Beauceron health: what owners should know

Hip dysplasia and bloat are the main concerns, and dilated cardiomyopathy, some eye conditions and hypothyroidism have also been reported. Good breeders score hips and elbows in both parents, have eyes examined, and increasingly screen hearts. Breeding two harlequin dogs together is discouraged because of the eye and hearing problems linked to a double dose of the merle pattern gene.

Keep weight under control, give young joints time, and learn your dog's normal breathing and energy at rest. Seek emergency care for a swollen, tight belly with unproductive retching or restlessness after a meal. See your vet for lameness lasting more than a couple of days, coughing or reduced stamina on walks, or eyes that look cloudy or sore.