Briard

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History/Origin
The Briard got its name from either a person who supposedly owned one, or from Brie in France, although the canine seems to not have been from the region. Though its origin is quite unclear, history has visibly put the Briard in its pages; famous people like Charlemagne, Thomas Jefferson, Lafayette, and Napoleon all chose the Briard as their companion dog. However, this breed became really famous only after 1863 because of improvements in the animal's appearance by cross-breeding with Beaucerons and Barbets.

It is also known that the French military relied heavily on this prime sheep dog as sentry and messenger. This canine was the choice during the war because it can locate wounded soldiers, thanks to its well-developed hearing.

Description
The Briard is known as a large and strong sheep dog. Its long coat, which understandably needs care, is slightly wavy and very dry. The dog also has an elegant and dense undercoat. The head hair forms the mustache, beard, and eyebrows. Coat color is either all black or with white hairs scattered throughout the coat.

Maintenance should be observed and applied to its appearance, so that the Briard keeps its elegant, but agile gait. Because of its thick coat and large size, it is important that this breed, like most French shepherds, has double dew claws set low on each of its hind legs. Its ears should be typically clipped to make the bushy facial hair cascade through the entire coat. Proper care should also be provided on its long, square-shaped muzzle, and tiny hook, which is found at its tail's tip.

Temperament
Today, the Briard can be considered a sheep dog, or a well-loved companion dog. This canine breed is still suited to help in search and rescue operations and in police and military work.

The Briard dog is tame, but has a powerful protective instinct, making for a very good and alert watchdog. They are obedient, playful, and sensitive. This dog is used to being with humans, so expect the canine to be loyal and gentle, but brave at the same time.

Despite the dog's intelligence, the Briard is not a dog for everyone, so firm handling and strong leadership are still required. But people may be surprised to see that it could be a challenge to raise this breed. The dog could be stubborn and nervous, or extremely unfriendly, if not properly cultured. The dog is also aloof with other people and sometimes views strangers and other dogs with aggression and suspicion. Thus, the dog should be trained early to handle people and also children, because this animal breed hates being teased.