beauceron
HISTORICAL SUMMARY
“Beauce dog”, “Beauceron” and “Bas-Rouge” were the names chosen at the end of the 19th century to designate these ancient French plains sheepdogs, all of the same type, with smooth hair on the head, hard and short hair on the back. the body, whose ears were cut off. The body had red markings, notably on the ends of the four legs, which is why breeders at that time called them “Bas Rouge” (red socks). The coat was black and fire, but there were also gray or entirely black dogs, and even entirely fawn. These dogs were bred and selected for their skills in driving and guarding cattle herds.
Country of Origin: France.
GENERAL APPEARANCE L : The Beauceron is a large dog, solid, rustic, powerful, well built and muscular, without being heavy.
IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS : It is a medium-sized dog. The length of the body from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttock should be slightly greater than the height at the withers. The head is long: 2/5 of the height at the withers. The width of the skull and the height of the head are slightly less than half the length of the head. The skull and muzzle are of the same length.
BEHAVIOR AND TEMPERAMENT: Open and fearless approach dog. The expression is sincere, never angry, not fearful, not restless. The Beauceron's temperament should be gentle and fearless.
HEAD : The head is well chiseled, with harmonious lines. Viewed in profile, the lines of the skull and muzzle are roughly parallel.
CRANIAL REGION
skull : Flat or slightly rounded from side to side. The median sulcus is poorly marked. The occipital crest is apparent at the top of the skull.
Stop: Slightly marked, equal distance from the occiput to the tip of the snout.
FACIAL REGION
Truffle : In proportion to the muzzle, well developed, never cracked and always black.
Muzzle : Neither narrow nor pointed.
lips : Firm and always well pigmented. The upper lip should cover the lower lip without sagging. At its commissure, the lips should form a slight beginning of a pouch that should be closed.
Jaws and Teeth : Strong dentition, scissor joint.
eyes : Horizontal, slightly oval in shape. The iris should be dark brown, never lighter than dark hazel, even if the red spots are light. For the harlequin variety, porcelain eyes are allowed.
Ears : Inserted high. The ears are semi-erect or pendulous. They should not be glued to the cheeks. They are flat and quite short. The length of the ear should be equal to half the length of the head.
NECK : Well muscled, of good length, set harmoniously into the shoulders.
TRUNK
Top Line: The back is straight. The loin is short, broad and well muscled. The croup is slightly sloping
Withers : Well marked.
Chest : The girth of the chest exceeds the height at the withers by more than 1/5. The chest reaches up to the tip of the elbow. He is wide, tall and long.
TAIL: Whole, carried low, it descends to the point of the hock, without deviating, forming a slight curve in the form of a J. In action, the tail can be carried higher, in the extension of the backline.
MEMBERS
FOREQUARTERS : Well erect, seen from the front and in profile.
Shoulders : Oblique and moderately long.
Forearms : muscular
Paws : Strong, round, compact. Nails are always black. Cushions are hard but elastic.
HINDQUARTERS : Strong, let down, not too close to the ground; the point is about 1/4 of the height of the dog at the withers, forming a wide angle with the leg. The metatarsals are almost vertical, slightly back from the buttock tip.
Hocks : Strong, low, not too close to the ground; the point is about 1/4 of the height of the dog at the withers, forming a wide angle with the leg. The metatarsals are almost vertical, slightly back from the buttock tip.
Paws : Strong, round, compact
DRIVE : Flexible and free. The limbs are well aligned. The Beauce Shepherd should have a long trot with a good range of motion.
COAT
Hair : Shallow over the head; strong, short, thick, firm and lying on the body, 3 to 4 cm long. The buttocks and underside of the tail are slightly, but obligatorily, feathered. Undercoat short, fine, dense and downy, preferably mouse gray, very close and not visible through the topcoat.
COLOR
Black and fire (marked black with fawn): Bas Rouges. The black color is pure black, the red spots should be the color of the squirrel. Fire or red markings are distributed as follows:
• Small spots above the eyes.
• On the sides of the muzzle, progressively decreasing on the cheeks without ever reaching the underside of the ears.
• On the chest, two patches are preferred.
• In the throat.
• Under the tail.
• On the limbs, gradually falling upwards, without, however, covering more than 1/3 of the limb, rising a little more on the inside of the limbs.
Harlequin (mottled blue with fawn): Grey, black and fire; the coat is divided into equal parts gray and black, the spots being well distributed with sometimes more black than grey. Same distribution of fire spots as in the black and fire variety. A slight white patch on the chest is tolerated.
SIZE : Males: 65 to 70 cm.
Females: 61 at 68 cm.
FAULTS
Any deviation from the terms of this standard should be considered a fault and penalized in exact proportion to its severity and its effects on the health and well being of the dog.
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS
• Aggressiveness or excessive shyness.
•Any dog that shows any sign of physical or behavioral anomaly must be disqualified.
• Size exceeding the limits of the standard.
• Very light bone.
• Very light or gaseous eyes (except for harlequins).
• Split truffle; of any color other than black; depigmented
• Prognathism with loss of contact; absence of 3 teeth or more (P1 are not taken into account). • Natural ears, completely straight and firm.
• Hind limbs excessively out.
• Simple or total absence of ergots in the hind limbs.
• Tail clipped or curled over the back.
• Coat: Color and texture beyond those defined by the standard. Total absence of fire stains. Hair bristled. Clear white spot, clearly visible on the chest. Harlequin variety: Too gray, black on one side, gray on the other, head completely gray (absence of black).
GRADES
• Males must have both testicles, of normal appearance, well let down and accommodated in the scrotum.
• Only clinically and functionally healthy dogs with typical breed conformation should be used for breeding.