The Briard dog is a large French herding breed with floppy or pointed ears, a sturdy body, wavy fur, and shaggy facial hair. These fast and fearless dogs are well-known for their athletic ability in herding, but it is their intelligent and friendly personalities that have made them such a popular breed. Briards are undeniably affectionate toward their humans. They thrive in homes with active families who intend to spend a significant amount of time with their dog, and the Briard’s warm spirit and good nature are an ideal match for sweet and loving owners.
History
Briards are an ancient French breed that dates back to the eighth century or earlier. The briard was developed to guard and herd sheep and other livestock. The dog kept company with royalty such as Emperor Charlemagne, Napoleon, and Lafayette. When Lafayette sent briards over to the newly formed United States to guard the author of the Declaration of Independence’s livestock, Thomas Jefferson, who was once a dog hater, was quickly converted into a dog lover. Briards were used as guard dogs and search-and-rescue dogs by the French during World Wars I and II. Many dogs died in both wars, causing the breed to suffer. The briard is a member of the herding dog group and excels at herding and guarding livestock. He is a fun and active companion.
Size
The Briard is a medium to large-sized dog breed. Adult animals stand 60 to 64 cm tall on average. The dogs are about the same size. This is usually between 30 and 35 kg, which is very light for a dog of this size. The Briard’s coat color can vary. Black, fawn, blue, and gray are the most popular colors. Intelligent four-legged friends have a life expectancy of about 12 years.
Personality
The Briard Dog is a lovable and protective companion who is committed and faithful. Briards are self-assured, intelligent, and independent, but they are also eager to please and serve as a partner in adventure. They are wary of strangers. When playing, they can be assertive with other dogs and may nip at people’s heels. They prefer to stay at home and may even try to keep the family’s children at home! Young Briards require a great deal of socialization.
Food
Aim for 3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food per day, divided into two meals. Instead of leaving food out all the time, keep your Briard in good shape by measuring his food and feeding him twice a day. If you’re not sure if he’s overweight, give him the eye and hands-on tests. Look down at him first. There should be a waist visible. Then put your hands on his back, thumbs along his spine, fingers spread downward. Without pressing too hard, you should be able to feel but not see his ribs. If you can’t, he should eat less and exercise more.
Grooming
Start grooming your Briard puppy well before he needs it. Make grooming time a happy time for him to look forward to in the years when grooming is a necessity and can take a long time. A Briard Dog should be brushed to the skin a few times per week with a good-quality pin brush. An undercoat rake can help remove a lot of dead hair and reduce shedding. The number of baths required by a Briard is entirely dependent on his lifestyle and the jobs he performs. The frequency can range from weekly to monthly, and even less frequently.
Training
The Briard Dog was developed to be able to decide for itself without assistance from a human. This can occasionally make them more challenging to train. However, they have a strong desire to please, and if training techniques are effective and the sessions are kept interesting and lively, the Briard’s innate intelligence will put him at the top of the class. Briards are quick learners with a stellar memory. They are excellent in almost every canine role or activity, including disc catching, search and rescue, obedience, and agility. Early and ongoing socialization are essential for Briard development.
Health
Despite being generally healthy, Briards may be susceptible to health issues that are breed-specific, such as hip and elbow dysplasia, congenital stationary night blindness, eye problems, Von Willebrand disease, hypothyroidism, cancer, bloat, etc. By purchasing a Briard from a reputable breeder who uses ethical breeding techniques and by having him checked for common illnesses and conditions, you can reduce serious health concerns in him.
Bottom Line
Briards require an active lifestyle, so it’s crucial to keep them involved in regular activities. This breed has a gorgeous, sweet face, and its nature is even more lovely and devoted. They make excellent watchdogs because they are not only kind and sensible. They are brave, intelligent, and extremely devoted to their owners. They are also very friendly to children.
They have a very outgoing personality and a lot of energy, so first-time dog owners might not be the best fit.
The answer is yes, if you want to share your life with a big, hairy, bouncy bundle of love who, due to his high level of intelligence, can easily become bored, needs regular grooming, and as an adult, needs plenty of exercise. The care and maintenance required to own a Briard dog can be very demanding, so it is not a breed that should be chosen carelessly.
