This dog is sometimes referred to as “a heart wrapped in fur”. The Briard is a big, lovable dog that can be quickly recognized by its long shaggy coat. Surprisingly, despite their overwhelming amount of hair, these pups don’t shed a lot. That being said, you will need to groom your Briard daily to prevent their fur from tangling and causing them discomfort.
The Briard originated in France and can be dated back to the 8th century! This dog was originally bred as a herding and guard dog. They were known to be able to protect their territory, even sometimes fighting off very large predators. The breed is quite large itself, typically weighing between 70-100 pounds. This dog has been well known in France for a very long time and has even been linked to Napoleon. They were considered to be the official breed of the French army and played a very important role in WW1. Their purpose was mainly to act as a messenger or to use their strength for carrying heavy equipment.
The Briard does not typically behave warmly toward strangers, however, they form extremely tight-knit bonds with their family. The two of these traits combined make them quite the natural guard dog. It is important to familiarize them with people outside of the family at an early age so that they don’t become overly protective. This large dog can be extremely intimidating if they feel like their territory is being threatened.
This breed makes a wonderful companion dog and loves being with its family. These are highly intelligent dogs and training usually comes very easily to them. This is the perfect breed for a family that wants a loving but not overly dependent dog. They will not follow you into every room like many other dogs, however, you can be sure that they will be there for you when you need them most.
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