Breed Spotlight

Best Bully Sticks has seen some furry dogs, some fuzzy dogs, but today’s Breed Spotlight is all about a shaggy dog! BBS is talking about the Briard, a French herding dog with a lot of spunk and a lot of heart. Read more about this shaggy dog below!

History & Background: It seems the Briard has been a popular dog for many ages. The dog originated as a French herding dog, as a mix between the sleek Beauceron and the wooly Barbet.  During the Middle Ages, the Briard was a beloved dog that has been seen in tapestries and written records. The breed was used mostly as a livestock herder and guard that was more prone to bite a stranger in defense of its breed, but became a “softer” dog through selective breeding. The Briard was used in the French Revolution & WWI as a messenger, sentry and to search for wounded soldiers. However, they’re most commonly used as pastoral dogs and served as herders, watchdogs and guard dogs. It’s said that Charlemagne, Napoleon, Thomas Jefferson and the Marquis de Lafayette all owned Briards. The stories are conflicting about who, Jefferson or Lafayette, introduced the Briard to America.

Today, the Briard serves in many roles, such as police, military and search and rescue dogs. The Briard breed has also had a handful of on-screen roles that have included appearances on Dennis the Menace, My Three Sons, Get Smart, Married…with Children and Dharma & Greg.

Height: 23 – 27 inches (males); 22 – 25 ½ inches (females)

Weight: 66-88 pounds (males); 55-77 pounds (females)

Coat: The Briard’s coat is one if its most distinctive features, truly making it a shaggy dog. The long outer coat is dry and hard, so much so that it even makes a scratchy noise if strands of fur are rubbed together between fingers. Even though the coat is dry, a good coat will have sheen, denoting healthy hair. The hair falls flat on the body in long wavy locks, including the head. The head’s hair naturally lies flat and has a natural part down the middle, however the Briard’s long eyebrows do not lie flat and curve up and out to create a light cover over the eyes. The Briard also sports a mustache and beard. The undercoat is fine and tight against the whole body. As much hair as this dog has, it’s never so much that it covers up the dog’s shape or impedes vision. This dog needs steady grooming to look ideal and also be comfortable. An ungroomed Briard can develop matted fur. Read more

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel exudes kindness, a gentle nature and playfulness. You can almost see it in their eyes; the Cavalier is simply loving and sweet. Best Bully Sticks takes a look into the Cavalier’s past this week—it’s origins and it’s journey to being a modern dog.

History & Background: From their beginnings, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has been a dog of comfort and companionship. Depictions of this dog can be seen all throughout English history in tapestries and paintings.  However to understand the origins of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel their history has to be traced through it’s predecessor, the King Charles Spaniel.

The King Charles Spaniel was a favorite of the court of King Charles of England and his court. These little dogs were called “Spaniel Gentle” or “Comforter” and were even believed to be able to keep fleas and sickness at bay. King Charles even was said to have his “little dogs” everywhere he went. These dogs had longer noses, and when King William III & Queen Mary II took the throne these longer nosed dogs were going out of fashion and pugs were beginning to grow in popularity. The long-nosed spaniel and the pug, or other flat nosed dogs, were bred together and a new type of King Charles Spaniel was created.

This “down-grade” of the breed appalled many and in the 1920’s an American, Roswell Eldridge set out to find a King Charles Spaniel most like its ancestor. Eventually, a male and female that met Eldridge’s requirements were found, however he died before he saw his plan come to fruition. Yet, a group of dedicated fanciers had grown behind Eldridge’s plan and the first breed standard set by this group and was called, “King Charles Spaniel, Cavalier Type” to set it a part from its ancestors. Not too long after, the breed became known as the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. It wasn’t until the mid-1950s that this breed came to America. The AKC didn’t recognize this breed until 1997. In pop culture, this breed is known to be the dog of the “Sex and the City” character Charlotte York.

Height: 12-13 inches

Weight: 13-18 pounds

Coat: Cavaliers have a medium length coat that is silky and can be wavy, but never curly. This breed’s coat feathers on the ears, chest, legs and feet. The breed standard by the AKC states that this dog shouldn’t be trimmed or clipped and should only be shown in it’s natural state. The only exception to this rule is for the hair that grows between the pads of this dog’s feet. Read more

Rottweilers—the protector of humans. Because ultimately, this dog saves lives through its work. And this dog does work; as a police dog, a guard dog, a rescue dog and even as a therapy dog. Read more about the origins of this dog in the Best Bully Sticks Breed Spotlight on the Rottweiler.

History & Background: Rottweiler’s hail from Rottweil, Germany where they were used as herding dogs for sheep and for carrying carts full of goods to market.  In fact, Rottweiler’s are one of the oldest herding breeds. Rottweiler’s were selectively breed for their herding and guarding characteristics but as the need for these skills diminished over the years, breeding slowed down. At one point in the early 1900s there was only one living female Rottweiler in Rottweil, Germany. Not too long after this, Rottweiler clubs were started to preserve the breed and since, the breed hasn’t changed much at all.

During and since WWI & WWII the Rottweiler has been used a police dog, messenger, ambulance and guard dogs. The AKC recognized this breed in 1931

Height: 24"-27" for males; 22"-25" for females

Weight: 110-132 lbs for males; 77-105 lbs for females

Coat: Rottweiler’s coats are simply designed: a medium-length, dense and flat outer coat and an undercoat, which is mostly present on neck and thighs. The amount of undercoat will depend on the climate the dog is in, but should never show through the outer coat. This breed only sheds seasonally. Read more

The Komondor truly has a commanding presence. A unique looking, intelligent and fiercely loyal dog, Best Bully Sticks Breed Spotlight will take a look at what makes this strong-willed and strong-bodied dog tick. With origins in Asia and Eastern Europe, the Komondor is an interesting read!

History & Background: The name Komondor comes from phrase “Koman-dor” meaning “Dog of the Cumans” in the language of the Cumans, a migratory, light skinned and haired people. The Komondor has a common ancestry with Tibetan dogs. The Cuman people were pushed out of Asia around 900 during the Mongol conquest. The Cuman people finally found refuge and settled around 1200 in Hungary.

This large breed was used not as a livestock herder, but a livestock guard dog for large sheep and cattle. Their duty as guard dog to these animals came mostly without human prompting. Komondors were so revered in Cuman culture that their remains have been found in gravesites. These dogs are now a national Hungarian treasure and are being preserved so no sullying or modification happens to this breed. This breed began to spread around the world in the 1920s and started appearing in dog shows. This dog is still a favorite in the show ring and was recognized by the AKC in 1937. Today this dog is known as the “Hungarian Komondor” or “Hungarian Sheepdog.”

Height: Males: 27.5 inches minimum height, 31.5 inches average height; Females: 25.5 inches minimum height, 27.5 inches average height

Weight:  Males average 110–132 lbs, Females average 88–110 lbs Read more

Defining the perfect family dog is hard, but this week’s Best Bully Sticks Breed Spotlight might come close. A historical European breed, the Ibizan Hound has been a family hunting dog for ages. Find out more about this beautiful and affectionate breed below!

History & Background: The Ibizan Hound (pronounced I-bee-zan" or "I-beeth-an) originated from Eivissa, or Ibiza, approximately 80 miles off the coast of Spain. The first name for this unique looking dog was Podenco Ibicenco.  This hound was used for its speed in hunting rabbits for itself and the farming families of this small island. This hound is similar to the Pharaoh Hound, the Cirneco dell'Etna, the Portuguese Podengo, and the Podenco Canario, all of whom have ancient roots. Depictions of an Ibizan-type dog are seen on the walls of ancient tombs dating back to 3400 B.C. and it’s thought the Phoenicians brought these Egyptian dogs to Ibiza.

Height: 22-29 inches

Weight: 45-65 pounds

Coat: Ibizan’s have two coat variations: short and wire-haired. The short coat is more common and just that: short. This coat is shortest on the head and ears and then lengthens on the back of the thighs. A wire-haired Ibizan’s coat can range from 1 to 3 inches and can have a mustache as well. This coat variety finds more hair on the back, back of the thighs and tail. The texture of both varieties are hard in texture.  Read more