While not a health issue in itself, temperament remains one of the most significant inconsistencies within the Beauceron breed today, directly influencing the quality of life for both the dogs and their owners. This is why I emphasize meeting not only my dogs but any breeder’s dogs that you are interested in. Genetics load the gun, raising and socializing can only do so much beyond that. Across the breed, temperament can vary widely, from overly sharp, fearful, or reactive individuals to those that are overly soft or willful. Traits such as same sex aggression, human reactivity, resource guarding, and general dog aggression do occur within the population. These issues have led to some hesitation among judges in North America, though perceptions are gradually improving as breeders make meaningful progress toward more stable, balanced temperaments. In Europe, there is increasing concern that the Beauceron may be losing its working edge and becoming too soft. While I understand the appeal of more manageable temperaments suited to typical North American homes, I believe in preserving a healthy balance, dogs who remain true to the breed’s heritage while still being safe, reliable companions. I personally value confident, biddable Beaucerons that are safe to handle, eager to work, and steady both at home and in demanding sport or working environments. I appreciate a dog that reads a situation thoughtfully, stays connected with its handler, and can rise to the occasion when needed, without ever crossing into instability or risk. My breeding choices reflect this philosophy, grounded in the realities of the work and sports I actively participate in.

OFA is considered the gold standard for hip evaluations and is a part of our CHIC requirements (after 24 months). We are opting to begin integrating PennHIP earlier for its more flexible testing window and the different information it provides. For our breeding dogs, we utilize PennHIP and OFA Hip evaluations to inform our decisions and see immense value in both. PennHIP measures the laxity of hips in 3 separate radiographs under full sedation using a scale of 0-1.0 which has proven to be an indicator for risks of hip dysplasia later in life. OFA Hip evaluations are scored by 3 board certified radiologists as normal or abnormal with ratings in those (normal are fair, good and excellent) and evaluate the overall appearance of and quality of the hip joints. I think both provide a lot of information for breeders. While Beaucerons, like all large breeds, are susceptible to hip issues, mild cases typically don’t limit quality of life. Preventatives and joint support are effective, affordable and recommended for all dogs.

Optional but worth testing in some cases, especially if there's a history. Requires a simple blood test.

Rising in prevalence and currently untestable. Having lost a dog to epilepsy, I avoid lines with a history of producing seizures, but little information is openly available, so it is always a best guess scenario. Our breed currently does not have a DNA test for this. Epilepsy is a tricky disease. It can have a major genetic component, it can be idiopathic (random), it can be caused by environments, toxins etc. I have also spoken with people who have diagnosed mild heart abnormalities via Holters that reveal themselves as seizures. I have seen it pop up in outcrosses and linebreeding and have seen very few real trends beyond typical at risk pedigrees that many steer clear of. This is also part of why I emphasize transparency and trust when it comes to collaborating with other breeders.

Eyes are an OFA CHIC required test for the Beauceron. Eye exams are simple, low-cost, and important for monitoring long-term health, even though eye issues are relatively rare in the breed. CHIC requires eye testing after age 2, and breeding dogs should be tested annually.

Elbow testing is technically not required for our OFA CHIC requirements but is becoming more common since most vets offer elbows and hips in the same service. Elbow abnormalities are emerging more in the breed, so tracking it is critical. As with hips, joint concerns are more likely in large breeds, and unlisted results should prompt further inquiry.

Our Harlequin colour is a merle gene, so all Black x Harlequin litters should be colour tested to confirm Black pups are not cryptic merles. Accidentally breeding two dogs with the merle gene together results in severe health issues. Our breed also carried a recessive long coat gene that is undesirable and carriers should be identified through genetic testing.

Anecdotal increases in North America suggest growing immune related issues. While some allergies may stem from diet and the environment, I avoid breeding dogs with anything beyond mild seasonal sensitivities or overly sensitive GI systems requiring significant intervention. In my opinion, Beaucerons are supposed to be robust farm dogs, their systems should be the same. Allergies and GI issues can be extremely disruptive to the quality of life of a dog and its family and many scientists believe they are associated with immune system issues.

An Advanced Echocardiogram is a requirement for a Beauceron’s OFA CHIC. DCM is increasingly reported in young Beaucerons in North America, mirroring concerns seen in Dobermans. With no DNA tests available, early detection relies on regular advanced echocardiograms. Unfortunately, results are often not shared, making trends hard to track. I prioritize heart health in my breeding and avoid lines with known issues in addition to beginning to participate with developing heart research initiatives. Breeding dogs should be screened regularly. For pets, I suggest and cover OFA fees for an echo between 12–30 months and recommend follow ups at ages 5 and 7–8 or if heart issues are reported with a close sibling.

Osteochondritis Dissecans and Lumbar-Sacral Transitional Vertebrae in spines have been seen. OCD does have a genetic component that our breed seems to be prone to and our breed shares a common thread with many who get it being that they are a large, rapidly growing breed. This is why early nutrition is key since some research indicates that this disease tends to appear when there is too much protein and calcium in the diet. While we can test for this, dogs who are affected often start showing signs of lameness as young as 6 months. OCD can occur in many joints but is most commonly seen and screened for via shoulder x-rays. Most serious LTVs can be caught during hip evaluations since they typically appear between L7 and S1 but full spine x-rays can be done for OFA. OFA does not currently post Beauceron spine results so those results may not be available publicly.

Rare, but possible. If one parent is a known carrier, all puppies should be tested. Otherwise, most are cleared by parentage but Antagene testing does exist in France.

As in many breeds, we are seeing more and varied cancers popping up in our breed and others. Most notable is lymphoma, though Beaucerons affected have shown very quick and successful treatment and recovery with early intervention.