The Briard or Berger de Brie is a French breed of large shepherd dog, traditionally used both for herding sheep and to defend them. It was first shown at the first Paris dog show, in 1863; the first Briard to be registered in the Livre des Origines Fran?aises, the national stud-book, was Sans G?ne in 1885. It was in the past also known as the Chien de Berger fran?ais de Plaine.