Berger de Beauce / Beauceron

Clyde is from the French herding dog breed also known as Beauceron. He is extremely intelligent and protective; fearless, yet faithful. Being a powerful dog meant that he had to begin obedience training from puppyhood. Though Clyde can be domineering, he can learn his place with the proper handling.

Because Cldye has been raised with children and taught how to be gentle, he is good with them. But his herding instincts may cause him to want to herd and nip at their heels when they are playing together. Clyde is wary of strangers and has to be introduced slowly to be won over. Generally, it's his size that's intimidating but it won't take long until he's sociable with most newcomers.

Unless you are planning to use this breed as a working dog, he will need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Clyde enjoys it when I give him tasks to perform. When I'm lax on that, he becomes bored and begins chewing or digging - or redecorating in a destructive way! And he'll put on weight with any cessation of exercise. So it's just as much my responsibility to keep him strong and healthy as it is his.

Clyde is a great companion and we both enjoy taking long walks together. He's an alert and loyal dog who stays close by my side, which is very reassuring. Clyde's coat is easily maintained and generally doesn't accumulate burrs and such outside so there's none of that scrambling for a brush when he comes indoors. He can jump right onto the couch to watch television with the kids!