Briard Complete Breed Guide

Briards are smart, devoted, and eager to work. These sweet, shaggy pups love having a job to do and someone to guard. They may try to be the leader, but if you can show them who’s boss and satisfy their craving for activity, you’ll have a proud protector by your side.

With their long hair, expressive eyebrows and beard, and a J-shaped tail, Briards are unique-looking dogs with big personalities and an even bigger appetite for work. They love having something to focus on and showing you that they have minds of their own. The Briard’s stubbornness can be frustrating and will require training to break, but deep down, they’re sweet dogs that are eager to please their owners. Briards are kind toward family and friends but may be wary of strangers or new people. Socialization and training can help them warm up quicker, and once they bring you into the inner circle, you’ll be a friend for life.

Lifestyle & Living Conditions

Briards are loving and affectionate with family but suspicious around strangers. They get along well with kids of any age and other animals if they’re raised together and socialized. However, as herding dogs, they’re known to nip at your heels, so training will be important to break them of the habit. Briards can adapt to life in a home or apartment as long as they have a good-sized space to play in.

Exercise & Activity

By nature, Briards workings dog that love having a job to do, so they need plenty exercise and activity. If they get bored or restless, they’re known to be destructive. Briards enjoy daily walks, games that stimulate their mind, and jogging along your side.

The Briard is a brave, intelligent, and loyal breed. They quickly become very attached to their family and consider it their job to protect them. Briards were bred to accomplish tasks on their own, and so they tend to be quite stubborn. That’s why it’s important to assert yourself as the pack leader to keep them in line and show them who’s in charge. When you get past their stubborn exterior, though, Briards are playful, affectionate pups that just want your love and attention.

The Briard has a rough double coat with fine fur underneath and wiry fur on the outside. The hair is water- and dirt-resistant, and it won’t shed much if you brush it weekly. The Briard's coat can come in many color variations, like black, gray, and tawny. The only exception is white, which is uncommon among the breed.