Grooming
Good news! You can save the epic adventures for your vacation, rather than grooming your Beauceron. While you don’t need to brush your Beauceron every day, you’ll want to brush your them a few times a week with a pin brush or slicker brush to keep up with the shedding. And when the seasons change in the spring, they’ll shed more, which may temporarily up your brushing game to daily.
When it comes to baths, Beaucerons only need a dip in the bubbles about once a month, unless they get dirty while playing outside and need an extra bath. When you do bathe your Beauceron, use a good quality dog shampoo with natural ingredients and make sure they are rinsed thoroughly and dried well.
Let’s talk teeth. In general, many veterinarians recommend brushing your dog’s teeth daily. You’ll have the most success if you start brushing your dog’s teeth as a puppy, so they get used to the sensation. Your veterinarian can help teach you the best tooth brushing techniques. You’ll also want to visit your vet annually for professional teeth cleaning.
Beaucerons may need their nails trimmed every six to eight weeks. Some, however, will naturally file down their nails through play and exercise outside. You can tell your dog needs a nail trimming when you can hear the clickety-clack of their claws on the floor before you can actually see your pup.
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Training
When you make a Beauceron puppy your family member, make sure they know who rules the roost (you, of course), as they can test boundaries that aren’t clearly defined. Without guidance, you may find your Beauceron trying to become the supreme ruler of the household.
Thankfully, these intelligent dogs respond well to encouragement and positive reinforcement training, and they’re eager to please. Treats might not motivate them, but they’ll be very motivated by their favorite toy. As dogs with high prey drives, Beaucerons will respond well to training that hones in on their desire to herd, like using flirt poles (exercise equipment for dogs that entices them to chase a fast-moving lure) or Treibball (a sport where you direct your dog to move large exercise balls into a goal, like herding sheep into a pen).
A good rule is to start training and socializing your Beauceron as a puppy. Some pet parents prefer the help of certified trainers, so they’ll begin by taking their Beaucerons to puppy classes and then graduate to obedience training, where they learn commands like sit, stay and come and how to walk nicely on a leash. Whether training yourself or with a professional, you’ll want to make sure your dog is socialized to get along with other dogs and people. Ultimately, Beaucerons are so smart, they can be trained for some pretty impressive jobs, including being a guard dog, a hunting dog or even working with police or helping with search and rescue operations.
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Diet
Beaucerons tend do well on high-quality, commercial dog food that provides a balanced diet meeting all their nutrition needs. You’ll want to provide food designed for their current stage in life, whether they’re a puppy, an adult dog or a senior dog. Your veterinarian can help you nail down a feeding chart that will guide you on how much and how often to feed your dog based on their specific needs.
Be sure and calculate any treats you may give your dog during the day, so you don’t accidentally overfeed your dog. And of course, if your dog is getting a lot of exercise every day, you’ll want to keep this in mind too and feed a little more accordingly. Since Beaucerons love mental challenges, they might also enjoy slow feeders and interactive toys (such as Kongs) that dispense their food through play.
But again, consult with your veterinarian. They are in the best position to help you pick the ideal food for your dog based on their individual needs.
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Exercise
In order to give your Beauceron the exercise they need every day, you’ll need to exercise both their minds and their bodies, totalling about two hours.
Take your pup on a long walk, about an hour, and give them time to explore with their noses. Beaucerons love to run and play outdoors, so jogging and hiking can be fun activities for the both of you.
This breed also loves to guard and hunt. Since they have such a strong herding instinct, competitive sports may be a great option for Beaucerons. Consider dog sports like Treibball, where a dog pushes a large ball toward a goal. Parkour, which is an agility sport that involves running, jumping, balancing and climbing over various obstacles, is also something they’d love. Beaucerons can also take to flyball sports.
Another fun exercise your Beauceron will love is Canicross, which is a form of urban mushing where instead of pulling sleds, your dog pulls you. Mental and physical work out while spending time with their favorite person? Well that’s a recipe for a very happy Beauceron.
The upshot is this: Don’t skimp out on a Beauceron’s exercise. If they don’t get enough mental and physical stimulation, they might take out some of their pent-up energy on your favorite shoes or furniture.
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Environment
A Beauceron’s ideal environment is one where they can spend a lot of time with their pet parents, going on adventures and outings, and in general where they can be a part of the action. Their high exercise needs make a larger home with a yard where they can run and play and get rid of pent-up energy preferable, but Beaucerons can adapt well to a smaller apartment, as long as they’re taken on at least two long, brisk walks—about an hour each—every day.
The Beauceron breed can get along well with children and other pets if they’ve been socialized well as puppies, even though you’ll still want to keep a close eye on them. Their herding instincts run deep, and they may try to herd smaller kids and other dogs. However, they might not do well in homes with cats since they have a strong prey drive.
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