About Briards
The Briard is an ancient herding dog
dating
back to the days of the Romans in 600AD. They were brought to North America by the Marquis de
Lafayette as gifts to his friend Thomas Jefferson. He later imported several others to tend his flocks at Monticello. The look of this breed has remained remarkably unchanged thru the centuries.
The character of the Briard has long been of major importance to the breeds longevity. Herding dogs have a tendency to be wary of strangers and have been bred to think independently to make decisions
concerning their charges. However, they should show neither fear nor aggression. Early socialization of a puppy is essential to offset any
potential behavior problems. Inadequate socialization can result in a timid dog or a fear biter. The way a puppy is raised and trained will influence it's behavior. Briards are protective.
As young dogs this tendency should be 
discouraged, as they are not skilled enough to make good decisions and can overreact and become aggressive. Young Briards must get out to as many places as possible
to prevent this.
This is why Briards are not for everyone. Normally they do not make a good choice
for a first time dog owner. Briards are smart and strong willed, and require people who are equally matched to them. If you are willing to do your foundation work, you will be rewarded with the most
loyal companion you have ever had. The ideal coat of the Briard is a weather protective double coat that is long and harsh, making a dry rasping sound when rubbed between the fingers. It falls with
a slight wave from a natural part along the back. Regular, weekly grooming is required to
keep the coat free from mats and debris. Although
the Briard has an undercoat, shedding is minimal, but they do shed! The puppy coat is softer and more dense, tending to mat quicker than a correct adult coat. The adolescent
Briard coat can be a trial fro the most experienced groomer. The loss of pupp
y coat while in transition to adult coat requires almost daily brushing. This transition can take six months to a year to
complete. Keep in mind the end result is worth it. Many modern breeders partake in a French tradition when registering Briard puppies. Each year dogs are named with a certain letter of the
alphabet, excluding K, Q, W, X, Y, and Z. The method simplifies determining the age of the dog: You need only identify the year it
was registered according to it's name.