Let's talk Briard
Shaggy and self-assured, the noble Briard dog is the epitome of devotion and quiet sophistication. Hailing originally from France, though no accent can be detected in their bark… the breed is true to their Gaulish roots as an affable dog yet one that can be standoffish until they get to know all in their circle. A true protector, the Briard breed has worked their way into the hearts of families after centuries as a sheep herding and guard dog. They are powerful and at the same time quite open, a winning combination as far as Briard lovers are concerned.
Official name: Briard
Other names: Brie sheepdog, Brie shepherd
Origins: France
Drooling tendencies |
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Warm weather? | |
Grooming needs | Cold weather? | ||
Shedding level | Suited to apartment living? | ||
Barking tendencies | Can stay alone?* | ||
Energy Level* | High | Family Pet ?* | |
Compatibility with other pets |
* We advise against leaving pets alone for long stretches. Companionship can prevent emotional distress and destructive behaviour. Speak to your veterinarian for recommendations.
Every pet is different, even within a breed; this snapshot of this breed specifics should be taken as an indication.
For a happy healthy and well-behaved pet, we recommend educating and socializing your pet as well as covering their basic welfare needs (and their social and behavioral needs.
Pets should never be left unsupervised with a child.
Contact your breeder or veterinarian for further advice.
All domestic pets are sociable and prefer company. However, they can be taught to cope with solitude from an early age. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or trainer to help you do this.
Baby age | Birth to 2 months |
Puppy age | 2 to 15 months |
Adult age | 15 months to 5 years |
Mature age | 5 to 8 years |
Senior age | 8 to 18 years |
Shaggy and self-assured, the noble Briard dog is the epitome of devotion and quiet sophistication.
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Orígenes de la raza
Para muchos de los aficionados, el Labrador Retriever sigue siendo uno de los perros más populares de todo el mundo. Se piensa que los Labrador Retriever se originaron en la costa de Terranova, Canadá, donde los pescadores empleaban perros de esta apariencia para recuperar peces. La raza tal como la conocemos hoy, sin embargo, fue establecida por los británicos a principios del siglo XIX.
El Labrador Retriever Club se fundó en 1916 y el primer estándar siguió poco después, adaptado en especial para los labradores retriever de trabajo, que encontraron la fama de forma temprana después de que Col Peter Hawker y el Conde de Malmesbury los introdujeran originalmente en el Reino Unido a finales del siglo XIX.
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2 facts about Briards
1. They remember
The superb traits of the Briard are plenty but among the more significant is their fantastic memory, even giving them the ability to recall tasks and take initiative in any given situation. They are known for it.
2. En garde
Briard dogs aren’t big fans of strangers, which makes them good in the security department. But proper socialising can help curb an overprotective tendency. Introduce your Briard to different situations, people and places from a young age, to get them comfortable with novelty.
History of the breed
Descended from centuries of European guard dogs, Briards were found in many parts of France dating from the 8th Century. One of their first official recorded appearances however was in France in 1809 when they became known under the name Chien Berger de Brie, or Brie Shepherd Dog.
Briards proved themselves very useful to French farmers, doing double duty as tireless drivers and guardians of their herds. In fact, Briards are related to another French herding and guarding dog, the Beauceron.
The reputation of these strapping, loyal dogs was enhanced in the 18th Century through not one, but two celebrity owners. Napoleon was said to have owned a Briard dog, and Thomas Jefferson took a Briard back with him after serving as ambassador to France. The latter faithful dog is cited as the beginning of the breed in America.
Jefferson wrote in praise of this impressive breed: “Their extraordinary sagacity renders them extremely valuable, capable of being taught almost any duty that may be required of them … the most watchful and faithful of all servants.”
They proved their loyalty and stamina again and again as the official dogs of the French army during war time. In WW1 Briards went to work delivering supplies, doing sentry duty and finding the wounded.
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From head to tail
Physical characteristics of Briards
1. Ears
Ears set high with distinct fold, broad at base
2. Head
Medium-size head, broad and slightly domed
3. Body
Petite, compact body, arched neck
4. Tail
Tail of long, fringed fur, rolled up on the back
5. Coat
Double coat, long, flowing soft outer coat, wooly undercoat
With French breeding behind them, the hardy Briard exhibits some of the best aspects of temperament: incredible intelligence, a fearless spirit, and great physical strength - not to mention style galore.
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Things to look out for
From specific breed traits to a general health overview, here are some interesting facts about your Briard
Beware of (possible) blindness
Nocturnal blindness, also known as retinal dystrophy, is a disease that is mainly found in the Briard dog. The condition is hereditary, and both parents must carry the gene to pass it on to offspring. Using a reputable breeder can of course reassure any potential owner that a Briard doesn’t carry the gene. This condition is often diagnosed late, so get your puppy’s eyes tested as early as when they are four to six weeks of age with a simple blood or saliva sample.
Brush them at least once a week
Although they are known to be a low-shedding breed, because of their long shaggy double coats, Briard dogs will still need a good deal of regular grooming. The thicker coarser (think goat hair) outer coat typically grows about six inches long so it will need to be brushed at least a few times a week to remove dead hair and to prevent matting and tangles. Grooming your Briard daily will need to be a definite in the spring and autumn, the two times a year when shedding happens profusely as a natural course of the dog’s adjusting to a new season.
Training day comes early
Briards are very smart dogs, but you’ll need to get in there early to establish pack leadership. They were bred to be independent and one to make decisions on their own, so they’ll need committed training with positive reinforcement. Briard puppy training, then, cannot be emphasized enough. Encourage them to act in a friendly manner when strangers come into the mix; they’ll understand with repetition and your communicating that new people and animals are compatriots rather than adversaries.
Don’t let the frou-frou appearance of the long fur deter you from believing this breed is an athlete at base.
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Caring for your Briard
Grooming, training and exercise tips
Despite not shedding much, grooming the Briard should be a regular practice, which means weekly brushing of his lengthy hair, to prevent it getting matted or tangled, and daily in spring and fall when shedding for the Briard dog is at their highest. Their distinctive long coat and undercoat endows them with good resistance to the cold and wet but its abundance demands attention. Brushing their teeth on a regular basis at home can be punctuated by a professional cleaning, too. Keep the Briard’s ears clean and get their nails trimmed too. Think of it as quality time well spent!
Briards were bred to be self-sufficient, so don’t expect blind obedience. They’ll need to understand you to return good behaviour in kind, and very much require a gentle but firm hand. As a sensitive dog, they have a keen understanding of most situations but don’t respond well to harsh criticism as it brings out their negative aspects. Training your Briard is a joy when everything’s in sync though. The breed is a robust, good size dog so training them to understand their limits needs to be kept in mind as well. Remember to maintain their interest, and use lots of positive reinforcement and treats along the way.
So how much exercise does a Briard dog need? A lot. If you’re sporty, your pet will be delighted to accompany you on fast walks, hikes, bike rides, or even long runs. Don’t let the frou-frou appearance of the long fur deter you from believing this breed is an athlete at base. If your home isn’t comprised of many acres, a sizable garden or yard in which they can run around, or even a nearby park, could help them use up some of their excess energy. As they’re naturally sporty, Briard dogs do well in physical competitions like tests of herding, tracking, or agility.
All about Briards
Many dogs can lay claim to being great for a family but the Briard definitely settles in well with his human pack. On the homefront, his sheepherding traits transfer to his family, and the desire to keep them safe and secure kicks in. The Briard dog craves human companionship so is a bit of a velcro dog. They are at the same time quite independent when they feel your support. It’s a great team, for sure.
The Briard hails from France and has long roots in the nation as a herding and sheepherding dog. A tall and sturdy breed that’s quite muscular, the dog has traditionally been used for both rounding up flocks but also and guarding them - which is often not the case for dogs to be used for both purposes. They now take their place as beloved family dogs, protective of their human pack.
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Sources
1 - Veterinary Centers of America https://vcahospitals.com/
2 - Royal Canin Dog Encyclopaedia. Ed 2010 and 2020
3 - Banfield Pet Hospital https://www.banfield.com/
4 - Royal Canin BHN Product Book
5 - American Kennel Club https://www.akc.org/