INTRODUCTION

The Brie Sheepdog belongs to one of the oldest French dog breeds and is first mentioned in 1809, so like all European dogs, it has a long history.

THE ORIGIN OF THE BRIE SHEPHERD DOG

It is believed to have originated around the year 1000, and that Charlemagne was already breeding ‘Bergers de Brie’. It spread throughout France from Brie, although the animal probably did not originate there, with little change over the centuries, until it was publicly presented at the Paris dog show in 1863, when it increased in popularity, largely due to the improvement in the animal's appearance achieved by crosses with the Beauceron and the Barbet, after the Paris dog show of 1863.

This former sheep guardian and shepherd has also been used by the French Navy as a sentry, messenger and in searching for wounded soldiers because of its fine sense of hearing and its sixth sense by which it gave priority to the most seriously wounded.1 They were used in the First World War until they were close to extinction. The breed is still used as a guardian and herder of flocks, as well as a companion animal.

Today the Brie Sheepdog population is slowly recovering. The breed is believed to be related to the Berger Picard.

THE STANDARD OF THE BRIE SHEEPDOG

GENERAL APPEARANCE: The Briard is hardy, lithe, muscular and well proportioned, cheerful and alert.

IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS: The Briard is of medium build. The length of the body from the point of the shoulders to the point of the ischium should be slightly longer than the height at the withers. The head is long: 2/5 of the height at the withers. The width of the skull is slightly less than ½ of the length of the head. Skull and muzzle are of equal length.

CRANIAL REGION:

SKULL: Strong, slightly rounded when viewed in profile.

STOP: Pronounced, situated at equal distance from the occipital crest and the tip of the nose.

FACIAL REGION:

NECK: Strong. Nostrils wide open. Nose always black except in blue dogs which have a blue or bluish nose.

Muzzle: The end of the muzzle is rather square. Muzzle strong, sufficiently broad and never pointed.

NECK: Rectilinear.

LIPS: Lips tightly fitting.

JAWS / TEETH: Jaws strong, white teeth. Scissor bite.

EYES: Oval. Horizontal, wide open, rather large and dark in colour. Lighter coloured eyes are permitted in blue dogs.

EARS: Set on high but not close to the head and rather short in natural state. The length of the natural ear cartilage should be equal to or slightly less than half the length of the head. The ears are always flat and covered with long hair. If cropped, in countries where this practice is permitted, they should be carried erect, never divergent or convergent.

NECK: Muscular and set off from the shoulders.

BODY

UPPER LINE: The back is straight. The loin is short and firm.

Croup: Slightly sloping, slightly rounded.

CHEST: Broad and long, deep and well let down to the elbows. Ribs well sprung.

TAIL: Natural, low set, should reach at least to the hock joint, without deviation, forming a slight ‘J’ hook. In movement the tail should be carried as an extension of the topline.

LIMBS: Well muscled with strong, straight bones.

FOREQUARTERS:

Shoulders: Oblique, well angulated, moderately long, close to the ribcage.

ELBOWS: In line with the body.

FOREARMS: Straight and muscular.

Pasterns: Slightly sloping when viewed in profile.

HANDS: Strong, round and well in line with the body. Nails always black (except in blues) and thick pads. Fingers well closed and arched.

HINDQUARTERS:

THIGH: Muscled.

HIP JOINT: Not too low and well angulated.

METATARSE: Perfectly vertical when viewed from behind.

FEET: Strong, round. Nails always black (except in blue) and pads thick. Toes well closed.

Dewclaws: By tradition, shepherds wish to keep the double dewclaw. The dewclaws form toes, well separated and with nails, relatively close to the foot.

GAIT / MOVEMENT: Regular, agile, harmonious, so as to enable the dog to cover the ground and to perform his work with a minimum of effort and fatigue. The Briard should have a long trot with good reach and good drive from the hindquarters.

COAT

HAIR: Texture of goat's coat, dry, soft, long with a slight undercoat.

COLOUR: Black, fawn, fawn with a black coat (slight to medium), often with grey or blue mask. A warm fawn coat may show a lighter colour at the tips and on the sloping areas of the body (fawn marked with sand colour). Black, grey and blue coats may also show lighter areas. All colours may show varying degrees of grey.

SIZE:

• Males: 62 cm - 68 cm at withers.
• Bitches: 56 cm - 64 cm at withers.
  
  

FAULTS: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

SERIOUS FAULTS:

• Severe faults in conformation.
• In general coat colour too light.
• Coat: Insufficient length (less than 7 cm), soft or woolly coat.
• woolly.
  
  

DISQUALIFYING FAULTS:

• Aggressiveness or extreme shyness.
• Any dog showing clear signs of physical or behavioural abnormalities.
• Non-existent stop.
• Nose of any colour other than black or blue, presence of pink (depigmented areas).
• Overshot or undershot with loss of contact of incisors, absence of 2 lower PM4 or absence of 3 or more teeth whatever they are. (Except for PM1).
• Eyes too light (yellow), sullen.
• Ears folded inwards, set on too low, below eye level, covered with short hair, naturally erect.
• Tail curled upwards or carried vertically.
• Single dewclaw or total absence of dewclaws on the hind legs.
• Colour white, brown or mahogany, coat of two different colours, white spot, white hairs on the extremities of the limbs, fawn forming coat.
• Size outside the limit specified in the standard with a tolerance of + 2 cm or - 1 cm.
• Fraudulent modification of the dog or evidence of such practices by the use of substances or surgery.
  
  

N.B.:

• Male dogs should have two apparently normal appearing testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
• Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation, should be used for breeding.
  
  

THE HEALTH OF THE BRIE SHEEPDOG

The Brie Shepherd Dog is a robust dog with no major health problems, but may suffer from:

• HIP DYSPLASIA: D ysplasia is a congenital, hereditary, degenerative and multifactorial bone disease, i.e. it can be caused by multiple factors. For it to appear there must be a genetic predisposition to which other factors can be added, such as poor diet, rapid growth, excessive exercise during growth, growth on slippery ground, obesity, old age and the wear and tear it causes..... Studies are currently underway to determine the genetic predisposition of individuals, however, for the moment the tests are based on the development or not of this disease and not its genetic predisposition.
  Hip dysplasia consists of the malformation of the hip acetabulum and the femoral head, causing the femur and pelvis to not fit together correctly and causing pain and even lameness in the animal.
  
  

• ELBOW DYSPLASIA: Elbow dysplasia consists in the incongruence between the three bones that make up the elbow joint, humerus, ulna and radius, producing collisions and friction that trigger joint alterations causing pain and even lameness in the animal.
  
  

• PROGRESSIVE RETINA ATROPHIA (PRA): In the retina there are two types of photoreceptor neurons: rods (located more in the periphery of the retina) and cones (located closer to the centre). These photoreceptors gradually deteriorate so that the retina is no longer able to capture light and, as it is unable to send information to the brain, the animal gradually stops seeing. On many occasions, it is difficult to detect and the owner does not realise until the disease is very advanced.
  It is a hereditary disease that affects both eyes equally, some breeds are more predisposed than others, but it can affect any breed and animal.

In terms of diet, healthy fats, omega 3 and fish are excellent choices for skin and coat care. The Brie Shepherd Dog should be groomed every four to six weeks.

THE PERSONALITY OF THE BRIE SHEEPDOG

Protective by nature, Briards are tough, attentive and courageous dogs, and can be slightly aggressive towards other dogs if not properly controlled. They will accept the presence of other pets in the home if properly introduced. They love home and being part of the family and are often wary of strangers. They are active dogs who love to play, but play can get out of hand very quickly, so care should be taken with them if there are small children in the house.

CONCLUSION

The Brie Shepherd is a well-balanced dog, calm and very affectionate with its owners. The smallest of the house will be able to use it in all their games and the adults will be able to enjoy its company in all their outings and excursions. It is a dog that adapts easily to all situations and is distrustful of strangers, although not aggressive.