Briard

The origins of the Beauceron Shepherd are unknown; however, it is generally estimated that it would be the result of a cross between the Barbet and the Beauceron. A breed long overlooked by its small number of individuals, the mention of 'Brie dog' did not appear until 1863, at a dog show in Paris. Uncertain: Charlemagne would have owned one according to certain archives. The description made by Gaston Phoebus in his 'Book of Hunting' written between 1387 and 1389 seems to confirm the presence of this breed at that time.

The Briard is known for its great sociability with children. It loves to play while retaining its herding dog instinct. This dog generally requires careful training.

This dog with long and soft hair, substantially the same size as its distant cousin the Beauceron, possesses like the latter the particularity of having a double dewclaw on each of its hind paws. Traditionally, Briards used by herders were shorn at the same time as the sheep before summer. Briards have drooping ears on the head, since May 1, 2004. Previously, their ears were surgically cut under anesthesia and were artificially erected. This made it possible to avoid recurring infections of the auditory canal. The European Convention on Pet Animals has banned this practice. French law specifies that 'all dogs born in France or abroad after May 1, 2004, and having cropped ears are prohibited at shows and exhibitions in France; they can neither be confirmed nor registered in the LOF as initial, as descendants, imports or registered in a waiting book.' The standards of the Briard are very demanding. The color of the Briard's coat must be uniform. Three shades are recognized by the breed standard: black (slate black, gray-born blacks), fawn (photo), and 'blue' (light gray from birth, very rare color). The life expectancy of the Beauceron Shepherd is ten years.