How to Groom a Briard

The Briard is a herding dog of French origin. They are very useful to farmers or people who need to herd large numbers of animals. They have very strong judgment skills and high intelligence. Their herding instinct makes them fiercely loyal and protective of people they knows and suspicious of those they don't. Briards require a weekly general grooming and a full grooming every 8 to 10 weeks. Read on to learn more.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Spray-on detangler
• Slicker and pin brushes
• Mat splitter
• Natural bristle brush
• Scissors

1. Use spray-on detangling products on the dog's coat before a bath. Briards' hair tends form many mats.

2. Brush and comb the dog thoroughly before the bath using a pin brush, steel comb and a mat splitter, if needed.

3. Bathe your Briard.

4. Fluff dry the dog thoroughly after the bath.

5. Comb the hair out once again using a natural bristle brush to get the coat back in shape and remove any remaining tangles.

6. Wipe your dog's eyes clean with a wet cloth. Hair and other matter often collects in the corners of their eyes. Eye stain remover can be used to get rid of tear stains.

7. Keep the insides of the ears clean. Get rid of stray or extra hair on the pads of the feet using scissors and in the ears using scissors or clippers. Be very careful when clipping the dog's ears and feet. Your dog may be restless and it's a good idea to have someone help you hold him still to avoid injury to yourself or your dog.

Tips & Warnings

• An alternate name for this dog is Chien Berger de Brie.
• Thomas Jefferson imported Briards into the United States in 1789. Not until 1922, however, did the American Kennel club first register the Briard as a legitimate breed.
• If you don't want to put the dog in show or have a full coated Briard, you can always clip your Briard's hair shorter.
• This breed has a double coat: the top coat wiry and dry and the undercoat being very soft. If you neglect proper coat care, the coat can easily mat and tangle. Use a mat rake and pin brush often to get rid of shed hair and knots. Dirt and water don't naturally cling to this coat and your dog won't shed much if you groom her regularly.
• You can use a modern high velocity dryer to get rid of extra water after a bath.
• Briards aren't violent dogs, but their size and energy could lead to the injury of a small child or an unsuspecting adult.