Beauceron or Rottweiler, which is best for you

If you are looking to share your home with an impressive and powerful dog, there are quite a few dog breeds to choose from two of which are the Beauceron and the Rottweiler. Rottweilers are better known than the Beauceron, but both breeds have a similar look with the Rottweiler being slightly heavier than their Beauceron counterparts. This article compares both breeds which could help you make up your mind whether you'd be better off with a Beauceron or a Rottweiler.

Beauceron origins

The Beauceron is a handsome dog and one that was used to create the Dobermann. They are noble dogs that have always been highly prized guard dogs in their native France. Beauceron are also very skilled sporting and working dogs. They were used as messenger dogs during both world wars which earned them the reputation of being a reliable, trustworthy and loyal breed.

Rottweiler origins

The origins of the Rottweiler remains a bit of a mystery, but there is some thought that the breed is an ancient one that Romans bought with them when they invaded Europe. These dogs were mated with other breeds namely the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, the Entlebucher as well as other dogs which means these breeds are indeed ancestors of ancient Roman dogs. Rottweilers were given their name after a town in southern Germany and were used to pull butchers carts. As such they were named Rottweiler Metzgerhunds which in English is Rottweil butcher's dogs.

Beauceron Temperament

Intelligent, sensitive, loyal, calm and gentle, the Beauceron has a lot going for them. They love being in a home environment and become devoted to their families. Beaucerons tend to be a little standoffish with strangers, but would never show any sort of aggression towards people they don't already know. A Beauceron would just keep their distance and wait before getting to know someone.

The breed is known to be mature late which is something that needs to be factored into their training. A Beauceron does not fully grow up until they are around 3 years old as such their education should start early and it takes time and patience which means they are better suited to people who are familiar with the breed and their needs.

High-energy, active dogs, Beaucerons need to be given things to do both physically and mentally as such they are a great choice for people who lead active outdoor lives. They hate being left on their own for any great length of time and do well in households where one person stays at home when everyone else is out.

Rottweiler Temperament

Rottweilers are active, intelligent and loyal dogs that form extremely strong bonds with their owners. They are not the best choice for first time dog owners because they need to be handled and trained by people who are familiar with their particular needs. However, in the right hands and environment, Rottweilers make wonderful companions and family pets in households where the children are slightly older.

Beauceron Shedding

Thanks to their tight short coats, the Beauceron sheds a minimum amount of hair which they do throughout the year only more so in the Spring and Autumn.

Rottweiler Shedding

Rottweilers too are minimal shedders thanks to their short, tight close-lying coats and like the Beauceron they shed steadily throughout the year only more so in the Springtime and then again in the Autumn.

Beauceron Training

Beaucerons are highly intelligent, but because they mature slowly which takes around 3 years, it's important to take things slowly when training them. With this said, their education must begin early and owners need to be consistent so that dogs understand what is expected of them. In the right hands and environment, a Beauceron learns things fast because they are smart dogs and they love the one-to-one contact they are given when they are being trained.

The key to successfully training a Beauceron is to take your time and to keep training sessions short and interesting so that dogs remain focussed on what is being asked of them. They are known to excel at canine sports which they thoroughly enjoy taking part in.

Rottweiler Training

Rottweilers are intelligent dogs and their training and socialisation must start early before they grow up into powerful, mature dogs. As previously mentioned, Rotties need to be handled and trained by people who are familiar with their needs and therefore not best suited for first time dog owners. Being intelligent and sensitive by nature, Rottweilers answer well to voice"" which means they quickly learn new commands. The downside to this is that these powerful dogs also learn bad things quickly too.

Their training has to start early and training sessions have to be kept interesting and short so that a dog stays focussed. The key to successfully training a Rottie is to stay as calm as possible and not to get dogs too excited which could result in them becoming unmanageable.

Beauceron Exercise

Beaucerons are high-energy, athletic dogs and they are very intelligent which means they need to be given lots of mental stimulation and physical exercise on a daily basis. As such they need a minimum of 2 hours exercise a day to be truly happy, well-rounded characters. They enjoy taking part in all sorts of canine sports which includes agility and flyball to name but two.

Rottweiler Exercise

Rotties are very intelligent dogs that boast a lot of energy and like their Beauceron counterparts, they too need at least 2 hours exercise a day with as much mental stimulation too. They like being able to run free off their leads, but this should only be attempted in a safe and secure environment.

Beauceron Children and Pets

Kind, gentle and placid by nature, the Beauceron is known to be good around children which is why they are highly prized as family pets in their native France. They thoroughly enjoy being in a home environment and like being involved in everything that goes on which includes playing interactive games with the kids. However, due to their size they are better suited to families with older children.

Beaucerons get on with other dogs more especially if they are well socialised from a young enough age. They also get on well with cats they have grown up with, but care should be taken when they are around other cats as well as small pets.

Rottweiler Children and Pets

Rottweilers are a good choice for families with older children because not only are they large and powerful dogs, but they also need to be treated with respect. They form incredibly strong ties with their families and can be a little over protective of the kids if they ever feel they are being threatened in any way.

Care should be taken when a Rottie is around smaller animals and this includes cats. When well socialised from a young enough age, a Rottweiler will behave around other dogs, but it would be a mistake to trust them with dogs they have never met before.

Beauceron Coat

Beaucerons have double coats with a close-lying, short outercoat and a dense undercoat. The hair on their heads is short, but longer and rougher on their bodies. They are a little breeching on their back legs and feathering under their tails.

Beauceron Coat colours

The accepted breed colours are as follows:

• Black and tan - markings are a rich, bright colour
• Tricolour - grey, black and tan

Rottweiler Coat

Rotties have medium length, coarse close-lying topcoats with a shorter, grey, black or fawn coloured undercoat that does not show through their outercoats. Hair on the back of a dog's front legs and breechings is typically slightly longer than on the rest of their body.

Rottweiler Coat colours

The accepted breed colour is as follows:

• Black with very well defined tan markings
• Beauceron health
• Beaucerons are known to suffer from a few hereditary health issues which includes the following:
• Hip dysplasia - BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme available
• Elbow dysplasia
• Bloat
• Osteochondritis Dissecans
• Dilated cardiomyopathy

Rottweiler health

Rotties need to be ""temperament tested"" to show they have inherited the kind natures of their parents. The health concerns that affect the breed the most include the following:

• Cancer
• Eye problems - Tests available
• Hip Dysplasia - DNA test available
• Elbow dysplasia - DNA test available
• Bloat
• Prone to obesity
• Temperament issues

Beauceron life expectancy

The average life span of a Beauceron is between 10 and 14 years when properly cared for and fed an appropriate good quality diet to suit their ages.

Rottweiller life expectancy

The average life span of a Rottweiler is between 8 and 10 years when properly cared for and fed an appropriate good quality diet to suit their ages.

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