Vide, quantum, inquam2

Vide, quantum, inquam, fallare, Torquate. oratio me istius philosophi non offendit; nam et complectitur verbis, quod vult, et dicit plane, quod intellegam; et tamen ego a philosopho, si afferat eloquentiam, non asperner, si non habeat, non admodum flagitem. re mihi non aeque satisfacit, et quidem locis pluribus. sed quot homines.

 

Tot sententiae: falli igitur possumus.

Tot sententiae: falli igitur possumus.

Tot sententiae: falli igitur possumus.

Black and white portrait of a sitting Briard
 Drooling tendencies

 Very low

 Warm weather? Medium
 Grooming needs  Medium  Cold weather? High
 Shedding level  Very low  Suited to apartment living?  Very low
 Barking tendencies  High  Can stay alone?* High
 Energy Level* High  Family Pet ?* Medium
 Compatibility with other pets  Very low    

* 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.

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Illustration of standing Briard
Male
24 - 27 in Height
55 - 99 lb Weight
Female
22 - 25 in Height
55 - 99 lb Weight

 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

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Get to know the Briard

All you need to know about the breed

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. That long coat is très chic!

Aaah, that coat. Splendid long flowing hair unmistakable to the breed. But hiding under the canine equivalent of a 60s mop lies keen instincts and a strong work ethic. Ever the protector, they are wary of any newcomers to their territory, even a new baby. Until the Briard deems it safe, they cannot have done their job to the best of their ability. In other words, their family is the flock that needs protecting and any outsiders are foreign entities.

Historically, the Briard dog has proven themselves to be indefatigable French sheepdogs, found in many parts of France dating from the 8th Century. His name though is derived from the region of Brie in the northeast of the country. Over centuries they were selectively bred for the guarding and driving of herds of sheep, developing into a very rugged and agile dog. Their large size made them capable of taking on predators, typically foxes and even wolves. To this day, the herding instinct is still strong, and if part of a family, your Briard may try to herd you!

The Briard’s behaviour is first-rate but they still need a firm, energetic owner. They are too intelligent to take commands mindlessly, and need to understand what’s being asked of them before taking on any task worth their salt. Training through force is a no-no, and has the potential to make them disobedient and worse, fearful. Positive reinforcement will be received well, and your Briard dog will give a lifetime of affection and loyalty in return.

The Briard dog breed is also endowed with an excellent memory and the ability for recall. They are thus used to showing a lot of initiative and finding solutions to any problem. They will consider, decide, then spring into action (something to think about if you’re able to take your dog to work!). As domesticated dogs however, socialising them early on brings out the best behaviour for the Briard, and means the family will have a best friend - and a guardian - for life.

Brown Briard sitting on grass

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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.

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Novitates autem si spem adferunt, ut tamquam in herbis non fallacibus fructus appareat, non sunt illae quidem repudiandae, vetustas tamen suo loco conservanda; maxima est enim vis vetustatis et consuetudinis.

Quin in ipso equo, cuius modo feci mentionem, si nulla res impediat, nemo est, quin eo, quo consuevit, libentius utatur quam intractato et novo. Nec vero in hoc quod est animal, sed in iis etiam quae sunt inanima, consuetudo valet, cum locis ipsis delectemur, montuosis etiam et silvestribus, in quibus diutius commorati sumus. Novitates autem si spem adferunt, ut tamquam in herbis non fallacibus fructus appareat, non sunt illae quidem repudiandae, vetustas tamen suo loco conservanda; maxima est enim vis vetustatis et consuetudinis. Quin in ipso equo, cuius modo feci mentionem, si nulla res impediat, nemo est, quin eo, quo consuevit, libentius utatur quam intractato et novo. Nec vero in hoc quod est animal, sed in iis etiam quae sunt inanima, consuetudo valet, cum locis ipsis delectemur, montuosis etiam et silvestribus, in quibus diutius commorati sumus.

Quin in ipso equo, cuius modo feci mentionem, si nulla res impediat, nemo est, quin eo, quo consuevit, libentius utatur quam intractato et novo. Nec vero in hoc quod est animal, sed in iis etiam quae sunt inanima, consuetudo valet, cum locis ipsis delectemur, montuosis etiam et silvestribus, in quibus diutius commorati sumus. Novitates autem si spem adferunt, ut tamquam in herbis non fallacibus fructus appareat, non sunt illae quidem repudiandae, vetustas tamen suo loco conservanda; maxima est enim vis vetustatis et consuetudinis. Quin in ipso equo, cuius modo feci mentionem, si nulla res impediat, nemo est, quin eo, quo consuevit, libentius utatur quam intractato et novo. Nec vero in hoc quod est animal, sed in iis etiam quae sunt inanima, consuetudo valet, cum locis ipsis delectemur, montuosis etiam et silvestribus, in quibus diutius commorati sumus.

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1. Tail

Your puppy will hold their tail in an upright position. They may also be wagging their tail.

2. Posture

Your puppy's body may be tense when they are alert. They may also be leaning towards whatever has caught their attention on their front legs.

3. Ears

A sign of an alert puppy is upright and slightly forward ears. If your puppy has dropped ears, this change may be more subtle.

4. Eyes

An alert puppy will watch what has caught their attention closely.

5. Mouth

An alert puppy will often have their mouth fully closed.

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Miles explicatis ordinibus testing

miles explicatis ordinibus parans hastisque feriens scuta qui habitus iram pugnantium concitat et dolorem proximos iam gestu terrebat sed eum in certamen alacriter consurgentem revocavere ductores rati intempestivum anceps subire certamen cum haut longe muri distarent, quorum tutela securitas poterat in solido locari cunctorum.

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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.

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Miles explicatis ordinibus567

123miles explicatis ordinibus parans hastisque feriens scuta qui habitus iram pugnantium concitat et dolorem proximos iam gestu terrebat sed eum in certamen alacriter consurgentem revocavere ductores rati intempestivum anceps subire certamen cum haut longe muri distarent, quorum tutela securitas poterat in solido locari cunctorum. Dum haec in oriente aguntur, Arelate hiemem agens Constantius post theatralis ludos atque circenses ambitioso editos apparatu diem sextum idus Octobres, qui imperii eius annum tricensimum terminabat, insolentiae pondera gravius librans, siquid dubium deferebatur aut falsum, pro liquido accipiens et conperto, inter alia excarnificatum Gerontium Magnentianae comitem partis exulari maerore multavit. Dum haec in oriente aguntur, Arelate hiemem agens Constantius post theatralis ludos atque circenses ambitioso editos apparatu diem sextum idus Octobres, qui imperii eius annum tricensimum terminabat, insolentiae pondera gravius librans, siquid dubium deferebatur aut falsum, pro liquido accipiens et conperto, inter alia excarnificatum Gerontium Magnentianae comitem partis exulari maerore multavit.Dum haec in oriente aguntur, Arelate hiemem agens Constantius post theatralis ludos atque circenses ambitioso editos apparatu diem sextum idus Octobres, qui imperii eius annum tricensimum terminabat, insolentiae pondera gravius librans, siquid dubium deferebatur aut falsum, pro liquido accipiens et conperto, inter alia excarnificatum Gerontium Magnentianae comitem partis exulari maerore multavit.

Dum haec in oriente aguntur, Arelate hiemem agens Constantius post theatralis ludos atque circenses ambitioso editos apparatu diem sextum idus Octobres, qui imperii eius annum tricensimum terminabat, insolentiae pondera gravius librans, siquid dubium deferebatur aut falsum, pro liquido accipiens et conperto, inter alia excarnificatum Gerontium Magnentianae comitem partis exulari maerore multavit.

Dum haec in oriente aguntur, Arelate hiemem agens Constantius post theatralis ludos atque circenses ambitioso editos apparatu diem sextum idus Octobres, qui imperii eius annum tricensimum terminabat, insolentiae pondera gravius librans, siquid dubium deferebatur aut falsum, pro liquido accipiens et conperto, inter alia excarnificatum Gerontium Magnentianae comitem partis exulari maerore multavit.

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Miles explicatis ordinibus

miles explicatis ordinibus parans hastisque feriens scuta qui habitus iram pugnantium concitat et dolorem proximos iam gestu terrebat sed eum in certamen alacriter consurgentem revocavere ductores rati intempestivum anceps subire certamen cum haut longe muri distarent, quorum tutela securitas poterat in solido locari cunctorum.
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Miles explicatis ordinibus

miles explicatis ordinibus parans hastisque feriens scuta qui habitus iram pugnantium concitat et dolorem proximos iam gestu terrebat sed eum in certamen alacriter consurgentem revocavere ductores rati intempestivum anceps subire certamen cum haut longe muri distarent, quorum tutela securitas poterat in solido locari cunctorum.
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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.

Other breeds that might interest you

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/