Briard
Height56–69 cm (22–27 in)
Weight27–41 kg (60–90 lbs)
TypeHerding
Life Expectancy12–14 yrs
OriginFrance
A large, shaggy French herding dog with a heart of gold beneath its impressive coat. Briards are intelligent, loyal protectors that have served as war dogs, herders, and devoted family companions for centuries.
Breed Ratings
Personality
Intelligence
5/5
Trainability
4/5
Playfulness
4/5
Energy Level
4/5
Social
Good with Kids
4/5
Good with Dogs
3/5
Good with Strangers
2/5
Lifestyle
Apartment Friendly
2/5
Exercise Needs
4/5
Watchdog Ability
5/5
Barking Level
3/5
Care
Shedding
2/5
Grooming Needs
5/5
Health Robustness
3/5
Where Are Briards From?
Briards have been herding sheep in the French countryside since at least the 8th century. Charlemagne and Napoleon both kept them. During World War I, they served as sentries, ammunition carriers, and search-and-rescue dogs, locating wounded soldiers on the battlefield by following their groans.
What Is It Like Living With a Briard?
Briards are fiercely loyal and protective while remaining gentle and playful with family. They have a strong herding instinct and may try to herd children by bumping or circling them. They’re wary of strangers but not aggressive — a Briard takes time to warm up but becomes a devoted friend once trust is established.
How Much Exercise Does a Briard Need?
Plan for 60–90 minutes of daily exercise. Briards are athletic, powerful dogs that need physical and mental challenges. Without enough activity, they’ll find their own entertainment, and you won’t like what they choose. Dog sports like herding, agility, or tracking channel their energy well.
How Often Do You Need to Groom a Briard?
The long, wavy coat needs daily brushing — no shortcuts. Mats form quickly, especially behind the ears and on the legs. On the plus side, Briards shed minimally. Health concerns include hip dysplasia, bloat, progressive retinal atrophy, and hypothyroidism. Lifespan is 10–12 years.
Are Briards Healthy?
Briards are ideal for experienced owners who want an active, loyal guardian with strong herding instincts. They’re not for apartments, novice owners, or anyone who dislikes daily grooming sessions. Surprising fact: Briards have double dewclaws on their rear legs — an ancient breed characteristic required by the breed standard.
Our Honest Take on the Briard
The Briard is a working herding guardian with a luxurious coat that hides serious dog underneath. Most Americans buy them for the look and discover too late that they're living with an opinionated French farm dog who has views on visitors, vehicles, and which family members belong where.
Common Mistakes New Owners Make
- 1Underestimating grooming. The Briard's long double coat needs 2–3 hours of weekly brushing minimum; neglected coats develop pelts that have to be shaved completely, and professional grooming runs $130–$200 per session.
- 2Skipping early CSNB (congenital stationary night blindness) DNA testing. This is a known, testable breed disorder — both parents must be tested, and the test costs roughly $80.
- 3Treating them as just a herding dog. Briards have strong guardian instincts as well; the territorial behavior surprises owners expecting Border Collie biddability.
- 4Insufficient socialization. Briards are naturally reserved with strangers; without serious early socialization, adults can become reactive and difficult to manage at 80+ pounds.
Who Should Think Twice
Avoid Briards if you can't commit to extensive grooming, live in a small apartment, want a dog that loves every stranger, or are a first-time owner of a large herding/guardian breed. Households with frequent visitors or contractors will find the breed's territorial nature exhausting without consistent training. Hot, humid climates are also a poor fit — the coat traps heat and the dogs genuinely suffer in summer.
Real Costs in 2026
Briard puppies from health-tested breeders (OFA hips, eyes, CSNB DNA, thyroid): $2,000–$3,500 in 2026. The breed is uncommon in the US — expect waitlists of 12–18 months from reputable breeders. Annual costs total $2,500–$3,800 including food ($70–$90/month), grooming ($1,200–$1,800/year), and vet care. Insurance at $50–$70/month is reasonable given hip dysplasia and bloat risk; gastric torsion surgery costs $5,000–$8,000.
Living With a Briard: Year by Year
Briard puppyhood is exuberant and physical — these are large, mouthy puppies that grow into 80-pound farm dogs, and the bouncing leap-and-grab habit needs structure from week 9 or you'll get bruised forearms at 18 months. Adolescence (10-24 months) brings the herding-guardian dual heritage online: a previously friendly puppy may suddenly bark at the postman, herd children, and develop opinions about which family members belong in which rooms. The French call them 'a heart wrapped in fur,' and the bond intensity is real — Briards select their person and follow that person across the property at all times. Prime adulthood (3-9) is when the breed's sophistication shows: subtle, watchful, deeply attached, instantly aware of household mood shifts. The surprise that catches owners is the noise sensitivity in many lines — Briards startle at fireworks, thunder, and chaotic environments more than the working-dog look suggests. Senior years are typically 10-12, with bloat and cancer being the leading concerns.
The Training Reality
Briards are intelligent and trainable but require a thinking handler — Coren ranks them in the upper working-intelligence tier, and they consistently respond to a handler they respect. Housetrained by month 4-5. Marker training combined with clear structure produces excellent results; nagging or repetitive drilling causes them to disengage entirely. The realistic ceiling is solid pet obedience plus herding trials, AKC obedience, agility for athletic dogs, and tracking work. The training pitfall is socialization: like Bouviers and Belgians, Briards need 100+ controlled positive stranger encounters before 16 weeks or they become reactive adults. The breakthrough most owners need is structured weekly classes through month 24 — Briards left to 'mature out of it' on their own typically don't, and an 80-pound reactive dog is a serious management problem. Avoid harsh handling; Briards remember corrections for weeks and many become avoidant of the offending handler. Plan for 18-24 months of consistent training before considering off-leash work.
A Day in the Life
Morning is 45-60 minutes of meaningful exercise — a brisk walk plus 15 minutes of training reps or off-leash running in a fenced area. Daytime they shadow their primary person, lie across doorways to monitor the household, and alarm-bark at vehicles in the driveway. The long double coat picks up burrs, leaves, and mud at industrial scale; expect 20-30 minutes of brushing twice weekly minimum, plus 2-3 hours weekly to maintain a true show coat. Most owners settle for a semi-shaved working trim by month 18. The beard holds water from the bowl and trails it across the floor like a Bouvier. Most Briards sleep 11-12 hours and remain alert even sleeping. Evening means another 30-45 minute walk plus calm time. The quirk owners only discover after living with one: Briards 'count' family members. If a child stays at a friend's house overnight, the Briard will pace the front door for hours, looking for the missing person.
How Briards Compare to Similar Breeds
Compared to a Bouvier des Flandres, Briards are leggier, longer-coated, and slightly more reserved with strangers; Bouviers are stockier and slightly more sociable. Compared to a Belgian Tervuren, Briards are bigger, calmer, and more guardian-leaning; Tervs are lighter and more drivey. Compared to an Old English Sheepdog, Briards are dramatically more guardian-oriented and longer-lived; OES are friendlier but have hip and cardiac issues plus shorter lifespans. Compared to a Polish Lowland Sheepdog (PON), Briards are 2x the size and more protective; PONs are smaller and more pet-oriented. If you want the look without the herding/guardian intensity, a Bearded Collie is friendlier with strangers and easier in family homes.
Great For
- Families with children
- First-time dog owners
- Active, outdoorsy people
- Allergy-conscious homes
- Home security
Think Twice If
- You have a sedentary lifestyle
- You want low grooming effort
- You live in a small apartment
- You have frequent guests
Are Briards Prone to Health Issues?
Briards are predisposed to: hip dysplasia, bloat, progressive retinal atrophy, congenital stationary night blindness. Regular vet visits and a healthy diet help prevent common issues.
Health Robustness
3/5
How Much Does a Briard Cost?
Purchase Price
$1,500–$3,000
Monthly Food
$65
Annual Vet
$500
Annual Grooming
$400
Est. First Year
~$3,930
Est. Annual
~$1,680
Recommended Gear
Affiliate disclosure: The links below are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. This never influences which products we recommend.
Best For
Compare Briard
Related Breeds
Other Herding breeds you might like
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Briard cost?
A Briard puppy typically costs $1,500–$3,000. The estimated first-year cost including food, vet visits, and grooming is around $3,930, with ongoing annual costs of approximately $1,680.
How long do Briards live?
Briards have an average lifespan of 12 to 14 years. Common health concerns include hip dysplasia, bloat, progressive retinal atrophy, congenital stationary night blindness.
Are Briards good with kids?
Briards score 4/5 for being good with children. They are generally excellent family dogs and get along well with children of all ages.
Do Briards shed a lot?
Briards have a shedding level of 2/5. They are relatively low shedders but still need occasional grooming.
Are Briards good for apartments?
Briards score 2/5 for apartment friendliness. They are better suited to homes with yards and ample space to move around.