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You can find on the internet many websites that will inform you on the origin of the Briard, an ancient French herding dog. Maybe you already consulted those sites, if not go to the Association du Berger de Brie to learn more. To brush you a short historic, lets say that the name BERGER DE BRIE was used for the first time in 1809. Many years later, Pierre Mégnin, suggests that the Briard is probably a cross between the Barbet and the Beauceron. The first Briard standard is written in 1897, followed by a more precise version in 1908. Since then, the Briard has never ceased to develop and has evolved into the adorable, stubborn, funny, hairy beast we know now!
The Briard is a powerful but elegant dog. Males height is between 62 and 68 cm, while females are between 56 and 64 cm. The coat is tawny, black or grey, always long, dry and coarse for easy grooming. You can find a copy of the Canadian standard on the Canadian Briard Club website. The Briard can have his ears cropped or not. Each look is different and both style have their fans. Click here if you want more info regarding the ear crop.
Briards have plenty of temperament. If you're looking for a docile placid companion… look elsewhere! Briards were developed to guard and herd flocks of sheep. Therefore, this is a dog who is naturally aloof with strangers (not aggressive nor shy), suspicious of other dogs and born to protect master and property. A Briard should be educated with ''a hand of steel in a velvet glove'' as he is a sensitive pooch who doesn't tolerate to be treated harshly and unfairly. And watch out with him… he has a amazing memory. The Briard puppy needs to be socialized, socialized and socialized again. Every little effort you will invest into his socialization program will pay off a hundredfold. With family and friends, the Briard is said to be a ''pot of glue''. He is also very good with children.
Although highly energetic, the Briard is surprisingly calm in the house, even at a young age. A Briard can be taught just about anything. Life with a Briard is never dull!!
CROPPED EARS
I leave it to the new owners of my puppies to decide whether they want to have their puppy's ears cropped or not. An increasing number of people now opt for the natural look. The crop is made for cosmetic purposes only and has nothing to do with a health condition. If cleaned regularly as it should be, the natural ear is not more prone to infection than the cropped one.
I have the ears of my puppies cropped when they are 6 weeks of age. My veterinarian uses Isoflurane gas as an anaesthetic and as soon at the puppy wakes up he's ready to go about his usual activities. The surgery only lasts a short 20 minutes. When the edges of the ears are healed (approx. 1 week after surgery) I glue the ears together and they stay glued for as long as it takes to stand on their own.
It is no longer permitted to crop ears in certain countries. Canada and the United States still allow this procedure.
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