Beauceron Breed Standard
2006 French National Champion
Fr. Ch. Turbo de la Negresse
The following "Standard" was adopted by the American Beauceron Club and was copied as closely as possible from the French "Standard". There may be some variation due to translation. It was presented to the American Kennel Club and approved as the official "Standard" for the Beauceron in AKC competition. It should be remembered that the official breed standard is the first attempt by a new organization to create a meaningful document and direct breeders to produce quality dogs. As with all breed standards, they are subject to review every 5 years and may or may not be changed to reflect new directions in dog breeding or to correct misunderstandings. For personal comments from Earl Karas as to recommended changes or things for thought please visit Anasazi Siberian Huskies and Beaucerons.
Beauceron Breed Standard
General Appearance
The Beauceron is an old and distinct French breed of herding dog, developed
solely in France with no foreign crosses. Dogs were bred and selected for their
aptitude to herd and guard large flocks of sheep as well as for their structure
and endurance. Beaucerons were used to move herds of 200 to 300 head traveling
up to 50 miles per day without showing signs of exhaustion. The ideal Beauceron
is a well balanced, solid dog of good height and well muscled without heaviness
or coarseness. The whole conformation gives the impression of depth and solidity
without bulkiness, exhibiting the strength, endurance and agility required of
the herding dog. He is alert and energetic with a noble carriage. A formidable
dog with a frank and unwavering expression, he always demands respect wherever
he goes. Dogs are characteristically larger throughout with a larger frame and
heavier bone than bitches. Bitches are distinctly feminine, but without weakness
in substance or structure. The Beauceron should be discerning and confident. He
is a dog with spirit and initiative, wise and fearless with no trace of
timidity. Intelligent, easily trained, faithful, gentle and obedient. The
Beauceron possesses an excellent memory and an ardent desire to please his
master. He retains a high degree of his inherited instinct to guard home and
master. Although he can be reserved with strangers, he is loving and loyal to
those he knows. Some will display a certain independence. He should be easily
approached without showing signs of fear.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Neck, Topline and Body
Neck: The neck is muscular, of good length, united harmoniously
with the shoulders, enabling the head to be carried proudly while standing in an
alert posture.
Topline: The back is straight and strong. The withers are well
defined. The loin is broad, short and muscular. The croup
is well muscled and slightly sloped in the direction of the attachment of the
tail.
Body: The length of the body from the point of the shoulder to
the point of the buttock is slightly more than the height of the dog at the
withers.
Chest: The chest is wide, deep, long, and descends to the point
of the elbow. The girth of the chest is greater than the height at the withers
by more than 20%.
Ribs: The ribcage extends well back with long, flexible, and
moderately curved ribs. The abdomen is moderately drawn up but still presents
good volume.
Tail: The tail is strong at the base, carried down, descending
at least to the point of the hock, forming into a slight J without deviating to
the right or to the left. In action, the tail can be carried higher, becoming an
extension of the topline. Disqualification: Docked tail, or tail carried
over the back.
Forequarters
The construction of the forequarters is of the utmost importance, determining
the dog's ability to work and his resistance to fatigue. The legs are vertical
when viewed from the front or in profile.
Shoulder: The shoulders are moderately long, muscular but not
loaded, with good layback.
Forearm: The forearms are muscular.
Feet: The feet are large, round, and compact with black nails.
The pads are firm yet supple.
Hindquarters
The angulation of the hindquarters is balanced with the forequarters. The
hindquarters are powerful, providing flexible, almost tireless movement. They
are vertical when viewed from profile and from behind.
Legs: The thighs are wide and muscled. Hock joint is
substantial, not too close to the ground, the point situated roughly at ¼ the
height at the withers, forming a well open angle with the second thigh.
Metatarsals are upright, slightly further back than the point of the buttock.
When viewed from behind, metatarsals are perpendicular to the ground and
parallel to each other.
Feet: The feet are large, round, compact, and the rear toes
turn out very slightly.
Dewclaws: Double dewclaws form well separated
"thumbs" with nails, placed rather close to the foot. Disqualification:
Anything less than double dewclaws on each rear leg.
Coat
Outer coat is 1¼" to 1½", coarse, dense and lying close to the body.
It is short and smooth on the head, ears and lower legs. The hair is somewhat
longer around the neck. The tail and back of thighs are lightly fringed. The
undercoat is short, fine, dense and downy, mouse gray in color and does not show
through the outer coat. The Beauceron is exhibited in the natural condition with
no trimming. Disqualification: Shaggy coat.
Colors
Black and Tan: The black is very pure; the tan markings are squirrel red; the
markings are: dots above the eyes; on the sides of the muzzle, fading off on the
cheeks, never reaching the underside of the ears; two spots on the chest are
preferred to a breastplate; on the throat; under the tail; on the legs the
markings extend from the feet to the pasterns, progressively lessening, though
never covering more than 1/3 of the leg, rising slightly higher on the inside of
the leg. Some white hairs on the chest are tolerated. Gray, Black and Tan
(Harlequin): Black and Tan base color with a pattern of blue-gray patches
distributed evenly over the body and balanced with the base color, sometimes
with a predominance of black. Disqualification: Any color other than Black
and Tan or Harlequin. Complete absence of markings. Well-defined, quite visible
white spot on the chest 1" in diameter or larger. In the Harlequin: too
much gray; black on one side of body and gray on the other; head entirely gray.
Gait
Movement is fluid and effortless, covering ground in long reaching strides
(extended trot). Strong, supple movement is essential to the sheepdog. In
movement the head is lowered approaching the level of the topline. Dogs with
clumsy or inefficient gait must be penalized.
Temperament
Frank approach and self-assured; never mean, timid, or worried. Although
reserved with strangers, the character of the Beauceron should be gentle and
fearless. Any display of fear or unjustifiable aggression is not to be
tolerated.
Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the
seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact
proportion to its degree.
Note: Males must have two normal testicles properly descended
into the scrotum.
Disqualification:
Height outside of maximum or minimum limits.
Split nose, nose color other than black or with unpigmented areas.
Overshot or undershot with loss of contact; absence of three or more teeth
(first premolars not counting).
Yellow eyes. Walleye in the Black and Tan.
Natural ears carried upright and rigid.
Docked tail, or tail carried over the back.
Anything less than double dewclaws on each rear leg.
Shaggy coat.
Any color other than Black and Tan or Harlequin.
Complete absence of markings.
Well-defined, quite visible white spot on the chest 1" in diameter or
larger.
In the Harlequin: too much gray; black on one side of body and gray on the
other; head entirely gray.
Approved: August 8, 2006
Updated June 23, 2008
Copyright 2008 by Mes Yeux Vigilants