Group: Herding

Weight: 75-100 lbs

Height: male: 23-27, female: 22-25.5 inches

Overview

Briards have been known for many centuries, but they are originally from the Brie region in France. Their ancestry goes as far back as over one thousand years. The Briard was originally bred to be a herding dog. The French Army also used this dog to be a messenger, a guard and to look for soldiers that have been wounded. Briards are still being used as herders, and they are also respected companion dogs. The Briard is very talented in areas such as search and rescue, police work, military work, herding, watch dogging and guarding.

Temperament

The Briard is a typical farm worker and they live to herd almost anything. Briards have an excellent hearing ability and they are also very kind. This breed is very protective, and therefore makes excellent watchdogs. These dogs are very receptive, funny and submissive, but they have a mind of their own. Seeing that these dogs have been working for humans for a long time, they have a very peaceful and sweet nature. The Briard is also very brave, reliable and daring. They have an excellent memory, and shows lots of initiative. The Briard is a very trainable dog.

Care

The Briard is a medium shedding dog breed. They have long, thick coats that should be combed about twice during the week. It is advised that they are combed more frequently during the shedding season.

Training

It is compulsory that the Briard receives intense socialisation and obedience training at a very young age. They need firm owners that are able to take control. Very often these dogs end up in shelters because people don't understand they can be quite a challenge to raise and to live with. If this breed is not brought up in an appropriate way, they can turn out to be particularly aloof, afraid, or even both. They will not react well to unkind, unjust, or rough training methods. These training methods will give the dogs grounds to become reserved and aggressive. Training must be done with constancy, determination, patience, and love. The Briard will do very well at search and rescue, police training, and protection work.

Health Problems

Briards do have a few health problems potential owners should be aware of. These problems include hip dysplasia, epilepsy, elbow dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy which cause a loss of vision and in some cases blindness. These dogs also have problems with stationary night blindness, lymphosarcoma and bloat.