Origin: France
Origin of Name: The Briard or Berger de Brie is a French breed of large shepherd dog.
Size | Temperament | Shedding | Drooling | Monthly keeping cost | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Large | Zero High |
Negligible Hair Everywhere |
Zero Excess |
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In the dairy belt of northern France, the Briard, or Chien Berger de Brie, as the breed is known in its homeland, has been working pasture since the time of Charlemagne. The breed is named for the dairy-producing region of Brie, which is known for its gooey cheese of the same name.
French farmers, known for austerity, developed birds as two-in-one dogs: they are lambs famed for quick agility, and strict, adventurous capable of driving sheep-stealing hunters. Flocks are also protectors. Briard is a close relative of the smooth-coated Bussaron, another French pasture known for its dual shepherds and guarding ability. By the 1800s, the Briard was a cherished French institution - even Napoleon, who had a hatred for dogs, was said to be an admirer of the breed. Beard was proudly shown at the very first French Dog Show in Paris in 1865. By the time of World War I, the Briard was so much of a national character that it was named the official battle dog of the French Army, doing sentry duty, finding wounded soldiers, and pulling supply carts.
The original stories of the Briards in America feature two towering figures in the War of Independence. Thomas Jefferson recorded the story in 1789 at the end of his long tenure as US ambassador to France. Before he leaves for home, the future president acquires a pregnant brayard named Bergere (""pd. For chienne bergere with pup, 36 libre"", which he writes in his memoir book).
Burgess and his puppies proved to be fantastic shepherds and all Working Dogs in Jefferson's Virginia estate, Monticello. But, as one Monticello historian has written, ""Bergeres' employment was secondary to his role as the founder of the American branch of his family."" Indeed, Bergere and his brood, augmented by exports sent from France by Jefferson's old friend and revolutionary hero Marquis de Lafiet, are considered to be the foundations of the brayard in the United States.
Over the years, Beard owners around the world have echoed the words Jefferson wrote in praise of these remarkable dogs: ""Their extraordinary laxity makes them very valuable, able to teach almost any duty that they are capable of."" May be necessary for, and most concerned about. Performing that duty, who is the most attentive and faithful of all servants. ""
You need to start grooming your bribe puppy before he really needs grooming. Make sure that you make the grooming time a happy period. He will look ahead into the years when grooming is a necessity and can take a long time. Once using a good quality pin brush, a brayard should be brushed all over the skin several times a week. Using an undercoat rake can help reduce and shed dead hair. The number of baths a brayard has depends entirely on his lifestyle and jobs. Frequency can vary from weekly to monthly.
Brihad was restricted to being able to make executive decisions without human help. Sometimes this can make them a little difficult to train. They remain eager, though, and when training methods are positive and the sessions remain lively, energetic, and interesting, Briard's natural intelligence will put him at the top of the class. Briards learn quickly and have an excellent memory. They excel in almost any canine role or sport, from disk catching and defending to obedience and agility. Socialization should begin early and continue throughout the life.
Jupiter needs a job to be happy. Hopefully her job will be one that gives her a lot of exercise, as this is a breed that craves action. His enthusiasm for life makes him a great companion for pedestrians, cyclists and joggers. They need a large, safely dense area where they can run for free. Chasing a tennis ball thrown by its owner can help a beard to work with extra energy and at the same time loves him with human companionship.
The brayard should perform well on high-quality dog food, whether it is commercially manufactured or prepared with the supervision and approval of your veterinarian. Any diet should be appropriate for the age of the dog (puppy, adult or senior). Some dogs are at risk of being overweight, so watch your dog's calorie consumption and weight level. Treatment training can be an important aid, but giving too much can lead to obesity. Know which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. If you have any concerns about your dog's weight or diet, check with your vet. Clean, fresh water must be available at all times.
Briard is a healthy breed overall, and responsible breeders stock their stocks for health conditions such as cancer, hip dysplasia, congenital stable night blindness, cataract, corneal dystrophy, retinal folds, hypothyroidism, immune diseases, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, and kidney disease. Let's do the screen. Discuss any questions or concerns with your breeder and vet so that you can make educated decisions about your dog's health.
Recommended health tests from the National Breed Club: