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Choosing an ideal dog breed: Briard
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Personal photo of a Briard
Today, I chose to profile the Briard, a rare variety of sheep dog, who is about as versatile as they come. These dogs can make excellent family pets, and are good candidates for police work, guard-dog duty, and search-and-rescue missions.
Briards are exceptionally intelligent; they learn very quickly and have a remarkable memory. They do require a very firm hand in training, however. As herders, they will try to display their dominance when permitted. "Puppy Kindergarten" is recommended immediately. When selecting a breeder from whom to purchase your Briard, it is wise to look for one who's already given the puppies a head start on their obedience training and socialization.
These dogs are rare due to the variety of service work they did in World War I. With as many canine casualties as human soldiers, these dogs were seriously endangered as a result. But the men returning from the war told stories of the Briards' heroism, which sparked a great deal of interest in the breed. In 1970, their population peaked, as they became a favorite among both breeders and owners. Today, they rank 109th in registration,out of approximately 135 breeds recognized by the AKC. In 1991, fewer than fifty litters were born in the U.S., making them unavailable to puppy mills and pet stores, greatly reducing the chances of abuse by irresponsible or unethical pet dealers.
These dogs are suitable for just about any home or task, assuming the owners and family members are consistent, and every member asserts an "alpha role". The expectations of this breed today, as a house pet, vary a great degree from those of a farmer centuries ago, who left his dog alone on a hill side to protect the herd and ward off predators.
Briards are described as faithful, gentle and obedient, as well as powerful, agile and vigorously alert. They don't often bark, but instead use their bodies to "push" potential predators. And, incredibly, they have been known to defend their charges against adversaries such as wolves, and many other dangerous threats. Since they are herders by instinct, they do well in an unfenced environment, respecting the boundaries established by their master.
They are very eager to please, and are among the loyalist of breeds. While training can seem rigorous, it is effective. Grooming can also be time consuming. Their long, lush coats must be brushed for about two hours per week for an adult, and more often for an adolescent. When properly groomed, Briards shed very little, but when grooming is neglected, their hair can easily become very matted and require clipping.
These dogs have a history of longevity, often living as long as 14 years. The most common and serious health risk for this breed is "bloat" which can cause the stomach to actually twist, cutting off circulation to other organs. The best preventative for this affliction is a proper diet and regular exercise.
Briards are also marginally susceptible to hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism (a low functioning thyroid gland) and Von Willebrand disease (A canine hemophilia) which can now be screened in puppies at seven to eight weeks of age.
To me, this breed is fascinating in its versatility. I think a Briard would be a good choice for any person or family who is willing to dedicate the effort which proper training and maintenance would demand. Anyone who is very familiar with dogs; this is probably not a good choice for someone who is shopping for their first dog. Their loyalty and affection will reward your commitment ten-fold.
Thank you for reading, and if you enjoyed this article, please look for my previous installments of Choosing an ideal dog breed, examining the Great Dane, Labrador Retriever, and Golden Retriever, among many others. Thanks again for stopping by!
For more info: For more details about this intriguing breed, please visit http://www.canismajor.com/dog/briard.html.
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