How to Identify a Briard Dog

The Briard is an ancient breed of French sheepdog that many notable figures throughout history have owned--Charlemagne, Les Marquis de Lafayette, Napoleon Bonaparte and Thomas Jefferson to name a few. The Briard is named either for Aubry of Montdidier, a man who was supposed to have owned an early Briard, or for the French province of Brie, although the dog probably did not originate from that region. They rely on their strong sense of hearing to detect living creatures in the area, using it to tell if sheep have wandered away from the herd. This breed is relatively intelligent and very loyal to such a degree that they were used during World War I by the Red Cross to look for wounded soldiers on the battlefield. Here is a guide on how to identify a Briard.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Start by gauging the animal’s size and weight. It should be roughly 25 inches high at the shoulder, though the males are typically a little bigger. The breed can weigh anywhere between 65 and 90 pounds. Briard’s usually have sloped backs and rear legs sharply angled backward. They also have two dewclaws on each rear leg instead of the usual one, like all French shepherd dogs.

2. Examine the dog’s fur. The coat of a Briard is extraordinary and easily noticeable. The hair of an adult’s coat can be over 6 inches in length. It’s slightly wavy and bushy, and very coarse to the touch. The dog is usually of uniform color, a little lighter on the legs and underbelly, and a little darker on the chin and throat. The breed can be found in any solid color save white.

3. Look at the dog’s head. Its neck is abnormally long, though does not appear at all slender because of its fur. Its ears should be wide and short, though still pointed and standing at all times. They should be placed far to the sides of the skull. The eyes should be dark and small, their vision is typically not that good. The muzzle should be long and square. It will not look slender because of its thick beard and mustache of slightly darker fur. This breed is very expressive because of its thick eyebrows which it can move consciously. If the dog matches this description, then it’s a Briard.

Tips & Warnings

• The Briard is primarily a farm dog. It needs daily work to do, interaction with its family, and plenty or land to run around on. They are naturally very gentle and sweet, but if they are poorly socialized from a young age or not well trained they can become sullen and violent. They will not tolerate being mishandled so keep small children away from them. Their intelligence makes them able to understand commands and pick up new concepts quickly, but they can be very stubborn and require an experienced trainer to be compatible with an indoor environment. Basically as long as you interact with the dog extensively on a daily basis, treat it kindly, and be consistent in your responses to its behavior, you will end up with a fine pet.
• Even a well-trained Briard has a habit of herding its family, nipping at their heels either abroad or around the house. They are suspicious around strangers and have to be shown the stranger is not a threat to the family before they will accept the stranger. Because of their territorial nature they can be aggressive toward other unknown dogs, this rarely turns into anything more than a barking match though.

Resources

• Site listing reliable Briard breeders