The dogs of Thomas Jefferson

Unlike George Washington who was a hunter and breeder of hunting dogs, Thomas Jefferson was a farmer. To the young Jefferson dogs were wild beasts who killed his sheep.

In fact he wrote the first dog licensing law for his state of Virginia in an effort to identify the owners and make them pay for the damage to livestock.

All that changed when he went to France, serving for four years as ambassador. He was introduced to the Briard and fell forever under their spell as companion and working dog.

The Briard had been known for many centuries in France as a companion and working dog. They appeared in eighth century tapestries. Both Charlemagne and Napoleon are said to have owned Briards. Originally they were used to defend livestock against wolves and poachers, but as times became more civilized, they were used for herding flocks and guarding the property.

Jefferson wrote of the Briard, “They are the finest house and farm dogs I have ever seen.”

On his return home, he bought a pregnant female named Buzzy who delivered two puppies on the ship. Lafayette sent him more dogs for his American breeding program. Jefferson used the dogs to guard his flock of Merino sheep at Monticello where they also served as household companion dogs.

Jefferson gave mating pairs of the dogs to his friends with the warning not to neglect them and to keep them well fed so they would not destroy livestock.

When Jefferson moved into the White House, he left the dogs at his farm in Virginia where they were well cared for, could happily continue to herd sheep, and didn’t have to get involved in politics.

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Comments

[Kristine]

I read a book once on presidential pets and it was kind of cool. The book was published a long time ago and I can't remember the title or the author, unfortunately. My favourite has always been Socks, the cat. :-)

[jackie]

he should have taken them to the white house..never was a dog that guarded sheep more needed..

[Heather]

They are beautiful dogs.

[Pamela]

I liked Jackie's comment. Maybe we need some sheepherding dogs in congress today.