The behavioural reactions of 245 Limousine heifers were evaluated in two tests: a docility test and a crush test. In the docility test, the animal’s behaviour was scored as a human tried to lead and maintain the animal in the corner of a pen for 30 seconds. In the crush test, the animal’s behaviour was monitored while it was socially isolated and restrained in a crush with its head in a head gate. Its behaviour was further monitored when it was exposed to a stationary human for 30 seconds and when a human stroked it on the forehead for 30 seconds. Findings indicated a sire effect for every part of both tests. The behavioural response of the heifers in the docility test was correlated to their response in the crush test. Alternatively, the sires’ behavioural reaction in the docility test was only correlated to the crush test when the human was present in motionless form, or when stroking the head of the animal. It was not correlated to the behaviour of the animal when it was in isolation. Finally, the crush test did not identify animals who acted aggressively in the docility test. Conclusions stated that there was a general reactivity of beef cattle to handling that appeared to be influenced by the sire of the heifer, but was regardless of whether the animal was restrained. The reactivity was suggested to be mainly a consequence of the animals’ reactions to humans.