Herding Group

Lapland is a region north of the Arctic Circle that takes in parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and northwestern Russia. It is named for the Sami, or Lapp, people, who have sparsely inhabited the region for several thousand years.
In ancient times, the Sami developed a profusely coated spitz-type dog (the “Lapps’ dog,” or Lapphund) used for hunting reindeer over expanses of barren tundra. Sami history is often obscure, but a few centuries ago they shifted from hunter-gathering to full-scale nomadism. The Sami became reindeer herders, moving large herds in search of pasture land.

One authority tells us, “The Sami lived in tents or turf huts and migrated with their herds in units of five or six families, supplementing their diet along the way by hunting and fishing.” As Sami society evolved, the Lapphund evolved with it. Like their masters, they went from hunting reindeer to herding them, while retaining their duties as hunting dogs, guarders, and close companions to their humans. (Lapphunds are among the Arctic breeds that spent thousands of years huddled together for warmth with their humans and other dogs on ferociously cold nights. This is one way of explaining the innate sociability of these dogs.)

Unlike the adorable cartoon characters who pull Santa’s sleigh every December, actual reindeer are stubborn, cantankerous beasts whose antlers can do serious damage. Controlling reindeer requires dogs of great courage, quickness, and intelligence, qualities that still define the Lapphund.

Reindeer herding was the bedrock of Sami society until very recently. Lapland is still home to several hundred thousand reindeer, and though modernity has encroached upon traditional reindeer territory, it is still possible to see the Finnish Lapphund, and its sister breed, the Swedish Lapphund, moving herds across the vast frozen north.

Health

Finnish Lapphunds are generally healthy dogs, but there are a few conditions the breed is prone to. Two of these are elbow and hip dysplasia, both of which can be detected with X-rays. Also present in some Lappies is progressive retinal atrophy, which causes vision loss. Responsible breeders check their breeding stock for conditions that can affect the breed. As with all breeds, a Lappy’s ears should be checked regularly for signs of infection, and the teeth should be brushed often.

In the dairy belt of northern France, the Briard, or Chien Berger de Brie as the breed is known in his homeland, has been working pastures since the time of Charlemagne. The breed is named for the dairy-producing region of Brie, best known for the gooey cheese of the same name.

French farmers, known for frugality, developed Briards as two-in-one dogs: They are sheepherders famed for quicksilver agility, and are also tough, courageous flock guardians capable of running off sheep-steeling predators. The Briard is a close relative of the smooth-coated Beauceron, another French pasture breed known for its dual herding and guarding ability. By the 1800s, the Briard was a cherished French institution—even Napoleon, who had an aversion to dogs, was said to be a fan of the breed. The Briard was proudly exhibited at the very first French dog show, at Paris in 1865. By the time of World War I, the Briard was so much a part of the national character that it was named the official war dog of the French army, doing sentry duty, finding wounded soldiers, and pulling supply carts.

Origin stories of Briards in America feature two towering figures in the War of Independence. Thomas Jefferson enters the story in 1789, at the end of his long tenure as America’s ambassador to France. Before he departed for home, the future President acquired a pregnant Briard named Bergère (“pd. for a chienne bergere big with pup, 36 libre,” he wrote in his memorandum book).

Bergère and her pups proved to be magnificent herders and all-around working dogs at Jefferson’s Virginia estate, Monticello. But, as a Monticello historian wrote, “Bergère’s employment was secondary to her role as founder of the American branch of her family.” Indeed, Bergère and her brood, augmented by exports sent from France by Jefferson’s old friend and Revolutionary hero the Marquis de Lafayette, are thought to be the Briard’s foundation in the United States.

In the many years since, Briard owners worldwide have echoed the words Jefferson wrote in praise of these remarkable dogs: “Their extraordinary sagacity renders them extremely valuable, capable of being taught almost any duty that may be required of them, and the most anxious in the performance of that duty, the most watchful and faithful of all servants.”

Quick Facts

Temperament: Smart / Confident / Faithful

Height: 23-27 inches

Weight: 55-100 pounds

Life Expectancy: 12 years

Herding Group

Health

The Briard is overall a healthy breed, and responsible breeders screen their stock for health conditions such as cancer, hip dysplasia, congenital stationary night blindness, cataracts, corneal dystrophy, retinal folds, hypothyroidism, immune diseases, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, and kidney disease. Discuss any questions or concerns with your breeder and veterinarian so you can make educated decisions regarding your dog’s health.

The Beauceron, also known as the Berger de Beauce or the Bas Rouge, is a French shepherd dog whose name is derived from the vast agricultural region southwest of Paris.

Since its development in the late Middle Ages, the Beauceron has played many roles: soldier, bodyguard, rescuer, competitor, companion, prankster, and peerless mover of livestock. Along the way, the breed has won hearts on both sides of the Atlantic, as much for its endearing personality as for its multifaceted working ability.

Beauceron and Briard are names of two groups of French shepherd dogs identified in the 19th century. A dog show held at the 1863 Universal Exposition in Paris featured dogs recognizable as Beaucerons: upright ears, black with rust markings, and a wolflike build. Unlike the modern type, they had a narrower muzzle and a rougher coat.

Leading authorities convened in 1896 to classify the French shepherd dogs. The name Beauceron was given to the shorter-coated dogs; the longer-haired one was called the Briard. In 1922, the French breed club, the Club des Amis Du Beauceron, was founded.

The Beauceron is a dog of great power but of great sensitivity too. It’s an upright breed who works wide of the herd or flock, unlike such herders as the Australian Shepherd, who works up close to his charges. The Beauceron approach to herding is quiet and calm; they can work into sheep without spooking them. This versatile and whip-smart breed also has a history of military and police K-9 work. They were especially useful in the trench warfare of World War I. The British War Museum houses a photo of a Beauceron leaping over a trench— a French dog used by Germans to penetrate the British line.

Along the way, the Beauceron was discovered by the dog-loving French public, among them Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette (1873–1954), known to generations of adoring readers the world over as simply Colette. She wrote that her Beauceron was “one of those rare companions who remain silent at the right time, respect our work and our sleep, howl for our own tears, and close their eyes with a bitter discretion in the face of anything—the kiss of a lover, the tender hug of a child—that deprives them of our fickle human friendship.”

Quick Facts

Temperament: Faithful / Gentle / Obedient

Height: 24-27.5 inches

Weight: 70-110 pounds

Life Expectancy: 10-12 years

Herding Group

Health

Any large or deep-chested dog may be susceptible to bloat, a sudden and life-threatening stomach condition. Beauceron owners should educate themselves on what symptoms to look for and what to do should it occur. Responsible breeders will screen their breeding stock health conditions such as hip dysplasia, heart disease, eye problems, and allergies. As with all breeds, a Beauceron’s ears should be checked regularly, and the teeth should be brushed often.

The Beauceron is a powerful, athletic, and intelligent breed that needs lots of physical and mental challenges. This is not a breed for novice owners. They need a variety of outdoor locations and types of exercise each day and are best suited to an experienced, active owner who can provide the mental and physical activity they need. Although the Beauceron was not bred to gather sheep as other shepherd breeds were, he can be trained to perform in herding events, as well as Schutzhund (protection work) and agility trials and activities such as carting, mushing, and skijoring (pulling a person who is on skis).

Training

Socialization and obedience training are a must for this breed. Beaucerons are highly intelligent, loyal, and strongly devoted to their owners, which makes training them fairly easy. They do not respond well to harsh training methods, particularly physical correction. Firm, fair, consistent training and handling are usually quite successful. They are known for exuberant behaviors such as jumping on people and grabbing people and things with their mouths; these behaviors will often be the focus of early training sessions.

Nutrition

The Beauceron should do well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian’s supervision and approval. Any diet should be appropriate to the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior). A working Beauceron can have high nutritional demands, so remember to assess your dog’s condition regularly to be sure his diet is meeting his needs. Conversely, some dogs are prone to getting overweight, so watch your dog’s calorie consumption and weight level. Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.