GENERAL APPEARANCE
Shoulder height: 56-68cm (23”-27”).
Colour: Black, slate grey or fawn, with or without a mask.
Coat: Hard, dry andshaggy and at least 7cm (3”).
Gait: Supple and agile - the fore and hindlegs should move straight with strong hind propulsion.
A rugged powerful looking long haired working dog, with the distinctive characteristic of double dewclaws on the inside of the rear pasterns (a feature also found on the Pyrenean Mountain Dog and sometimes on the Tibetan Mastiff). The large, dark and round eyes are set midway in the strong broad head. The high set ears are pendant, except in those countries which permit cropping, where they are erect. The muscular arched neck runs into a body slightly longer than the shoulder height and finishes with a low carried plumed tail.
CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE
A gay lively intelligent dog who combines excellent working characteristics with strong guarding and protective instincts. Being affectionate they make excellent playmates for children. If the Briards’ natural desire to please is to be developed to its full potential, firm sensible training is far more successful than strict harsh treatment. Regular grooming with a pin brush that reaches right through to the undercoat is necessary to keep the dog free from knots.
HISTORY
Tapestries as far back as the 8th century have recorded the existence of the Briard and it is from the French province of Brie, that they get their name.
They are believed to have evolved from either a remote cross between the Beauceron and the ancient Water Spaniel or with a blending from Italian Sheepdogs. In the days when poachers and wolves were a problem, these dogs became invaluable to the local inhabitants. Later they were used to herd sheep and cattle and in more recent times, they have been used to serve mankind in war and assist with police work.