Early History

Briards have a long and fascinating history going back at least 1200 years. The earliest postitive records of Briards come from 8th centery tapestries showing the Emperor Charlemagne (742 - 814 AD) with large Briard-type dogs lying at his feet. He is reputed to have hiven pairs of theses sheepdogs as gifts to his friends.

The earliest mention of Briards by name was discovered by M. Verlinde a noted French breeder of the early 1900's He found reference to the 'Chen' is the old French spelling of 'chien' meaning dog).

Over the next few centuries there were several descriptions of the physical attributes and work required of a 'Chien Berger'. ["Berger" is French for shepherd, so Chien berger is literally "shepherd's dog"] They were required to be big and strong enough to defend the flock against wolves, and to defend the household against intruders (faarms were often very remote). They were also expected to be capable of hurting wild boar as well as doubling up as bird dogs which required a keen sense of smell. All this in addiction to their usual work of hearding the sheep.