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Briard dogs










The Briard is also known as: Berger de Brie

Fast Facts
Group classification: Herding Country of origin: France Date of origin: Middle Ages
Weight (M): 75 - 100 lb Height (M): 23 - 27" Life expectancy: 10 - 13 years
Weight (F): 50 - 65 lb Height (F): 22 - 26"

General Description of the Briard

The Briard is a strong, powerful dog bred for herding. The head is fairly long with moderate width, and the skull and muzzle are both rectangular in shape. Eyes are large, level, and set far apart. They are either dark brown or black in color depending on the color of the coat. The expression is one of confidence and curiosity. Ears are thick and leathery, set high and slightly lifted. Some owners and breeders choose to crop the ears, others do not. The muzzle is wide and adorned with a mustache and beard. The topline of the muzzle is parallel with the topline of the skull. The nose is square shaped and black. Lips are black, and teeth meet in a scissors bite. The neck is strong and muscular, leading down to a slightly slanted topline. The chest is well-muscled, strong and proportionate. The tail is curved, long and carried low. The Briard sports a tight, fine undercoat and a coarse, long and wavy outer coat. Most all colors other than white are standard for this breed, including black, gray and tawny.

Briard Temperament

The Briard is protective and watchful over her family members. Because of this, the dog can often be standoffish with strangers and should be introduced gently to new people and animals. This breed is gentle with children and enjoys their company. Because these dogs can be so wary, it is crucial to socialize them from the time they are puppies. This means lots of walks and visits to populated areas and introductions to new people as well as animals. These dogs can be just as comfortable in the city as in the country, provided they are exercised properly. They are moderately difficult to train due to their independent nature, and possess an excellent memory.

Caring for a Briard

Because the Briard's coat is long and shaggy, it will need regular brushing with a coarse-bristled brush and strong detangling comb. The coat naturally repels dirt, and bathing should be done only when the dog is very dirty. By grooming your dog regularly, you can help prevent mats from forming in the coat. The ears should be kept clean and free of dirt and mites, and nails should be trimmed as needed. You may also need to trim the hair that grows between the toes. If you keep your Briard groomed correctly, you will find that he or she hardly sheds at all. Documented health problems in the breed include canine hip dysplasia, gastric torsion, progressive retinal atrophy and heart problems.

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nderneath the Briard’s long, fluffy cloak lies a confidant suggestion and penetrating intelligence. True to his French roots, he can be detached with strangers, yet is sexual and amatory toward members of his pack. Bred as a herding and safeguard dog to strengthen flocks and quarrel off predators, he was adopted as a operative dog during World War we and used by infantry as sentries, ammunition carriers, messengers, and medic dogs. Today, the Briard enjoys the hold up of a messenger dog, yet he shows his flexibility and operative inlet with his good successes in obedience, agility, conformation, herding, carting, and tracking competitions.
Overview

Often called “a heart wrapped in fur,” the Briard creates a good family dog. He is clinging to his owner, happiest following we around the residence whilst we do chores or examination we watch radio upon a stormy day.

The Briard is an preferred messenger for someone who wants a lovable, yet not overly dependent, dog. A partial of of the Herding Group, he weighs in at around 75 pounds and lives absolutely in the nation or city–as prolonged as he’s with his family and gets enough exercise.

The Briard is an smart multiply and a discerning investigate when it comes to training, yet he can be realistic and wish to do things his own way. Owners contingency be rebuilt to settle container care from an early age or the dog is expected to take a shot at the purpose himself.

With a clever instinct to herd, it’s not surprising for him to try to accumulate or keep the immature kids or adults in his family inside of certain boundaries. He competence nudge, push, or bellow at his “flock.”

The Briard’s warning of strangers creates him an glorious safeguard dog, and he’s perpetually ready to urge his family and domain if he perceives danger. With the correct precision and socialization, however, we can inspire him to be some-more usurpation of outsiders. A Briard puppy should be introduced to most new and opposite people, places, and situations during the initial year of his life. These early practice assistance safeguard we have an adult Briard with a certain opinion upon life.

There have been exceptions, of course, yet for the most part, the Briard does intensely good with children. If you’re bringing a Briard pup–or any dog–into a residence with kids, it’s critical to learn both how to correlate with any other. If we do not have children, yet devise upon we do so in the subsequent couple of years, it’s necessary which we consort your puppy to children.

Highlights
The Briard needs every day grooming. Although his cloak is deliberate low- to non-shedding, it tangles and matts easily. If we do not have the time or calm for grooming, cruise an additional breed.
The Briard is of course independent, which is a smashing peculiarity if your puppy has been lerned properly. However, though training, which independent, assured puppy can spin in to an bulky adult.
The Briard contingency be socialized early to equivocate charge toward people or animals he doesn’t know. Briards were bred to be safeguard dogs and still take this purpose seriously.
The Briard enjoys being with his owner. He does most appropriate when he is authorised to cling to out with the people he loves.
To get a full of health dog, never buy a puppy from an insane breeder, puppy mill, or house pet store. Look for a creditable breeder who tests her tact dogs to have certain they’re giveaway of genetic diseases which they competence pass onto the puppies, and which they have receptive to advice temperaments.

History

The Briard originated in France and can be antiquated back to the 8th century. He was well known as the Chien Berger De Brie, which is believed to be subsequent from his place of origin, the segment of Brie (although the Briard was found in most tools of France).

A some-more regretful reason exists as well–that is, the name is a exaggeration of Chien d’Aubry. A 14th century fable claims which Aubry de Montdidier, a courtier of King Charles V, built a cathedral in mental recall of a intrepid Briard who saved his son’s life.

Regardless of the begin of the name, the Briard can be related back to the Emperor Charlemagne by his work of art in early tapestries. The Briard has additionally been related to Napoleon and was the central multiply of the French Army.

It is believed which Thomas Jefferson alien the initial Briards to the United States, and the American Kennel Club famous the multiply in 1928. Surprisingly, the Briard was not introduced to the United Kingdom until the late 1960s.

Size

Males mount twenty-three to twenty-seven inches high and females mount twenty-two to 25.5 inches tall. Most Briards import between 70 and 90 pounds, yet a little males can strech 100 pounds.

Personality

The standard Briard is brave, loyal, and intelligent. He is cooperative and amatory with his family, and thrives upon participating in family activities. In annoy of his vast size, he is radically a housedog. He doesn’t go in the backyard by himself, yet twisted up subsequent to we whilst we sip packet tea.

A protecting guardian, the Briard can be detached with strangers. He additionally can be realistic and willful, yet with copiousness of support and certain reinforcement, he can be swayed to come around upon both counts.

Temperament is influenced by a series of factors, together with heredity, training, and socialization. Puppies with good temperaments have been extraordinary and playful, peaceful to proceed people and be hold by them. Choose the middle-of-the-road puppy, not the a single who’s violence up his littermates or the a single who’s stealing in the corner.

Always encounter at slightest a single of the parents–usually the mom is the a single who’s available–to safeguard which they have good temperaments which you’re gentle with. Meeting siblings or alternative kin of the relatives is additionally beneficial for evaluating what a puppy will be similar to when he grows up.

Like any dog, the Briard can turn shy if he is not scrupulously socialized–exposed to most opposite people, sights, sounds, and experiences–when he is young. Primary socialization should be with people outside the household. Socialization helps safeguard which your Briard puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog.

Enrolling him in a puppy kindergarten category is a good start. Inviting visitors over regularly, and receiving him to bustling parks, stores which concede dogs, and upon resting strolls to encounter neighbors will additionally assistance him gloss his amicable skills.