Okies, i went to discover dogs......and ive fallen in love with Briards.....

Can anyone tell me more about them, what they are like to live with n stuff (i got told allt his yesterday but i want to hear all there is abotu them!)

Em

Briard Breed Guide

I love them! I've had several at club over the years and have usually ended up using them as my demonstration dog! They and normally bold outgoing dogs who love humans. Usually quick learners, a hearthrug on 3 foot legs!

Regards, John

John! Legs with three feet??!! Aaargh!
;) :D :D

Well, what can I say about Briards. Although Saffy is my first dog I can't recommend them enough. I do not say I am any form of expert, but I can tell you first hand what living with a Briard is like. Saffy has fitted in with my three young boys (youngest was just turned 3 when we got her) and we now have two cats and to be honest is probably the most easy going dog I have ever met. They do need to be well socialised as puppys but that is probably true of most dogs and they do need quite a bit of grooming, although how much depends on exactly what the coat type is like (Saffys is very full). What I can say is that when I hear other people talking of problems they have with their dogs, I think how lucky I am with Saffy. Briards do need a firm hand though, especially when going through the teen-stage (something we learnt as we went along). Saffy loves children - even my three boys tearing around screaming at full blast does not phase her one bit. You do need to be a bit careful though if you have young children around because although in France they are known as the Nursemaid dog, they are a bit excitable and not very careful! My children did go through a stage when all their clothes were getting ripped (when she was a puppy) that they started to dislike her. That didn't last long though! I think I was very lucky with Saffy, I did get her from a very good breeder and she was already very sociable - NOTHING phased her!. She made the 5 hour journey home without a single peep. Cried twice I think the first night we had her, and then settled down.

In general, Briards are very lovable, intelligent dogs and everyone I know who owns/has owned one say that they are fantastic characters. People tend to stay loyal to the breed once they have one (and often tend to then get more than one!)

If you want to know more, please feel free to ask me or visit the British Briard Association Website, or the British Briard Club site.(sorry cant do links). If you do decide to get one, then my breeder could recommend someone to you. If you want to ask any more, feel free. I think there is one other Briard owner on the list also, who has much more experience than me - not sure if they visit that often now though!

Hope I haven't gone on too long.

Fiona and Saffy

Hi Ther if you would like more details on Briards just e-mail me at
angie@starwell.freeserve.co.uk
I live with 4 of them so will be able to give you some help

Oh, it took me so long to write that post, you beat me to it angie - you were the other person I referred to!

Fiona and Saffy

ooooooh thanks everyone..... angie, ill email you now!

Em

I've only met a couple of Briards Em but the one i meet regularly sadly has a few health problems. Ongoing terrible skin complaint (the vet is at a loss, dog is on steroids) and the owner did feel at one point the dog was going to have to be put to sleep :(

She has now discovered she has hip dysplasia too :) and she's only about 2 -3 years of age. The owner did get back to the breeder who sadly wasn't interested in her experiences :(

I have no idea how common these complaints are - hopefully not at all - and they are fab dogs, but do look into these issues before choosing a breeder :)

Lindsay

I must admit Lindsay that I once saw a Briard puppy at the same vet that I take Saffy to, but hardly recognised it as a Briard (although it was only a few months older than Saffy). I think as with any breed, but particularly with big dogs, going to a good, recommended breeder is of utmost importance.

Fiona and Saffy