Mary Allen
The Berger de Brie, better known as the Briard, is a spirited herding dog from France. In the profile, you get information about the history, the character, and the keeping of the active dog breed.
History of the Briard
The Briard is an ancient breed of dog from the French lowlands. The ancestors are the Barbet and the Picard as well as the farm dogs of the local farmers. The dog’s job at that time was to guard herds of sheep and cattle. The first records of similar herding dogs can be found as early as 1387. In 1785, the naturalist Comte de Buffon documented a long-haired and mostly black herding dog. He called it “Chien de Brie”.
The term “Berger de Brie” was first used in 1809. A few years later, in 1896, the dog breed was finally officially recognized. The versatile dog served as a guard and messenger dog during the world wars. To this day he works as a police and rescue dog. However, good-natured dogs are mainly found as family dogs. They belong to FCI Group 1 “Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs” in Section 1 “Shepherd Dogs”.
Essence and Character
The Briard is an affectionate and intelligent family dog. He is patient, fond of children, and has a strong protective instinct. When playing and romping, however, he can quickly become overconfident. As a former herding dog, he loveably makes sure that his human pack stays together. The spirited dogs are therefore reluctant to be alone.
So it is advisable to practice the temporary separation for a few hours early. The friendly dogs are also adaptable and can go anywhere with the right training. They tend to be suspicious of strangers, but friendly. The good-natured dogs get along well with other dogs and other pets. They don’t have a strong hunting instinct, preferring to focus on their family.
The Appearance of the Briard
The Briard is a muscular and elegant dog with harmonious proportions. His entire body is covered with long and dry hair. The most common color variants are black, grey, fawn, and fawn. The individual hairs at the tips are often colored a little lighter.
Characteristics are a pronounced chin beard and mustache as well as bushy eyebrows. The fairly short ears hang straight down and the sickle-shaped tail hangs low. A special feature of the Berger de Brie is the double dewclaws, which are also known as wolf claws.
Education of the Puppy
It is relevant to direct the dog’s energy in the right direction from a young age. The most important aspects of training a Briard puppy are consistency and sensitivity. The dogs don’t deal well with aggression and violence and you destroy their trust in you. However, thanks to their extraordinary eagerness to learn, the dogs are easy to train with the help of positive reinforcement.
Once they have learned a task, the dogs do not forget it so quickly and carry it out carefully and persistently. So be careful what you teach your dog! Behaviors that have been learned are difficult to get rid of. Visiting a puppy school is mandatory, as the dog can train its social behavior here and get to know other dogs. With the right training, the French herding dog is a reliable and lovable companion in any situation.
Activities with the Briard
Long walks and exciting games are the order of the day with the Briard. He loves to spend his time in nature and is enthusiastic about many sporting activities. The adaptable dog is therefore a great companion when hiking, jogging, or cycling. He is persistent and also needs mental exercise in the form of intelligence games. Participation in dog sports such as agility or dog frisbee is definitely recommended for clever dogs. The dear family dog is also happy to participate in catch or search games. The lovable dogs are suitable with the appropriate training as therapy or rescue dogs.
Health and Care
The Briard’s long coat requires regular grooming. You should help the dog and remove the undercoat, especially during the change of coat. If not cared for, the fur becomes matted and starts to smell unpleasant. Be sure to carefully comb the fur on the paws, behind the ears, and on the chest. If your hair is long enough to cover your eyes, you should cut it off or tie it up.
You should only bathe the dog in exceptional cases. In terms of health, the herding dogs are rather robust. However, you should make sure that they do not have to climb too many stairs like a puppy. The dogs are physically mature at ten to twelve months. In order to give it a long and healthy life, the dog needs healthy dog food with high meat content.
Is the Briard Right for Me?
If you want to get a Briard, you should first ask yourself whether you have enough time for the dog. A full-time job and an active and affectionate dog don’t mix well. It is best if you are active in sports and can easily integrate the dog into your daily life. Experience with dogs is also beneficial if you want to get a handle on the bundle of energy. In addition, the space requirements of the large dog should not be underestimated. Ideally, you live in a large house with a garden and direct access to nature.