Who here knows what a Briard is?

Question

I have looked them up on alot of sites but they never have them! I know what they are but do alot of other people. Apparetly not because most books/websites don't even have them!

Answer 1

The Briard is a large breed of dog, one of many herding breeds. The Briard has been known for some centuries. Charlemagne, Napoleon, Thomas Jefferson, and Lafayette all owned Briards. This ancient sheep guard and herder has also been used by the French Army as a sentrymessenger, and to search for wounded soldiers because of its fine sense of hearing. It became popular only after the Paris dog show of 1863 - in large part due to the improvement of the dog's looks achieved by crosses with the Beauceron and the Barbet. The Briard is named either for Aubry of Montdidier, a man who was supposed to have owned an early Briard, or for the French province of Brie, although the dog probably does not originate in that locale. The Briard still serves as a herder and flock guardian today, as well as an esteemed companion dog. Some of the Briards talents are search & rescue, police work, military work, herding, watchdogging and guarding. Experts state they are related to the Berger Picard

The Briard can be any of several different solid colors or lighter colors with darker or light ears and face. Briards stand 22 to 27 inches (58 to 69 cm) at the withers. Ear cropping has been common in the breed, although more breeders are leaving the ears in their natural state since ear cropping is becoming illegal in most European countries, including the Briard's land of origin, France. Their long coat requires an extensive amount of grooming. Interestingly enough, Briards with lighter colors in their fur are often mistaken for haystacks.

They were originally bred to herd as well as guard flocks of sheep. And they were often left to their own devices in order to accomplish their assigned tasks. This makes the Briard different from those breeds that only guard and those that only herd. The breeds that just herd are often smaller in size, agile, and swift of foot. Those breeds that just guard are usually larger and heavier.

The breed characteristics of the Briard, are of a medium sized, rugged, agile dog, having harsh coat and double dewclaws mounted low on each rear leg, resembling additional toes. Each double dew claw should have bone substance and nail, giving the appearance of a wider rear foot. Bred for centuries to herd, the additional digits on each rear foot give the Briard the ability of pivoting on one foot for quick turns and complete turn arounds, which are necessary when herding and guarding their flocks. Throughout history, the Briard has retained an appropriate balance of size and build that is required for both herding and protection of their flocks. They are not too large to tire during herding yet large enough to fend off predators such as fox and wolves.

Anything else? - look here

http://www.briard.com.au/about%20briard....

Answer 2

a breed of dog?

Answer 3

A heart wrapped in fur.

Or try www.briardworld.com they have everything you need to know about the Briard or you can take a look at Briards in NZ at www.mermadale.com.

Answer 4

briard

Pronunciation:    \brē-ˈär(d)\

Function:    noun

Etymology:    French, from Brie, district in France

Date:    circa 1929

: any of an old French breed of large long-coated sheepdogs