BRIARD DOG BREED

Description:

The Briard is an ancient breed of French origin. Briards are large herding dogs originally used to guard and herd flocks of sheep. Napoleon, Thomas Jefferson, Lafayette and Charlemagne all owned Briards. Due to their particularly thin ears, Briards had been successfully used in the French army to search wounded soldiers. Today, the Briard is a recognized companion dog but continues to serve as a guard and a shepherd. The Briard was officially recognized by the American Kannel Club in 1928.

Height: 22-27 inches  Weight: 50-100 pounds  Lifespan: 10-12 years

Characteristics:

The Briard is an active and agile dog of medium size. He has a unique character and striking appearance with scissor-like teeth. The wide muzzle has a long mustache and beard. Comparable Breed: Bearded Collie.

Character:

Intelligent, loving and devoted, the Briard is a wonderful pet. In France, there was even a saying that the Briard is “the heart, dressed in fur”. This breed is very attached to its family and is willing to do anything to protect it. These animals are very responsive and obedient. Thus, a bit stubborn. They are great with children, on the condition that they do not tease or provoke them. However, the Briard may show aggression toward other dogs and great distrust of strangers. It is important to remember that this dog is a natural shepherd, and therefore, he will try to satisfy his prey drive.

Coat / Care:

The Briard`s coat is rather long and consists of two layers. Little wavy, dry and rough, the outer layer resembles of the goats’ hair. Beard, mustache and eyebrows are obvious. The undercoat is amazingly soft, tight and tight all over the body, providing great protection against adverse climates. Color can be gray, black, or any variation of beige and brown. This breed sheds only under the influence of dirt or water, and if you regularly take care of it, the hair loss is imperceptible. Therefore, you must be sure to brush your dog daily and comb in order to avoid tangling. Bathe your dog only if really necessary. Frequent bathing will harm the dog’s coat and make the care much more difficult. Cleanliness of the ears should also be monitored.

Health Problems:

The Briard is practically healthy breed, however, there can be prone to Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), Hip Dysplasia, Cataracts, Elbow Dysplasia, Congenital Stationary Night Blindness (CSNB), Von Willebrand’s Disease, Cancer, Gastric Torsion. The Briard dog has a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years.

Weight / Height

The male Briard dog breed’s height is around 23 – 27 inches and weighs around 70 and 100 pounds. Female dogs can reach a size from 22 – 25.5 inches and weighs between 70 and 80 pounds. Male dogs are generally larger than females.

Training:

Early and extensive socialization is a must this particular breed. The Briard is an excellent student, though he needs a dominant owner who knows how to handle him. If the Briard is not brought up properly, he can behave aggressively and even cowardly. Education should be based on respect, patience and love, rather than on austerity. These dogs are excellent jogging companion and also enjoy a good swim. They are successful in police work.

Activity:

The Briard is a natural athlete with a high level of energy. He requires daily training, otherwise can get pretty hectic. Dogs of this breed love to swim, and they are ideal companions in jogging or hiking. If properly physically stimulated, Briards can bear apartment living. Yes, they behave pretty quietly indoors, but the best environment for these dogs is a big house with a big yard.

Photo Credit: tinabasgen/Flickr; Svenska Mässan/Flickr