this month
Dog & Puppy Search
Navigation
Popular Breeds
Briards
The Briard is a large dog measuring 22-27 inches and weighing up to 75 pounds. It is normally black gray or tawny, and has a lot of fur around the face, giving the impression of a beard, eyebrows and a moustache. These dogs are extremely agile and appear to float when they run. Briards have a strong herding nature and are kind and protective creatures. Although easy to train, this breed is not recommended for most people because caring for them can be quite time consuming. Briards can be stubborn and independent and overly cautious if not properly trained. Briards get bored easily and will not appreciate being left alone or ignored all day. Some Briards are fearful in nature and will not respond well to severe dog training methods. These dogs benefit from a loving, patient, yet firm master who is willing to donate lots of time and energy to their dog. Briards are wonderful with children if they are raised with them. Even with intense training, the Briard's herding instinct may never fully disappear and they will, from time to time, nip at people's heels in an attempt to herd them.
Briards can live quite happily in an apartment, but are more suited to an average sized home with a mid to large sized yard. At any rate, these dogs require a lot of exercise and if not allowed enough daily activity they will become moody and destructive. The coat of a Briard is generally clean - dirt and water do not stick to it. It should be brushed at least every other day and washed as needed. Check often for matted hair, which will need to be trimmed out. Clean the ears regularly and get rid of any excess hair around the pads of the feet as part of dog grooming. If properly maintained, the Briar is a light shedder.
Briards
The Briard is an old breed and has had some famous owners, like Napoleon and Thomas Jefferson. They are ancient sheepdogs and were employed by the French army to relay messages and to search for wounded soldiers. To this day, the Briard is employed on many a farm and is commonly found in family homes. This dog excels at search and rescue, herding and watch dogging. Briards are generally healthy dogs - the average lifespan is 11 years. Some bloodlines suffer from PRA, cataracts and hip dysplasia. One important dog health concern to watch for is known as stomach torsion. It is a condition which develops quickly and, if left untreated, can be fatal. Briards normally have large litters, averaging 9 puppies, but it is not out of the realm of possibility to have up to 17.
Briard Puppies
When you buy a Briard for sale or Briard puppies for sale you will know they can be nippy with children, so strict ground rules need to be set up from the beginning. At any rate, Briards should be monitored when in the company of children. These dogs are known to be fearless, so precautions should be taken that the puppy does not jump too much until it is fully grown, as this can cause damage to their delicate skeleton. Your Briard will be ready to come home with you by eight weeks of age, and will require a brief socialization period in your home. These dogs are generally quiet but can become quite loud and overexcited when startled, so try not to spook Briard puppies.






