Dog Breed

Briard

Braniac
Primary image of Briard dog breed
Full Name
Briard
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Life Span
10 - 12 years years
Weight
70 - 90 pounds
Description

Fearless, Loyal, Obedient, Intelligent, Faithful, Protective

Origin
France
Bred For
Herding, guarding sheep
Attachments
    Family Considerations
    Child Friendly

    Is the Briard good with children?

    Yes, the Briard is very friendly with children. We still recommend introductions to children while they are young so they get used to them, but the Briard naturally loves children.
    Stranger Friendly

    Is the Briard friendly with strangers?

    The Briard is about average in how friendly they are with strangers. They can be timid or protective, but with proper training and socialization can be fine for any household.
    Dog Friendly

    Is the Briard friendly with other dogs?

    Yes, the Briard is very friendly with other dogs. We still recommend early socialization while the Briard is a puppy to introduce them to various new dogs, but in general they are friendly with dogs as soon as they meet them.
    Likes to Cuddle

    Does the Briard like to cuddle?

    The Briard likes to cuddle up every once in a while. They appreciate physical affection, but probably won't stay in your lap for extended amounts of time.
    Playfulness

    Does the Briard like to play?

    The Briard will almost always be ready for play! The Briard is great for a family with children, or otherwise, an environment that is always ready for play.
    Service Dog Ability

    Does the Briard make a good service dog?

    The Briard can be a service dog with the proper training. Briards are not the most common service dog, but they certainly can be if their personality matches- smart, patient, and extremely dedicated to their owner.
    Overall Ease of Breed
    Ease for Novice

    Is the Briard good for first-time owners?

    The Briard is not the easiest breed for first-time owners, but can certainly still work out if the owner is willing to put the time into training and exercise.
    Training Potential

    How well can the Briard be trained?

    The Briard can be trained to the highest level and is oftentimes seen in various competitions. The Briard is not only intelligent, but it wants to please its owner and is motivated with competition, especially if it feels like it has a job assigned to it.
    Amount of Shedding

    Does the Briard shed a lot?

    The Briard sheds a lot! They may still shed less than a few other breeds, but be prepared for dog hair throughout the home and on your clothes.
    Ease of Grooming

    Is the Briard easy to groom?

    The Briard requires a good amount of grooming work. It is possible to do it yourself, but you need to plan on dedicating weekly grooming sessions at the minimum.
    Exercise Need

    Does the Briard need a lot of exercise?

    The Briard needs a daily exercise partner! The Briard is best suited for a family where it will get plenty of daily exercise; it has so much energy that exercise is mandatory to avoid destructive behaviors.
    Personality
    Intelligence

    How smart is the Briard?

    The Briard is one of the smartest dog breeds. Having a very smart dog is fun, but it is also demanding- they require mental challenge and stimulation just as much as physical exercise.
    Amount of Barking

    How much does the Briard bark? Does the Briard bark too much?

    The Briard barks a lot. This is important to consider with your living situation- will it be ok when you leave them at home alone or will they disrupt the neighbors? The Briard will oftentimes bark just to express their thoughts... even just to be heard!
    Guard Dog Ability

    Is the Briard a good guard dog?

    The Briard is not a dog breed necessarily known as a guard dog, but they are alert. The Briard is protective of its family, and has above average tendencies when it comes to guarding property.
    Tolerates Being Alone

    Is the Briard good at staying alone? Is the Briard independent?

    The Briard is not very independent and does not do great when left behind for longer than a couple of hours. This is one of the most important things to consider when getting a new dog.
    Home and Environment Considerations
    Good for Apartment Living

    Is the Briard a good apartment dog?

    The Briard is not a good dog for apartment living for several reasons. It is still possible to make it work if the owner is dedicated to plenty of training and daily exercise, but it may be challenging.
    Size

    How big is the Briard?

    The Briard is a medium sized dog breed. They can range in size depending on genetics, and males are larger on average than females.
    Tolerates Heat

    How much does the Briard tolerate hot weather? When is it too hot for a Briard?

    The Briard can tolerate some heat, but should not be over-exposed to hot weather. In general, they can live in hot weather climates, but would do best with air conditioning or at least a fan in their home, especially where they sleep.
    Tolerates Cold

    How much does the Briard tolerate cold weather? When is it too cold for a Briard?

    The Briard can tolerate cold weather well. Play time in the snow or on particularly cold evenings may need to be limited, but overall they can do well in cold climates.
    Potential to Run Away

    Does the Briard try to run away?

    The Briard does sometimes run away. This is especially true if they are distracted, or see other cats or dogs. They probably won't go out of their way to "escape", but a fenced yard is still recommended.
    Physical Characteristics
    General Health

    Is the Briard a healthy dog? The health of a Briard should be measured not just by how many years they live, but also by how many health issues they've had. It is important to know which health conditions your breed is prone to- hip problems, eye problems, bloating, and arthritis are all common dog health problems.

    The Briard is healthy, but has an average number of health risks that should be taken into consideration.
    Energy Level

    How energetic is the Briard?

    It seems like the Briard never runs out of energy. If you are looking for a 5 AM run partner, the Briard is your dog! A dog's energy level is one of the most important considerations when getting a new dog, and we would only recommend the Briard for a family where it will get plenty of exercise.
    Amount of Drooling

    How much does the Briard drool?

    The Briard does not drool at all.
    Prey Drive

    Does the Briard have a large prey drive? Does the Briard like to chase birds, cats, and other small animals?

    The Briard has a high prey drive and has a natural tendency to chase after any small animal. Every case is unique, but the Briard may not be the best dog for living with other cats or small animals.
    Athleticism

    Is the Briard atheltic?

    The Briard is a true athlete. The Briard is both fast, strong, and has a ton of endurance that suits it well for runs, hikes, and even marathons!
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  1. Herding
  2. Briard
The Briard is a purebred dog that falls within the larger Herding dog breed group.
Herding group: The Herding group dogs all share an instinctual ability to control the movement of other animals. They have traditionally been raised on farms to help herd and protect valuable livestock. They are intelligent, and have been bred to treat each day like they have a "job" they must do. Their innate herding ability is such a big part of who they are, that they are known to even "herd" their owners, children, or other small dogs. Some can seem stubborn and even obsessed with their herding, since they take it seriously! They have high expectations, and must be stimulated mentally just as much as physically. The reward to these "high expectations" is that they can be trained very well, and are oftentimes used in competitions. Certain breeds such as the well known German Shepard are also used by Police forces, because of their discipline, intelligence, and ability to be trained.

Briards for adoption

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