The Brie Shepherd, also known as the Briard, is a very striking dog due to its long and beautiful coat. He is also notable for his protective and loyal temperament. That is why he was and continues to be highly valued in his country of origin.
Keep reading this page on our site to find out everything about the characteristics, character or he alth of the Brie shepherd.
Origin of the Brie Shepherd
This is the oldest of the four breeds of French Sheepdogs, along with the Beauceron, the Picardy Sheepdog and the Sheepdog of the Pyrenees (either the long-haired variety or the short-faced variety). It is thought that it already existed in the 8th century, due to some paintings of the time in which dogs similar to the Brie shepherd appear.
For centuries they were used to herd and herd flocks and were known as French Lowland Sheepdogs. The term "Brie Sheepdog" was coined for the breed in 1809 and is the name by which it is known today.
This versatile breed was also used by the French army during the two world wars, where it proved to be more than just a sheepdog. Although today it does not enjoy much popularity throughout the world, the Brie is a well-known and appreciated dog in its country.
Characteristics of the Brie Shepherd
The Brie shepherd has a rustic and muscular body, slightly longer than it is tall. The back is straight and the croup is slightly sloping. The chest is long, wide and deep. The legs are strong and muscular, as befits any shepherd dog.
The Brie Herdsman's head is strong and long and covered with abundant long hair that forms a beard, whiskers and eyebrows. The nose is black, except in blue dogs where it is bluish. The eyes of the Brie shepherd are oval, arranged horizontally and dark in color, although lighter eyes are accepted in blue specimens. The ears are set high, short and flat.
The Brie's tail is long and when the dog is at rest, the end of the tail forms a "J" shaped hook. When the dog is active, it carries its tail up as an extension of the top line.
The hair of the Briard is characteristic of the breed and according to the standard it has the texture of goat hair. The coat of these dogs is long, dry and soft and has a slight undercoat. It can be black color, fawn, fawn with a black coat and sometimes with a gray or blue mask.
The height at the withers is from 55 to 68 centimeters for males and from 56 to 64 centimeters for females. The ideal weight is not indicated in the breed standard, but these animals usually weigh around 35 kilograms.
Brieder Character
These dogs are loyal and protective of their own. They tend to be territorial and their strong herding instincts come out easily. Briards are active, intelligent and independent animals.
Because of their tendency to be protective and territorial dogs, Brie must be socialized from an early ageOtherwise, they tend to become aggressive dogs with people and with other dogs. However, when they have been properly socialized, they can tolerate strangers. With their family, however, they tend to be very loving and loyal.
Brie Shepherds can be excellent dogs for people who live in houses with large gardens or in rural areas, who enjoy physical activity and who have previous experience with other dogs. They are not suitable for sedentary people, with little time or without previous experience with dogs. A dog of this size should never be left alone with small children.
Care of the Brie Shepherd
The Briard's coat requires more care than that of other dog breeds. It is necessary to brush and comb the dog at least two or three times a week so that the hair does not get tangled. The hairstyle is for the outer layer of long hair. Brushing is to prevent the inner layer of hair from becoming entangled. Also, it is good to take the dog to the dog groomer once every two or three months The bath can be more frequent than in other breeds, but not more than once once per month When the coat is well cared for, these dogs do not shed much.
Brie Shepherds also need plenty of exercise and companionship. Although they are independent dogs, they have been selected for their ability to carry out intense work in the company of shepherds and flocks. Therefore, they are not suitable for families who spend all day outside. If these dogs are left alone for long periods they can develop destructive and aggressive behavior.
Because of their size and need for energy, these dogs are not suitable for apartment living. They can adapt to life in the city, but they live better in rural areas, with families that give them lots of space and company.
Brieder Education
Because of their great intelligence and memory, they can excel at training dogs for different speci alties. However, does not tolerate punishment well and so it is best to avoid traditional training that employs punishment tools such as spiked collars. It is best to train these dogs using some positive style of training, such as clicker training.
Well socialized and in the right environment, Briards don't usually cause problems. However, they exhibit instinctive behavior that can be problematic, especially with children. These dogs tend to "lead their herd" in any circumstance and may try to herd people into one place, especially children. To accomplish this, they may nip at the heels of children and adults jogging or running past. This behavior cannot be eliminated with any type of training because it has genetic bases, but it can be redirected towards the sport of herding.
Brieger He alth
Despite being a breed selected for intense work, the Briard has a predisposition to certain dog diseases. The most frequent are hip dysplasia and gastric torsion. Less frequently it also has a tendency to develop night blindness, progressive retinal atrophy andHeart problems.
In addition to games and daily walks, it is good for these dogs to do some dog sports. Ideally, it will be herding, but they can also do schutzhund, agility, canine freestyle, and pretty much any sport that mentally and physically challenges the dog.
