Briard History
Across the Channel the Briard is known as the Berger de Brie - so called because this shaggy sheepdog comes from the same terrain as the soft cheese, or thereabouts.
The Briard, then, like many breeds of dog, gets him name from his place of origin. A more romantic (but perhaps less plausible) explanation lies in the twists and turns of a medieval tale of dogged fidelity.
The canine hero of this legend is said to have witnessed the murder of his master, Aubry de Montdidier. The dog, usually depicted as large, hairy, and distinctly Briard like, persues the culprit with such determination that a local lord of princling decrees that the pair fight a duel. The dog, naturally is the victor.
An alternative account honours the dog for saving the life of Aubry's son. Either way, it's said that this Briard type dog became known as Aubry's Dog or 'Le Chien d'Aubry' which, said at speed could easily sound like 'de Brie'.
More likely of course is that the Briard became known as the Berger De Brie simply because it was commonly found herding sheep on the plains in the Brie region near Paris. The Briard is closely related to the Beauceron - known as the Berger De Beauce in France - which comes from the same region. Indeed, the two dogs were once considered as short, and long haired versions of the same breed and were not officially recognised as distinct until 1896. History also attributes two dogs to Napoleon.
The Briard could well be the result of crosses between the Beauceron and Barbet, an old breed that is the cousin of the poodle. The Briard is certainly of good vintage, appearing in medievel tapestries and earning a written description by Gaston Phoebus, one of the most important writers on dog matters in the middle ages.
Although they look like giant teddy bears, Briards are powerful athletes and can cover up to 50 miles in a day. They were used to guard flocks from both wolves and poachers and as general guard and tracking dogs. During the First World War they were used in France to carry equipment, patrol the front lines, and locate injured soldiers. Briards have since been used as police dogs and guide dogs for the blind.
Although the Briards ancestors were a recognisable type, the breed was not formally described until 1809, when Abbe Rozier showed a long haired dog called a Berger de Brie for the first time. A Briard went on to win best in show at the first ever dog show in Paris 1863.
Changes to agricultural practices in the rural regions around Paris mean that the Briards services are no longer in demand in its native lands. Nonetheless, the Briard is still warmly regarded across France and has a fan base far beyond Brie.