Briard

also known as Berger De Brie, Berger Briard

Pros Summary


The Briard is a historic herding breed that originated in the Brie region of France. They are known for their long, shaggy hair and the name "Briard" comes from the French word for "beard." They were recognized by the Kennel Club of France in 1809 and later by the American Kennel Club in 1917. They were also used as war dogs in World War I and II. They are highly trainable and excel in obedience, agility and herding trials. They are also known for their loyalty and protective nature, making them good therapy and service dogs.

Breed Information


Type

Is Briard a purebred?

Purebred

Pronunciation

How do you pronounce the Briard name? How do you say Briards?

BREE-ard

Purpose

What were Briards originally used for?

herding and guarding sheep

Lifespan

How Long Do Briards Live? What is average life expectancy for a Briard? How long can Briards live?

10-12 years

The average Briard lifespan is somewhere between 10-12 years, provided they aren't beset by any exceptional health issues or injuries.

Briard Height & Weight


How big is a full grown Briard?

What is the average height of a Briard? How big is a Purebred Briard height? Briard dog height:
Height
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 23-27 inches (58.4 - 68.6 cm) 22.0 inches (55.9 cm) 23.0 inches (58.4 cm) 25.0 inches (63.5 cm)
Female 22-25 inches (55.9 - 63.5 cm) 21.0 inches (53.3 cm) 22.0 inches (55.9 cm) 23.5 inches (59.7 cm)
What is the average weight of a Briard? How much should Briards weigh?
Weight
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 75-100 pounds (34 - 45 kg) 52.5 pounds (24 kg) 62.5 pounds (28 kg) 87.5 pounds (40 kg)
Female 50-65 pounds (23 - 29 kg) 37.5 pounds (17 kg) 47.5 pounds (22 kg) 57.5 pounds (26 kg)
Weight Gain Potential

Do Briards get fat easily?

The Briard is a breed that has an average risk of becoming obese. Daily walks and a balanced diet of quality dry dog food can help maintain a healthy weight. An active lifestyle and monitoring weight regularly is recommended.

Hypoallergenic

Are Briards Hypoallergenic?

No

Unfortunately, the Briard is not hypoallergenic, making it not a good choice for a dog lover who suffers from pet allergies.

Temperament

What is a Briard personality? What are Briard dogs best known for?

Faithful
Intelligent
Obedient
Fearless
Loyal
Protective

Shedding Level

Are Briards heavy shedders? How Much Does a Briard Shed?

Briard dogs are not heavy shedders, but they will lose a significant amount of hair each year. To decrease the amount of shedding, you can regularly brush your Briard. This will remove loose hair and keep his coat growing in the same direction.

Watchdog Ability

What is the watchdog ability of a Briard dog?

The Briard dog is one of the best choice if you want a good watchdog. This breed will keep watch over you and your family at all times. This breed takes this task seriously and will typically perform its guarding duty with little to no training. This dog will require obedience training, or you can consider guard dog training to sharpen its skills.

Breed History


Origin

Where do Briards come from?

France

Ancestry

What are Briards descended from?

sheepdog

Date of Birth

When were Briards first bred? How old is the Briard breed?

1300s

Breed Group

What Breed Group is a Briard?

Herding (AKC:1906)
Gun Dog Breeds (UKC)

Briard Appearance


Eye Color Possibilites

What color are Briard eyes?

Brown
Amber

Nose Color Possibilites

What color can Briard nose be naturally?

Black
Brown

Coat Color Possibilites

What color can Briard coat be naturally?

Black
Gray
Cream

Coat Length

How long is a Briards coat?

The coat of a Briard dog is generally known for its length.

Coat Density

How Dense Is The Briard Coat?

Coat Texture

What is the texture of the hair of a Briard?

Wavy

Litter Size

How many puppies can a Briard have in a litter? How many puppies can a Briard have in her first litter?

10-12 puppies per pregnancy

A Briard can have a litter of 10-12 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Adaptability

The adaptability of Briard dogs is a well-known trait, they are known for being able to adjust well to different living environments and lifestyle changes.

Briard Health Issues


Health Issues

Do Briards have a lot of health problems?

The Briard is generally considered to be healthy. However, like all breeds, they are susceptible to certain health issues and it is important to keep an eye out for them and address them with your veterinarian as needed.

Major Concerns

What are the major health concerns to be aware of when owning a Briard?

Panosteitis
Hip Dysplasia
Bloat

Minor Concerns

What are the less significant issues to keep in mind when it comes to Briards?

Patellar Luxation
Elbow Dysplasia
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Cataracts
Corneal Dystrophy

Occasional Tests

What are the occasional tests recommended for Briard breed?

Eye
Hip
Knee
X-Rays
Eye Examination
Physical Examination

Briard Needs and Activities


Energy

Do Briards have a lot of energy?

Briards are known for their high energy levels, so if you're looking for a more low-key dog, this breed may not be the best choice.

Social Needs

Do Briards need socialization? How social are Briards?

Briard have above average social needs compared to other breeds.They thrive in environments where they have a lot of interaction with humans and other dogs.

Exercise Needed

How much exercise should Briards get?

The Briard needs a high level of physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They also make great companions for people who lead an active lifestyle and enjoy running, hiking or other outdoor activities. These breeds are not suitable for people with sedentary lifestyle or those who live in small apartments

Sleeping Need

How much sleep should a Briard have? Do Briards sleep a lot?

Briards dogs are tend to sleep less than other breeds, but they still require adequate sleep to maintain good health.

Drooling Tendency

Does a Briard drool a lot?

The Briard is a breed of dog that is characterized by its minimal drooling, making it an ideal choice for people who dislike drool marks on their clothing.

Tendency to Bark

How much does it bark?

Briards tend to bark moderately, they bark when necessary, such as to alert their owner or to communicate something. They may also bark due to certain triggers like fear, alarm, boredom, greeting, separation anxiety and compulsive barking.

Territorial

Do Briards exhibit aggressive behavior to safeguard their home and territory? Do they possess a natural tendency to guard?

These dogs are known for being extremely protective and make excellent guard dogs. They possess a strong instinct to defend their territory and owners and have a high level of vigilance and alertness.

Mouthiness

Are Briards mouthy?

Roaming urge

What is the likelihood of a Briard running away? Do they have a tendency to explore or wander frequently?

Prey Drive

Do Briard dogs have a high prey drive?

Past times

What do Briards enjoy doing? How do I keep my Briard busy?

Cuddling, Hikes, Walks

Activity Level

What is the energy level of a Briard? How much energy does a Briard have?

Medium

Briards are medium-energy dogs and typically enjoy socializing and playing casual or even sustained games of chase with other dogs. They may also have occasional periods of barking or racing around the house.

Tolerance of being left alone

Walks per Week

How far should a Briard walk each week? How many miles should a Briard walk every week?

8 miles / week

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Briard, it's at least 8 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

Activity per Day

How much a Briard should exercise a day? How much activity does a Briard need?

60 minutes

In general most Briards usually need at least 60 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

Grooming

What level of grooming should be provided for a Briard?

This breed is known for having high grooming needs.

Brushing Frequency

How often should you brush a Briard?

Daily

Ideally, Briard should be brushed at least 2 or 3 times a week (preferably daily) improve shedding.

Brushing Tools

What are the most commonly used brushing tools for Briards?

Pin Brush
Slicker Brush
Flea Comb
Dematter
Nail Clipper

Costs


Cups

How many cups of food does a Briard eat?

2.5 cups

For an average 75-100 pound (34 - 45 kg) Briard feed 2.5 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

Daily Cost

How Much Does a Briard Cost Daily?

$2.50 - $3.20 / day

The average cost of a Briard is somewhere $2.50 - $3.20 per day.

Monthly Cost

How Much Does a Briard Cost Per Month?

$74 - $95 / month

The average per month expenses of a Briard is between $74 - $95. This makes an average of $888 - $1140 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

Briard Characteristic


Intelligence

How intelligent is a Briard?

The Briard breed is considered very intelligent and easy to train.

Sensitivity Level

How sensitive is a Briard dog?

This dog breed is more sensitive than others and easily overwhelmed by new surroundings and people. They need gentle handling and a calm, stable home environment with positive reinforcement training.

Affection Dependance

Are Briard dogs affectionate?

Apartment Friendly

Do Briard do well in apartments? Are Briards good indoor dogs?

It's not recommended to keep the Briard in an apartment, but this breed make good apartment dogs as long as they get to spend a good amount of time outside of the apartment. Briards living in apartments will need plenty of physical exercise and stimulation throughout the day to remain happy and well-behaved.

Child Friendly

Are Briards good with kids? Are Briards good around children?

Briards are kid-friendly dogs. They are good with children and excellent dogs with children if they are socialized and trained at a young age.

Senior-friendly

Are Briards good for elderly?

Cat Friendly

Are Briards good with cats? How friendly Briards are toward cats?

Briards are an average cat friendly dog. They do well with cats, even more if raised together from puppyhood,

Dog Friendly

Do Briard dogs get along with other dogs? Are Briards OK with other dogs?

Briards are average friendly towards other dogs. If they are raised with other dogs, they are likely to get along with them. And, if they are socialized properly from a young age, they will usually be great with other dogs.

Pet friendly

How do Briard dogs interact with other pets? Are they considered pet-friendly?

Stranger Friendly

Are Briards friendly with strangers?

Briards are below average friendly around strangers. Keen of eye and sharp of tongue, most Briards are very quick to announce strangers at the door. Once the visitor comes in, some Briards will be friendly and outgoing. But many others have the standoffish or suspicious towards strangers.

Playfulness

Do Briards like to play? Are Briards playful?

Briards have an average level of playfulness. The Briards, like other dogs, like to play. But they are not the most playful dog breed.

Trainability

Are Briard easily trained?

Briard dogs are known for their ease of training and ability to learn quickly, making them a popular choice for pet owners and trainers alike.

Pros Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Intelligent
    Briards are highly trainable and excel in obedience and working tasks.
  • Protective
    They make excellent watchdogs and are protective of their family.
  • Active
    They have high energy levels and require regular exercise.
  • Loyal
    They are highly loyal and form strong bonds with their family.

Cons

  • Not Hypoallergenic
    People with allergies should be aware that Briards may cause allergic reactions.
  • Not suitable for office environment
    Briards are not typically recommended for office environments.
  • Not Apartment Friendly
    Briard may not be the best choice for indoor pets.
  • Training
    They require consistent and firm training to prevent them from becoming dominant.