Briards 101

Name: Briard

Personality: Epic figures no less than Thomas Jefferson, Charlemagne and Napoleon all owned Briards, a sheep-herding breed from ancient French stock that served nobly during WWI and is often used by police and the military today. With such high privileges and responsibilities, it's no wonder that Briard.com -- a Web site with the slogan "Hearts Wrapped In Fur" -- says these dogs "do demand a certain independence and use of judgment." However, not all Briards are the same: "The Briard is always loving, but some are sweet couch potatoes, while others clearly show that they could spend all day tending a flock with little or no human direction."

Grooming: All it takes is one quick glance at a Briard to get a sense of how much fur there is for the Briard owner to keep up with. In addition to being long and shaggy, "the Briard's coat is coarse and strong, similar to a goat's coat," says Dog Breed Info Center. Although the site recommends allotting two hours per week to combing and brushing (more if you've been "remiss"), it does note that one nice perk of the Briard coat is that "dirt and water do not readily cling to it." As with many floppy-eared dogs, make sure those ears stay clean to prevent infections.

Common Health Issues: If you've got a purebred Briard who comes from a good line, you've probably got a pretty healthy dog on your hands; otherwise, some hand-me-down conditions include cataracts and dysplasia. Dog Breed Info Center recommends monitoring your Briard for bloat, which tends to strike in larger dogs and can quickly become fatal if not detected early.


Training Tips: As with any breed, harsh punishment for poor training is absolutely not recommended with Briards. However, get used to saying one word over and over when training your intelligent Briard: "No!" Says Briard.com, "Briards are smart, sometimes manipulative, often dominant, can be stubborn, and are very inventive. An owner who tries to negotiate with a Briard usually loses. You must be able to recognize when 'No' is appropriate, and be effective in conveying that to the Briard."

Best Owner/Animal Match:: Briard.com describes the breed firmly as "a house dog" who "insists on being with their people," so potential owners must enjoy having them constantly close by. "Also, "they love to lay in doorways, in front of the stove or sink, and right by the bed, ready to be stepped on." Combine the Briard's love of close quarters with its shaggy coat and you start to see why Briard.com dubs them "Velcro dogs."

What Briard Owners Say: "Sweet and goofy," says Paw Nation Facebook friend Kathryn Armstrong of Lehigh Valley, Pa., "but don't be fooled into thinking they are dumb. They're just playing with you!"

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