The Briard belongs to the herding dogs. But he is more noticeable because of his appearance. The imposing figure, the long, twisted coat quickly make all eyes rest on him. And yet he is completely misjudged by most people. No wonder, because he actually has something to hide. His huge heart, which he uses completely for his family. But to find this out, you first have to get to know this dog better.
Character of the Briard
The Briard is a lovable, big buddy who does not openly display his good nature. You have to discover it, appreciate it and then this dog will lie at your feet. In this day and age, his herding ability is no longer a priority. However, in an unobtrusive, unobtrusive way, he uses these skills to look after his family.
This dog is so sensitive that he is not really comfortable without a close
without a close connection to his family. His connection with children is unique. So it is hard to believe that he initially approaches strangers with a healthy distrust. However, you can’t call the demeanour unfriendly.
He is absolutely loyal, alert, intelligent and eager to work. One does well to give him tasks so that he does not get bored. The company of other dogs can also contribute to this. He may be large, but he is nimble and agile, so playing with his four-legged friends is a great spectacle. To the delight of all the neighbours, the Briard is not a yapper, despite his potential for herding and guarding. He must have a good reason to make himself heard, such as the arrival of strangers.
Because of his intelligence and eagerness to work, it is possible for many Briards to pass their training as guard dogs with flying colours, much to the pride of their owners.
Basically, he is a very active dog who needs not only exercise but also intellectual stimulation. His barely developed hunting instinct makes it a special pleasure to explore nature with him.
The historical background of the Briard
The Briard has a second name: Berger de Brie. The area of Brie is a region in France where the famous cheese “Brie” originates from. We are dealing with a lowland region where the Briard helped herd cattle and sheep.
Its history goes back a long way, to the 14th century. Over the centuries, it appeared again and again in literature. His present name “Berger de Brie” was written down in 1809. This makes him one of the dogs with the longest documented history. It was recognised as an independent breed as early as 1896.
Early on, people discovered that he is not only suitable as a herding dog, but also does an excellent job in the areas of reporting, protection and watchdogs. He can also do a good job as a rescue dog, if one is willing to engage in the intensive training.
The colours of the Briard
The Briard belongs to the long-haired dogs. He comes in the following colours: Fawn, black, fawn overlaid with black, as well as grey and ultimately blue.
The coat is very luxuriant, it should be twisted as much as possible. According to the FCI the coat should be very dry, similar to goat coat. There is not much undercoat. Due to the abundant top coat, however, the dog will not freeze even in winter. According to the FCI, the coat should only slightly cover the eyes.
However, there are breeders who exaggerate a little on this point, so that the dog has a real curtain in front of the eyes. This not only prevents him from seeing, but can also lead to injuries of the eyes by the strands of hair.
What does the Briard need?
The Briard needs exactly three things: the attention and love of his family, a lot of exercise – preferably in nature – and intellectual stimulation. This means a sporty family that likes to spend time in nature and perhaps one or two disciplines from the field of dog sports.
Training as a guard dog, therapy dog, school dog or rescue dog can also be pursued. With the right encouragement, the Briards will do brilliantly in these disciplines.
The Briard and its health
The Briard is very robust. Care should be taken that the hair growth around the eyes / in the head area does not become excessive. Injuries to the eyes could occur. The strong hair growth is undesirable as well as the second dewclaw, which is often still present.
Two hereditary diseases may occur: Night blindness (CSNB) as well as a predisposition to defective ureters. However, dogs are only approved for breeding by the Verband if these diseases are not present.
Advantages and disadvantages of the Briard
The Briard is a loyal animal that takes the love of its family by storm. He enjoys exercise, so you can have a lot of fun with him outdoors. He should be given specific tasks so that he does not get bored. Otherwise, this dog is very easy to care for, as long as he has enough space in his everyday life. The Briard can be kept in a household with other animals of all kinds without any problems. After all, other animals can be herded too, can’t they?
When buying a Briard, you should pay attention to which breeding line it comes from. Because dogs that come from a show breeding show some peculiarities that are on the one hand not desired by the association, but are also not advantageous for the “normal” family dog. For example, the strong hair growth in the head area or similar.
The perfect person for a Briard
This person is a family person, loves nature and exercise. The perfect person for the Briard likes to take the time to encourage and challenge his dog, so he can often be found training to be a guard and watch dog, but also a therapy and school dog. The Briard will love these tasks.
The more people belong to his family, the more comfortable the Briard feels. Because more people means more love for the Briard.
Buying the Briard puppies
Since the standards for breeding Briards are strictly observed, you should only buy a Briard from a breeder registered with the breeders’ association. Between 300 and 500 puppies are born in UK every year.
However, you should contact the breeder with your interest in good time. Certainly, the Briard is not one of the most common dogs in UK. However, the fan community is very strong. It is not uncommon for several dogs of this breed to be kept in one household.
First equipment for the Briard
- Dog collar
- Dog harness
- Dog leash, in addition possibly a drag leash
- Water and food bowl, if possible easy to clean
- Dog bed / blanket for the resting place
- Long hair brush
- Undercoat brush
- Comb / lice comb
- possibly clippers for dogs (but these should only be used if you really know how to use them).
- Dog food
- possibly toys
- possibly treats
Dog food for the Briard
When it comes to food, the Briard is quite uncomplicated. You might think that with its size it needs a lot of food. But this is not the case at all. He gets by with small amounts. If you know about BARFING, you will find a grateful recipient in the Briard.
How much does a Briard cost?
The minimum price for a Briard bought from a reputable breeder is £900. There are no concrete upper limits. However, the price always depends on the breeding line and the proven health with regard to HD, ED and other hereditary diseases.
Is the Briard a family dog?
A former herding dog, the Briard is now very popular as a family dog. He is often described as “heart with lots of fur around it”. His family is like his herd. Today it is his job to herd them. However, he is very unobtrusive. Leadership ambitions are completely alien to him. Whether small or large children, the Briard is enthusiastic about his children and will defend the property loudly when they are in the garden. But even this defence is unobtrusive and rather loud than aggressive.
Can the Briard be kept in a (city) flat?
As a former herding dog, the Briard is used to adapting to the conditions. Theoretically, it would also be possible for him to get used to a spacious flat. If this is in a suburb and directly connected to a large garden, keeping him in a flat might be acceptable.
The fact is, however, that the Briard has no business in the city. He is simply too big and would get far too many incentives to herd people. Large dogs like the Briard belong minimally in the suburbs, but preferably in the countryside, where they can be kept in a spacious house and a large garden.
As they have quite a high urge to exercise, a large exercise area or access to nature should be provided to satisfy this urge. Independent exercise in the home garden is very good for them.
Conclusion
The Briard is a fantastic family dog with a great need for exercise and care. He is quite robust, so that there are hardly any hereditary diseases. All in all, as a Briard owner you will spend a lot of time outdoors and share this time with the dog.
Once you have chosen a Briard, you will find it difficult to like any other dog breed as much as this French herding dog.
FAQ
Is the Briard a family dog?
Yes, the Briard is a “running, strong-haired heart” who knows very well how to conquer a firm place in the middle of the family. Children of all ages are an object for him to be unobtrusively herded.
Is the Briard high-maintenance?
Due to the long, twisted top coat, the Briard’s coat care needs a lot of attention. However, one should not overdo it either. Always make sure that the eyes are exposed as much as possible so that the hair does not injure them.
What is the best way to exercise the Briard?
The best way to do the Briard justice is to be quite athletic yourself, jogging or cycling, so you can take your dog with you on these activities. Hikes are also on his schedule, as are agility, obedience or mantrailing. If you are confident enough to complete rescue dog or protection dog training together with your dog, you will certainly be rewarded with success.
What food is preferred for the Briard?
The Briard is extremely uncomplicated in this regard. He only needs small portions, but does not prefer any type of food.
Can the Briard be kept together with other dogs and small animals? – This is no problem at all. The Briard loves to share a home with other dogs. Small animals should be integrated into the Briard’s life early on, even if the hunting instinct is hardly pronounced. The more creatures there are, the more the Briard can herd.
Where does the Briard come from?
The origin of the Briard is in France.
How old does the Briard live?
The life expectancy of the Briard is 12 years.
How big and heavy does the Briard grow?
The weight of the Briard is between 30 and 35 kilograms.
The males have a height of 62 to 68 centimetres, measured at the withers. The bitches are considerably smaller and have a height of 54 to 60 centimetres.
How many puppies does the Briard have?
The average litter size of the Briard is between 3 and 6 puppies.
Is the Briard a hunting dog?
The Briard belongs to the herding dog group. This means that he has a great urge to bring order to the herd or his family. However, his hunting instinct is rather low. Training as a hunting dog is not on his “career path”.
