Learn More About Berger de Brie (Briard)

Summary

The Berger de Brie, more commonly known as the Briard, is a medium to large dog breed. As a member of FCI Group 1, they are classic herding dogs, characterized by an extraordinary willingness to work and strong territorial behavior. Their bodies are strong and well proportioned, with long, muscular legs and broad, deep chests. A distinctive feature of the Briard is its long, wavy coat that covers the entire body. The eyes are often covered by the hair, which gives the dog a particularly charming look. Despite the long coat, the Briard's physique is clearly visible: strong and athletic. Briards do not differentiate between performance and show lines. Most breeders attach great importance to ensuring that the breed meets both the physical and mental requirements of a herding dog.

Character

Briards are intelligent, confident and loyal dogs with strong protective and herding instincts. They have a natural inclination to guard their family and territory, making them good guard dogs. Despite their size and strength, they are very gentle and kind, especially towards her family. Due to their heritage as herding dogs, Briards are very active and require both physical and mental exercise. They love having tasks to do and feel happiest when they can work or play. Long walks, hikes, dog sports such as agility or obedience are ideal for this breed. Briards are known for their intelligence and ability to learn. They are very attentive and can quickly learn new commands and tricks. Their independence can sometimes be interpreted as stubbornness, but with patience and positive reinforcement they can be trained very well. These dogs tend to be very people-oriented and enjoy being part of family activities. They are friendly and get along well with children. They also tend to be friendly with other dogs and pets, especially if they are used to it from a young age. Although Briards form strong bonds with their family, they can learn to remain alone as long as they are well trained and their needs are met. It is important to note that as herding dogs, they can have strong hunting and prey catching behavior. Therefore, it is important to socialize them well from the start and teach them how to control their instincts. The Briard's temperament can vary from calm to active, depending on the dog's individual personality and training level. A well-trained and exercised Briard is usually a calm and balanced dog who enjoys active moments as well as being able to lie relaxed at the side of his family.

What to Expect

Briards are alert, territorial, but also hunting-motivated dogs. They also have a lot to do. They are often described as independent with a tendency to be aggressive. They are versatile and should be trained consistently.

Care

The Briard is an active and intelligent dog that needs a lot of activity and exercise. Therefore, he is not necessarily suitable as a pure city dog ​​unless he receives enough exercise and mental stimulation. Briards are very child-friendly and can be easily kept in families with children as long as the children respect the dog and treat it properly. As for other pets, Briards that are socialized early tend to live well with cats and other animals. However, it is always important to begin any new animal relationship with supervision and to ensure that all parties are comfortable.

Training & Education

Briards are intelligent dogs that enjoy working and learning new things. Therefore, training is usually a joy. They love tasks and are naturally good at retrieving and searching for objects. Their herding dog heritage also makes them well-suited to canine sports such as agility, obedience and flyball. It is important to be consistent from the start and to give your Briard clear rules. He should learn that he is not the boss in the house. A loving but firm hand is the key to success. Because Briards are very intelligent, they may try to outsmart their owners. Patience and consistency are required here. Briards are very active dogs that require a lot of mental and physical exercise. However, they are also very affectionate and people-oriented, so you should be careful not to overwhelm them or keep them constantly in action. They also need their downtime where they can just relax and "be a dog." can. Good frustration tolerance and impulse control are important traits for a Briard to learn. These skills can help prevent problem behaviors such as excessive barking, destroying objects, or uncontrolled chasing. It is also helpful to offer the Briard alternatives to express his energy and work ethic in a positive way.

Nutrition & Grooming

Briards have an active lifestyle and therefore require a balanced and nutritious diet. High-quality dry or wet food that is rich in proteins and healthy fats can support your Briard's health and vitality. It is important to adjust feeding amounts based on your dog's age, size, weight and activity level. In terms of grooming, the Briard's long, thick coat requires a certain amount of effort. It should be brushed thoroughly at least once a week to avoid mats and skin problems. The Briard has a thick undercoat that protects it from both cold and heat. So he copes very well with the German climate. Despite their thick undercoat, Briards shed only moderately, especially during the spring and fall seasons.