Briard

This dog is seen of black, fawn, grey and blue.  

A long double coat consisting of a long and coarse outer coat and a fine undercoat. 

Dark.

This is a dog of medium to large build, stocky but not bulky. Its skull and muzzle are well-proportioned. The ears are set high and are usually small. The tail is carried low to the hocks when the dog is inactive but about level with the top-line when the dog is moving. 

The Briard has a pleasant and affectionate personality, and has a want to please its owners. Its temperament tends to waver between serious and clownish depending on how the dog feels. 

An active dog that likes to play and interact; it can also be mischievous. 

This dog does not enjoy surprises, loud noises or sudden movements and can, as a result of these things, become overly timid and agitated. 

This is a highly intelligent dog. Its training needs to be varied and done so in a forthright manner: the dog can be stubborn and refuse to learn if it is bored by the lesson. 

The Briard is a herding dog, but it will chase smaller animals if it feels like doing so. 

This dog is nervous around strangers and it will either be aloof or timid; it prefers to approach new people in its own time. 

Briards are independent thinkers but their loyalty to family causes them to tirelessly follow their owner. 

Briards do not tolerate solitude. If left alone for long periods of time this dog becomes agitated, barks excessively and chews furniture and carpets. 

The Briard is a challenge to train. A confident master who consistently varies the dog’s training is needed. Briards get easily bored of routine. 

The Briard is not considered a very vocal dog; its barking quickly dies down.  

The Briard can be manipulative. If its owner has allowed the dog to think of itself as being ‘in charge’ it will do what it likes when out for a walk. Reinforcing the ‘recall’ command is always worthwhile. 

The Briard can be very destructive if it is stressed or lonely. 

Briards are prone to obesity if fed too many treats or too much human food. 

Briards are exceptionally alert and quick to fright. They will bark to let you know if someone is on the property or at the door or even walking down the street. 

A Briard needs a firm (yet humane) hand during its formative years. An experienced owner who can manage the occasional stubbornness of the dog is called for. That being said, this is a reasonably good first dog. 

As long as it is given plenty of time outdoors a Briard’s indoor living space does not have to be huge. This dog may suit a flat but it is far better suited to living in the country. 

An energetic dog is the Briard. The dog will expect its owner to plan long and exciting outdoor adventures. 

The Briard will become nervous when travelling. It is worthwhile to crate train this dog.  

Although a Briard is not known for its high prey drive it will still be interested in small scurrying animals and will enjoy chasing anything that moves.

Some Briards exhibit aggression when they meet other dogs, especially dogs of the same sex.

The Briard is a nervous dog, and it will not tolerate being played with roughly, taunted or deliberately scared. 

Because it is a dog that requires lots of exercise, the Briard may not be the perfect choice of dog for some of senior years. 

The Briard sheds lightly throughout the year. In warmer months it sheds more plentifully. 

The Briard is generally healthy and robust but is prone to ailments linked to genetic inbreeding. Its life expectancy is 10 to 12 years.

A Briard will not care what the weather is like as long as it is outdoors. This is a brave and adventurous dog that can walk for miles at a time.  

The Briard does not tolerate hot weather overly well. A ‘thin and trim’ haircut will help the dog to get through the hottest time of the year. 

The double coat of the Briard keeps the dog warm in bad weather. 

Weight gain can be a feature of the Briard. If your Briard is not exercised as regularly as it should be and is fed too much human or substandard food it will become obese. 

• Hip dysplasia
• Bloat
• Cataracts
• Retinal atrophy
• Congenital stationary night blindness
• Hypothyroidism
• Lymphoma

First bred it is thought in the Middle Ages, the Briard has been depicted in art and literature ever since. After the French Revolution, the Briard gained popularity among farmers who considered the dog perfect for herding and guarding sheep. During WW1 the dog was put to use as a sentry and was the official dog of the French army.