Briard Dog Breed Story at Dog Grooming!
Briard Dog Breed Story at Dog Grooming! The Briard, also known as the Berger de Brie, is a huge French shepherd dog that has traditionally been employed for both herding and defending sheep. Sans Gêne, the first Briard to be recorded in the Livre des Origines Françaises, the national studbook, in 1885, was the first Briard to be displayed at the inaugural Paris dog show in 1863. It was also known as the Chien de Berger Français de Plaine in the past.
Although the swift and courageous Briard is noted for its obvious attractive looks, it is their intelligence and wonderful personality that have made them such a popular breed. Briards have a long and illustrious history, first emerging in popular culture in the 14th century (and supposedly being a favourite of Napoleon, who wasn’t renowned for his fondness for dogs to begin with). Briards make up for their lack of sleek coifs with their pleasant demeanour, warm spirit, and herding skill. Continue reading to learn everything there is to know about these special dogs, including how to care for your own Briard.
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Characteristics:
The coat is long (no less than 7 cm), thick, and rough, similar to a goat’s; it can be pure black, grey, blue, or fawn, or fawn layered with black; greying is visible to varying degrees. Dogs are 62–68 cm tall at the withers, whereas bitches are 56–64 cm tall. The breed’s double dewclaw on the hind legs is a unique feature; the breed standard lists a single or missing dewclaw as a disqualifying flaw.
Briard History:
Briards are one of the oldest dog breeds still in existence. Briards, who were originally developed to herd and guard sheep in Northern France’s dairy region, have unique and indisputable French roots, including their name, Chien Berger de Brie, or “Shepherd Dog Brie.” (Brie is one of the numerous popular cheeses found in the dairy belt of France.)
The Briard’s intelligence and athleticism were admired and cherished by the French, who saw them as a “two-in-one” dog capable of both herding sheep and guarding them from predators (and protecting local vegetation from the sheep). The Briard was a fixture on French farms for a long time, and with good cause. Aside from the aforementioned characteristics, the breed is also exceedingly kind, making them as amenable to human affection as they are merciless in the fields.
Briards were also extremely valuable during the French and Indian War, where they were utilised to transport supplies, protect entry points, and seek for wounded troops, in addition to their herding duties. Briards were declared the official dog breed of the French army for their valiant deeds.
The Briard was first introduced to the United States by none other than Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States. Jefferson bought a pregnant Briard named Bergère and transported her to Monticello, his Virginia estate, in the late 1780s, previous to his presidency and following a service as the United States Ambassador to France.
Bergère had her puppies there, and the first line of Briards had officially arrived in America. Over time, Jefferson received more Briards from his friend (and Revolutionary War hero) Marquis de Lafayette, who was a Briard lover himself.
Briards are well-established in American culture today, however they haven’t forgotten their herding roots, as indicated by their great trainability and protective instincts.
How to Care Briard:
Briards enjoy having a task to do, which should come as no surprise. In a typical family household, properly caring for a Briard entails channelling their energy both physically and cognitively, a task that may be accomplished through high-intensity activities like bicycling and hiking, as well as cerebral games like nosework and hide-and-seek. Briards like curling up on the couch with their people, but they also require daily walks and other exercises.
Because a Briard’s long fur is prone to tangles and matting, it’s critical for Briard carers to keep a tight grooming regimen. This involves many brushings every week, as well as routine oral hygiene such as tooth brushing, ear cleaning, and nail trimming. Briards, on the other hand, are light shedders, and while they aren’t hypoallergenic, they do leave a lot less fur than you’d think from such a massive breed.
When it comes to training, this intelligent breed is always eager to pick up new tricks and talents. However, because they’re more than capable of thinking for themselves and aren’t always going to prioritise a human’s demands, their intelligence can often work against them in training. However, once a Briard masters a new talent, he or she is almost certain to excel at it. This is true for everything from dog sports to service jobs.
Health Issues:
Although Briards are generally healthy dogs, there are a few health issues to be aware of. Health certifications for your Briard puppy will be provided by a responsible breeder, including those from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. The following conditions will be examined:
• Hip Dysplasia
• Elbow Dysplasia
• Van Willebrand’s Disease
• Hypothyroidism
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Keep an eye out for symptoms of disorders that are more frequent in large breed dogs, such as stomach torsion (bloat) and joint problems. Your puppy’s ancestry should have been examined for hereditary illnesses including cancer and congenital stationary night blindness by your breeder.
Nutrition and Diet:
Feed a high-quality, high-protein meal to your Briard that is tailored to their age, weight, and any health issues they may have. Because Briards require a lot of movement, you may give them treats in addition to meals, but keep an eye on their weight and modify their daily calorie intake as needed. Consult your veterinarian if you have any queries regarding the optimal diet for a Briard.