Briard dog

History of origin

The first information about this shaggy French Shepherd dates back to the XNUMXth century. Initially, such dogs were common in the province of Brie, from which they got their name (in their homeland they are called “berge-de-bri” or “chien-de-bri”, that is, a sheepdog or a dog from Brie). Since ancient times, Briards have been herding sheep and goats, helping farmers, and today they are much more famous and more popular all over the world than other French Shepherds – Beauceron, Picardy and Pyrenean Mountain Dog.

There is a beautiful legend about how in 1371 a Briard found the murderer of his master, a certain Sir Aubrey de Montdidier. After the dog tracked down the criminal, it was decided to hold a duel between a man and a dog. The dog won, and the killer pleaded guilty. In honor of this event, a stone bas-relief with a portrait of a dog, in which it is easy to identify a shaggy sheepdog, was installed in the Modidier church.

The official recognition of the breed came at the end of the XNUMXth century, after Abbé Rognier, in his treatise on agriculture, enthusiastically described the working qualities and intelligence of the shepherd dogs from Bree.

In 1924, the first club of briard lovers appeared in France, it became fashionable to start them not as shepherds, but as pets. However, they did not become pampered, and during the Second World War they worked hard, delivering cartridges to the front line and taking away the wounded from the battlefield.

Briards are still quite popular all over the world today. These dogs are happily adopted as family friends. In our country, they, unfortunately, are still few in number.

Breed description

Large, strong, but at the same time mobile and flexible dog. The head is massive, the forehead is rounded, the muzzle is never sharp and narrow, the nose is black and large. The eyes are usually hidden under a long bang, but through it they always look fervently and attentively. Hanging ears (previously they were docked, making them erect, but now it is prohibited in many countries, but in our country it is simply not necessary). The tail is long, carried down, but the tip is always curved. On the hind legs are double dewclaws. The coat is equally long throughout the body, which is why it seems constantly tousled, on the head it forms a long bang falling over the eyes, as well as a mustache and beard. Only solid colors are allowed (preference is given to darker ones), lightening and / or darkening are allowed, but of the same tone. Separate white hair is not considered a vice, but white spots are already a serious drawback.

Photos

Character

Briard is a true Frenchman: charming, open, cheerful, but at the same time ambitious, and sometimes even authoritarian. In a word, Napoleon and Casanova rolled into one. More precisely, the muzzle. He masterfully masters the art of charm – no one can resist a touching look from under shaggy hair. His funny appearance is unlikely to leave anyone indifferent, the Briard knows how to find a common language with everyone and … start to manipulate. These dogs are excellent psychologists and masterfully select the key to the soul of each person, and now he himself does not understand when and how he began to dance to the tune of this shaggy dog.

Briards are also born empaths. They not only know how to subtly feel the mood of the owner, but also begin to mirror it. You are sad – the dog is also sad, have fun – and he happily wags his tail, quarrel with loved ones – nervous barking will echo the scandal.

If you have a Briard at home, it’s best not to try to get someone else – they are very jealous dogs. Your shaggy friend will sincerely believe that he is no longer loved, and very worried about this. He will do everything so that you forget about the new pet and once again belong to him alone.

Care and maintenance

Briards were bred to constantly live on the street and run many kilometers a day for flocks of sheep, so they are quite hardy and unpretentious. Unless the frosts do not in any way encourage these natives of warm France to live all year round in a yard booth. In an apartment or in a house, they will feel much better. Especially on the condition that they will walk a lot with them. But they tolerate the heat well, only for this the dog should not be cut – without its long hair it can get overheated.

By the way, wool is perhaps the only difficulty in this breed. So that a beautiful dog coat does not turn into dreadlocks and tangles, it will have to be combed out as often as possible, because Briards themselves practically do not shed. Also, after each walk, especially if there is slush on the street, they will have to be washed, so it is better to accustom the dog to the soul from childhood.

Education and training

The Briard is a very intelligent and independent dog, so be prepared for the fact that you will have to make an effort to achieve recognition of your own authority. These shepherds are historically accustomed to the fact that they work almost autonomously, without the participation of the owner, so blind obedience disgusts them. Briard will first consider your command, draw conclusions, and only then decide whether to execute it or not. At the same time, he remembers the commands themselves very easily, literally from the second time.

Briar is a vulnerable creature, so do not even think about the rigidity in your behavior. It is worth raising your voice to him once, and the dog will become depressed and will be offended by you for a long time. Patience, calmness and perseverance are the anchor points of your relationship with the Briard.

And education itself must begin the sooner the better.

Health and disease

Briards do not have any specific breed diseases, except for the genetic tendency to volvulus. Of course, not every dog ​​will suffer from this disease, but it still happens. Also among hereditary diseases (as in other breeds) may be retinal atrophy, hip dysplasia, cancer. Being a heat-loving breed, the Briard can catch a cold, so do not keep him outside in winter.

Be sure to treat your shaggy friend for fleas and especially ticks – ectoparasites stick to his long shaggy coat very easily.

Word to the breeder

Anna Dymkova from the city of Kimry, cynologist, breeder of the kennel “Amiras Platinum” says:

– Behind the thick bangs of the briar are very intelligent and devoted eyes. Glamorous French appearance is deceptive. These dogs are quite capable of serious work and have not yet squandered their herding instinct. Although in his free time he is not averse to fooling around and making the owner laugh with cunning tricks.

I believe that this breed is suitable for active and extraordinary people. The Briard is a very energetic dog and will get bored without training and work. Grooming also takes a lot of time.

Popular questions and answers

We talked about the content of briars with zoo engineer, veterinarian Anastasia Kalinina: