After months of learning commands and socialization skills—our beloved Briards are ready to once again mingle with their adoring fans. We visited Director of Coach & Livestock Paul Bennett to get an update on their training as well as a behind-the-scenes look at the pups’ care and new daily routines.
Did you catch that I said “pups” as in plural? That’s right; we have not one, but two well-trained mascots as well as two experienced handlers who work with them. Liberty and Justice are brother and sister and joined the Foundation last summer. Together, they share a gig as our official mascot. And when they’re on the clock, they are each portraying Liberty. That means when you run into them in the Historic Area, no matter which pup it is, you’re officially meeting “Liberty.”
Why two dogs, you ask? The answer is simple. We don’t ever want either one to get overstimulated or overworked. They are official Colonial Williamsburg employees (paid in treats and love) and work seven days a week. Since Briards are true “working” dogs… this is their dream job! While their shift is 8-5, only half of their day is actual work. And for every hour of training they do, they get an equal amount of time to rest. That’s just one of the requirements of our Class C certification under APHIS and the USDA.
Since the pups work separately, they’re also trained separately. I hadn’t really seen either of the dogs since the end of last year and boy have they come a long way! They’ve outgrown a lot of their puppy bad habits and appear to better understand what’s expected of them. It was amazing to watch each patiently wait and ask for permission before going through doors, taking treats, or even greeting guests. And you can tell, the bonds between the dogs and their handlers are definitely strong ones.
Part of that bonding time happens during grooming. Each pup spends about 90 minutes in the “salon” —our tack room at the Stables. There, they are often washed, dried, and then brushed, and brushed…. and oh yeah, brushed some more.
They also get to play… a lot. The pups start and often end their days out in our pasture by the stables. The urge to run and expend their energy is in their blood and the wide open space is the perfect place to let loose before heading into work.
Both Liberty and Justice love water and the staff recently purchased a kiddie pool they use to cool off (a much better solution than the water troughs they used to get into as puppies!). They also love to play fetch and practice various commands for special treats. This keeps them from getting overstimulated out in public and allows our handlers to really hone in on polishing their skills to match them up with the best events for their personalities.
Speaking of personalities, Liberty and Justice are quite different. We asked Adam and Taylor (their handlers) the best way to describe them. Taylor, who works primarily with Justice tells us he’s super calm and loves to be around people—any people. He’s quick to roll over and beg for belly scratches and if you’d let him, he’d stay in that position all day long. He’s also apparently much like a teenage boy and loves to sleep in. His mornings don’t really get started until 11:30 so he prefers to work the afternoon shift when it comes to events and appearances.
Liberty or “Libby” on the other hand is an early bird and tends to tucker out by the afternoon. If she’s surrounded by a big group, she likes to greet every single person one at a time. She’s extremely social and Adam says she especially loves kids. Right now, the Art Museums are one of her favorite stops. She’ll often make surprise appearances after “A Dog’s Life” Tour—to the delight of our younger guests.
For now—the Art Museums are one of the most popular stops for Liberty. We all know how sweltering Virginia summers can be. In just the past two weeks, temperatures have soared into triple digits with the heat index. And because of their thick, double coats, our Briards can easily become overheated. So right now, Liberty is almost always indoors in the air-conditioning. She frequents the Visitor Center, Art Museums, our hotels, and Everything WILLIAMSBURG.
One of the questions I had for Mr. Bennett since I personally own Australian Shepherds (another herding breed) is how the pups react to the other animals at the stables. That’s where they’re spending a lot of their time and he tells me they’ve become pretty familiar with our chickens, sheep, horses, cattle… and even the barn cat Molly. Adam told me it’s definitely coded in their DNA to be curious about other farm animals but if it’s bigger than a sheep—they’re usually not fazed. In fact, we watched Liberty walk right up to our oxen Duke and Diamond while we there. She sniffed noses with one of them, and then quickly went about her business. It seemed like a typical day in the office and a brief check in with a coworker.
Adam went on to tell me that both dogs also tend not to be too interested in the smaller animals like our lambs who are brought to the stables right after birth. In fact, we’re told Liberty ended up forming quite a friendship with our sweet little Edmund. She apparently got to where she would go right up to his pen and affectionately nibble on his ears. (All I could think when he was telling me the story was—how did we not get that on camera!?!). Now when it comes to Edmund’s kin folk—the much larger sheep—that’s a whole other story. We caught her keeping a close eye on her neighbors during our photoshoot.
On days that aren’t too hot, one of the dogs will often make the short walk from the Stables to the Historic Area where it can socialize with guests and sometimes even catch the last carriage ride of the day as it’s heading back to the stables.
Last Wednesday, we were there when Liberty caught up with sweet Brooke-lynn and Leah to pose for a picture before Coachman Bob rolled back to home base.
At the end of their shifts, the dogs get some more TLC from the Coach & Livestock staff. (Side note: it appears Justice has a special bond with Animal Husbander Darin!). Then, they return to their premium off-site facility which is staffed by in-house veterinarians. Mr. Bennett jokes that after a long, hard day at work—they’re ready to eat dinner, drink a beer, and go to sleep. Of course, that really means a high-protein meal with a special treat of wet food mixed in, plenty of water, and a comfy bed.
After a good night’s rest, they start the day again where new adventures and new friends await them in our Colonial Capital. Maybe they’ll be lucky to bump into you during your next visit!
A huge thank you to local photographer extraordinaire Lisa Martin Lee for working with us on this assignment and capturing the majority of these amazing pictures!
I had the best birthday ever yesterday: I was able to meet Liberty and Justice at two separate appearances.! They obviously adore Adam ( the man with the treats!) and bask in the attention they get from anyone who crosses their path. While I understand the controversy may I suggest you go spend some time with both Libertys and then see how you feel…
jim says
Briards are a most social dog.
They thrive on human contact and being most loyal and affectionate to their “masters”.
It is insane to think that they would be happy spending half their days in a concrete box.
My briard would get depressed and go crazy..
They must be with family.
They are not sheep, horses or cattle.
The USDA standard of what is “acceptable” does not speak to humanely treating a smart, intuitive and sensitive dog like a briard.
I can not imagine any briard breeder approving this as an acceptable living condition for these dogs.
Shame on Williambsburgh!
Thank you so much for this lovely post!! The photos and stories brought many smiles and chuckles. What lovely dogs and I can’t wait to meet them next summer.
Jordan says
This is such a horrible situation. How do you honestly think that these dogs LIKE living in these little concrete rooms. I would like for you to move yourself from the comfort of your home and family and live in a 4′ x 6′ cage. But don’t worry, you’ll have in-house doctors and a trainer to control you. No more free time with a family that loves you. The family you have grown up with and have been there from the start….. You wouldn’t last a week.
It is disgusting how you are trying to cover this up like it’s in the best interest for Libby. She has never known a box to be a home. But now she is stuck there after having all the comforts of a home. You guys are liars and have no respect for the quality of life for these dogs.
KH says
Thank you for this fascinating post on Liberty and Justice. By the way, how is little Edmund these days?
Edmund is behind the Powell House and he’s doing really well! He’s still a little smaller than the other sheep but he loves to eat. He gets really excited come feeding time and the Rare Breeds staff says he hasn’t lost his affection for people!.
Ashley says
Absolutely disgusting that you took Liberty from a loving home and stuck her in a kennel. Shame on you.
Where did my comment go??
Elizabeth - Your comment is still there..
Taylor says
You all are trying to tell us that you think it is best to snatch a dog from a loving home, where people cared for them and raised them and taught them and fed them and cuddled them every night….and put them in a boarding kennel??? Are you kidding me? You do realize that dogs need to be trained to love their kennels when they are puppies, right? These dogs probably have never been in this type of environment a day in their lives. That is just sickening. They are used to being with their pack (aka the people that raised them), and now they are working with people they have never even known, and not getting even close to the same amount of love as they were from their prior family. Not to mention, you all told the families that raised them that they would be able to care for them for the entirety of these dog’s lives. Now they have lost a member of their family. Can you imagine what that must be like? You all are sick, and If my comment is deleted, I will repost it, and if it is still deleted, I will go to Wavy TV 10 and expose you all!
“We explored many options for the dogs’ living arrangements, including home care or the construction of a USDA certified kennel here on our property. We concluded that, they would be better in familiar surroundings with constant veterinary care at their current facility, where they receive the highest level of professional care and affection from in-house veterinary staff in cooperation with their trainers. We deeply care about the well-being of our dogs, and intend to continually evaluate their living and working conditions.” - Kevin Crossett/Director of Public Relations
Karen Fogg says
Liberty is cute., but a Cavalier King Charles would hav.e been just as appropriate, if not more so. They go back to the 1700’s in England , a favorite of royalty and extremely smart, trainable and sociable around people and other dogs. We walk our s on “Dog. street” very fequently and every one stops to pet him and many want to take his picture. He is a beautiful breed and very well behaved without a lot of training. And this breed has a lot of interesting history. Thanks you for allowing me to express my views. I have been looking forward to meeting Liberty for quite a while.
Roosevelt Hal says
Wait…you removed a well-loved dog from a family HOME environment, and put her in a concrete kennel…away from the humans she grew up with, as a marketing ploy? Shameful.
“Colonial Williamsburg’s professional dog trainers work with Liberty and Justice every day of the week. The trainers have developed and customized an extensive exercise plan as part of their daily routine, which also includes a steady diet of guest interactions and rest. The dogs relax in an on-site facility when they are not in one of the Foundation’s public areas greeting guests. Our professional dog trainers ensure that we excel in our standards of care, with a goal of exceeding all USDA requirements.” Kevin Crossett/Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Aren’t they living in boarding facilities? Sad they don’t have homes. Glad to hear they’ve outgrown some of their habits, I recall there being some really bad ones…
Elizabeth, here is a response from Kevin Crossett, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation: After the dogs have had a busy day meeting and greeting our visitors they return to their kennels for a hearty supper and some quiet time in their spacious air conditioned kennel. This is a premium boarding facility managed and staffed by in-house veterinarians. The facility exceeds USDA requirements for kenneling dogs and the veterinary staff, together with our own professional trainers, ensures that the dogs are provided the highest level of care and comfort.
Elle says
what kind of quality of life does a dog have while living in a “premium boarding facility” that is “staffed by in-house veterinarians” after having been raised in a loving home with people who truly loved her and treated her like a member of the family instead of a mascot to be paraded around?
Mokimo says
Yes! That are. If you make any negative replies; they will delete your comments.
Mokimo says
She was taken away from the loving home where she was raised from puppyhood. The former caregiver is heartbroken. USDA standards do not replace a loving family! Shame on you Colonial Williamsburg!!😡😢
Roosevelt Hal says
Liberty had a home. A good one.
Amy Jordan says
They are both beautiful! I hope they will both come visit me on DoG Street for some all natural, locally made dog treats! I’m at the Williamsburg Farmers Market every Saturday!
Did the breed exist in Colonial America?
Helene - The Briard has its roots in colonial history. Thomas Jefferson brought the breed to the United States in 1790. It is also believed that Jefferson gifted two puppies to George Washington during his first term as President.
Also, here’s a link to our blog when Liberty first arrived. It provides a little more history about the breed. http://makinghistorynow.com/2015/08/introducing-liberty-colonial-williamsburgs-new-mascot/