Briard

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Briards are smart, ready to work and be part of your family. Get all the information you need in our Briard breed guide.
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Breed Snapshot

Life Expectancy:

12 years

Size:

Large

Maintenance Level:

High

Shed Level:

Medium

Temperament:

Works HardHas Your BackConfident

Coat Color:

BlackGrayTawny
Blue Ribbon

Best For

Affectionate, smart and boasting peek-a-boo bangs, Briards are best for active, experienced pet parents and families who can spend lots of time with them and provide regular exercise. Briards thrive in homes with plenty of space (especially homes that boast a big backyard!).

Briard Traits

Briard Temperament

“A heart wrapped in fur”: That’s how many fans of this breed would describe Briards. They are affectionate, bond deeply with their people and make great family dogs. In fact, Briards get along especially well with kids. Fiercely loyal to their family, the breed sees kids as part of their flock and may devote themselves to their safety and ensuring their needs are met.

While American Kennel Club (AKC) classifies Briards in the Herding group because they were originally bred to herd livestock, Briards don’t have a strong prey drive, and they’re able to bond well with other animals, too. They will, however, nip at ankles when they want you or children somewhere else. You can help curb this type of behavior with proper training and ensuring they get enough exercise every day.

Briards love nothing more than having a job to do, whether that’s fetching a ball, working through a puzzle or running an agility course. But their most important job (at least in their minds) is guarding their family, and they take their work seriously. That means you’ll need to be cautious around strangers. No, Briards won’t bite your boss the first time they come over for dinner, but they’re certainly not going to offer them a handshake, either. And if you’re throwing a dinner party, and your guests have the audacity to mingle in different rooms, don’t be surprised if your Briard tries to herd everyone back together.

Briards are smart dogs who need regular exercise to keep them in top form mentally and physically. Without it, they’ll look for other ways to work through their inquisitive, intelligent and high-energy nature, even if that means destructive behaviors like chewing, digging or chasing.

How to Care for a Briard

The sheer, impressive size of a Briard is a great visual reminder of the amount of time and energy that goes into parenting the breed. In this case, “large dog” equals “large amounts of care,” from daily grooming to a rigorous exercise schedule. But every second you spend on your Briard will be paid back in unwavering devotion (and unchewed shoes).

Briard Health

A Briard’s lifespan is, on average, 12 years; but they do have some health problems to look out for. To help keep your Briard in good health for longer, keep an eye out for these common health issues. 

  • Congenital Stationary Night Blindness: This inherited eye disease causes the progressive degeneration of the retina, leading to vision loss. Currently, there is no treatment, but this condition isn’t painful for your pup. To accommodate Briards with this eye disease, keep lights on at night and do not rearrange furniture or make other significant changes to the home; this will help prevent them from running into things they cannot see. There is a genetic screening test available.  
  • Other Eye issues: Briards are prone to other eye conditions, including cataracts, corneal dystrophy and progressive retinal atrophy. If you suspect your pet is having trouble with their vision, please see your veterinarian right away.   
  • Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia can have a genetic component and occurs when the ball and socket joint of the hip does not form properly and, therefore, does not fit well together. This results in laxity in the joint, causing lameness, pain and arthritis. Treatment options typically range from medication to surgery.   
  • Hypothyroidism: Briards are prone to decreased thyroid hormone levels, which can result in weight gain, lethargy and hair loss. This can be diagnosed with a blood test and is typically treated with daily medication. 
  • Exocrine Pancreatitis Insufficiency (EPI): A health condition that can be inherited in Briards, EPI is when the body does not produce sufficient pancreatic enzymes to digest fats, carbohydrates and proteins. This leads to poor absorption of nutrients, resulting in dogs losing weight even when they’re eating well. Blood tests can help diagnose EPI, and treatment is typically supplementation of pancreatic enzymes.  

To avoid these conditions, potential Briard parents should meet with breeders first to discuss any known conditions found in the breed line. If the pet is already home, a veterinary ophthalmologist can perform an eye screening exam to rule out any potential eye issues. 

Briard History

Pop quiz! Which of the world’s most popular cheeses is the Briard named after? If you guessed Brie, then you’re right—well, sort of. (It was a bit of a trick question.) The Briard isn’t named after the cheese itself, but they’re named after the dairy belt region in northern France known for producing the rich, buttery cheese.

This breed has been cherished by the French for centuries. Briards were depicted in tapestries from the 8th century with Emperor Charlemagne. Charles the Great, as he’s also called, was also good at bringing things together. He “herded” western and central Europe together in the Middle Ages. This might be what drew him to the Briard.

Due to their confidence and athletic and agile nature, these dogs were bred by French farmers for herding and guarding sheep. They eventually used those same skill sets to aid the French army as its official war dog during World War I. They took supplies to the front lines, worked as guard dogs and helped locate wounded soldiers.

This popular French breed first came to notice in America when future President Thomas Jefferson was the ambassador to France. When his tenure ended, he left with a pregnant Briard named Bergère. She and her pups worked Jefferson’s land and to this day are believed to be some of the first Briard dogs to enter the United States. (Others were brought by his friend, Marquis de Lafayette.) The AKC recognized the breed in 1928 as its 81st breed.

Are you looking to add a Briard to your family? Briard puppies can be found through reputable breeders listed by the AKC. The average cost for a puppy is $1,500. But for that price, you’re getting a puppy who’s been screened for health and temperament issues and may come with pedigree papers. You may also seek out local Briard rescue organizations to find a dog to adopt or search for Briards at your local animal shelter.  You can also search Chewy’s database of adoptable dogs in your area.

FAQs

Do Briards shed?

Briards do shed, but they’re not excessive shedders despite their flowing locks. They need daily brushing, and it’s recommended they see a groomer every four to six weeks to keep their coat healthy, which further reduces shedding.

How long do Briards live?

The Briard lifespan is about 12 years. With their high energy and devotion to their loved ones, they pack several lifetimes of fun and loyalty into that time.

Is a Briard a good family dog?

Yes, Briards are great family dogs! Family is a Briard’s top priority, and they deeply bond with their people. They were bred to herd and protect and have enough energy to keep up with the kids all day long. But though they love their family, they’re hesitant with outsiders and need to be managed in unfamiliar settings.

Are Briards smart dogs?

Yes, Briards are smart dogs. They are also very independent, so they need a confident pup parent who will be consistent and patient with their training.

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Top Takeaways

Briards are incredibly intelligent and highly active. They need space and plenty of opportunities to work out both their brains and bodies. Early training is the key to a successful future in your family. Meeting their physical and mental needs, as well as daily grooming, will result in a fiercely loyal companion for you and your family.

Expert input provided by Dr. Melanie Gerard of Brier Veterinary Hospital in Mountlake Terrace, Washington; and Megan Janning, CPDT-KA, the training director at Fusion Pet Retreat in Minnetonka, Minnesota.

Breed characteristic ratings provided by veterinarian Dr. Sarah J. Wooten, DVM, CVJ, a veterinarian at Sheep Draw Veterinary Hospital in Greeley, Colorado; dog trainer and behavior consultant Irith Bloom, CPDT-KSA, CBCC-KA, CDBC, owner of The Sophisticated Dog, LLC, in Los Angeles; and certified animal behavior consultant Amy Shojai, CABC, in Sherman, Texas.

The health content was medically reviewed by Chewy vets.

Search for Adoptable Briards Near You

Top Briard Names

These are the top Briard names as chosen by Chewy's pet parents!

Female Names

  • Juno
  • Ruthie
  • Harper
  • Kaia
  • Jolie
  • Stevie
  • Nala
  • Mokey
  • Coco
  • Bisous

Male Names

  • Otis
  • Samson
  • Dakota
  • Brady
  • Moby
  • Dillinger
  • Theo
  • Yogi
  • Barry
  • Rudy