Beauceroodle
The Beauceroodle is a rare, French cross-breed that consists of the handsome black and tan Beauceron and the elegant, curly-coated Standard Poodle. They were likely first bred together in France and are now known for their hard-working personality, intelligence and ability to perform as both an exceptional watch dog and guard dog.
The Beauceroodle tends to have the characteristic coat of their Poodle parent, although it can be more wavy than curly. Individuals should either have solid coat colours or be the same black and tan as the Beauceron. Beauceroodles are a large and muscular dog with very long, straight limbs that contribute to their impressive height.
About & History
With each pedigree parent being French (or at least partly so in the case of the Poodle), it is thought that the Beauceroodle was first bred in France, although this is hard to prove definitively. The Beauceroodle is a hybrid that is not seen very often at all, mainly due to the fact that the Beauceron is a little-known breed and there aren’t currently many in existence. Their Poodle parent, on the other hand, is incredibly popular when it comes to the creation of new designer dog breeds and features in many combinations.
The Poodle
Poodles have a strong association with France and it is here that they really made a name for themselves. In fact, they are even the national dog of France. However, many experts believe that the very first Poodle originated from neighbouring Germany. Poodles come in three distinct variants which differ by height; the Miniature, Toy and Standard. The Poodle was traditionally used to search for truffles and retrieve water fowl such as ducks.
Their characteristic coat is well-suited to hunting in water and the typical ‘Poodle coat’ was first developed in order to help the dogs dry out quicker after getting wet. While these dogs are classed within the Utility Group of the Kennel Club, the vast majority are kept as pets today. Thankfully, due to their spirited, loving and intelligent personalities they slot into family life with ease.
The Beauceron
The Beauceron is a black and tan breed that closely resembles the German Doberman and was, in fact, one of the breeds used in its development. Interestingly, their Doberman offspring is now far better known than they are around the world.
It is thought that they originated some time during the 16th century but it was not until much later in the mid 19th century that their breed standard was developed. The Beauceron is a natural herder and they love to work alongside livestock, keeping them in check. Not only do they excel in this capacity, they are also very good guard dogs and are naturally territorial. Given their size, strength and the dedication they have for their work, it is little wonder that they have been employed by both the military and the police force in the past.
Appearance
The first thing you notice about the Beauceroodle is its size; standing at between 60cm and 71cm, this is one tall dog. As they have solid muscles and are athletically built, they are also quite heavy and typically weigh in at between 26kg and 34kg. They are built in good proportion and should not have any exaggerated features. Their skull is not over-sized and they have a flat forehead and long, rectangular muzzle.
Their eyes can be brown or amber and they are almond to oval in shape with a keen, alert expression. Their jaws are strong and incredibly powerful. Their neck should be quite broad and reasonably long, leading down to a deep chest. They have long limbs, with their hind limbs being especially muscular. They have long tails which can reach beyond their hocks and may have a slight kink at the tip.
The fur of the Beauceroodle is remarkably thick and may be either wavy or curled. It comes in a variety of colours including black, brown, apricot, grey and cream. As the Beauceron parent is a heavy shedder, even though the Poodle is a hypoallergenic dog, most Beauceroodles will shed to some degree and should not be described as hypoallergenic by their breeders.
Character & Temperament
Perhaps one of the reasons that the Beauceroodle is not better known than it currently is, is because they have a personality which is best-suited to a working dog rather than a companion animal. With those that are within their immediate circle, they will act both devoted and loving but they are rarely very sociable with others.
The Beauceroodle has a very high prey drive and cannot be trusted with smaller animals. They are keen herders and have a tendency to want to herd animals as well as children! They are used to working long hours so would not adapt well to living in a home where they are expected to laze about all day.
Always on the lookout for trouble, the Beauceroodle makes a wonderful watch dog and will be the first to know if a new person has arrived to the home. Given their imposing physical appearance and the fact that they can be hostile towards strangers, they are also used by some as guard dogs. As they have the potential to act aggressively, they are not suited to the novice owner and do require a lot of work.
Trainability
The training of the Beauceroodle is not something that should be taken lightly and they can be quite hard work as pets. They can sometimes be too intelligent for their own good as they constantly question their owners and get bored of things easily.
They can be sensitive so do not respond well to punishment or negative reinforcement; as is the case with most canines. The saying ‘You catch more flies with honey than vinegar’ is rather apt when it comes to the training of the Beauceroodle and they respond best to vocal praise.
Health
Although it’s impossible to predict which health issues any one individual may suffer with during their lifetime, we do know that there are certain health conditions which are seen more commonly in the Beauceroodle than in other breeds.
Bloat
Bloat is also known as ‘gastric dilatation +/- volvulus’ and can prove quickly fatal if not promptly treated. While experts are unsure why it occurs, there is certainly an increased incidence in those with large, deep chests. Symptoms include a visibly bloated abdomen, a dog that is distressed and unable to settle and constant non-productive retching.
On an X-ray, vets will see a pathognomonic ‘double bubble’, which represents the gas trapped in the stomach. If twisted, the stomach will need to be rotated back into the correct position surgically once the patient has been stabilised.
Hip Dysplasia
A common orthopaedic issue that can affect any dog, the Beauceroodle is particularly prone to hip dysplasia. Those purchasing a Beauceroodle puppy should request to see their parents’ hip scores and it is best not to purchase from stock that have not been hip scored, as this would be taking a big risk. Hip dysplasia can cause lifelong pain due to the associated osteoarthritis and muscle wastage it causes.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)
DCM is a heart disease that we see more often in larger dogs. The heart muscle is affected and the heart is unable to pump blood efficiently. This condition can be diagnosed using a heart scan and is typically managed with medication to help alleviate the associated symptoms.
Exercise and Activity Levels
The exercise requirements of the Beauceroodle should not be underestimated as they have a need to be kept almost constantly entertained and on the go. They thrive when outdoors and can quickly become bored and destructive if kept confined for too long.
It is not advised for the Beauceroodle to be kept in an urban environment or in a small home as they need plenty of space. Ideally, they would have a large fenced-in garden in which they can spend their time when not out on walks and hikes.
Grooming
Beauceroodles do have quite dense fur that can tangle easily so needs to be brushed and combed regularly. Most owners will have their hybrid professionally groomed a couple of times a year to keep them looking neat. Their floppy ears should be inspected regularly in case there is a build-up of wax, which could predispose to infection. Any visible wax or debris should be cleaned out with a doggy ear cleaner.