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Breed profile

Briard

A long-coated French shepherd that both herded and guarded the flock. Devoted, protective and a big grooming commitment.

Fawn Briard sitting in a sunlit woodland clearing with tongue out
A fawn Briard glowing in evening light.Photo: Dardeche at Dutch Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Weight
25–45 kg55–99 lb
Height
56–68 cm22–27 in
Lifespan
10–12 yrs
Group
Pastoral / Herding
Origin
France
Popularity
#172 US#150 UK · 2025

Known for: WatchdogsWorking dogs

Energy
Shedding
Trainability
Barking
Good with kids
Flat-friendly

Temperament

Devoted, Protective, Intelligent, Reserved with strangers.

Health problems to know about

  • Hip dysplasia
  • Congenital stationary night blindness
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Cataracts

Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.

Daily care

An hour or more of exercise and training a day. Brush right through the long coat two or three times a week, more as a young dog.

A good fit for

Experienced, active owners who want a loyal family guardian and enjoy grooming.

Probably not ideal for

First-time owners, flats, homes with lots of unfamiliar visitors.

Sources

  1. American Kennel Club: Briard
  2. PetMD (vet-reviewed): Briard
  3. Wikipedia: Briard

Popularity: AKC 2025 registration rankings (US); Royal Kennel Club 2025 registrations (UK, ranked by us). Breed traits are tendencies, not guarantees. Individual dogs vary, and mixed breeds and rescues can be wonderful fits too.

Similar breeds

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Belgian Malinois

A short-coated Belgian herding dog with a huge work drive. Brilliant with an experienced handler, a handful without one.

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Bouvier des Flandres

A shaggy Flemish farm dog: steady, protective and easy to live with, as long as you enjoy grooming.

Belgian Laekenois

The rarest, rough-coated Belgian Shepherd. Alert, hard-working and protective, with a scruffy fawn coat.

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