Briard
About Briard
Looking for a devoted, intelligent companion with a heart of gold? Meet the Briard! This large, shaggy herding breed stands out with its luxurious, flowing coat and soulful eyes.
Briards are fantastic family dogs, especially suited for homes with children, as they are gentle yet protective, although they might be a bit cautious around unfamiliar faces. With an energy level that thrives on 60 to 90 minutes of daily exercise, they enjoy long walks, playful fetch sessions, and mental challenges to keep their agile minds sharp. Their stunning coat does require regular attention, with weekly brushing using a slicker brush to keep tangles at bay and maintain their beautiful appearance.
Training a Briard is a joy when approached with consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement, as they are eager to please and quick learners. Keep an eye on their hip health and watch for signs of bloat, but overall, they tend to be robust, living between 10 to 12 years. If you're ready for a loyal, energetic friend who will stick by your side through thick and thin, the Briard might just be your perfect match!
Interesting Facts
The Briard breed was originally bred in France for herding and protecting sheep. The Emperor Charlemagne, as well as Napoleon, are both said to have had Briards.
Interestingly, Briards possess double dewclaws on their hind legs. These extra toes give them a firm grip and allow them to be quite agile on rough terrains.
Uniquely, the Briard has the ability to remember tasks after only being shown once. This breed has a "photographic memory" when it comes to tasks, which was incredibly useful in their herding duties.
The Briard is known to have a strong protective instinct and was used in both World Wars as a sentinel, messenger, and to search for wounded soldiers due to their excellent hearing ability.
The 1971 Disney movie "The Biscuit Eater" featured a Briard dog named 'Missy', who was the mother of 'Morose,' the movie's star hound. This helped increase the popularity of this versatile breed in the United States.
Thomas Jefferson imported Briards from France to herd sheep at Monticello, helping introduce the ancient French breed to America in the late 1700s.
Breed standards require two dewclaws on each rear leg, giving Briards extra traction and stability on rough terrain while herding or climbing.
During World War I, Briards served the French army as sentries, messengers, and medics, locating wounded soldiers by sound and scent under fire.
Their long, wavy, weatherproof coat once protected shepherds' dogs from brambles and sun; the heavy fall over the eyes acts like a visor.
Nicknamed a heart wrapped in fur, Briards are spirited, aloof guardians with a fluid, ground-covering gait prized in boundary-style herding work.
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