Briards are combat-ready dogs that will deliver the goods your warmheartedness with their study ethic and rugged good looks . These large , long - hirsute dogs are loyal , affectionate , and confident .
date stamp all the means back to the 8th century , briards were the brave , agile , thinking flock guardians Gallic farmers prized . They won over their world with their boundless energy and unassailable work ethic , but it did n’t take long for their furrowed good looking at , unwavering loyalty , and affectionate natures to make them popular companions today .
Appearance
When you have a briard at the end of your leash , you have a dog that ’s quite the head - Nat Turner . His long , waving lock give him a slightly seedy ( and utterly adorable ) appearance .
" The briard , to me , is a beautiful and fit - looking blackguard with a veryintelligent expression — even with all the hair coming down on [ his ] face , " say Sonya Hillier , rescue and puppy coordinator for theBritish Briard Club .
Briards are big dogsthat reach up to 27 inches marvelous and count between 55–100 pounds . Their coats are their most typical features . The briard has a okay priming coat and vulgar , hard outercoat that lies matted in three semblance : fatal , tawny , or black and grey . Their hair is longsighted on their heads , forming a lifelike ( and voguish ) center part that frame their dark oculus . On their other end is a well - feathered derriere that ’s quick to wag at the first cite of walkies .
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Temperament
Traits include confidence , bravery , and intelligence allow briard to excel as working domestic dog , but their sweet spirits , affectionate natures , and boundless commitment have helped the strain become popular companions , too .
Hillier has been raising briard since the 1990s and summons their disposition as a key reason she fell in love with the breed , adding , " The briard ’s personality is merry and zippy , very loyal , and would rather be with you wherever you go . They can also be real characters and make you laugh . "
Thanks to their history as farmhands , briards like to have jobs to do . If there are no pastures to roam and slew to guard , these dogs willrequire a lot of exerciseto sting off their forcible — and mental — energy .
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Because of his history as a herder and guardian , extra care must be take toproperly socialize a briard pup . While the stock spring up secure bonds with his house , enculturation can help him feel more comfortable around strangers .
" Briards must be trainedand socialised with masses and animal from a puppy stage , " Hillier says .
Living Needs
You do n’t require a flock of goats or cattle to keep briards glad . In fact , Hillier say , " briard can generally live in most type of accommodation . "
Briards are combat-ready dogsso a homewith a fenced yard , accessto a dog park , orplenty of recollective walksis nonsuch . The breeddoes well with childrenand other bounder as long as he ’s been properly socialized and rail .
However , their working inherent aptitude stay strong , which meansbriards might barkat unfamiliar sights and sounds . If youlive in an apartmentor other blank space with shared walls , this might lead to some not - so - happy neighbour .
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Care
Regular exercise is important for briard . They do it long walks , hiking trails , andswimming , and they ’ll alsohappily play fetchor tug - of - war in the backyard . Briards also do well inobedience , lightness , tracking , herding , and other dog sports .
Training is important , too . These self-governing work dogs stand out at make decision solo and might take a while to train . But briard are smart and canlearn basic commandsand fresh trick with a little encouragement andpositive reinforcement — usingtreats wo n’t smart , either !
" For a first - time briard proprietor , the heel will storm you once in a while and do something you did not instruct [ him to do ] , but it shows just how smart they are and how much they love to please you , " Hillier articulate .
Like training , keep a briard ’s coating expect loyalty . Hillier advise establish a grooming procedure when briards are puppies . Their balmy , fluffy sister coats may not call for much attention , but as their coarse , grownup coat come in , regular preparation is all-important . The originally you start grooming your briard , the wanton it will be to proceed the riding habit .
Brush your briardat least once a hebdomad to remove dead hair and keep tangles . You might want to brush them more often during the fountain and fall , butoverall they do n’t shed much . More beneficial news : briardsrarely necessitate bath .
" The adult briard coating should be coarse , so with regular brush it should not need bathing often unless [ he ’s ] dirty , " Hillier says .
A good grooming procedure also includesregular nail trims , ear cleanings , and dental forethought likeat - home brushingandprofessional cleanup .
Health
briard have a lifespan of 12 years . And though Hillier notes he ’s " overall a sound breed , " there are a few common wellness stipulation to notice .
History
Briards hail from France where the stock is known asChien Berger de Brie .
Gallic granger , in motive of nimble , brave , well-informed wiener to guard their quite a little of sheep , Goat , and Bos taurus , explicate the briard in the eighth century , accord to theBriard Club of America . The click have been working as guardians in the dairy - get region of France ( and around the world ) ever since .
By the 1800s , about 1,000 years after the breed was developed , briards became wildly popular in France . The pups were even name the official dog of the French Army .
" This stock is so versatile , " Hillier says . " They were used in the first World War ; they pulled cart with first aid or ammunition . They were even messenger andiron and were really awing at finding the wounded soldier on the battlefield amongst the dead and saving so many lives . "
Thomas Jeffersonbrought the first briard to the United Statesin 1789 . He purchased the dog , named Bergere , when he was the ambassador to France and brought the fraught whelp back to Monticello . These dogs take form the foundation of the breed in the U.S.
The briard ’s good looks and genial personality have made him a longtime favorite breed in France and around the world . The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1928 .
