BRIARD
APPEARANCE
The Briard is a strong, powerful dog bred for herding. The head is fairly long with moderate width, and the skull and muzzle are both rectangular in shape. Eyes are large, level, and set far apart. They are either dark brown or black in color depending on the color of the coat. The muzzle has a mustache and beard and should be considered somewhat wide and end in a right angle. The Briard weighs in at around 55-100 pounds, and the height of these dogs is around 22-27 inches.
PERSONALITY
Gentle, loving, and devoted, the Briard is a dog that has great personality and is very independent. They are said to be a dog of heart with a light spirit and who become very loyal to their owners and families. The Briard is a very intelligent dog with a lively and spirited disposition, but can also be serious and calm when he wants to be. The Briard is sensitive and obedient, but definitely have a mind of its own.
TRAINING
The BriardS are highly intelligent dogs and therefore learn quickly and are capable of understanding and remembering a large vocabulary of commands.They require a firm owner that is able to take charge. If this breed is not raised properly they can be extremely unfriendly, fearful, or both. They will not respond to severe, unfair, or heavy-handed training. raining must be done with consistency, firmness, patience, and love. They excel at search and rescue, police training, and protection work.
EXERCISE
They require daily exercise and will become restless without it. They love to run and play and are excellent dogs for the active person. They are very happy to run along side a bike or go jogging. They also love to swim and would make excellent dogs for people who spend lots of time near water. They are moderately active indoors and do best with an average sized yard. This breed needs a great deal of activity, entertainment, and interaction.
SOCIALIZATION
Socialization should start an early age and should consist of meeting all different kinds of people and going to several different types of places. If living in a home with children they are very loving and gentle when raised together. This is the same for other animals. When it comes to strangers, the Briard can be stand offish and reserved.
LIVING CONDITIONS
They will do okay in an apartment if they are sufficiently exercised. They are moderately active indoors and do best with an average sized yard. He is quiet in the house and adapts quickly to its emotional climate. Although he has the physique necessary for an outdoor life, the Briard is, at heart, a house dog.
GROOMING
Because the Briard’s coat is long and shaggy, it will need regular brushing with a coarse-bristled brush and strong detangling comb. The Briard should also be bathed on a regular basis. Bathing about once a month is acceptable. Bathing more frequently than that can cause skin irritation and dryness. The ears should be kept clean and free of dirt and mites, and nails should be trimmed as needed. You may also need to trim the hair that grows between the toes.
HEALTH ISSUES
The Briard has a life expectancy of around 10-12 years. Health problems in the breed include canine hip dysplasia, gastric torsion, progressive retinal atrophy and heart problems.
HISTORY
The Briard originates from the Brie region in France, and his ancestry dates back over one thousand years. They were originally bred to herd as well as guard flocks of sheep. The Briard was registered with the AKC in 1928.
