Briard
About the Briard
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Large (50-100 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 22-27" |
| Weight | 55-100 lbs |
| Coat Type | Long |
| Coat Length | Long |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | Yes |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
High (60-90 min/day)
60 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
High - Daily
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Needs plenty of mental challenges
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $1,500-$3,000 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,800/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Briards may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- Active Owners
- Guard Dog
- Allergy Sufferers
May Not Be Ideal For
- Apartment Living
- First-Time Owners
- Long Work Hours Away
Guides for your Briard
The story behind the Briard
Sheepdogs of Briard type have worked the plains of northern France for centuries, with references to similar dogs appearing in French records well before formal breeding began. Their role combined herding and guarding, moving flocks across unfenced farmland by day and protecting them from wolves and thieves at night, and the breed was widespread among ordinary French farmers rather than confined to estates. A French veterinarian is credited with separating the rough-coated Briard from the smooth-coated Beauceron in the late 1800s, and a club and standard followed. The First World War, fought across its home region, saw Briards used as sentries, messengers and casualty-search dogs, and it cost the breed heavily. Today the Briard is uncommon, kept largely as a companion and sport dog with a minority still herding.
Originally bred for: Herding, Livestock guardian, Guarding. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Briard
A large heavily coated herder needs a large-breed puppy formula to keep growth controlled, then a quality adult diet matched to activity. Beards stay considerably cleaner with dry food, and the coat conceals condition so completely that weight needs checking by hand.
Watch for: No breed-wide intolerance is documented for this French herder. Long facial furnishings trap food and moisture, causing irritation that resembles a dietary reaction, and deep-chested large dogs benefit from calm divided meals. Any persistent problem should be assessed by a veterinarian first.
Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for large breeds.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket, and a slow feeder bowl if your dog inhales dinner. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Briard
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse chew toys built for strong jaws and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.