Briard

The Briard spent centuries herding and guarding sheep flocks in France's Brie region, and it served as a war dog in World War One, searching for wounded soldiers on the battlefield. The long, coarse, goat-like coat covers the whole body including the face and needs serious, regular grooming to avoid matting. Males can weigh up to 40 kilograms, with a sturdy, muscular build suited to long working hours outdoors. A distinctive feature, double dewclaws on the hind legs, is actually required by the breed standard. Temperament runs independent and watchful, and it tends to sense a threat and guard its family on instinct. Training calls for patience, since the dog tends to decide for itself when a command is worth obeying. Life expectancy runs 10 to 12 years.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Briard: how old in human years?

56–68 cmHeight
27–40 kgWeight
10–12 yrsLife expectancy

Collie (Smooth)

FCI group: Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs)
FCI section: Section 1: Sheepdogs
FCI: 113
Country of origin: France

Energy level

4/5
Trainability

4/5
Family friendly

4/5
Grooming need

4/5

At a glance

Height

Males 62–68 cm

Females 56–64 cm

Weight

Males 33–40 kg

Females 27–32 kg

Life expectancy

10–12 yrs

Coat

long, dry, coarse, goat-like coat (long)

Temperament & Family Life

Briard's average temperament and family-life score for this breed is moderate.

Family friendly 4/5
Good with children 4/5
Good with other dogs 3/5
Friendly with strangers 2/5
Intelligence 4/5
Trainability 4/5

Exercise, Energy & Space

Briard's energy and exercise needs are moderate.

Energy level 4/5
Exercise need 4/5
Apartment friendly 1/5
Prey drive 2/5
Hunting instinct 2/5

Guarding & Alertness

Briard's guarding and alertness traits are high.

Guarding instinct 4/5
Watchfulness 5/5
Barking level 3/5

Grooming & Care

Briard's grooming needs are low.

Shedding 2/5
Drooling 1/5
Grooming need 4/5

Living with the Briard

When a visitor arrives, a Briard studies them closely from behind your legs, and only after a while, if all seems in order, comes over for a sniff. This French sheepdog spent centuries not only moving flocks but guarding them, so it is devoted to its own people and politely wary of strangers at first. Every footstep near the gate will be reported to you without fail.

It has a lot of energy, and that energy needs a direction: long walks, running, scent games or herding work. A Briard learns fast and thinks for itself, so dull drills bore it quickly, while calm, consistent and friendly training pays you back many times over. A flat feels cramped to it; a house with a garden suits it far better.

With its family, children included, it is gentle, though it may try to herd the kids, so channel that habit into games. It gets along with other dogs well enough, especially ones it met when young. Early socialisation is no luxury here: the more people, places and sounds a Briard meets as a puppy, the calmer the guardian it grows into.

Grooming and coat

A Briard's coat is long, dry and coarse, described in the breed standard as like goat hair, with a dense undercoat beneath. It doesn't shed much, but the loose hair stays in the coat, so once or twice a week brush and comb right down to the skin. Tangles form fastest behind the ears, under the elbows and on the hind legs. As you work, part the coat and look at the skin for redness, ticks or scratches. The beard collects water, food and half the meadow, so a wipe after meals is worth it. A Briard also has double dewclaws on its hind legs, and those nails never wear down on their own, so they need trimming.

Once a week lift the hair-covered ears and look inside: clean, odour-free and not red means all is well. The eyes live under a fringe, so part it and check they are clean and clear, and take an eye that is red or watering to the vet.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

A grown Briard comes back from a muddy walk with half the field in its beard, and under all that hair is a big, strong working dog that can be with you for ten to twelve years. A few conditions involving the joints, the eyes and the thyroid are linked to the breed, so it helps to know what to look for. A long coat hides a lot, which makes your hands during grooming, and regular vet check-ups, especially valuable.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Hip dysplasia

The ball and socket of the hip don't fit together as they should, so the joint wears over time. You might notice your Briard getting up slowly after a rest, hesitating before jumping into the car, or pushing off with both hind legs together when it runs, like a rabbit. In a big, active herding dog that matters, so if you are getting a puppy, ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.
Eye problems

Several inherited eye conditions are linked to the Briard, and some of them first affect sight in dim light. You might notice your dog moving uncertainly in a familiar place in the evening, or an eye looking cloudy or red. A long fringe hides the eyes, so part it now and then and take a look, and if you are getting a puppy, ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.
Hypothyroidism

The thyroid gland makes too little hormone, and the whole body slows down. The dog puts on weight without eating more, tires sooner, seeks out warm spots, and its coat turns dry and thin. Under a Briard's thick coat such changes are easy to miss, so if your lively dog goes flat for no clear reason, take it to a vet.

Food for large breeds — cheapest per kg

This list is chosen by the breed's weight (40 kg) rather than the breed itself: shops label food by dog size, so every breed of the same size gets the same list. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 405 g of dry food a day, from €22,26 a month For a neutered, normally active 33 kg dog. Calculate for your dog