Sometimes all you want in a pet is a strong yet loyal spirited dog and the briard is one of the dog breeds with these qualities. With its thickly bushy coat that falls right on to the face giving it a peek-a-boo facial look and fancy beards leaving everyone with a subtle yearning to have it wag its hairy tail all over the house. So, what are the other areas to take to heart when having a briard for keeps? Discover more about our Briard puppies for sale below!
History
Named after the dairy food making community of Brie in northern France, briards were originally bred to protect and guard sheep flock, it served in many herding situations because of its ability to understand and learn commands thereby performing every task.
They were also used as farm dogs and allowed to graze the crowded farm valleys to make strips for the sheep to pass through the farm without feasting on the crops. This they successfully did by going two-dogs-in-row to keep the sheep from straying off and at night, they kept a keen watch on the herds protecting them from wolves and other farm enemies.
In 1865, briards got introduced into the dog show and during the first world war, they played major roles in finding wounded soldiers and towing supply carts to the soldiers. The dog found its way into the United States through Thomas Jefferson, having purchased home a pregnant briard at the end of his diplomatic service in France.
Temperament
Briards are very intelligent dogs, they are brave, smart, and devoted to their owners. If you are looking for a serious-minded dog without a humorous attitude, you can trust this breed as it will hardly respond to games when it doesn’t feel the need for games.
They are stubborn like most breeds and find it hard to tolerate other dogs, animals and strangers they perceive as a threat. But if properly handled and exposed to early socialization, they can cope well with other animals and people. The briards are very fearless and protective, the many reasons French farmers employed them as sheep-guards and they are faithful dogs too.
Briards can be emotionally affected with soft punishment, they are also a little uncomfortable with frequent visits from strangers but a wonderful companion they remain to their owners.
Environment
Briards are social dogs, they love having their family members and animals around, being left alone is what the briards doesn’t tolerate. They are not an apartment kind of dogs because originally they stayed close to herd stalls, so confining them a whole day in an apartment may not be a good idea.
But a house, yes and a large backyard for it to move about as it likes. Another care to take in breeding the briards is to ensure the leash is used because it loves to wander unless you have trained it to be sensitive to the “home time” command. Sometimes, even with a well-fenced area, it is still necessary to use the briards leash.
Exercise
Briards are easy to train dogs, they take commands and instructions swiftly. Like most dog breeds, briards crave for engagement most of its time, a daily assignment of a task will fulfill its exercise needs and going on hiking, jogging or cycling with it will certainly gladden its harmless heart a great deal.
Also useful is having a large fenced area at home for your dog to run around, chase birds and balls and play fetch are the numerous ways to entertain it at home. Remember, a regular dose of exercise is what your dog needs to remain mentally sound and vibrant.
Grooming
A dog with such a thick coat will need a lot of fur brushing to keep it looking great the whole time. For Briards, regular combing and brushing of the hair down to the skin with a pin brush and an undercoat rake to remove the dead hair and minimize shedding is part of a good grooming practice.
For bathing, briards bathing routine is based on the kind of work it does, it varies from weekly to monthly bath routine. The inside of its ears needs to be checked and clean from time to time to prevent wax buildup as well as keeping tabs against excess hair around the ears and the feet-pads.
Our Briard puppies for sale come from either USDA licensed commercial breeders or hobby breeders with no more than 5 breeding mothers. USDA licensed commercial breeders account for less than 20% of all breeders in the country.
The unregulated breeders who are selling outside of the USDA regulations and without a license are what we consider to be “Puppy Mills.” We are committed to offering Briard puppies who will grow up to become important members of your family. We only purchase puppies from the very best sources, and we stand behind every puppy we sell.
Contact us today to learn more about the availability of our Briard puppies for sale. We look forward to helping you find your next family member. Our pet counselors can answer any questions you have about our Briard puppies.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Briard
Are Briards children-friendly?
Yes! They love playing with children but care must be given when around small kids.
Do Briards require a lot of grooming?
Yes! Briards are thick-coated dogs and regular grooming is a healthy dog lifestyle to prevent matting and other hygiene issues.
Do Briards shed a lot?
Not really, once the undercoat sheds it hangs on the coat awaiting grooming, unlike some breeds that will litter the couch and everywhere with its fur.
Is it a giant schnauzer?
No! It is not anything like that.
Can Briards coat be shaved?
Most owners do shave them when they find the grooming a little daunting but others just love to retain its natural looks and tend to them as the need arises.
How much exercise do Briards need?
Regular daily walking or jogging is all they need as they are not hyperactive breeds like most dogs.
Are Briards easy to train?
Briards are very intelligent dogs and they respond to commands easily, all you should be concerned with is having the training early and consistently.
Are Briards friendly with other animals?
Briards are territorial dogs and are fine with small animals but some do not, so the best deal is to inquire about its genealogy from the breeder before getting yourself one.
What health challenges are Briards prone to?
Briards are susceptible to hip dysplasia, thyroid issues and some more.
What about the estimated lifespan of a Briard?
It can live up to 10 to 12 years with great care.
So, you see having an intelligent dog is an intelligent idea, after all, you agree?