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Briard Dog Breed

The Briard is a large breed of dog, one of many herding breeds.

Appearance

The Briard can be any of several different solid colors or lighter colors with darker or light ears and face. Briards stand 22 to 27 inches at the withers. Ear cropping has been common in the breed, although more breeders are leaving the ears in their natural state since ear cropping is becoming illegal in most European countries, including the Briard’s land of origin, France. Their long coat requires an extensive amount of grooming.

They were originally bred to herd as well as guard flocks of sheep. And they were often left to their own devices in order to accomplish their assigned tasks. This makes the Briard different from those breeds that only guard and those that only herd. The breeds that just herd are often smaller in size, agile, and swift of foot. Those breeds that just guard are usually larger and heavier.

Temperament

The Briard is a very loyal and protective breed. The Briard is also called a heart wrapped in fur. Once they have bonded to their family members, they will be very protective. They can be aloof with strangers - new introductions should be on the dog’s terms, including furniture or the addition of a new baby into the household. They require showing that the new intrusion is friendly and free of conflict. They must be taught that it is a good thing and not harmful. They have proven to be a very good breed to have around children of all ages.

It is also important that the Briard be introduced to several different individuals of all ages and in all types of situations. Socialization starting at a very young age is mandatory. Briards should be walked as often as possible, to many different places, and they will develop into a well rounded animal. Pet stores, city parks and malls are a good place to start.

The Briard has been bred for centuries to herd and to protect their flocks. To domesticated briards, their family is the flock and all strangers may appear to be predators. Letting them know that the public in general are friendly and not harmful will help them establish a lifelong socialization pattern which will result in an outgoing and happy dog. This socialization with the public in general will not diminish their capacity for protecting and guarding their family.

The Briard has a very good memory. Once a lesson is learned, good or bad, the knowledge will be retained for a long time to come. Sometimes they may appear to be strong minded and stubborn but these are a few of the Briard’s characteristics. They were bred for centuries to think for themselves and to act upon their conclusions.

Health

Briards are generally a healthy breed but do fall prey to a number of different ailments such as; bloat, cataracts, Central Progressive Retinal Atrophy, elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, Hypothyroidism and some skin and allergy problems.

History

The Briard is a very old breed of French working dog. Depicted in 8th-century tapestries and mentioned in records of the 12th century; the breed is accurately described in the 14th and 16th centuries. In early times, Briards were used to defend their charges against wolves and poachers, but the dividing up of the land and the increase in population which followed the French Revolution gradually transformed their work into the more peaceful tasks of herding the flocks, keeping the sheep within the unfenced boundaries of the pastures, and guarding their masters’ property.

The first known standard for the Briard was written in 1897 by a club of shepherd-dog breeders. Then, in 1909, a French society called Les Amis du Briard was founded. Although this club disbanded during World War I, it was formed again in 1923 and established a more precise standard for the Briard in 1925. This standard, with slight modification, was adopted by the Briard Club of America, founded in 1928.

Briard Dog Pictures

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