Week 8- PP

With a new retrovirus devastating the current dog population it is important to save a breed that will carry on the legacy of dogs honorably in the future. I have lived with dogs all of my life, I was born to parents who were dog owners. Pets played an instrument role in my childhood and upbringing, since the day I was born until the day I die, I will play with, care for, and live alongside dogs. Dogs to me are not simply pets though, they are family members to love and protect. I cannot image a world in which dogs would not exist, if dogs were to go extinct an amazing light and beautiful harmony between man and beast would be extinguished from the world. If I could I would save all dog breeds from this terrible virus, but forced to save a specific breed I would choose the French briard.

The French briard is a truly amazing animal, they have served humanity nobly for hundreds of years. Kings and emperors alike have called on their service many times due to their protective and fiercely loyal nature. Charlemagne King of the Frankish Empire and Holy Roman Emperor owned briards, valuing their companionship over all other breeds. Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France also owned briards, utilizing them as watch dogs and sentries as they were very alert dogs who could bark loudly if danger was close or if individuals that posed a threat were nearby (American Kennel Club).

Leaders and rulers alike have taken briards for pets by valuing the same characteristics that people have seen in briards for centuries. Originally breed for herding and protecting sheep in rural France the briard’s temperament, dedication, and loyalty to their owners makes them useful for a wide range of tasks and makes them ideal pets. In both world wars they served their human owners and were used in support roles so often that their breed almost went extinct from being over extended as guards and search and rescue dogs. Even today briards are used by military and police forces due to their many positive qualities. If any dog breed were to be saved from this virus, that breed should be one who has served humanity faithfully and deserves survival for its past, present, and future importance.

As a former briard owner I can attest to their loving and caring nature. They are kind animals who typically are friendly and gentle, yet are protective of their owners in the face of danger. My dog Dusty was a beautiful dog, an amazing animal whose long hair gave him a goofy lovability that any person, dog person or not, could appreciate. While his time on Earth was cut short by a rare disease, there is not a day that goes by when I don’t think of Dusty or the joy he brought into my world. I know me and family would give anything to have our Dusty back, sadly we live in a world of absolutes. While his return is impossible maybe the survival of the briard would be enough to carry on Dusty’s legacy forever.

Citations

"Briard." American Kennel Club, www.akc.org/dog-breeds/briard/.