Introducing the Briard Dog Breed | Briard dogs
Briard is a large dog originating from Brie, France, traditionally used to herd and defend sheep. Previously, it was known as the Plain French Shepherd Dog. These dogs have double dewclaws on the hind legs which are characteristic of the breed. Absent or simple ergot is a disqualifying defect according to the breed standard.
Briards can have a wavy black, fawn or gray coat that is longer on the head and naturally parted in the middle. Briads are independent, bold, protective, intelligent and trainable dogs who are wary of strangers. This breed is also energetic and tireless, strongly discouraged for first-time owners who might be overwhelmed with their zest for life and work drive. Although the dogs are affectionate, loyal, and gentle, which has made them popular companion dogs.
History of Briard | Origin
Briards were created in the 8th century by farmers in Brie, France, to herd and defend sheep. Large, shaggy dogs that resemble Briards were depicted in ancient tapestries with the Emperor Charlemagne. This breed was also kept by Napoleon.
These dogs were used in both World Wars to transport supplies to the front lines. They also had a reputation for being the liveliest of the breeds with fine hearing, which is why they were used as guard dogs. The medical corps used Briard dogs when searching for wounded soldiers.
Apparently, this race had an incredible ability to direct corpsmen towards soldiers who had a spark of life in their bodies. The first Briard was brought to the United States in 1789 by Thomas Jefferson who brought a pregnant dog to Monticello from France where he was an ambassador. The Briards have been recognized by the AKC since 1928.
Briard lifetime
Briards have a lifespan of 10 to 12 years old.
Briard Grooming
Briard puppies should be introduced to grooming from an early age long before it is needed. Introduce them to grooming by gently brushing the coat with plenty of rewards. Make sure grooming time is a time used to bond with your pet so they can look forward to the practice. Accustom the animal to touch the ears, toes and mouth, which is also useful when cleaning the ears, cutting nails and brushing teeth. The wavy coat should be brushed several times a week using a pin brush and undercoat rake to remove dead hair and reduce shedding.
The number of baths for your pet can vary from weekly to monthly or even less depending on their lifestyle. However, frequent bathing strips the coat’s natural oils, softening the texture. As a result, the coat will tend to mat easily and will tend to pick up dirt. Use a hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner when bathing your pooch. Thoroughly clean grooming products from the coat after a bath to avoid skin irritation.
Trim nails every 3-5 weeks using a grinder or nail clipper to prevent splitting, overgrowth and splitting. Clean the ears once a week using ear cleaning solution and cotton balls to remove dirt and excess wax. Brush a Briard’s teeth at least twice a week, if not daily, to remove tartar buildup using a tasty canine toothpaste and toothbrush.
Briard Cup
Show Cut – A Briard who participates in conformation shows must have long, slightly wavy hair. At the shoulders, the length of the coat is about 6 inches or more. However, the hair on the feet is cut in a circular shape for a neater appearance. The hair between the eyes is also clipped to avoid blocking the dog’s vision.
Short cut – It’s a short hair cut for Briards who are primarily kept as pets or senior dogs who prefer to avoid the hassle of grooming. However, the coat should not be cut to a length of 1 or 2 inches as it will lose its insulating properties against extreme heat or cold.
Briard load shedding
Briards have a coat that does not shed too much. Although the undercoat is periodically shed.
Briard Hypoallergenic
Although Briards have a non-low-shedding coat, they are not considered hypoallergenic. Besides fur, dogs produce dander which contains a protein allergen that triggers an allergic reaction. The same goes for dog urine, mucus and saliva.
Briard training
Bred to guard and defend sheep independently, Briards are independent thinkers. This trait can make training a bit difficult. Parents must establish pack leadership at an early age before the dog takes on this role. Although Briards are eager to please and positive training methods are used, this breed will respond well to training. Some of the positive reinforcement methods include petting, toys, playtime, verbal praise, and treats.
When training sessions are short, upbeat, and energetic, a Briard’s natural intelligence will cause it to respond to any cues taught. This breed also learns quickly and has an excellent memory which is a plus when training. Briards are protective dogs reserved for strangers. Therefore, they need socialization training so that they can understand that not all strangers are a threat.
This training begins from the age of 7 or 8 weeks when the puppy joins you in the home and should be a lifelong process to ensure Briards mature into a well-rounded temperament and personality. To socialize a Briard, expose him to a wide variety of places like grocery store parking lots, school grounds, football games and visiting a friend’s house, surfaces, people, animals, smells , situations and sounds such as doorbells, vacuum cleaners, washing machines, sirens, whistles and lawnmowers.
Enrolling a Briard in a puppy class will also serve as a form of socialization. Teach basic command words such as sit, lie down, come, heel, drop, etc. one at a time from 2 months (8 weeks) of age. Effectively ward off Briards by creating a feeding schedule, potty training, and crate training.
Briard Personality | Temperament
- Clever.
- Bold.
- Independent.
- Protective.
- Affectionate.
- Energetic.
- Soft.
- Trainable.
- Beware of strangers.
- Eager to please.
- Loyal.
Briard exercise
They are energetic dogs with a drive to work and a zest for life that make great companions for joggers, cyclists, and hikers. Briards also need a large, fenced yard where they can run around freely. Chasing after a tennis ball thrown by the parent will help burn off excess energy.
Height of Briard
Female Briards have a height of 22 to 25.5 inches (about 56 to 65 cm) while Briard males have a height of 23 to 27 inches (about 58 to 69 cm).
Briard weight
Adult Briards have a weight of 55 to 100 pounds (about 25 to 45 cm).
Briard size
Briards are large dogs with a weight of 55 to 100 pounds (about 25 to 45 cm) and a height of 22 to 27cm (about 56 to 69 cm).
Briard’s health issues
The Briard is a healthy dog with a lifespan of 10 to 12 years, but it can suffer from certain health problems such as hip dysplasia, gastric torsion, ear infections, hypothyroidism, cancer, Von Willebrand’s disease, elbow dysplasia and eye problems such as progressive dysplasia. retinal atrophy and congenital stationary night blindness.
Other dog breeds include:
bearded collie.
Welsh Terrier.
Briard names
Briard parents may decide to get a name for the pet before it joins them at home or a few days after the dog has settled down to better understand a particular dog’s personality. Owners can take inspiration from the breed’s French heritage, wavy coat, celebrity Briards, movies, food, songs, books, nature, and historical figures.
No matter where the name comes from, make sure it won’t cause embarrassment when said out loud. Briards and other dog breeds better understand names that have vowels. Avoid giving your pooch a name that rhymes with command words to avoid confusion. Some of the names Briard parents give their pets include:
- Tyler.
- Edison.
- Benjamin.
- Asher.
- Charlotte.
- Miller.
- Miley.
- Miss.
- Horrible.
- Anne, etc.
Briard cuisine | Dog food
Briards should be fed foods formulated for large animals and appropriate for their age, i.e. puppies, adults and seniors. The amount of food dogs eat depends on their metabolism, activity level, body build and size.
Briards are also prone to gastric torsion, the swelling of the stump. Therefore, they should not feed one large meal a day, exercise vigorously one hour before or after eating, nor should they drink large amounts of water after eating.
This breed will thrive on homemade food, raw food, or commercial dry or wet food. However, a parent should ensure that the dog has access to clean water at all times. Some Briards can be sensitive to overfeeding. Check weight level, treats given as training aids and calorie consumption.
Briard Black | White | Colors
A Briard can have a uniform color of black, various shades of fawn, and various shades of gray. However, a white coat color is not allowed.
Briard ears | cropped ears
Briards have high set ears that are firm at the base with thick leather. The ears are always erect and covered with hair. The cropped ears should be straight and parallel (emphasizing the parallel lines of the head).
Price Dog Briard | Cost Of Briard Puppies | Price
The price of Briard puppies in the United States varies between $1200 to $3000.
Does Briards Hangar
Yes. However, the coat falls to low to no levels throughout the year. Briards also shed their undercoat periodically.
Are Briards hypoallergenic
No. Although Briads have a low shedding coat, they are not considered hypoallergenic. This is because they also produce dander that contains a protein allergen that triggers an allergic reaction. Besides dander, urine, mucus, and saliva also aggravate allergies.
How much do Briard puppies cost
The average cost of Briard puppies in the United States ranges from $1200 to $3000.
Briard in a nutshell
- Briards have a long, thick, hard coat similar to that of a goat.
- History credits Thomas Jefferson and Marquis De Lafayette with introducing the breed to the United States.
- Briards are often described as “heart-wrapped in fur” due to the breed’s love, loyalty, and spirit.
