Briard

by All Big Dog Breeds May 18, 2015, 9:07 PM 3.5k Views

The Briard is the perfect family dog that can be your best companion. Friendly and playful, these dogs make good house dogs and love being around people. Here's all you need to know about this dog breed:

Table of Contents

Appearance

The coat is what makes the Briard special. It has a six-inch long coat that can grow up to 12 or 18 inches and flows every time the dog moves.

This dog breed is double-coated with the outer layer having a harsh coat and the undercoat having a soft and dense coat. The undercoat will require grooming, but if not groomed, it will result in matting. The Briard is available in 3 different colors: tawny, black and dark grey.

Overall, this dog is large with the female ranging from 22 to 25 inches tall and having a weight between 50 and 70 pounds. The male dogs, on the other hand, are larger, ranging from 23 to 27 inches and weighing between 65 to 90 pounds. It is the coating that makes this breed appears larger. An oversized Briard has difficulty moving quickly, whereas an undersized Briard may not have enough energy.

The head of the Briard gives an impression of strength and is its hallmark. The ears can be either cropped or natural with the former providing an alert look and the latter providing a sweet look. The ears are copped at a young age of the pup. Using a glue, the hair on the ears is glued together and remains this way for quite some time. The tail of this dog breed is J-shaped and is feathered, which is one of its distinctive features.

The Briard has double dewclaws on the rear legs, a characteristic not found in most dogs. To verify the authenticity of the breed, you can check the dewclaws. The front legs might also have double dewclaws in some cases.

Grooming

The Briard requires a lot of grooming because of its coat. It will need to be brushed regularly and has to take a bath after 6 to 8 weeks. This dog can get dirty easily, so grooming is important.

The Briard's teeth need to be brushed at least two or three times a week. This is done to avoid the build-up of tartar. To prevent gum diseases, it is better that you brush the teeth daily. The nails also have to be trimmed at least twice a month. The ears need to be checked for redness because they can develop an infection. The cotton ball can be used for ear cleaning. To make sure the dog obeys your commands, it is important that you praise it with rewards.

Temperament

The Briard is a brave and loyal breed that has a good nature. It is loving toward its family and wants to participate in family events. Despite having a large size, this breed can be kept as a house dog. In fact, it loves to be inside the house.

This breed is protective and can be dangerous around strangers. It is a stubborn creature that has to be made obedient with positive reinforcement.

The temperament of the Briard depends entirely on its training. The dogs that are properly trained grow up to become playful pets and good companions. The temperament also depends on the genetics. While adopting, it is a good idea to meet the pup's parents and see what kind of temperament they have.

If not exposed to many people when young, the Briard can grow up to be timid. Socialization helps the puppy grow up to become a dog that gets along with people and other animals. For a good upbringing, the puppy can be enrolled in a kindergarten.

Training

It is easier to train this breed when it is young rather than when it becomes an adult. The Briard is an easily trainable breed that will find ways to please its owner. However, it requires a firm trainer.

It also requires physical and mental activity. It is fond of entertainment and will want you to play.

It is better if you start the socialization process from a young age to stop aggressive behavior. It has a friendly nature and can get along well with children if they have been socialized.

History

The history of the Briard dates back to the 8th century, and it originates from France. It is also known as Chien Berger De Brie or sheepdog of Brie. The Briard can be described as a working dog that has been popular in France as a shepherding dog. It is known to be a good fighter and was used to fight off wolves. It was also used in the First World War as a Red Cross dog and ammunition carrier. However, toward the end of the war, this breed started to deplete.

Though this breed has been in existence for quite some time, it wasn't until the 1960s that it first arrived in the UK. The first ever Briard was shown to the public in the UK in 1967. Later, the breed gained popularity and started to grow.