matched to country than city living.3
The story where it all began
The Beauceron is an old French plains sheepdog used to drive and guard flocks. In the late 1800s the short-coated dogs were formally separated from the long-coated Briard, and the first breed club followed in 1911. It has also served as a military dog.1524
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Its French nickname 'Bas Rouge' (red stockings) comes from the tan markings on its lower legs.1
- 2
The standard requires double dewclaws on the hind legs, forming separate 'thumbs' with nails.1
- 3
The Briard is its long-coated cousin; the two were split into separate breeds in the late 19th century.5
- 4
Wikipedia notes the breed is typically not fully mature, in body and mind, until around three years old.2
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard no. 44 (Berger de Beauce), Group 1 (Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs), Section 1 Sheepdogs, with working trial; standard dated 19.09.2023, country of origin France.1
- The Royal Kennel Club
- Pastoral group.3
- UKC
- Herding Dog Group; recognised 1 January 1994.5
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Beauceron. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 7every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- FCI standard no. 44 Berger de Beauce fci.beused for recognition, size, coat, colours, temperament, history, facts
- Wikipedia: Beauceron en.wikipedia.orgused for names, weight, history, facts
- The Royal Kennel Club: Beauceron royalkennelclub.comused for recognition, exercise, grooming, habitat
- Hill's Pet: Beauceron hillspet.comused for weight, lifespan, grooming, history
- UKC: Beauceron ukcdogs.comused for recognition, history, coat, colours, temperament
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.