HerdingFrance

Briard

A heart wrapped in fur.

Weight: 70–100 lbs
Height: 22–27 in
Lifespan: 10–12 yrs

In short

The Briard is a French herding breed developed to guard and herd flocks, weighing 70–100 lbs and living 10–12 years. Loyal and protective with a long coat, it needs thorough weekly brushing and early, steady socialization so wariness of strangers doesn't become a problem.

Is it right for you?

A great match if you…

want a devoted, protective family dog
have a fenced yard and time for long walks
don't mind a weekly hour of brushing

Think twice if you…

live in a hot climate
have frequent visitors and little time to socialize
want a low-maintenance coat

The daily plan

Exercise: 60–90 min
Training: 2–3 × 5–10 min
Treat limit: 150–195 kcal

At a glance

TrainabilityQuick study8.0/10

EnergyActive7.0/10

Calm at homeCalm indoors9.0/10

SheddingLight shedder3.0/10

What sets it apart

01
Double rear dewclaws
The standard requires two dewclaws on each hind leg, so check them when trimming nails.
02
Long, dry coat
A slightly wavy, goat-like coat needs weekly line brushing to the skin to avoid mats.
03
Guardian instinct
Bred to protect the flock as well as herd it, so early socialization with strangers is essential.

Size & coat

Specification	Male	Female
Weight	75–100 lbs	65–85 lbs
Height	23–27 in	22–25.5 in
Lifespan	10–12 yrs
Coat	Long, coarse, slightly wavy outer coat with a fine undercoat

Side profile 22–27 in at the shoulder

Back in stock soon

Personality

A Briard bonds deeply with its family and follows you everywhere. It is protective, sensitive and smart enough to make its own decisions.

With kids

Devoted to the family's kids, though it may try to herd them or step in when play gets loud.

With other pets

Usually fine with pets raised alongside it. Can be bossy or dominant with unfamiliar dogs.

With strangers

Reserved and watchful with people it doesn't know. Well-socialized Briards are polite, not aggressive.

Alone time

Does best with company. Long days alone can lead to barking, digging or anxiety.

Training

Briards learn quickly but think for themselves, and they remember unfair treatment. Calm, consistent, reward-based training keeps them cooperative.

How often

2–3 sessions a day of 5–10 minutes each, ending while the dog still wants more.
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)

Between 8–16 weeks, meet many calm, friendly strangers in many settings, and keep it going through adolescence. For a guardian, this is the most important training you'll do.
Self-control

Calm behavior at the door and around visitors matters most. Teach a go-to-mat cue for the doorbell and reward quiet watching rather than charging in.
What it works for

Praise and a job well done mean a lot to a Briard, and most also work happily for food. Use small, high-value pieces within 10% of daily calories, and add a game of tug or fetch.

Exercise

Briards like purposeful activity: long walks, hikes and herding-style work. They stay energetic but don't need constant motion once mature.

Exercise a day 60–90 min

CouchModerateAthlete

Good outlets

Long walks and hikes
Herding lessons
Carting or obedience-based sports

Brain work

Herding instinct tests and trials
Nosework or tracking
Obedience and rally

Best home

Best with a securely fenced yard; handles cold well but struggles in heat.

Watch for Deep-chested and prone to bloat, so avoid hard exercise for an hour before and after meals.

Feeding

Adult maintenance for a typical Briard (70–100 lbs) lands around 1,500–1,950 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.

Puppy (to 12 mo)

Daily calories: 1,875–2,450 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 16–20%
Treat limit, all treats: 190–245 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 9–12 pieces a day

Adult Maintenance

Daily calories: 1,500–1,950 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 14–18%
Treat limit, all treats: 150–195 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 8–10 pieces a day

Active / Working

Daily calories: 2,050–2,700 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 18–22%
Treat limit, all treats: 205–270 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 10–14 pieces a day

Senior

Daily calories: 1,300–1,725 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 12–16%
Treat limit, all treats: 130–175 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 7–9 pieces a day

Compare every life stage

Life stage	Daily calories	Protein	Fat	Treat limit (all treats)	Saylor's liver, suggested / day
Puppy (to 12 mo)	1,875–2,450 kcal	26–30%	16–20%	190–245 kcal	9–12 pieces
Adult Maintenance	1,500–1,950 kcal	24–28%	14–18%	150–195 kcal	8–10 pieces
Active / Working	2,050–2,700 kcal	26–30%	18–22%	205–270 kcal	10–14 pieces
Senior	1,300–1,725 kcal	24–28%	12–16%	130–175 kcal	7–9 pieces

The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.

Health & grooming

Hip dysplasia, bloat and inherited eye disease, including congenital stationary night blindness, are the main themes. Choose a breeder who DNA-tests and learn the signs of bloat.

Watch for	Ask the breeder or vet for	When
Hip dysplasia	OFA or PennHIP hip evaluation	Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder)
Congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB)	CSNB (RPE65) DNA test	Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder)
Inherited eye disease	Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist (CAER)	Yearly in breeding dogs
Hypothyroidism	OFA thyroid panel	In breeding dogs; ask your vet if symptoms appear

Official health tests for breeding dogs

The OFA's CHIC program asks Briard breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.

Hip evaluation
Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
Stationary Night Blindness

Also recommended

Thyroid panel
Elbow evaluation

See the full list on OFA.org

Grooming Moderate, heavier in seasonal coat changes

Line-brush to the skin once a week (1–2 hours for a full coat), more in coat changes. Trim hair between pads, trim nails including both rear dewclaws every 2–3 weeks, check ears weekly and brush teeth several times a week.

History

1700s–1800s

Shepherd's dog of France

Known as the Berger de Brie, the Briard herded and guarded sheep on French farms.
1897

First standard

The first French breed standard was written in 1897.
1914–1928

War service and AKC

Briards served the French army in World War I as sentries and messengers and to find wounded soldiers. The AKC recognized the breed in 1928.

Questions owners ask

Are Briards easy to train?

Yes, for a confident owner. They learn fast but are independent and sensitive, so they respond best to calm, consistent, reward-based training.

Are Briards good with kids and other pets?

Usually with their own family. They are devoted to kids but may herd or guard them, and some are bossy with unfamiliar dogs. Socialize early and supervise visiting children.

How much exercise does a Briard need?

About 60–90 minutes a day. Long walks, hikes and a job like herding or obedience keep them content.

Do Briards shed?

Moderately, and the coat is a serious commitment. Expect thorough brushing every week, more during seasonal coat changes, to prevent mats.

What health problems do Briards have, and how long do they live?

They typically live 10–12 years. Hip dysplasia, bloat, hypothyroidism and inherited eye disease such as CSNB are the main concerns, so ask for hip, eye and CSNB DNA results.

Is a Briard good for apartments or first-time owners?

Usually not. They are large, protective and need space, grooming time and steady socialization, which suit experienced owners best.

Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats

Back in stock soon

We're restocking. When it's back, a Briard needs only 8–10 pieces a day, well inside the 150–195 kcal treat limit.

See the product

Where the Briard ranks

Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.