Size, Proportions
Size--males 23 to 27 inches at the withers; bitches 22 to 25½
inches at the withers.
Disqualification--all dogs or bitches
under the minimum.
Proportions--the Briard is not cobby in build.
In males the length of the body, measured from the point of the shoulder
to the point of the buttock, is equal to or slightly more than his
height at the withers. The female may be a little longer.
Head
The head of a Briard always gives the impression of length, having
sufficient width without being cumbersome. The correct length of a good
head, measured from the occiput to the tip of the nose, is about forty
(40%) percent of the height of the dog at the withers. There is no
objection to a slightly longer head, especially if the animal tends to a
longer body line. Viewed from above, from the front or in profile, the
fully-coated silhouette gives the impression of two rectangular forms,
equal in length but differing in height and width, blending together
rather abruptly. The larger rectangle is the skull and the other forms
the muzzle. The head joins the neck in a right angle and is held proudly
alert. The head is sculptured in clean lines, without jowls or excess
flesh on the sides, or under the eyes or temples.
Expression--the
gaze is frank, questioning and confident.
Eyes--the eyes set well
apart with the inner corners and outer corners on the same level. Large,
well opened and calm, they must never be narrow or slanted. The color
must be black or black-brown with very dark pigmentation of the rim of
the eyelids, whatever the color of the coat.
Disqualification--yellow
eyes or spotted eyes.
Ears--the ears should be attached high,
have thick leather and be firm at the base. Low-set ears cause the head
to appear to be too arched. The length of the natural ear should be
equal to or slightly less than one-half the length of the head, always
straight and covered with long hair. The natural ear must not lie flat
against the head and, when alert, the ears are lifted slightly, giving a
square look to the top of the skull. The ears when cropped should be
carried upright and parallel, emphasizing the parallel lines of the
head; when alert, they should face forward, well open with long hair
falling over the opening. The cropped ear should be long, broad at the
base, tapering gradually to a rounded tip.
Skull--the width of
the head, as measured across the skull, is slightly less than the length
of the skull from the occiput to the stop. Although not clearly visible
on the fully-coated head, the occiput is prominent and the forehead is
very slightly rounded.
Muzzle--the muzzle with mustache and beard
is somewhat wide and terminates in a right angle. The muzzle must not be
narrow or pointed.
Planes--the topline of the muzzle is parallel
to the topline of the skull, and the junction of the two forms a
well-marked stop, which is midway between the occiput and the tip of the
nose, and on a level with the eyes.
Nose--square rather than
round, always black with nostrils well opened.
Disqualification--any
color other than black.
Lips--the lips are of medium thickness,
firm of line and fitted neatly, without folds or flews at the corners.
The lips are black.
Bite, Teeth--strong, white and adapting
perfectly in a scissors bite.
Neck, Topline and Body
Neck--strong and well constructed. The neck is in the shape of a
truncated cone, clearing the shoulders well. It is strongly muscled and
has good length.
Topline--the Briard is constructed with a very
slight incline, downward from the prominent withers to the back which is
straight, to the broad loin and the croup which is slightly inclined.
The croup is well muscled and slightly sloped to give a well-rounded
finish. The topline is strong, never swayed nor roached.
Body--the
chest is broad and deep with moderately curved ribs, egg-shaped in form,
the ribs not too rounded. The breastbone is moderately advanced in
front, descending smoothly to the level of the elbows and shaped to give
good depth to the chest. The abdomen is moderately drawn up but still
presents good volume.
Tail--uncut, well feathered, forming a
crook at the extremity, carried low and not deviating to the right or to
the left. In repose, the bone of the tail descends to the point of the
hock, terminating in the crook, similar in shape to the printed "J" when
viewed from the dog's right side. In action, the tail is raised in a
harmonious curve, never going above the level of the back, except for
the terminal crook.
Disqualification--tail non-existent or cut.
Forequarters
Shoulder blades are long and sloping forming a 45-degree angle with the
horizontal, firmly attached by strong muscles and blending smoothly with
the withers.
Legs the legs are powerfully muscled with strong
bone. The forelegs are vertical when viewed from the side except the
pasterns are very slightly inclined. Viewed from the front or rear, the
legs are straight and parallel to the median line of the body, never
turned inward or outward. The distance between the front legs is equal
to the distance between the rear legs. The construction of the legs is
of utmost importance, determining the dog's ability to work and his
resistance to fatigue.
Dewclaws--dewclaws on the forelegs may or
may not be removed.
Feet--strong and rounded, being slightly oval
in shape. The feet travel straight forward in the line of movement. The
toes are strong, well arched and compact. The pads are well developed,
compact and elastic, covered with strong tissue. The nails are always
black and hard.
Hindquarters
The hindquarters are powerful, providing flexible, almost tireless
movement. The pelvis slopes at a 30-degree angle from the horizontal and
forms a right angle with the upper leg bone.
Legs viewed from the
side, the legs are well angulated with the metatarsus slightly inclined,
the hock making an angle of 135 degrees.
Dewclaws two dewclaws
are required on each rear leg, placed low on the leg, giving a wide base
to the foot. Occasionally the nail may break off completely. The dog
shall not be penalized for the missing nail so long as the digit itself
is present. Ideally the dewclaws form additional functioning toes.
Disqualification --anything less than two dewclaws on each rear leg.
Feet--if the rear toes turn out very slightly when the hocks and
metatarsus are parallel, then the position of the feet is correct.
Coat
The outer coat is coarse, hard and dry (making a dry rasping sound
between the fingers). It lies down flat, falling naturally in long,
slightly waving locks, having the sheen of good health. On the shoulders
the length of the hair is generally six inches or more. The undercoat is
fine and tight on all the body. The head is well covered with hair which
lies down, forming a natural part in the center. The eyebrows do not lie
flat but, instead, arch up and out in a curve that lightly veils the
eyes. The hair is never so abundant that it masks the form of the head
or completely covers the eyes.
Color
All uniform colors are permitted except white. The colors are black,
various shades of gray and various shades of tawny. The deeper shades of
each color are preferred. Combinations of two of these colors are
permitted, provided there are no marked spots and the transition from
one color to another takes place gradually and symmetrically. The only
permissible white: white hairs scattered throughout the coat and/or a
white spot on the chest not to exceed one inch in diameter at the root
of the hair.
Disqualification white coat, spotted coat, white
spot on chest exceeding one inch in diameter.
Gait
The well-constructed Briard is a marvel of supple power. His movement
has been described as "quicksilver", permitting him to make abrupt
turns, springing starts and sudden stops required of the sheepherding
dog. His gait is supple and light, almost like that of a large feline.
The gait gives the impression that the dog glides along without touching
the ground. Strong, flexible movement is essential to the sheepdog. He
is above all a trotter, single-tracking, occasionally galloping and he
frequently needs to change his speed to accomplish his work. His
conformation is harmoniously balanced and strong to sustain him in the
long day's work. Dogs with clumsy or inelegant gait must be penalized.
Temperament
He is a dog of heart, with spirit and initiative, wise and fearless with
no trace of timidity. Intelligent, easily trained, faithful, gentle, and
obedient, the Briard possesses an excellent memory and an ardent desire
to please his master. He retains a high degree of his ancestral instinct
to guard home and master. Although he is reserved with strangers, he is
loving and loyal to those he knows. Some will display a certain
independence.
Disqualifications
All dogs or bitches under the minimum size limits.
Yellow eyes or spotted eyes.
Nose any color other than black.
Tail non-existent or cut.
Less than two dewclaws on each rear leg.
White coat.
Spotted coat.
White spot on chest exceeding one inch in diameter.
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