MyDogBreeds
Both Briard and Basset Artesien Normand are originated from France. Briard may grow 33 cm / 13 inches higher than Basset Artesien Normand. Briard may weigh 20 kg / 45 pounds more than Basset Artesien Normand. Briard may live 3 years less than Basset Artesien Normand. Briard may have more litter size than Basset Artesien Normand. Briard requires High maintenance. But Basset Artesien Normand requires Low maintenance
Through myth and legend, the Briard is thought to be a very ancient dog. A French herding breed, a Briard type of dog appears in writings as early as the end of the 14th century. According to legends the Briard was owned by Napoleon, Charlemagne, Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson. As a cross between the Barbet and the Beauceron, the Briard came into popularity following its appearance in a Paris dog show in 1863. Bred originally to guard and herd sheep, these intelligent, independent dogs were often left on their own. Because they both guarded and herded, their size and structure as well as their personalities were different from other dogs that worked sheep. Those that herded only were fast, agile and smaller. Those that only guarded were heavier, bigger and stronger. The Briard was in-between these two types of breeds. He was well suited to any kind of farm work and guarded the crops from the sheep’s desire to eat them. They moved the sheep from one grazing area to another and then to their holding area at night. No humans had to assist the Briard in this work once they were trained.
During World War 1, the Briards were drafted into service as messengers, sentries and search dogs for lost or injured soldiers. In that time frame the breed served almost to the point of extinction. Breeding programs following the war brought them back. Today the Briard is a home companion, a police dog, as well as both military and civilian search and rescue dogs.
The Basset Artesien Normand hails from Normandy, France. He was bred around the middle ages and was a popular breed with the royalty of France when they met for hunting with hounds. How the Basset was developed isn’t known, but in the 1800s the dog’s popularity grew, and Napoleon himself was a fan. With some people wanting hunting skills in their dog, others good looks and some wanting a heavier dog, the Basset Artesien Normand or the BAN emerged.
Some people believe that the Basset came from a mix of French hounds crossed with smallish breeds such as Beagles and Dashshunds.The truth is that the Basset’s origin is up for debate, but the Basset Artesian Normand took over in popularity from the Basset Normand and the Basset Chien d’Artois. These dogs are now extinct.
The first record of Bassets in America came from the 1700’s when a number of Bassets were presented to George Washington as gifts. It is uncertain what type of Bassets they were, but quite likely they were Basset Artesian Normands. The breed club was established in 1910 and given its present name in 1924. The dog is also recognized by the United Kennel Club in the Scenthound group.
The Briard is a powerful, intelligent and independent working dog. They have a straight topline and their height is almost the same as their length. They have long, large, rectangular heads with wide muzzles. Their noses are also square and jet black while their side set, large eyes can be black-brown or black. Their ears have traditionally been cropped but with more countries outlawing it, they can now have natural ears set high on the head. They have a tail that is feathered and low-cut. The feet of a Briard are round, compact and large.
The Briard is a double coated breed with a long beard and mustache. Their hair completely covers the head and the eyes so that they are not seen. They have prominent eyebrows as well.
The BAN is a small to medium sized dog, between 30 and 36 cm and weighing anything up to 20kg. He is low maintenance in terms of his short coat which is tri-colored – fawn, white with a black patch across the back. He has a long tail which is often held in an upright position. You can’t miss those long ears, which are a distinctive feature of this gentle, good-natured dog and which are low-set on the head. Add to that the dark, soulful eyes and you get a look that ‘wouldn’t hurt a fly.’
The BAN is very similar to the regular Basset Hound but he is much slimmer. This is also because although he is a companion, he was at first a hunting canine, and is fit and muscular when fed the correct diet.
The Basset Artesien Normand is a friendly, affectionate dog, becoming a beloved pet of the family that he loves to be with. His gentle nature means that he won’t score high as a guard dog. He is gentle and affectionate with children in the home, and with some training and socialization he gets on well with other pets in the family. They’re fairly intelligent and you’ll be able to train him to carry out some important commands. As a hound, he tends to want to wander, and it is always a good idea to have him on a leash when out and about with him.
This breed of dog will need a good amount of exercise and other activities, even if it means climbing onto the couch and watching a movie with you. He can’t be left in the garden day after day on his own, and you’ll need to take him on daily walks and give him a game. Exercise is of particular importance for a dog like this, as he can easily put on weight and battle with back problems.
As mentioned previously the Briard is intelligent and independent. They are also loyal, rugged, protective and bond intensely with their humans. They are often aloof when it comes to strangers or even when new furniture is introduced into the household. They have to learn that anything new into the family environment is friendly and good. They are great with children and susceptible to separation anxiety because of their deep affection for their people. Socialization for puppies is a must. This will let them know that people and children, other dogs in general are not harmful to their families. They have great memories and once they learn something – right or wrong – it is almost impossible to change it. They were bred to be independent thinkers who acted on their own conclusions. This is still true of the breed today, making them appear to be stubborn.
They are great watchdogs, fearless and brave; willing to learn, eager to make you happy. They are basically gentle but that always runs up against their protective nature. A strong alpha leader is needed to handle this hard-working dog.
The Basset Artesien Normand is such a family friend with his docile personality. Short of stature, he has a keen sense of smell, much like the Bloodhound. With his short, smooth coat, he won’t require much from you in terms of grooming. His long ears, his sad eyes and his outward turned paws are all characteristics which endear him to dog lovers.
He doesn’t like to be left alone. This Basset is yours and he wants to be part of all the action in the house, and that includes meals. He has a hearty appetite, but you don’t want to be feeding him your scraps as he can put on weight quickly. This won’t be good for his health, and as a responsible pet owner, you need to be watching his weight.
Don’t forget his daily walk that he loves so much. Treat him with love and kindness and you’ll have yourself a happy, good-natured companion.
Being a large breed, the Briard shares many of the same health concerns as other large breeds. They have a few of their own as well. Typical issues for a Briard might include:
Progressive Retinal Atrophy/Degeneration –degeneration of the photoreceptors and retina.
The Basset Artesian Normand is a fairly healthy breed and you can expect him to reach 15 years, although you have to bear in mind that this breed is susceptible to some common health defects. As already mentioned, these long-bodied, short-legged dogs are prone to back problems. Weight gain is common in these dogs and additional weight will aggravate your dog’s back problems.
While hip dysplasia is a genetic disease found more commonly in large dog breeds, it can also affect smaller breeds like the Basset. Your dog may develop a different way of walking and running and he may even resist movement as he can experience stiffness and pain in the rear legs. Hip dysplasia is mostly an inherited condition. Proper diet and exercise can help with preventing the disease.
It is best to feed the Briard smaller meals 2-3 times a day to prevent bloat. Feed 3-4 cups total for the day of a dry dog food that is high quality and made for large breeds.
Stationary Night Blindness – Congenital limited vision in the dark can vary from slight difficulty moving to complete inability to see in the dark.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy/Degeneration – Can lead to night blindness, limited or total blindness. Puppies with the disease can be blind before their first birthday.
Bloat (Gastric Torsion) – Stomach is distended and twists. Fatal if not treated quickly. Caused by eating a large meal quickly and either exercise immediately or drink a large amount of water right after eating.
Von Willebrand’s Disease – Blood clotting disorder leads to excessive bleeding. There is no cure, but it is manageable.
The Briard is a working dog and as such needs a job. They excel at agility, flyball, herding, obedience, confirmation and tracking. They need exercise and make excellent service dogs for people with disabilities and therapy dogs for those in emotional need.
The Basset Artesian Normand has a short, smooth coat and this will ensure that he is low maintenance. A regular brush twice a week will ensure you get rid of loose hairs.
Ear Infections - as is the case with long eared dogs, the Basset Artesian Normand is susceptible to ear infections. Check with your vet if you aren’t sure how to clean your dog’s ears so that you can prevent ear infections.
Brush your dog’s teeth about 2 or 3 times a week with special dog toothpaste- and brush. His nails will also need to be clipped regularly, more so if he doesn’t get to run on hard surfaces which wear the claws down.
You can speak to your veterinarian about wet- and dry dog foods and which type of food would suit your pet best. The type of food you give him, his age and his activity levels will be a guide on how to choose his food. Always make sure that a bowl of fresh, cool water is readily available to your 4-legged friend.